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Alternate to Dristan for unblocking nose?

post #1 of 13
1/31/10 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
I've got a cold and have reached that stage where at least one nostril is blocked. I'm pretty sure Dristan is the only stuff that works, because Salinex and all those other saline solutions don't do shit. The problem is that you can only use dristan for like 3 days because after that it's supposed to be bad for you. Is there anything else that effectively clears your nose and sinuses as well as Dristan?
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post #2 of 13
1/31/10 at 12:13pm
Sudafed.
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post #3 of 13
1/31/10 at 12:22pm
^^ Dristan and Sudafed have the same active ingredient (pseudoephedrine), so switching to Sudafed wouldn't do much good.

Just out of curiousity, why can't you use Dristan for more than three days?
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post #4 of 13
1/31/10 at 1:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrG View Post
Just out of curiousity, why can't you use Dristan for more than three days?
Prolonged use of oxymetazoline can cause rebound congestion, increased risk of side effects such as headache, palpitations, blurry vision, etc. and also permanent damage to the nasal tissue leading to chronic congestion. It's an alpha adrenergic agonist and acts locally by constricting the blood vessels in your nose facilitating drainage and leading to decreased congestion. *** You can try using menthol or eucalyptus inhalers or steam. Alternatively, just buy some Bronkaid. It's for asthma but the ephedrine will help relieve congestion. Combine with any OTC pain reliever such as ibuprofen if you have sinus pain. Of course, there's regular Sudafed and the like. Don't use ephedrine if you have any heart or thyroid problems. Don't use at night or you won't be able to sleep. Never tried it but have heard good things about nasal irrigation with a neti pot. I believe there are also more commercial products available at drugstores. At night, chug some Nyquil and I've always had great success with my grandmother's age-old recommendation to cut an onion and leave it next to my bed. The "vapors" help me to breathe easier.
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post #5 of 13
1/31/10 at 2:07pm
I had a horrendous sinus infection in December. Someone gave me a menthol inhaler, and I thought it would do absolutely nothing for me. Shockingly, they work! I'd pick one up and try it out. While it won't unstop your nose for the long haul, it will keep you going for a fair amount of time. It made things bearable for me.
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post #6 of 13
1/31/10 at 5:35pm
You could try a neti pot:

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post #7 of 13
1/31/10 at 5:47pm
East Sushi. LOTS of wasabi. Nasal Passages: CLEAR!!!!
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post #8 of 13
1/31/10 at 9:33pm
Eat anything with lots of hot sauce.
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post #9 of 13
1/31/10 at 11:10pm
I neti twice a day...prone to severe sinus infections...this keeps me clear. Not really a decongestant, but it keeps cleab=ning out sinuses and nostrils will keep infection away.
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post #10 of 13
1/31/10 at 11:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
Prolonged use of oxymetazoline can cause rebound congestion, increased risk of side effects such as headache, palpitations, blurry vision, etc. and also permanent damage to the nasal tissue leading to chronic congestion.

It's an alpha adrenergic agonist and acts locally by constricting the blood vessels in your nose facilitating drainage and leading to decreased congestion.

I didn't know this (I've never used Dristan). Thanks for the info!

So then that would make my statement on Sudafed incorrect, yes? It's not the pseudoephedrine that's the issue, it's the topical decongestant, so he could ostensibly switch to Sudafed.
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post #11 of 13
1/31/10 at 11:22pm
As long as you don't take Oxymetazolines for an extended period (~3 days max) you'll be fine. Whenever I have congestion from a cold or something I take Afrin for the first few days. Especially since I'm a woodwind player, it is very important to have something that makes it easier to breathe. After I stop taking it, the congestion comes back, but by the third or fourth day I'm already feeling somewhat better so I don't mind as much.
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post #12 of 13
1/31/10 at 11:38pm
Some athletes also take many Sudafed before games as high doses will increase energy and stamina.
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post #13 of 13
2/1/10 at 11:20am
Sinupulse is to netti pot as sonicare electric toothbrush is to manual. The best $99 I spent last year.
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