I'm an Afrin addict - but I can quit any time
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63194)
United States
May 18, 2007 10:00pm CST
I know, its sort of a joke. I am/was hooked on Afrin for many years, and this cold has me looking for the bottle of Afrin I bought for the last cold -around Christmas. And I can't find it! I actually quit using Afrin in 1986 & have only used it when I'm sick since then - & gotten off it as soon as I was better.
I think the bottle I bought last year was only the 4th since I quit - considering that a bottle lasted about a month before then, & was part of my regular monthly stock up I think that's pretty good.
Now, IF I can just find that bottle of Afrin....
8 people like this
13 responses
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
19 May 07
What is AFrin, is it something like Nyquil?
I hope you get feeling better. I know I am tired of my allergies. We got a good heavy rain today and I am hoping it has washed away a lot of the pollen.
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
20 May 07
Oh, now I know what you mean. Isn't it like chapstick, after awhile you have to have it to be 'normal' with whatever the regular state of moisture in your nose ought to be?
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
20 May 07
I went through that a long time ago, quit, and then a few years ago I started up again and I haven't been able to kick it at all. When I do, it feels like a vice grip has been put on my nose, I can't breathe, and I get the worst headaches from it. It would be nice to be able not use that stuff anymore...I'd kinda like my sinuses to get back to normal one of these days. LOL
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45946)
• United States
19 May 07
You really should try not to use a nasal spray other than saline. Other nasal sprays are very addictive and overusage can damage the mucus membranes of your sinuses.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
20 May 07
Ok, I confess. I am an Afrin addict too. Except I use the walmart brand. I am glad you got over your addiction and I read your advice to katlady about stopping on one side. I might just try that. Did you find that bottle yet? By the time you find it, your cold will be gone.lol.
1 person likes this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
19 May 07
My second husband was addicted to Afrin for 10 years, he never quit and is probably still using it daily for a cold he does not have. I tried to get him off of it, but that was as hard as trying to get him to quit drinking to save our marriage, so sad, too bad.
2 people like this
@keepermykitty (2573)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
Good luck finding it and CONGRADULATIONS for giving up you addiction ...
I hope your better soon ...
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
25 May 07
I used to use Afrin on occasion, but I was always able to quit after a while, though it was uncomfortable when doing so. Now, I get extreme pressure headaches when I use it, so I don't use it at all. I use Nasalcrom which is an allergy medicine and doesn't have a rebound effect. I originally started using it with doctors prescription. It helps prevent nasal allergies, not open the airways like Afrin. I have never had a problem with quitting it or having a rebound effect if I forget to take it.
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
12 Jun 07
You are not alone. My grandfather was an Afrin addict too. My grandmother used to keep like 4-5 bottles under the bathroom sink. I don't know how many he used to go through at a time but she always kept it in stock. LOL
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
20 May 07
Sounds like you have severe allergies! Too bad your sinus passages will eventually start to bleed a lot from overuse of the stuff. Then you won't be able to breath from that nose at all or will need surgery to help rebuild passages. Anything we inhale makes it to the lungs too! That is a scarey thought.
1 person likes this
@brendakaya (2332)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I've never found Afrin appealing, though I used to feel like I couldn't breathe unless I used my Vicks nasal thing. Can't think of what it's called, but it had vicks in it. lol I used to keep it under my pillow at night. Seems like my nose used to always be stopped up, and I thought that helped. Actually, I guess it di help sometimes, but I think it was in my mind the rest of the time.