nasal spray addiction

[stephanie]

it appears that i have been addicted to the neosyneferin nasal spray for two years now..it all began when i became ill with a siunus infection and i needed something to open my nasal passages..i started on the neosynefrin and could never get off it after that..i also suffer from time to time with what the doctor refered to as medicine nose, which is what i am going through again at the moment..my nose is continually blocked with constant discharge..i need to spray almost every half hour or so and sometimes more frequently..i'm nervous and panicky, irritable, can only sleep at one hour intervals and feel like i'm suffocating...i dread going to another specialist and being told that the only way out is going off the spray cold turkey which is unimaginable or having an operation..please tell me that in this day and age there is another possible route out of this madness..

desperate for your reply,
stephanie

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I have never heard of anyone being addicted to nasal spray.  I suppose that you could be addicted to the antihistamine in it.  Maybe there is an oral med that would allow you to taper off the spray?  The hard part of addiction is in dealing with the mental stuff associated with abstinance/withdrawals.  You may want to consult an addiction specialist for this problem.  J.B.

[FlowerChild11601]

I don't believe you are actually addicted to the ingredients in the nasal spray as much as you are addicted to what it does.  You see, when you use a nasal spray regularly, it causes your nasal passages to open, then a "rebound" effect afterwards.  Meaning that the passages close up as soon as it wears off (usually tighter than before).  This causes a vicious cycle because you need to keep using it to open them which continually causes the rebound effect.  The same thing happens with asthma inhalers and the lungs.  Your doc was right about going cold turkey.  You have become dependent on them to breathe and you must "train" your nasal passages to open on their own.  Unfortunately this means being completely stuffed up until this happens.  I don't know how long this will take.  I am sorry to hear you are going through this and I hope the info I gave you helps.  I am a nurse and often counsel my patients on the dangers of overusing nasal sprays and inhalers.  Good luck and God Bless, Maryanne

[chad]

Have any of you guys ever had CONTUGESIC (Codicontin?)  If so what are they similar too here in the USA?  (Percocet, Lortab, Oxycontin???)

[BDP_1971]

Steph, I FEEL YOU!!  I just happened to stumble onto this site after looking for information about something else and saw your post.  I too have an addiction to nasal spray and, to be perfectly honest, can't remember the last time I went a day that I didn't use it!  I'm 29 and having probably been squirting for at least the past six years.  I have similar problems to yours and know exactly how you feel.  I have been hooked on one spray (Vick's Ultra-Fine Mist 12hr spray) and it's the only one that works.  I've tried various other brands including prescribed brands from my doctor and nothing else can clear me up.  I say this to possibly support the notion that you could be addicted to the ingredients.  I am currently entertaining the possibility of deviated septum surgery.  You may want to look into this.  I know some people who have done it and they say it worked well for them.  But for now, I've added Claritin D (12 hr) to my daily pill-poppin regimen and it seems to have lessened my squirts.  Of course now, this will be a new addiction!  I know exactly what you mean about going cold turkey too!  Anxiety sets in when I don't get my "fix."  This of course makes breathing that much harder to bear.  Going cold turkey would be extremely difficult but to anyone that's ever done it, I'd love to hear story.  Good luck to ya!

[mindysan]

This is for Stephanie:  I have been addicted to nasal spray many times.  I usually get on it when I have a very bad cold.  The way to withdraw is one nostril at a time.  Don't be in a hurry.  Make sure the first nostril is nice and clear and then withdraw the second one.  There is no yearning for the spray once you have put it aside.  It is not like alcohol or morphine; it does not alter one's psyche so you don't yearn for it once the head is cleared up again.  Also, after you start withdrawing the first nostril it sometimes helps to use 'Breathe Right' at night.  This is a product which looks a bit like a bandaid which you put over the bridge of your nose to help open, physically, the nasal space.  I have been addicted to just about everything and clean for thirty years with the exception of nasal spray.  Good luck, kid.

[Tara]

Hi Stephanie,

I was addicted to otrivin 3 years ago for about 1 year.  I went to many specialists.  What I've been told is that nasal spray can be as addictive as morphine.  I had it everywhere, a bottle in every jacket and every drawer.  One time I went out of town for the weekend with my at the time boyfriend and in the middle of the night realized I had no spray, only one bottle and it was empty.  I had a panic attack, I thought I was dying and we were in unfamiliar surroundings so we had no idea where a 24 hour drugstore was.  After that I knew I had to quit.

I was also told that I had to go cold turkey.  What happens is your nostrils will swell up if it doesnt have the nasal spray to take down the swelling.  What I did is I took my regular dosage but only put it in one nostril at a time.  This way I could still breath (not perfectly of course), then I would cut the daily dosages in half.  I was completely off of it after 2 weeks.  

