STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Maddie · Coach

Afrin?

twinkle · Coach

I was told by my ear nose & throat doctor to NEVER use it. it makes you feel better initially but once the medicine wears off you get worse (your body overcompensates for it.) also, its highly addictive.

I was bummed when I was told that b/c its the only thing that works really well when I am congested.

-- Edited by Mara at 12:51, 2005-03-03

Maddie · Coach

Ok, I think I'll stop. I HATE taking medecine. Your body overcompensating for Afrin is actually my theory on pretty much all drugs. Which I know is stupid, but I just feel that way. And I think Afrin is giving me sinus pain. But then when I have to wipe my nose that hurts too cause is getting so raw. Ugh I hate being sick.

Tara · Dooney & Bourke

I love Afrin, but I am addicted to it. It works so quickly, and I love instant gratification. And I hate breathing through my mouth.

dc · Dooney & Bourke

It's true - beware. I have been using Nostrilla (the best/grossest name ever for a nasal spray - it's up there with "Flo-nase) and it has now stopped working as well after twice daily use for 2.5 days - instead of clearning my nose, now it's extra runny and I have been sneezing like a banshee. Beware of anything that treats a symptom and not the actual cause.

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

I was also told never to use Afrin...at least for prolonged periods. It apparently can "eat away" at your septum. My doctor said that she's seen people with holes clean through the septum solely from Afrin use. Disturbing.

shkitty · Nine West

Afrin (oxymetazoline) causes the tiny blood vessels in your nose to vasoconstrict, which is to say for lack of a better description they get smaller. This leads to less blood flow to the area and decreases the congestion in your nose. It is helpful for very short term use (less than 3 days) to help you get through a "cold" or cold symptoms (more for nasal congestion then a runny nose). But it should never be used longer since your body does get used to it's effects and will eventually begin to naturally reopen the vessels.

It is advantageous for people who have nasal congestion but either have high blood pressure or a heart condition or just get to wired/hyper on pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Not to say that pseudoephedrine is any better in using long term (it's the stuff that in large qtys can be used to make crystal meth). Nostrilla has the same active ingredient as Afrin. If you haven't already seen him/her, your PCP maybe able to help you better with your symptoms.

Not all medications are bad, but as with anything there are pluses and minuses. Just don't get me started about the use of so called "natural products".

I hope this helps. And I hope you feel better.