Anyone Use a Neti Pot or Something Similar?

[KellyTheChef]

My brother has been using one for about a year and swears that's why he hasn't had any sinus infections (He usually gets 4 or more a year...)

I FINALLY got up the guts to try it. I purchased a squeeze bottle type one from CVS and it's been under my bathroom sink for about 2 months. I don't hate using it...but I don't like it either. Today was my second try, and this time it felt like I sucked some up my nose (burned badly) and I don't like that it comes out the back of my throat and makes my eyes water. Any tips from professional users? I really WANT to be able to use this so hopefully I can cut back or quit using my Claritin everyday. Right now, I am basically on Claritin everyday year round, and start off the day with one Claritin and one Benedryl due to my allergies.

 

[cathyskitchen]

Hey, Kelly - I totally understand what you're going through!! I have "Ayr", which was given to me by my Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist who I started seeing last summer. I've been on Astelin nasal spray for 2 1/2 years now (helps shrink your sinuses so you don't get the blockage that causes infections), and that def. helps, but I was still getting break-through infections (I used to get at least one a month - UGH!!). I finally got up the nerve to try the Ayr bottle (with the saline solution) and it worked wonders!! Whenever I feel a little more congested, I use it with warm water (not hot!) and mix one of the saline packets to make it isotonic (you can make it hypertonic with 3 packets), and it's great!! It does feel weird the first time you do it, but you get used to it. It's so cleansing and a much more natural way to deal with sinuses than piling on all of those medications, and that's what I like most about it. I just hang my head over the bathroom sink, and follow the directions on the Ayr box. Hope that helps - let me know if you have any other questions! Here's a link to a website I found with more info on it: Buy Online at Revolutionhealthstore.com

 

[quiverfull7]

We have one.. my older kids use it because of allergies and my DH needs to use it MORE often. My girls rave about how much better they can breathe. We have the little tea pot shaped one. I do know that if they don't hold their head at the correct angle... it runs into their throat but when they have it right... it just clears everything out and they talk about what a difference it makes. The gal who told us about it said she had to do it 3 TIMES in a row to get hers clear but she feels like a new woman!

 

[vwpamperedchef]

I saw it on Oprah recently and I thought it was scary looking to use. I do get sinus infections a few times a year, but I couldnt even think of using that.

Seems effective though.

 

[StacieB]

I used to work for a Sinus Doctor and we would use a blue bulb syringe. Ther trick is to look straight ahead when you do this and not look down. When you look down, all the liquid will run down your throat. Also only use sea salt or canning salt, not regular salt. We also mixed sea salt and baking soda too. 1 tsp of each with 1 c of distilled water.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Anyone use a Yeti Pot or something similar?It's abominable cookware.

 

[CookingwithMary]

I'm familiar with the Neti pot--it works. But I don't want to fuss with it.By flushing I've reduced head colds to zero the last 3 years. Before I had chronic nasal problems. BTW--only One sinus infection in 3 years (nose started to run in Japan, 13 hr plane flight followed). That was the last sinus infection, used saline solution along with Rx meds when I got home.No more missed work, sinus headaches, misery.My preference is to use bottled saline solution with the spray attachment (generic brand from any pharmacy)-- hold my head up and just drip the solution into my nose.This is much easier when sitting down! Yes, it runs into the throat...if there is 'gunk' blow your nose gently first, let the drops flow in one nostril. Blow gently again, then on to the next nostril. Repeat. There may be stinging (not bad) at the back of the palate, if that area is irritated. Having a cup of steaming hot tea to drink helps too. Then more drops.I'm an asthmatic and have chronic kidney disease to boot. My immune system isn't great, flushing the sinuses has helped me avoid using alllergy meds and antibiotics.Good health to you

 

[stacywhitlow]

My MIL swears by hers. I have seen them (teapot shape) at the health food store. I am thinking about getting one & trying it out. I am suffering with a sinus infection right now & the pressure is killing me.

 

[priscilla]

Get a neti pot at the health food store or even the local drug store. Watch this video http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/NetiPot/NetiPotInstructions.aspx Yes, she looks a little spaced out.

You can use the packets, they are convenient, or just use sea salt or table salt. Make sure the water is Body temperature, warmer or colder can be uncomfortable. Too much or too little salt will burn.

It really does make a difference in your ablity to breath. Think about it...the hairs in your nose are designed to filter out dirt and pollen. The dirt doesn't go anywhere, though! You need to wash it out.

I use mine every day, even took it to conference.

Robin

 

[KellyTheChef]

Neilmed Sinus Rinse Kit - Sinus and Nasal Irrigation Products - Allergy Relief Products

This is the one that I have.