I have never used a nasal spray since and I never will.  If I get a cold I will use basic cold med's so that I do not feel that immediate relief and rely on it again.  Just thinking about it, I can remember the suffocated feeling I had everytime I thought the otrivin was wearing off.  It was a very scary feeling.

Try this, hopefully it will help.  I know exactly what you're going through.

Take care,

Tara

[Tara]

One more thing,

I would also use Vics vaporub and a humidifier.  It made the air seem more clear and it was easier to breath out of one nostril or just from my mouth. It won't make that much of a difference, but with all three in place, alot easier.

Tara

[mindysan]

Those are good words from Tara.  She mentions some things that I probably should have.  It may take a couple of weeks.  Be patient.  It is difficult but very reasonable and doable.

[Gloria]

Percocet is Oxycodone and Acetaminophen.  Lortab is Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen.  Oxycontin is Oxycodone in a sustained-release form.  Oxycontin is not a true contin, in that it is a short-acting medication that has been placed in a sustained-release form.  When you take Oxycontin, you get an immediate (in about 45 minutes) release of the medicine, followed by a timed release.  With MS Contin, it is a true contin, in that it gives a sustained release of the medication over an 8-12 hour period--no quick bursts of medicine followed by a timed release.  Chad, I do not have any drug books with me, so I am uncertain of the composition of Contugesic (Codicontin).  Maybe the above info will be of some help.  Maria.

[The Dude]

Maria,
    Yeah I know about all those drugs, I am addicted to most of them.  I was just unsure of what Codcontin is.  It is a drug offered on an overseas website.  I didn't want to order anything with codiene in it, codiene sucks.
Thanks anyway
Chad

[Thomas02]

I looked up your nasal spray on rxlist.com and found that it contains a drug called PHENYLEPHRINE HCL, a sort of a "poor mans's" speed, similar to drugs like sudaphed (a precursor to amphetamine). PHENYLEPHRINE HCL falls under the same classification of drugs as real speed, namely "SYMPATHOMIMETIC (ADRENERGIC) AGENTS." You've developed an addiction to what amounts to a very mild, amphetamine-like substance. If used in sufficient doses, I imagine it gives you a very mild lift in the same way a couple of sudaphed decongestant pills would. Just be thankful you're not hooked on a true amphetamine. You've simply gotten used to that very mild mood lift that the PHENYLEPHRINE HCL provides you. PHENYLEPHRINE HCL is one of those ersatz speed-like drugs these guys in the back of men's magazine like to sell in black capsules claiming they're legal "black beauties." You've got what amounts to becoming addicted to coffee for its caffeine. PHENYLEPHRINE HCL is so mild (that's why it's over the counter) that, with a little will power, mild exercise and, say, a good strong cup of coffee to give you that lift you'll miss, you should be able to get off the spray pretty easily. The drug is so mild, your addiction is mostly psychological. Stop using it, take regular walks for a few days, and drink a cup of strong coffee if you feel you need a little lift. That should get you past this addiction to PHENYLEPHRINE HCL. Like I said, be thankful it isn't real speed you're trying to get off of. Give what I say a try. I think you'll find that, after just a few days, you won't miss the spray at all. Count yourself lucky it's such a mild drug you're trying to quit. Perservere for just a few days and everything will be alright, I promise. Good luck. Let us know how you do. tom

[FlowerChild11601]

Hello!  Those were good words of advice you gave to Stephanie.  I forgot that a lot of models overuse (extremely overuse) certain nasal sprays for the speed like quality they can have.  The models use them to supress their appetite and therefore loose weight.  One model in particular - Nikki Taylor's sister- Chrissy Taylor, died a few years ago because she had a rare congenital heart defect and was overspraying for this effect. Her heart raced out of control and she collapsed.  Because no one was home with her to revive her, she was found dead hours later.  I am just repeating this story to let everyone know there are hidden dangers in the nasal sprays.  I also thought that weaning one nostril at a time was good advice.  Too bad we can't wean half our brain at a time from the opiates! ha ha  Take care, Maryanne

[Thomas02]

