I have a cold. And when I say cold, I mean I haven't breathed through my nose in a good 5 or 6 days. I had no voice for three of those days, and I'm not getting any better. Once upon a time in Los Angeles, I went to an ENT to ask him why I can't breathe very well at night when I'm sleeping (even when I'm not sick). He told me that the inside bridge of my nose is too skinny (à la M. Jackson), and I have a condition he called "cartilage collapse," which means that when I inhale through my nose, my nose collapses, to an extent, and prevents air from flowing. It's not something they can fix, just one of those annoying little things. It's one reason I swear by these little guys. But Afrin saves me when I'm sick. If you haven't ever used it, you ought to give it a shot next time you're stuffed up. It's amazing how quickly it will clear up your nose. But I only use it right before I go to bed for a few reasons:- It really hurts, as in a major burning sensation that makes it feel like you've snorted liquid fire.
- It's completely addicting, both to me and my nose.
Because it's evil. That's how.
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12 comments:
That really is no fun... Afrin and I are well acquainted, especially when I'm pregnant for some reason... and I know what you mean about the burn. My mom had a deviated septum and there's a minor procedure they can do to fix that, but maybe it's different b/c the "obstruction" is typically to one side of the nose.? I'd ask about a septoplasty perhaps. I was like two when she had it done and I remember her sitting with the cold packs on her nose (o: Funny the things we remember. Happy Breathing!
No! Stop using it!! My mom had really bad allergies and lived off of Afrin to help her survive, and became so addicted to it that she couldn't breathe without using it once a day. And during that time, she lost her sense of smell completely...
Just sharing a little Afrin horror story with you...
As an expert of sorts in nasal obstruction, I thought I should comment. It sounds like your nose is made like mine. I don't believe the skinny bridge of the nose theory--I've had a doctor tell me that before too. If that were the case, then Afrin wouldn't work. Afrin doesn't make the bridge of your nose any wider. My favorite remedy is 24-hour Claritin-D (the generic kind). Although now when I buy it I have to give my ID so they know I'm not running a meth lab, or something. Check it out.
Sinus surgery worked on me the first time, but not the second. Apparently doctors are a lot better at it these days, and can even do it without general anesthesia sometimes. You should check it out.
Some of the prescription steroid sprays may work on you too, but they can be very expensive depending on your insurance plan. (We switched insurance and the cost went from $12/month to $100/month so I stopped.)
A good friend of ours had similar nose problems and found out he had a dairy allergy. No more dairy, no more nose problems. But I think I'd rather have ice cream than be able to breathe.
jennifer: thank you for that horrible story. luckily, i only use afrin once a day, and only when i have a monster cold. like i do right now. i would never be brave enough to take it daily! ack! & ouch!
elliott: i really don't want to have nose surgery, mainly because i know it didn't work for you. the breathe right strips actually help a lot, and i use them every night when i'm not sick, and if i ever run a marathon, i'll totally need one.
as for the dairy thing, that's crazy. i could never give it up. i'm with you on that one.
Have you ever used Zicam when you have a cold? We swear by it! It is non-addicting, but it does that same burning sensation if you use the spray. The gel is less painful and seems to work just as well. Savannah used the mouth spray with her last cold and it seemed to work great.
so sad - no fun not being able to breath. you and jayden both - we see the pedi ent in may - what fun! hope you are feeling better soon - I'm coming home today, so I'll see you soon!
I, too, am an Afrin addict. It's the only thing that works, doesn't make you tired and give immediate relief. :)
Clarification: I only use Afrin when I need it. Not all the time. I'm not really addicted...
thanks for the blog. i had no idea about afrin but now i know to stay clear, even in my stuffy pregnancy state.
colds are no fun at all. you just feel terrible all the time, and not being able to breathe is awful. sounds like you got a good plan going. afrin is a miracle worker though, when you need it. doesn't it make you feel good knowing that if you use it too often you can actually get sicker? that's a crazy medicine. get well soon. heat some soup up, that always helps.
I completey share your love and hate for Afrin. Breath Right strips have saved me when I'm trying not to use Afrin. You can't really wear them in the day but they're perfect for night!
i cant use that stuff.. seriously, i get sinus infections each time i do... i have tried everything! i seriously had a cold for 3 weeks and nothing worked. i even tried nasal enimas... nothing - just worse sinus infections.
i now steer clear of putting anything up my nose. hope you are better now!
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