I'm an Afrin addict - but I can quit any time

@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.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
19 May 07
Afrin - Afrin nasel spray
Afrin is a nasel spray to clear the congestion, but it has a rebound affect.
2 people like this
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
20 May 07
ElicBlxn, what is the rebound effect? Explain please!
1 person likes this
• 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
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
20 May 07
You stop on one side & wait until that side is cleared up then you can stop all together. This is how both of the allergist told me to stop. Now, when I get sick, I pretty much try only to use it on one side.
2 people like this
@gberlin (3836)
19 May 07
Never tried Afrin. It must be really good! :) I usually use Dayquil and Nyquil for stopping my runny nose and other cold symptoms.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
19 May 07
it targets the congestion in the nose - only - I for one, am rather addicted to breathing - especially thru my nose.
3 people like this
• 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.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
19 May 07
I know that, but since I've already ruined my sniffer I don't see why I can't atleast be comfortable while I'm sick. Still haven't found that bottle....
2 people like this
@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
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
20 May 07
I guess I'm stuck with the Nasel-cort, doesn't work as well, but claims less rebound effect. So far I'm still breathing!
1 person likes this
• 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
• Canada
5 Jun 07
Good luck finding it and CONGRADULATIONS for giving up you addiction ... I hope your better soon ...
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I didn't find it, but I'm all better now! Thanks.
• 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.
• 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
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
20 May 07
Isn't it a good thing that I quit back in 86 or 87 & have only used it when I've had a cold since. - still haven't found the bottle - did find the nasel cort - doesn't work as good tho.
2 people like this
@hookfan (447)
19 May 07
Hopefully you can find that bottle! :)
1 person likes this
@bruxedo (773)
• France
27 May 07
I don't know afrin, but after what I've read here I'm not willing to try... :)
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
27 May 07
Its a nasel spray to clear you passages, but it has a rebound effect if you use it more than a couple of days - I, on the other hand, get rebound right away! Never did find it.
@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.