Hi Steph,
Hope you're well. Did you ever read any of the beat novels like Jack Keaurac's On the Road? He talks about buying up every Benzedrex nasal inhaler in sight, breaking them open and eating the blotter paper from each of them soaked in benzedrine (yeah, real benzedrine!). Imagine how popular Benzedrex inhalers would be today if they still contained real benzedrine! I guess the beat 50's were, in some ways, more innocent times than today. I remember using a Benzedrex inhaler as a 12-year old inthe early 60's and feeling all kinds of good. They still sell Benzedrex inhalers, but, obviously, not with real benzedrine in them. I think they contain the same stuff stephanie is hooked on. I like the idea of stopping one nostril at a time. Not being a user, I never would have thought of that.
Actually, if you check the ingrediants of Vicks nasal inhalers, you'll find they contain the CNS-inactive mirror molecule to honest to god speed, called in its rx form Desoxyn. I'm no chemist, but I understand that there are mirror image molecules called L-desoxyn and D-desoxyn. One of them, I think it's the D-desoxyn, is the big, bad Black Beauty speed which is obviously rx only. The CNS-inactive molecule is L-desoxyn, which clears up your nose without imparting any of the CNS stimulation speed is infamous for. Useless info, I know, but interesting nonetheless.

How are you these days, my dear?

[Thomas02]

speaking of nasal sprays, what's the story with this stadol nasal spray? I've heard that's extremely addictive, used, for the most part, to treat sudden-onset pain like migraines and cluster headaches. Is Stadol an opioid of some kind?

[Frankinscense]

Patrick:
Did I miss something? Is this the patrick that said he was using the forum for a working program. I do not understand. Enlighten me sir. I enyoy coming to this sight on occassion because I see good things happen here. But all the denial and false pretenses that happen here the majority of the time. I am sorry I do not mean to single out anybody but, give me a break! Man! All the talk and no action?   Well I quess maybe I missed something. I have not been here for a few weeks. How is your recovery coming my friend. How are your meetings coming along? Do you need a sponsor? Well I quess I'll dive and see where I come up...

[Thomas02]

if you must know, I've been working a 16-hour per day contract job within my profession in order to support my family (something you apparently don't have), so I have had little time to do much else. I am assuming you don't have wife or child since you never mention them. Must be nice to spend 24 hours a day thinking about your own needs. For your information, I have begun attending a weekly AA meeting in my area, not that I owe you that information, and plan to expand my involvement when my contract job permits. Frankly, I don't appreciate your tone and I'd prefer you stay out of my business and restrict your comments to other posters. Keep your self-righteous comments to those who want to read them. I don't need or want to hear from you. Got it?

[The Dude]

Pat,
   I don't think he was being an ass, he is just curious.  Every one of us on here has, or had a problem.  That's why we're here in the first place.  Anyway there is my 2 pennies.

[dee dee]

To Patrick Here's my 2 penny's worth.You just keep up all the good work your doing, and the informative posts. There are alot of people that appreciate you. DeeDee

[Beth]

Hello, all. I have been trying to post a thread here for weeks- literally, weeks, and every time I do, it says the limit for new questions is reached. So I'll just say right now, I am seeing a doctor and do not need any advice from a physician on here, therefore I do not mind that the staff cannot answer me.

The said- I have read every post on this board. I feel as though I have come to know some of you through your stories, and that is why I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you mine...I really, really wanted your feedback.

I will start at the beginning...I remember having my first migraine headache when I was three years old. I am now twenty. When I was a toddler, I would articulate the pain by screaming and beating my own head, trying to make it stop. They treated me with baby aspirin, which did nothing.

When I was seven or so, I really started to miss a lot of school and they had me on daily tylenol. They did nerological work, MRI's, etc, in an effort to try and find out the cause of these migraines. When I have one, I have such a horrible, constant pain that tears stream down my face for the better part of twelve hours...my vision is so obstructed by light spots ("Aura", to fellow migraine sufferers), the pain goes from my scalp to my neck and is concentrated in my eyes, and I am very nauseous. By the time I was a teenager, missing at least one day of school per week was the norm. I was still going to doctor after doctor, and still being treated with NSAIDS.

Now at age 20, I still experience almost daily migraines. I can't see, work, or function when I have them. The difference now is- the doctors blindly gave me so many NSAIDS...tylenol, ibuprofen, toradol, anaprox, advil, and in such large amounts that my liver and kidneys are ruined. I will most likely need a transplant for both by the time I am 30, all because so many doctors would rather people suffer than get over their fear and perscribe opiod treatments.

Last month I went to a pain management clinic for the first time. Upon looking at my medical records, they offered me Oxycontin, but I have no insurance and could not afford it. My wonderful new doctor then gave me Norco, as well as an anti-depressant and Methadone.

The moral of the story? I *hate* being dependant on anything, especially at my young age. But these opiate drugs have given me a LIFE. I have done things this past month that I have NEVER done before, mostly because I couldn't function. I looked into the face of the man I love and it was unobstructed...no light spots, no dark 'holes'...just bright colors and beauty, things I have never been able to see before because pain literally blinded me. I went to a MOVIE! Something I hadn't done since I was a toddler! And I *loved* it!

