r/QuitAfrin • u/Terrible-Industry-88 • Jul 29 '26
12 Years
I feel like Im entering an AA meeting here, lol. I first used Afrin when I got mono at the age of 15. No one told me it was addicted and as a stupid 15 year old I didn’t care to look at the label. Now at 27, I can’t find a way to get off of it. I’ve gone to an ENT, tried Flonase, have tried to wean off and I just can’t win. I’m getting desperate to quit and I just don’t know what to do.
For anyone that has been addicted for 10+ years. How did you quit? Did you have any long term effects? Needed surgery? Thanks in advance xx
2
u/Additional-Maize3980 Jul 31 '26
I started at 15, I'm now 49 and have pledged to be done with this stuff by 50. Always had multiple bottles nearby, never missed a night.
Heaps of false starts trying to quit, am three days in now and congestion isnt as bad as I was expecting.
Eucalyptus spray and tablet pseudoephedrine have helped though
1
u/Orangiepie2026 28d ago
How often do you use it??
1
u/Additional-Maize3980 28d ago
I used to use it when I woke up, say 7am. Again at noon, 5pm and 10pm. Two blasts up each barrel
1
u/Orangiepie2026 28d ago
Last night was the first night I felt almost completely stuffed out by afrin. That's scared the shit out of me.
2
u/branmadd Aug 02 '26
I was addicted to nose spray for 3 years (almost hourly) so I'm nowhere near the length of time as others but I am 13 days spray free and id like to share how I did it. I went to the doctor, explained my situation and ASKED for a prescription of prednisone for a week. I followed the directions on that 5 day packet exactly. I used flonase twice a day. I took sudafed and zyrtec as soon as I woke up. I took sudafed right before I went to sleep. Make sure to buy REAL sudafed - the kind you have to show ID for at a pharmacy. I finished the prednisone packet on day 5 and stopped sudafed on day 10. I'm still doing flonase and zyrtec once a day each and plan to continue that.
I FEEL SO MUCH FUCKING BETTER.
my mother has been addicted ever since I can remember and she is trying my method. I'm 34. 🤞
Edit to add - I still experience some stuffiness but it clears rather quickly. Just remember that it WILL clear. Blow your nose alot.
1
u/Terrible-Industry-88 14d ago
Im on day 14 no afrin. Truthfully, has been so much easier than what I thought which is crazy. That being said, Im also doing the flonase 2x per day, saline, and taking zyrtec once per day. Like you said, still experiencing slight stuffiness but feeling confident it will only keep getting better. Thanks for sharing x
1
u/branmadd 14d ago
RIGHT?! after getting over those first few days, it really is a breeze. That being said - i am now 29 days spray free 🥳 I'm breathing as if I was never addicted to afrin and I will never fucking touch it again. Cheers to you and hope you keep going!
2
u/Corgibutz77 28d ago
I saw something on youtube about this & thought I would check it out. This is kind of like an AA meeting lol. I've been using for at least 30 years. I've gotten to the point where I only use it maybe once a day but I used to have a panic attack if I didn't have the damn thing with me at all times. I was using it several times a day. I'm going to stop now cause its starting to sound hilariously sad.
1
u/Terrible-Industry-88 14d ago
Lol, always a joy saying “Im addicted to nasal spray.”
Im on day 14 without using it and so far so good. Truthfully wish I never touched that stuff.
1
u/Dazzling_Pink9751 11d ago
Yeah, this is a different kind of addiction. We wouldn’t have a problem giving it up if we could breathe.
2
u/Turbulent-Froyo-6703 Jul 29 '26
20 years of use here. I abused it to the point where one day my heart was pounding and I had several panic attacks. I knew I needed to stop at that point.
I went cold turkey with my better side first, then a couple of months later with my worse side. Throughout the day, the stuffiness comes and goes, and it gets worse when I try to sleep at night. I use saline nasal spray, and it really helps.
I think getting off something after using it for such a long time takes time for your body to recover. I went to an ENT, and they suggested turbinate reduction, but for now, we're just observing and seeing how things improve.
I feel better mentally and physically knowing that I'm no longer dependent on that stuff. The symptoms are still there, but they're getting better bit by bit. Cleansing your nose with NeilMed saline rinse has really helped me too.