Saline Nasal Spray - can one use too often?

[Jerry_NJ]

My EN&T problem that brought me to this community is night time congestion .  

I have tried many decongestant products, some over-the-counter and a couple prescription formulations.

I have fond that the only thing, pill or spray, that really clears the nasal passages for me is the "Afrin" type nasal spray.  Of course we all know this will produce bad unwanted side effects (rebound and loss of sense of smell I believe), so I don't use this spray every night.  

As far as the other stuff goes I have decided that simple saline nasal spray works as well as any, and in the winter dry air also helps moisturize the nasal tissue.

I was in to an ENT doctor yesterday as a followup on a serious nose bleed I had a few weeks earlier.  I took the opportunity to discuss my night time nasal congestion, and my belief that "Afrin" (and other brands) of nasal spray really work and saline spray helps - and that I had in general used just the saline spray and would every few days use a bedtime spray from Afrin. He did not argue against that approach - and after examination of my nasal passage viewable looking into the nostril he didn't propose any way to "cure" the congestion, just treat the symptom and move on.  I was not congested during the examination - it is usual for me to breath easily when up and moving around.

Now I wonder, is there any risk in using saline spray every night, and during the dry winter weather use the spray every couple of hours while awake.

I have tried the "neti pot" saline irrigation of the nasal passage, but I didn't find any specific congestion benefit and use now only during the summer when I have been mowing or doing other work that subjects me to dust and pollen.  

Lots of chat here, my question is that shown in the "subject" can one use saline spray too ofter?

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, I see one of my (too often) typos, but seems you read through it. In the last sentence, first paragraph I intended to say: "...and still NO congestion problems."   In other words the over-the-counter decongestant really works.

I'll look into Pranayama.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, understand your perception. Its always finding ‘that’ balance, thats important. You dont abuse or underuse. Medications are there to help with our symptoms. So, I suggest, when you are awake you can use saline drops. You can use as many times as you need, this will not cause any untoward effects. Ensure to see that the saline is isotonic. At night you can use Afrin, will help you sleep well. In addition try Pranayama, its a kind of breathing exercise and see if this helps. Take care and keep happy. Regards.

[Jerry_NJ]

Hum, guess I'm the only saline spray addict - well use it at least 10 times in 24 hours, which includes a couple of times I'd rather stay asleep.  I don;t use saline during the sleep period if I use Afrin (generic too) before going to bed at midnight... up at 7 AM, and still on congestion problems.

In other discussion, I was told by one doctor that he uses Afrin often - he's under 50 years old... and several other doctors who seemed to say "if you get away with using Afrin often, why not?"  I guess some people have serious rebound.   I'm happy to use Afrin as long as it works .. and it does for almost 12 hours per application, and I don't need it during the day/awake times.