Help me breathe!

February 17, 2008 9:48 AM

Can you help my nasal congestion?

Over the past month, I've had the flu, a stomach virus, and bronchitis. Needless to say, my immune system is not in the best shape at the moment; so when I got a relapse of the flu again this week, it hit me pretty hard.

The worst of it is over(I think), but I'm left with horrible nasal congestion. I've had chronic sinus issues for about a decade and I've been irrigating my sinuses with a mixture of salt and baking soda to try and prevent sinus infections due to cold/flu. I've also been using Nasonex, but it's not really doing the trick.

Unfortunately, after a month of this sickness, I gave in to the instant gratification of Afrin(the original 12 hour spray). I used it once a day for 3 days which I thought was the right amount of time. It says not to use it for more than 3 days and I didn't, but I'm feeling the horribly painful rebound symptoms.

How long does this rebound last and is there anything I can do for relief?

posted by missjamielynn to health & fitness (10 comments total)

There are pros and cons to Flonase, but it changed my sinus life.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 9:51 AM on February 17, 2008

They may not solve all of your problems, but I find Breathe Right strips surprisingly helpful. My doctor recommended them, and I was extremely skeptical, but they make a difference for me and are delightfully drug-free.
posted by sueinnyc at 10:05 AM on February 17, 2008

The rebound is horrible, isn't it? It can last for 24-48 hours. It's why I never prescribe/recommend Afrin for kids. Unfortunately, there's nothing that you can do except wait it out (as far as I know ... but then, I'm an oncologist and not an ENT).
posted by scblackman at 10:27 AM on February 17, 2008

how about Afrin Anonymous? Just kidding, I am sorry you are feelig so miserable. Try a netti pot. Once you get over the wierdness/grossness of the concept, you'll find it works amazingly well. Available at most healthfood stores. A warm salt water solution (follow directions, it should be very dilute) is poured into one nostril and allowed to drip out through the other nostril. (I know, it's not something you thought of doing since you laughed mlk out your nose as a kid), It truly brings relief drug free. If you are super congested, you may need to inhale some steam first to loosen things out so the water has at least a small passage in which to flow. Used on a regular basis, it prevents sinus infections.
posted by Lylo at 10:49 AM on February 17, 2008

After decades of sinus problems and congestion, Sinus Rinse has been incredibly helpful. I now use it in combination with Flonase. It works much better than a neti pot for me.
posted by underwater at 10:57 AM on February 17, 2008

After I've taken Afrin, my sinuses gets very, very dried out. I have never gotten into neti pots, so instead I follow my mom's advice and 'steam my head.' Boil a small pot of water, take it off the stove, and stick your head over it with a towel over your head. Very lo fi and non-invasive, and oh my god do your sinuses feel better afterwards. You can literally feel the sinuses expanding as they get all saturated with steam. It's great.

After that, on a more regular basis, I'm a big fan of Nasalcrom for controlling constant congestion (in my case due to allergies), but YMMV.
posted by deeparch at 11:40 AM on February 17, 2008

Neti pot

or just liberal application of saline spray.
posted by caddis at 12:09 PM on February 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Seconding the sinus rinse that underwater linked to. Soothing, and the only thing that's helped chronic sinusitis for me.
posted by lunaazul at 12:53 PM on February 17, 2008

Xlear

Changed my life.
posted by dpcoffin at 9:49 AM on February 18, 2008

Seconding underwater - big fan of Sinus Rinse. You can probably pick up a kit at a Pharmacy. It is not that hard to use (but don't do it when your nose is totally stuffed up - blow everything out first).
posted by bitteroldman at 12:41 PM on February 18, 2008