Use of Otrivine... I stopped and AHI dropped.

[CountingSheep]

I posted this comment somewhere else but was told to start a „New Topic“ so if this doesn’t satisfy everyone then I’m so sorry.....

I got into the habit of using Otrivine every night before bed.... it just made breathing so much easier. Then I had a first aid lesson at work where the gentleman said using it everyday will strip the mucous lining overtime. It says on packet 3-5 days then stop. But someone also said „Once a day no harm“ He also said there is a cortisone spray that will get you off it as it’s addictive.
So two nights ago I decided I’d stop using it and try and get a good nights sleep without my nightly squirt of Otrivine. The result was from an AHI of 7-11 to 1.4-1.7..... whether the Otrivine was the cause of my CA‘s or not I’m not quite sure.
I‘m now going to keep notes on my Oscar program to see if there’s a pattern. Alcohol, temperature of room, whether I was at home or away etc.
Last night 6.45 hours AHI 1.4 only 2 Apnea’s!

Has anyone else tried weening off Otrivine? I must admit I did try and clear my nose well before sleep. Evenings I always seem to get a bit bunged up.

Dramatic drop in AHI when I stopped using Otrivine.

AFFBF9F9-0FAF-4449-BED6-8803C499C2C5.jpeg (623.34 KiB) Viewed 1663 times

[palerider]

Has anyone else tried weening off Otrivine? I must admit I did try and clear my nose well before sleep. Evenings I always seem to get a bit bunged up.
AFFBF9F9-0FAF-4449-BED6-8803C499C2C5.jpeg

It looks to be very similar to our "afrin".

The trick to getting off of it is to stop using it on one side, until that side of your nose returns to normal... then after that side is ok, then you can stop using it on the other side.

[rick blaine]

The generic name is xylometazoline. It is sold world-wide under a number of names, but no products containing xylometazoline are currently sold or available in the United States.

In the UK, it's called Otrivine. In Germany, it's called Otriven. In action, it's similar to Sudafed.

The current advice is not to use it for more than seven days. Extended use of xylometazoline can result in decreased effectiveness or a build-up of tolerance against the drug.

The number of receptors decreases, and when the administration of the drug is ceased, chronic congestion can occur. This is called rhinitis medicamentosa, commonly referred to as rebound congestion.

[rick blaine]

Hi CountingSheep,

If you are using a full-face mask, I don't see why you can't just stop with the Otrivine. Now.

Your nasal tissue may rebound – and then may recover, or partially recover. But there's no guarantee.

The best thing you can do is: Stop. Completely. Right now.

After that, you might find that regular nasal rinse with salt water helps.

Here is a proper doctor explaining the benefits of that:

http://www.neilmed.com/neilmedblog/2014 ... er-really/

[palerider]

The generic name is xylometazoline. It is sold world-wide under a number of names, but no products containing xylometazoline are currently sold or available in the United States.

"Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are fast-acting and potent topical decongestants that have similar decongestive effects. ... It is proven to be safe so it can be used without prescription. ... It is a non prescription drug, meaning its safety is confirmed."

So, similar to what I said.

[CountingSheep]

Hi CountingSheep,

If you are using a full-face mask, I don't see why you can't just stop with the Otrivine. Now.

Your nasal tissue may rebound – and then may recover, or partially recover. But there's no guarantee.

The best thing you can do is: Stop. Completely. Right now.

After that, you might find that regular nasal rinse with salt water helps.

I’ve already said I’ve stopped using it...
Here is a proper doctor explaining the benefits of that:

http://www.neilmed.com/neilmedblog/2014 ... er-really/

[CountingSheep]

The generic name is xylometazoline. It is sold world-wide under a number of names, but no products containing xylometazoline are currently sold or available in the United States.

"Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are fast-acting and potent topical decongestants that have similar decongestive effects. ... It is proven to be safe so it can be used without prescription. ... It is a non prescription drug, meaning its safety is confirmed."

So, similar to what I said.

I take it you used Wikipedia?

