I've got the same problem--have had allergies since I was a kid.  Get
off the Afrin and 4-way--sounds like you are addicted, and are
suffering from "rebound" congestion.

Go to a doctor and get tested for allergies.  My doctor started me on
allergy shots (I'm allergic to grass, mold, pollen, pet dander, dust
mites), and put me on Advair, along with Astilen and Flonase.  Seemed
to help, but then the #$%#@ insurance would not pay for my Advair, so
now I use Singular instead (which is not nearly as effective).

Good luck!

Hi,Its called rebound effect. You should never use OTC (over the
counter} sprays like these for over 3 days. ( I say 2) The 12 hour ones
are the worse. Some are 0.5 solution, others extra-strenghth 1.0...
(extra problems) Use the 0.5 and use it wisely. The 4 hour ones. As you
call it (another hit) thats what your doing. Its no longer working and
you need more. If you moved and had no problems then its the air
quality, (allergy, mold, dustmites, ragweed) the list is long. You need
to find what has changed. Humidity? Dryer? Warmer? ect. Pollen? Took me
2 years to find my problems. I had problems in the winter. (most people
in spring and ssummer) but I had dustmites by the millions and mold
growing in the duct work . (someone use a wood duct in the basement) I
pulled it down and it testes for mold. Everytime the furnace blower went
on I had problems. Took it out. I use a dehumidifier in the summer and
keep it at about 30% never over 35%. Also my bedroom has A True-hepa
filter in it. Get the best and biggest one. Dont buy a small one.
oversize it. Then on low fan it still works good.  Keep it on high when
not in the room. Door closed. Replace carpet if you can. Clean
everything. I can go on forever here. If someone taped your mouth shut
as you said you would not just pass out, u would die. You must wean off
the sprays. It hard to do. I started with the 0.5 solution sprayes (not
12 hour ones) Then a few days later I used it in 1 nostral only, then
switched daily, then got flonase,rhinocort from DR. tool claritin
(generic) Then Zrtec ect.. See a Dr. and ask for a steroid spary or what
he/she says. It takes a few days to work though. Sometimes longer. Tell
the Dr. your hooked on the OTC. Go to a ENT.(not a general DR.) They
will know. You might get lucky and only need something like claritin or
Steroid spray. Or a allergy test might help. But I hear good/bad on
them. My problems went 3/4 away after the hepa filter, dehumidifier,
carpet removal. Not raking leafs, ect. It took 3 weeks to get off OTC.
But i Got flonase and rhinocort samples. They helped 60%. Dr Grossan or
Steve have good ideas here so also ask them. Irragation is good but it
seems you are to clogged up  to notice. Give that I try after you are
opened up more. Dont wait to see a DR. It just gets worse. Good Luck.
Let us know how you do. GO TO A DR........

Steven C wrote:

This may sound like an obvious question, but:  Did you consult a
physician?  If so, what did he say?  If not, then that's obviously what
you need to do.  Self-treatment with OTC meds is not getting at the root
cause of the problem.

It could be allergies, but now that you're older it could also be a sign
of something funky in your sinuses that is exacerbating the problem.

Without any more information it's impossible to say.  You need to see a
physician and be tested for allergies, sinus trouble, etc.