I'm a stuffy guy by nature. Whether it's seasonal allergies or random congestion in the winter, I've just about surrendered in the war against stuffiness.
Over the course of my life, I've used Benadryl, Claritin-D, Allegra, Sudafed, netty pots, Nasonex, Nasacor, Flonase, Rhinocort -- and just about every other decongestant ever created. They all work to a certain extent, but during my last cold this winter -- which is rearing its ugly head again this week -- a doctor acquaintance suggested the most amazing over-the-counter drug I have ever tried: Afrin (or its even cheaper generic equivalent).
I guess I'd heard of this nasal spray before, since it's been around forever. But two squirts in each nostril, and seconds later, my stuffiness was completely gone -- for a full 12 hours.
Figures that something so awesome has two scary side effects.
First, it's very easy to get addicted, both mentally and physically. Obviously, one has to fight the inclination to snort this every 12 hours, because it works so well.
But the worst part is the concept of rebound congestion, which can happen if you take the medicine for more than three days. That sounds pretty bad, worse than being stuffy in the first place. It involves a lengthy weaning process that can theoretically last years.
So, I guess I can only tepidly recommend this short-term wonder drug that works wonders.
Use it sparingly if all those other decongestants fail. And only use it for a few days, max. Just know that if you're suffering in stuffy hell, there's a cheap and easy -- if a little risky -- solution to ease your pain.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