„Side effects include trouble sleeping, irritation of the nose, nausea, and headache.[1][2] Long term use is not recommended due to a rhinitis medicamentosa when stopped.[4] Use is not.....“

Trouble sleeping! Isn’t that what we’re trying to do. Last night AHI was 1.2!

[palerider]

The generic name is xylometazoline. It is sold world-wide under a number of names, but no products containing xylometazoline are currently sold or available in the United States.

"Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are fast-acting and potent topical decongestants that have similar decongestive effects. ... It is proven to be safe so it can be used without prescription. ... It is a non prescription drug, meaning its safety is confirmed."

So, similar to what I said.

I take it you used Wikipedia?

No, I didn't.

And if you'd read, what I said about STOPPING, is similar to both.

[ChicagoGranny]

Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline

Side effects include trouble sleeping

Gramps cannot use either product because of interference with sleep.

... nasal rinse with salt water ...


Here is a proper doctor explaining the benefits of that:

http://www.neilmed.com/neilmedblog/2014 ... er-really/

Yes, the doctor seems to be correct about nasal saline rinses. (I use the rinses myself from time to time - used one this morning.) However, do note the doctor works for NeilMed who is one of the largest suppliers of nasal saline rinses.

[rick blaine]

Hi ChicagoGranny,

I can't tell you off-hand if NeilMed products are available in West Germany (where the OP is). But here's another proper doctor saying both 'Make your own.' and 'Here's how.'

http://www.boogordoctor.com/pediatric-s ... e-they-44/

[CountingSheep]

Still getting great AHI readings after stopping Otrivine ritual.

304FD180-9C44-4A92-A949-734FF6F94903.jpeg (25.08 KiB) Viewed 1464 times

[ChicagoGranny]

But here's another proper doctor saying both 'Make your own.' and 'Here's how.'

Oh gosh, Rick, generic saline rinses are so cheap here, it doesn't make sense to make your own. I just bought a generic bottle for U.S.$1.00 at the dollar store. And, this one has a tiny amount of alcohol to prevent bacteria or mold growth. I've used it before, and the alcohol content is so low it will not cause nasal dryness.

[rick blaine]

For comparison, CG:

NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit is available in the UK, via the Boots chain.

Cost when buying on-line, £17.99 – or US $22.91 at today's rate.

Cost when buying the same kit on-line in the US, $10.49.

AFAIK, generic saline rinse isn't available in the UK. If it were, the Boots chain is one of the retailers most likely to offer it

And they don't.

[bjhughes]

On the topic of "Afrin" or similar oxymetazoline products, I used it for many years on a daily basis, the rebound effect would only mean not using it for a day or two before I could use it again. That's just my experience though and everyone's sinuses may react differently. I have atopic rhinitis and for most of my life just about anything would trigger sinus swelling and congestion. I was on things like pseudoephedrine (Drixoral) and Benadryl for decades but the the former caused high blood pressure and the latter caused drowsiness. The last few years I've used phenylephrine (Sudafed PE), which I now only use if I have severe congestion caused by a cold or extreme allergy reaction. Pseudoephedrine became pretty restricted here in the states due to its use in illegal drug production.

I found the saline sinus irrigation like NeilMed were great at keeping my sinuses clear so I pretty much gave up on the Afrin but I still occasionally use it at night. The saline irrigation though is a bit much for daily use in the morning so I use an aerosol saline rinse that works well, albeit is a bit expensive. It has a fine mist that lets it get into the upper sinuses better. Now that I'm on the CPAP and use the humidifier I find my sinuses are pretty clear most mornings, leading to much happier sinus cavities. I would recommend a saline irrigation if you are extremely stuffed up though.

[ChicagoGranny]

oxymetazoline products, I used it for many years on a daily basis

These researchers concluded that long-term use led to ... long-term use.

The authors concluded that long-term use of oxymetazoline induces a sensation of nasal stuffiness, which may be due to unconscious exaggeration of the degree of nasal stuffiness, induced nasal hyperreactivity, or a combination of both.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8628089