What the hell, I'll just put this out here.
For the past 15 years, I've been battling an addiction. A rather strange and bizarre addiction.
I'm addicted to nasal spray.
That's right. I'm addicted to the stuff you snort up your nose when you have a cold. It started shortly before I got married. I got really sick. My asthma was out of control. I was in the hospital and on all kinds of medication. When I was well enough to go to back to work, I noticed that whenever I had to use my puffers, I would get extremely congested. I could not breathe out of my nose at all. A co-worker suggested I try Afrin. So I went out and got some at Shoppers Drug Mart that same day. I was hooked instantly.
I hoard nasal sprays. I have them in drawers, in bags, at work, in my nightstand, in the car and in my purse. I even have one stashed at my parents' house.
About two weeks ago, I sat down and calculated how much this dependency (which my doctor calls it and who blames it on environmental allergies) has cost me. In the past 15 years, I've spent roughly $5300 on over-the-counter nasal sprays. My current weapon of choice is Claritin Allergy. I've tried all the prescription steroid-based ones. None of them worked.
In 2008, I managed to quit cold turkey and it took three weeks of absolute fucking hell and next to no sleep, but I did it. I managed to go three days without using anything. Mind you, one nostril was completely clogged, but I could breathe freely out of the other ... and then I got sick with a bad cold. In less than 24 hours, I was right back where I started.
Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a severe sinus infection. The walk-in doctor was intrigued by my addiction and shocked I didn't have any health complications such as liver damage. As far as I know, and my family doctor has been monitoring me, I don't have any side effects - yet. This walk-in doctor suggested I consider using sinus tablets with pseudophedrine and try again to beat my dependency on nasal sprays.
This morning I am proud to admit to the world that I spent the entire night, and slept, not taking a "hit". The last time I've taken a "hit" was around 7:30 pm last night.
It's still early. I have to get through today. The struggle is real.
21 comments:
On the bright side, it's still cheaper than smoking and won't give you cancer.
My wife is hooked on nasal spray too but only when she gets a cold and she's good about not using them for more than 3 days -- but 15 years?! I can't even imagine. Is this every day?
What if you used a plain saline mist as well? I use that, almost exclusively, during the winter. But with all the heating and the dryness, things dry out. And I used to get the nose bleeds when I lived in Calgary because of the dryness.
I will admit, I tried the decongestant ones once. And was so completely paranoid about getting hooked that I it was tried. Once.
@Fred
EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
I haven't tried saline. I should try saline. I should try everything. I really don't want to do this anymore.
I am now 15 hours without a hit. It's driving me crazy.
Go for it. It might be enough of a placebo to help.
Just make certain it is plain saline mist. I think Shoppers sells it for about $6.
Do you think just the physical act of inhaling something would calm the waters?
Yes. Well, it should.
If you want things to really move, then inhale 3 squirts into each nostril. That will get things moving. It's what I have done A) when I am getting a cold and B) can't be bothered to Netipot.
Awww, CJ. That sucks. I use them all the time when sick and I can't imagine having regular allergies too - I'm sure I would be in the same boat. I am someone who can't STAND being plugged up. I'm so paranoid about them though, that the last few times I was sick, I only used them at night, to allow myself to sleep (I don't know how people get to sleep otherwise). Stay strong - you can do it! Look at everything else you've managed to do - with riding your bike with your daughter to daycare to all of your walking. You can do this! Try to do anything to keep your mind occupied. Good luck!
I'm also hooked on the stuff. I go through about 2 bottles a month. I'll take a "hit" anywhere from once to about 6 times a day. I've tried to stop, but it's almost impossible. I find OTC sudafed to help a bit.
I also have saline spray at home but it doesn't do anything for the congestion...I mean at all. Nothing. What it does do though is help with sinus infections, which I seem to get all the time.
One of our drivers suffered with sinus agony until he discovered NeilMed Sinus Rinse and sang its praises.
I'm at 18 hours ... haven't snorted yet.
I've only ever used saline especially in the winter and then spring allergy season. My 2 worst times for dryness or stuffy nose. Might help...
Check out about 1:18 in this video... apparently Kaley Cuoco was also obsessed with nasal spray, and ruined her sinuses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpRWcy8U-Z0
I'm sure you've tried this, CJ, since it sounds like you've tried just about everything, but what about Breath Rite Strips (those nasel strips you wear on the bridge of your nose at night). I find they work quite well. If you do try them, start with the name brand. Sometimes the no-names aren't as good. (And Costco sells them about the cheapest)
The cuoco story was terrifying. I don't think I have holes in my septum but for sure tissue damage, or maybe not. The breathe right strips I am trying tonight. I have now gone 26 hours without a hit and I'm dyyyyying.
My wife used a free sample of saline nasal spray that contained cayenne pepper.
Cleared her sinuses in seconds and made her eyes water for hours.
Great fun to watch. The faces and noises she made after using it deserves a video, but I value my physical health too much to do that.
CBC had an awesome piece on a women who started her addiction to nasal spray at a very young age. I think it was on DNTO. Some time in the past 3-6 months!
I will look for it, Skin.
As for my night, I made it as far as 2:33 am and broke down. I took one hit. I am determined to keep going with this though. But I feel so distraught. I really don't want to do this but I have to get off the merry go round.
I will look for it, Skin.
As for my night, I made it as far as 2:33 am and broke down. I took one hit. I am determined to keep going with this though. But I feel so distraught. I really don't want to do this but I have to get off the merry go round.
Addictions are a lot more prevalent that I think most of us let on. Good luck.
My own cheap amateur advice would be to find a reason to be motivated and own it so that you have a clear reason to say no when the urge strikes. If your long-term health is at stake here, what does that mean to you? Do you want to see your kids grow up into fine adults and get married? If so, let that be it, or some other reason.
I smoked for a decade a long timea ago, tried unsuccessfully to quit dozens of times. When my wife was 8 months pregnant, I did it, just stopped. I realized my kids were more important and having a few more years with them was what mattered, and not having those toxins around my kids was important.
They say with most addictions, if you can make it through the first three days, you've traversed the worst of it.
I've gone more than 12 hours without a hit since breaking down in the middle of the night.
It is absolutely important that I do this for me and my family.
I can only imagine what a nicotine craving is like.
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