I’m addicted to Afrin Nasal Spray

Steroid pack is the only thing that helps me. The afrin quit working after awhile, and i sounded like i had a severe cold. I had known what helps from prior incidences where I didn't learn my lesson, used afrin too long, and had to Go see an ENT. I was not afraid to tell the doctor the flonase didn't help. They all wanted to give me flonase. The nurse even got snippy with me and said I'm lucky, the doctor should not have given me prednisone for a cold. I said it's not a cold. I guarantee you if I come back here in a few hours I will sound perfectly cleared up. And I was. It's a miracle drug for rebound congestion. I went from going thru one bottle of afrin a day to one bottle lasting me a week and not having to buy anymore. The last day on the prednisone I do get a little stuffy, but if I go cold turkey, it scares me because i am clogged tight and it's hard to swallow.
I just told the doctor that I had this issue before and nothing works except when I seen an ENT and they gave me prednisone. My problem is I do not like a stuffy nose at all so therefore I use afrin again at the first sign of a cold. I kick myself every time.

Does it really matter what the definition of addiction is?? You get a grip dude. When the quality of ones life is so adversely affected, semantics is of little value. When you can’t breath at 2am it’s damn sure no comfort to say to yourself at least I’m not addicted.

Update: I still have had no real congestion relief. Saw an ENT and he says I need to get Turbinate Reduction surgery. So I am working on scheduling the surging. The big reality is years of Afrin use has permanently damaged my nose.

Wrong. My doctor hasn't helped me one bit and just tells me quit cold turkey which doesent work. He's very stubborn and will not help me in any way.

I going through this now and would love to be able to speak with someone. I’m so frightened. I have been on Afrin for over 30 years and after a bad allergy attack in May, I am having rebound congestion that has caused me anxiety, night terrors and I have lost 10 pounds. I just recently ordered a tapering kit called Rhinostat but find the whole process terrifying.