Breathe In...Breathe Out

I tried so many times to quit...but the discomfort was more than I could bare. Waking up in the middle of the night, feeling as if I was suffocating became the nightly routine. Embarrassed, I would rush off to bathrooms... any place private where I could get just one more squirt and find a little relief. I’d go somewhere and if it wasn’t in my purse or pocket, I would panic. When I had my knee surgery last month...all I could think of was..."what if it wears off while I am asleep!"I felt trapped.

As embarrassing as it is for me to share, if I can prevent one person from getting hooked...then it is worth the embarrassment. I had a very big problem. I had a dependency. The official medical term for this condition is Rhinitis Medicamentosa...also known as Rebound Rhinitis . Simply put...I had become severely dependent to Over The Counter Nasal Spray. I started using it to relieve the symptoms of a cold and allergies....and I ended up chained to that little bottle and a lot of misery.

Last Wednesday I took the first step and saw an allergist. I was there for more than three hours. I was actually somewhat shocked when the Doctor asked right off the bat how long I had been using the nose spray. Especially since I had never even mentioned it. You see, those of us who are hooked on OTC nasal spray usually do not mention it at all. When asked about the medications...in general we leave that off the list...because after all..."you can get it Over The Counter" I said " well, a really long time" He told me to go ahead and tell him how long...and promised me that he would not be shocked at all. With a really stuffed up nose, and a lump in my throat I answered "18 years".

Today I am on day 5 of what my doctor calls the 4-7 day period of misery. I was tested for allergies, and found that I have many...mostly Cats and Molds. I was given a steroid shot, put on oral Prednisone and two steroid allergy sprays. Even with the medications, it has been a very uncomfortable process...it has taken every ounce of strength that I have to not just give in and grab that little $2.30 bottle of instant relief...especially at night. I haven't slept much in the last 5 days...my throat is dry from all the mouth breathing, my lips are cracked and I have even had a few panic attacks...there is nothing worse than waking up and feeling like you cannot breath. But, I haven't used the stuff and I am improving a little more each day.

Please be VERY careful about using over the counter decongestant-type nose sprays. They are effective (perhaps too effective) if you follow the directions. Please follow the directions! Do Not Use For More Than Three Days! The nasal membranes will acclimate, become obstructed by swelling to a point where you cannot breathe unless you use the spray...and use it often. If you have severe congestion, and it continues to be bothersome, don't spray more...consult a physician.