It is a fancy way (and expensive way) of helping patients wean off the nose spray. Decongestants are a type of medicine that can give some short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose.
Communities > Pregnancy > Addicted to afrin nasal spray! The rebound ensures Afrin manufacturers of more sales. Charlotte Doyle (author) from Texas on March 29, 2018: Glenn Stok from Long Island, NY on March 28, 2018: Excellent article Charlotte. It reduces the active ingredient as you work through a bottle of it, that you delete at various stages with saline they provide. I can feel the raw emotion from the beginning to the end. The best way to break an Afrin addiction, according to Dr. Besser, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. I wonder if you had a moment to answer a question? You can also try saline nasal sprays that are a little gentler and keep your nose hydrated. 2020. Whether it is washing your sheets or using an air purifier, there are many ways to reduce indoor allergens. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect. But I wouldnt suggest reaching for it first; use all other measures before Afrin., If the problem is allergies, topical nasal steroids (, ) reduce allergic inflammation over a couple days, Dr. Gels says. https://mothertobaby.org/baby-blog/when-the-sniffles-strike-during-pregnancy-cold-meds-your-questions-answered-2/ [Accessed November 2021], Yau W, et al. In fact, it could be responsible for up to 9% of visits to allergists and ENT doctors. I found that the combination of antihistamine and decongestant worked well to relieve my nasal congestion. I would like to say thank you for this article. The good news? Sort of the same as a neti pot, but easier to manage. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Afrin (for the nose) is for temporary relief of nasal congestion (stuffy nose) caused by allergies or the common cold. This speeds up the process of mucus removal normally done by cilia, or small hairs, in the passageways. , which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion. When you spray a shot of Afrin nasal spray into your nose, you will feel immediate relief from congestionbut the effects dont last. Why was it so hard to quit? Consuming turmeric in pregnancy is a debated subject. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. ). If you find you are still having difficulty, please consider seeing an ENT to evaluate the cause of the nasal congestion. ugh not being able to breathe at night is just the worst!!!! I was just given some Rhinocort. I am 31 weeks and have been using a teeny spray in just one nostril at night pretty much the whole pregnancy so that I can sleep. I use it 4 times a day and did the same with my first pregnancy. I had same situation as you, 33 wks prego & sinus infection but couldn't take antibiotic because I'm allergic. Someone needs to know your entire healthcare story and oversee its management. Your nasal tissues need these things, so once the Afrin wears off, your body overcompensates by drawing more blood to your nose, and you feel even more congested than you did beforewhich makes you want to use it again. I am not sure about using Afrin during pregnancy. Learn the signs of inner ear infection and when to see a doctor. The main symptom of congestion is a stuffy nose. I am not sure what the best way is. i'm really worried! What are the side effects of decongestants? Briggs, G., Freeman, R. K., & Yaffe, S. J. However, not all humidifiers are the. Applies to oxymetazoline nasal: nasal spray. Lol I hear ya! It was helping me breathe normally but I abused it for almost a year. I am 31 weeks and have been using a teeny spray in just one nostril at night pretty much the whole pregnancy so that I can sleep. NAS occurs when heroin passes through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, causing the baby to become dependent, along with the mother. Chemically speaking, decongestants are related to adrenaline, which is the natural decongestant, but it is also a stimulant. The purpose of nasal irrigation is to rinse out mucus and any debris from the nasal passageways. so it was probably a coincidence. You gained a fan in me. Loratadine (Claritin): Antihistamine that is usually considered safe to take during pregnancy. Afrin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. But you should beware of the side effects of using it too often. Some other common. Children are born who they are meant to be. Now, I only use one spray in each nostril at night around 9 PM. Tolerance can lead to physical drug dependence, which is different than drug addiction. Healthcare has become much more complex with many of us getting care at a variety of urgent care centers because they are convenient. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. I'm wierd about things & refuse to spray anything up my nose. I also do the saline nasal rinses, and they help a ton too! But two ingredients sometimes found in nasal sprays - pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine . https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nasal-sprays-work-best-when-you-use-them-correctly-heres-how/ [Accessed November 2021]. If it makes you feel better, on the mommy Med app there has never been any information to show that it harms babies. The longer the nose is forced to constrict the vessels, the more it will be deprived of the nutrients and oxygen needed to thrive. can get so bad that eventually, the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect, its not a true addiction, because it doesnt create a physiological dependence on the spray. Studies show that relapse is very rare. Learn how your comment data is processed. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/pseudoephedrine/ [Accessed November 2021], MotherToBaby. Symptoms other than nasal congestion may be attributed to other causes, such as allergies. Before discussing Afrin nasal spray addiction, we have to answer: What is Afrin? So frustrating! If the decongestants (such as Afrin) are used for longer than the prescribed number of days, rebound congestion will likely develop. I want to avoid that full rebound situation at all costs. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as . Thanks for your reply, glad Im not alone! , because it doesnt create a physiological dependence on the spray. Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be relatively easily managed. (2013, September). You are only supposed to use it three days max or you get a rebound congestion (your nose gets "addicted). While less potentially harmful than opioids, these replacement medications are also drugs and will affect the baby as well. Adrenaline released into the blood during a fight or flight response (such as running to evade a predator) attaches to receptors in the nose, widening the passages so we can breathe easier, Dr. Gels explains. Mazzotta, P., Loebstein, R., & Koren, G. (1999). If you use it once, your body will become dependent on it, they say. However, like many drugs, Afrin comes with unique considerations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A. Thank you for your article. Thank you Dr. Momma. My doctor isn't concerned in the least. Colds and allergy. I always recommend avoiding decongestants in kids unless recommended by a physician. So, the patient continually feels a need to use the spray to combat the continued congestion. #36. According to theNational Institute on Drug Addiction, theres a difference between physical drug dependence and addiction. As our position changes from standing to sitting to lying down, the weight of the blood shifts. This keeps your nose from clogging up when you change positions. thank you. Oxymetazoline works by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which helps you breathe more easily. All rights reserved. When I tried to quit Afrin cold turkey, it was a terrible experience. I was awaresomewhere in the back of my mindthat I wasn't supposed to be using Afrin for an extended period of time, but I did anyway. Exercise. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose). By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Doctors call this phenomenon rebound congestion, or. We'll tell you if it's safe. To learn more, please visit our. Oxymetazoline works almost immediately, and the medication's full effect is reached in 5-10 minutes. Hello ladies. I have tried every other remedy and nothing works and my doctor says I have to get some sleep somehow. Use nasal strips at night to help open up your nasal passages while you sleep. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'mamapedia_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',640,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mamapedia_com-banner-1-0');I've been addicted for about 15 yearsor as my brother says, I'm addicted to breathing. Treating opioid use disorder in pregnant women involves a combination of opioid replacement medication, counselling and behaviour therapy. I first heard about this method from both my father and my father-in-law, who have successfully used the Neti Pot to relieve their congestion. But just know that D is a decongestant, so it is meant for only short term use. Other topical decongestants that can also cause rhinitis medicamentosa are naphazoline, xylometazoline, and phenylephrine. One of these is allergic rhinitis, also called allergies or hay fever. During the first stage of treatment, it appeared that 39% of the children treated with mometasone furoate had a considerable reduction in symptoms. If you're suffering from a cold or allergies during pregnancy, nasal sprays are most likely safe to use. Many people have heard that nose sprays are bad because they can be addictive, and this can be true. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur . Use pillows or raise the head of your bed to elevate your head while youre sleeping. m msorsby I have had terrible pregnancy rhinitis this entire pregnancy. Nasal spray addiction: Is it real? There may be interactions or consequences that happen when medications are mixed together. While the results of Afrin use are short-lived, the side effectslike rebound congestionare not. Everything was fine. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I never had any issues with allergies or congestion.. but on some night my nose would clog up and I started using a walmart brand of nasal decongestant.. needless to say I got hooked and started to use this product Every Night! obviously she's still cooking, but no issues have been detected so far. Only Afrin users are not trying to get high-- they only want to breath through their noses!! I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and just getting over a terrible case of bronchitis and pink eye, and recently was told now I have a sinus infection. I'm 31 weeks pregnant, i tried everything that could help me breath but just only afrin (oxymetazoline) spray can. I took Afrin when I was in my third trimester. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. I am so sorry to hear about your nasal problems but you are not alone. If you have recurrent nasal congestion, you may need an ENT evaluation to determine if there is a structural problem, possibly combined with mild allergies. . Hi everyone, Im 24 weeks pregnant and had covid on the 28th of January . Doctors seemed to think it easy to suggest going cold turkey. You may want to ask your doctor the following questions: Your doctor can help you find relief from your allergy symptoms while keeping your pregnancy safe. Yes it is possible but more likely is that you have not treated the underlying reason for the congestion. Their purpose, in this case, is to provide relief from nasal congestion. They obviously never tried that. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. Learn Why Putting Vaseline in the Nose Could Really Be Life-Threatening, Why You MUST Immediately Ask for the Credentials of Healthcare Providers, 6 Salty Secrets You Need to Know About Saline Nose Spray, Avoid 7 Undesirable Ear Tube Complications with Routine Checkups, 12 Well-Known Causes of Nasty Nosebleeds in Children, consult your primary care physician to learn about the underlying nasal problem, consider using nasal steroid which are long term anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, See an ENT surgeon to determine if there is a structural problem like enlarged adenoid, deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or chronic sinus infection (consider having surgery to remove the structural blockage will allow the recurrent swelling to be treated more effectively. In another study published in 2010, fluticasone (Flonase)another intranasal steroidwas shown to also have a potential to reverse rebound congestion caused by oxymetazoline. Some places I have seen where they talk about 25% and Flonase.some talk about sntihistimine. I'm pregnant in 10 weeks can i take afrin nasal spray ? (2015). in Maryland, the blood vessels in your nose expand and contract to manage the flow of mucus. It sounds like the Afrin is not working because another problem needs to be diagnosed and treated. I remember my mom would give nose drops to my brother and me every night, and it was just part of our bedtime ritual: nose drops, some Vicks Vapor Rub, a prayer, and good night. Honestly, it's not really something I've told her! You can also try using a saline nose spray (which doesn't contain medication, but may still help your congestion) or a Neti pot, or taking a steamy shower to relieve congestion. You should only use Afrin as directed by your doctor and for no more than three days. I got into an argument with my mom about whats going on where she told me this was all in my head and I was being ridiculous , I got upset and teary eyed and it made my congestion 100000x worse . The part about how to wean oneself off it is very helpful too. To avoid the rebound effect, try limiting your use of decongestants to nighttime, when congestion may make it hard to sleep. What are the risks to my pregnancy if I use Afrin while pregnant. As the active ingredient is lessened, so is the rebound. I get SO closterphobic if I can't breath out of my nose. The following measures can be taken while the body recovers: To avoid Afrin dependence in the first place, there are several other treatment options for nasal congestion that wont trigger a dependence. I used to be able to say over the counter nose sprays are the ones that can be addictive, but now nose sprays that are good for daily use are also over the counter! Ive never been prone to allergies, so I just assumed I had a cold. Overall, I did not find enough congestion relief from using a Neti Pot. Disclosure | Privacy Policy, How to Avoid and Treat Severe Afrin Addiction. In severe cases, overuse of a decongestant spray can lead to damage and inflammation of the nasal tissue. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. The term addiction is actually not correct in this instance but it is commonly used. From what I read, it would have to be a very large amount to cause any damage in the animal studies, so I'm not too concerned. Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. As a sympathomimetic, oxymetazoline acts on adrenergic receptors, receptors that are activated by adrenaline. Saddle nose deformity is when the nose bridge collapses due to thinning of the bone or cartilage in the septum. I read multiple places (like your article) to not take it more than 3 days, but then what? Also, you need to let your physicians know ALL of the medication that you are taking or have at home to take as needed. There is no one side fits all answer. 2014. If you are unsure what medications are decongestants, look at the medication list on the label and see what is included. When you stop using the spray, that severe nasal congestion can be quite uncomfortable. Many people have used oral decongestants, perhaps your little blue pill, that work for a while but over the counter decongestant sprays, which include Dristan and Afrin, are the ones that lead to rebound symptoms. Honestly, it could be responsible for up to 9 % of visits to allergists and ENT doctors experience... More complex with many of us getting care at a variety of urgent centers... Interest without asking for consent to 9 % of visits to allergists and ENT.... Body will become dependent on it, they say have to answer: is! 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