I am thinking maybe it burned today because of the salt and I have a sore throat.

Stacie...I may have not been looking straight ahead, so I will certainly pay attention to that the next time! Thanks...that is the type of feedback that I need. I guess it freaked me out when it came out of my mouth...but then I re-read the directions and it said that it might do that. It didn't do that the first time, though...and I am thinking maybe I had my head more upright the first time.

 

[chefann]

DH uses a special attachment on a Water Pic to do the same thing. He has had far fewer sinus problems since he started doing it.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

There is an all too obvious (and gross) play on words that goes with your post, Ann.

 

[chefann]

Yeah yeah - just keep your trap shut.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I should trademark that name before Teledyne does.The Nasal Pic by Teledyne:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b3/NoseFlute.jpgSorry. I'll go back to my own parody thread now.

 

[lkprescott]

I use the SinuCleanse neti style pot and LOVE it. At the first sign of any nose troubles, I do a flush. I use their packets... tried using my own salt and just couldn't find the right balance. I was a little skeeved out when I first tried and I ended up avoiding it for a while. Then a major head cold had me thinking otherwise... it blasted through sinus pain, pressure and congestion pretty well and had thing cleared faster than medicine alone ever did. I use it now for allergies, congestion, really any nasal problems and have learned to love it. They have a video on their website and yes you look like a dork when you use it (can't help not to - it's just the way it's used) but once you get the hang of it it becomes second nature. You can play with the head adjustment and believe me, you know when you've tipped too far back (and you and up with a throat full of salt water LOL)... which ends immediately when you put yourself back into the correct position. I've only had one bout of nasal congestion that it didn't blast through right away but using the neti pot over the course of a day (rinse on both sides every couple hours) freed things up quickly.

 

[raebates]

I've been using a neti pot for several months. I love it.

 

[friday]

Just be sure to use the saline solution, rinsing with plain water burns terribly. I started using mine and the first- probably 8 times I had a hard time because it felt so bizarre. BUT, there is a huge difference in my sinus resonance when I sing (i have been complaining about my resonance to my doctor for 5 YEARS, insisiting I MUST have a sinus infection). I love it. I love that I wake up with a clear nose again- its been ages. I love that I dont seem to catch colds. I used to catch everything (knock wood right before leadership!!)
ANyhow- I love my sinus rinse.

 

[JAE]

It was on Oprah again today. There was a follow up to a woman who demonstrated it on stage. She now uses one all the time and she said things are a ton better. Also, one of the Oprah staffers started using one and she isn't having allergy problems any more. I may have to get something like this and convince my husband to do it. He snores and always breathes through his mouth. When he has to breathe through his nose you can hear him because he has to try so hard.

 

[cathyskitchen]

Neilmed Sinus Rinse Kit - Sinus and Nasal Irrigation Products - Allergy Relief Products

This is the one that I have.

I am thinking maybe it burned today because of the salt and I have a sore throat.

Stacie...I may have not been looking straight ahead, so I will certainly pay attention to that the next time! Thanks...that is the type of feedback that I need. I guess it freaked me out when it came out of my mouth...but then I re-read the directions and it said that it might do that. It didn't do that the first time, though...and I am thinking maybe I had my head more upright the first time.

That's the kind my DH got, but he hasn't tried it yet. I told him he needs to - he has major sinus problems and snores all the time!!

I held my head slightly lowered towards the sink - not facing up, but not forward either. I made sure it came back out of my mouth b/c that's what the instructions said it should do, and I guess it makes sense - it should be rinsing your nasal passages out, and they go from your nose through to your throat/mouth. It is freaky the first time, but I got used to it, and it feels great now!! Keep doing it - I'm trying to do it once a week now, instead of just randomly. HTH!

 

[lkprescott]

That's the kind my DH got, but he hasn't tried it yet. I told him he needs to - he has major sinus problems and snores all the time!!

I held my head slightly lowered towards the sink - not facing up, but not forward either. I made sure it came back out of my mouth b/c that's what the instructions said it should do, and I guess it makes sense - it should be rinsing your nasal passages out, and they go from your nose through to your throat/mouth. It is freaky the first time, but I got used to it, and it feels great now!! Keep doing it - I'm trying to do it once a week now, instead of just randomly. HTH!

Eww.. mine doesn't do that. It goes in one nostril and out the other. SinuCleanse - the first word in Sinus Relief - Home

There's a video on the left side of the page you can click to watch. I hold my head to the side I'm draining out of, insert the pot into the 'upper nostril' and pour, making sure my chin kinda stays down and well, it's hard to explain but it doesn't come out my mouth unless I tip too far back.