Question:
Nasa spray addict!

I have been addicted to nasal spray for the past 15 years. I have tryed to get off of it, but my head just stops completely up without it. Do you think it would have any affect on my surgery, or should I say something to the doctor and risk having to suffer without it through the whole ordeal?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 4, 2001)

July 4, 2001
Hi fellow nasal spray addict!! I use the 12 hr. spray twice daily and just like you stop up completely without it. I had WLS 10/00 and it didn't occur to me to tell my doctor. So I was cold turkey after surgery and due to the NG tube down my nose and the oxygen nasal canula and no nasal spray, my oxygen saturation was so low my doctor called in an internal medicine doctor as a consult. After I confessed about my use of nasal spay he said it was ok for me to use my spray, and as soon as did it was like a mircle! Another of my addictions, caffine, proved to be a problem also, since that was another cold turkey withdrawl that resulted in severe headaches for several days. I am still off the caffine but haven't given up the nasal spray!! Good luck on your surgery, It's the best thing I ever did for myself!!
   — DONNA T.

July 5, 2001
I was a nasal spray addict for about8 years. One morning I was feeling especially congested and the stuff ran right out and didn't help at all. From that day forward I vowed never to use the poison again! If you quit cold turkey it should only take 2-3 days before you feel normal again. Believe me--the first three days were awful but I have been breathing fine without the stuff for 9 years now! I use Claritin-D for my allergies and that works way better than ANY nasal spray! You can do it! The spray may gag you after surgery--keep that in mind.
   — jenn2002

July 5, 2001
I am so glad you posted that question. I have been on Afrin or the generic for over six years. I told my surgeon and he didn't seem too concerned. You can bet I'll bring it with me though. I think I'll have to use it in the hospital for sure. I'll work on quitting my food addictions first, once I conquer that, then I'll work on the nosespray. :) Meredith
   — Meredith P.

July 6, 2001
I stopped using the nasal spray easily by switching to a straight decongestant tablet (like sudafed or a generic -- they are little red pills). It only took a few days, first one in the morning and one at night, then just one at night, and then just one when I felt stuffed up, and within a week, I didn't need the spray or the pills at all! -- Rose
   — Rosie P.

July 7, 2001
I was also addicted to Afrin...well it felt like forever. About 10 days after my surgery I went to an ENT to prescribed antibiotics and prednisone along with a cortisone nasal spray called Nasonex. For the first time in MANY years and after MANY attempts to quit, I am nasal spray free!! Talk to your primary care doc and see if you can do this before surgery--believe me it's hard to use nasal spray when you have an NG tube up your nose. I did take my nasal spray to the hospital and had to use it a few times, but it is a wonderful relief to finally be off it for good. The ENT said it turns your nasal linings into mush and it can take a couple of months to regenerate after you stop completely. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Good luck to you with both the surgery and the nasal spray!
   — Diane B.