I sincerely hope and pray for each of you struggling with addiction. I wish you success and victory in your battle. But for those who live with chronic, intractable pain, I hope that you can use opiates in moderation if nothing else works for you. I have found a new life and new strength with Norco.

***Steps off soapbox!***

Thanks for letting me share! On the technical side, I <i>hated</i> the methadone</i>. It made my feet swell up like you wouldn't believe, and made me sleep all the time. I had a horrid experience with it. I know others have great pain relief and easier detox with it, but I feel like flushing my whole bottle. I'd be interested to know if anyone else had such adverse side effects.

[spook]

They are Dihydrocodeine,I find 180mg provides a medium quality high better than 300mg codeine,but not as good as dihydrocodeinone(hydrocodone)25mg.unlike codeine,dihydrocodeine can be used IV and is more sedative than codeine.In Australia it is available OTC in 7.5mg Dihydrocodeine/300mg aspirin tablets.
180mg is approx equal to 300mg of Codeine,except also qualitatively better Euphoria and analgesia.A box of 24 tablets provides 180 mg Dihydrocodeine and cost around $5(US $2.50).

[spook]

I cannot understand why the doctors did not prescribe antimigraine medication instead of all the NSAID`s,and why they gave you as an infant aspirin,when it is containdicated in under 2 year olds,as far as the methadone goes,to rapid an increase in dosage will cause oedema(swelling)and I slept for 18 hrs per day when I took it.The norco is Hydrocodone and you did not say what the antidepressant was,but it sounds like you are on the right mix now,although,I am slightly confused about the use of an Opioid to prevent Migraine,however if you feel good then so do I,lets keep it up.

[spook]

Name Butorphanol Tartrate (Stadol)
Class Opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic
Description Butorphanol is a synthetic analgesic that has effects similar to those of morphine (2mg of butorphanol is equivalent to 10 mg of morphine or 80 mg of meperidine). It has both narcotic agonist and antagonist properties, and should be used with caution in patients who are narcotic dependent. At present butorphanol is not restricted under the Controlled Substances Act.
Onset 10 min IM, 1-5 min IV
Duration 3-4 hours
Indications Relief of moderate to severe pain.
Pre-operative or pre-anesthetic medication

Used to relieve pre-partum pain

Contraindications Hypersensitivity
Head injury

Use with caution in patients with respiratory depression

Adverse Reactions Sedation, headache, vertigo, hallucinations, palpitations
Increase or decrease in BP

Respiratory depression (naloxone should be available)

Patient may experience symptoms of withdrawl.

Drug Interactions Phenothiazines, droperidol, tranquilizers and barbiturates may potentiat the actions of butorphanol.
Supplied 1mg/ml in 1 ml vials
2mg/ml in 1,2,10 ml vials

Dose/Administration Adult: IM: 2 mg every 3-4 hours as needed (range 1-4 mg)
IV: 1 mg every 3-4 hours (range 0.5

[Beth]

Hi Spook, I don't know why I was given NSAIDS for so long either. At one point when I was 14 (1995) I was taking 2 bottles of ibuprofen a week. I wish I'd have known the damaging effects.

I also tried Imitrex, Amerge, Amatriptiline, (sp?) Propranalol (TONS of this stuff), and many, many blood pressure meds before the opiates and after the NSAIDS. None of the, worked, obviously.
The anti-depressant I am on is Zoloft. I was not diagnosed with depression and would have called myself depressed but it has made me look at most things in a more positive light. He also has me on Topamax which is an anti-seziure medicine. Sicne the nerves in the brain act similarly in a seizure as in a migraine, he wanted to try it. It has not decreased the frequency or intensity of my migraines, but now my hands don't tremble when I start to get one.

As for the Norco, I asked for it by name after I couldn't afford the oxycontin and was too scared to take that daily anyway. I had a friend who also had horrible migraines and norco worked for her, which is why I asked for it.

The methadone did make my feet and ankles swell something awful. I only took a 10 mg puill 2x a day which I undestand to be a relatively small dose, so I thought maybe I was allergic to it.

Anyway, yeah, now I feel GREAT!!!! God bless my <a href="http://www.paincare.org" target="_new">doctor</a>. I was even able to start my own <a href="http://www.eliteautoimage.com" target="_new">web design company</a> like I had dreamed of for years, thanks to these medicines! :-)

[spook]

I had A look at the link        http://www.paincare.org/                                      and noticed that they use the antidepressant fluoxetine(prozac) for migraine,You may ask your DR if maybe you should take it instead of zoloft.
How did you put a link on this page I thought that HTML was disabled?