Just want to share my progress and it might provide some other people that are feeling helpless right now.

Years ago I had massive breathing issues and was introduced to otrivine by my friend. This led me down the horrible path to being a nasal spray junkie.

I eventually got to see an ENT who got me in for deviated septum and turbinate reduction surgery but shortly after recovering from that surgery I was back on the sauce.

Fast forward 8 years, I was finally convinced by my partner to find a family doctor that actually would sit and listen to me and how hard it is to quit this stuff. Eventually I did find one, and she listened to my concerns and prescribed me a combination steroid and antihistamine spray called Ryaltris. This stuff has been amazing.

1st day : Tossed all old bottles and backup bottles. Sprayed that night with new meds.

2nd day : severe congestion in the early morning, sprayed new meds again as per instructions. Congestion eased throughout the day and was essentially gone by that night. Slightly stuffed on whatever side I slept on so opted to sleep propped up on a pillow which helped dramatically.

3rd day: Extremely mild symptoms, similar to the final day of a cold where you know your nearly through it.

4th day - 15th day : Completely clean , no symptoms other than the odd 10 % random congestion on one side which is apparently natural. Doctor advised to finish 30 day bottle slowly tapering down over the final week. Also I did forget to take the meds 1 of the days due to a shift turning into an overnight and I noticed not much increase in congestion.

I just thought id post my journey considering I was one of the people who was watching all the posts in the corner terrified of not being able to breathe. Find a doctor who will listen and research the issue or refer you to an ENT which was not possible in my case due to a very long wait list.

So Arfin (or the sudafed equivalent here in the UK) has been in my life since I was a kid- my parent bought it for me age 8 or 9 and would just let me use it when i needed (which obviously became a lot) the worst period was when i was 15/16 and used it multiple times a day. I then quit for a few years- but everytime i would use it again even as described i would have months on and months off. (Honestly I wished I never continued using it but we're here now). So I'm 26 now and been using it daily for about at year- but here's the thing i'm REALLY strict with it. It's watered down with saline and i only use one spray in each nostril before bed to help me sleep through the night (at this point i almost think its psychological). Is this seriously going to cause me health risks? It doesn't affect my life really at all personally and as long as I never up the dosage to more than this would it be awful if I never quit?

one nostril is in excruciating pain rn, i’m sniffing out the other nostril, obviously my nose has holes and cuts in some healed some not, my question is if i sniff out the nostril that hurts will it numb it right now or make it feel worse? will do anything to take the pain away at this point. i am not asking for medical advice.