Have you tried this for a sinus infection?

[Brandi]

Does that stuff go down your throat?

That only happens when your nose is so clogged it can't go through except down your throat. That happend to me last week, I had to just give up. Or when you first try to do it it happend a couple times till i got the hang of it.
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[Flybye]

Well, here I am on a Friday evening with nothing better to do than post about my neti pot - what an exciting life I lead!!! I will follow up with some Halo 3.

I was diagnosed with another sinus infection the day that I first asked about the neti pot - it was a confirmed diagnosis, too - a sinus x ray. So, I boldly ordered a neti pot. I got it within a couple of days and have been using it now for about two weeks. Some of you have wondered how it works, so here is my report...........

disclaimer - results not typical, do not use boiling water or hot sauce, not meant as a flotation device, etc.

The results:

Headache is gone.
I am not as tired.
I haven't taken an antibiotic yet - even though I did get an Rx filled just in case.

I was *convinced* that it worked, but still a skeptic - I mean, come on, I took two semesters of statistics - I know what the placebo effect is! No one is going to pull the wool over my eyes!

SO.....

I convinced my dear 7 year old daughter who always complains about her throat (post nasal drip) and her eyes hurting (congestion) to give it a shot. She hasn't complained of a sore throat or hurting eyes since. Not only that, but I thought "what the heck" and took her off of her allergy medication. All is well.

SO.......

I join the throngs (is that really a right choice of words? Seems freakishly close to thongs) of women (and men) who boldly rinse out their sinus cavities on a daily basis.

Now that my sinus cavities are free and my report is written, I say thanks to those of you who helped convince me to give it a shot, and I now proceed to redeem my Friday night by playing a little Halo 3.

Nightie - night!

[KnottedYet]

So do you end up snorting and spitting the salt water out?

I've seen the Neti pots at Central Market and been curious, but haven't felt the need yet. (my sinuses are pretty low maintainence.)

[songlady]

Thanks for the review, mine came yesterday and I am still too afraid to try it. Wait til allergy season, I may be singing a completely different tune

[teigyr]

It just comes running out the other side. I'm adept at one side and challenged with the other. It's kind of like swimming and breathing.

I love it! I've noticed that my nose is running more than before but I think that's my sinuses clearing themselves out. I haven't been good about doing it every night but I should start being more diligent.

I've noticed the headaches are gone, borderline sinus infections never manifest, and I have not had a cold since I started. I've also had more energy and waking up is SO much easier.

I know that this could be in our minds but I think it isn't. The first time I used it (and sorry to be gross here), I didn't have a full-blown sinus infection or anything. I felt better than usual, actually. After using it, I blew my nose and all these little yellow dried bits came out. I think it's pretty cool to be flushing that stuff out.

[sundial]

So do you end up snorting and spitting the salt water out?

*Most* of the time the water just drains out the other nostril.

I've started using the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit and I like it because unlike the neti pot it doesn't use gravity to flush the sinuses. Instead it's a squeeze bottle that you control the flow and pressure to get back into the sinus cavity.

I don't have sinus problems but I have chronic allergies. I've noticed that I've cut back on my Rx's since I've started rinsing. It really is soothing and will moisturize the passages during cold, dry days.

[Blueberry]

I kind of snort the water out of the neti pot - this seems to get it in the sinuses a little better, and then it drains out the other side with all the icky stuff. It's been a savior for me this year with dry heat. My sinuses bleed CONSTANTLY in winter.

[Brandi]

I honestly believe it works! And I have two Dr who believe it works too! I have been on the verg of sinus infection and my Dr has told me to go that route first before he would prescribe a antibiotic. and I am glad. They are perscribed to often. There is no wool here!

[Starfish]

Haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if someone already wrote this.

My mom taught me this over 35 years ago. No special pot or system needed. I just cup some salt water in my palm and snuffle it up through my sinuses.

It flushes stuff out...sometimes gross stuff that makes me glad it is out of my head.

Sometimes it just drains out the other side. Sometimes back into the throat where I swallow and let my digestive tract expel it.

Anyhow, I swear by this for head colds and sinus infections.

[OakLeaf]

I've had conventional MDs recommend irrigation to me, as well.

I have one of each, actually - a NeilMed SinusRinse squeeze bottle, and the SinuCleanse plastic neti pot. I find the traditional pot is much more effective and reaches a lot more of my sinuses. The squeeze bottle, on the other hand, is a lot quicker and easier to use, not least because you can mix the solution by shaking it right in the bottle.

Starfish, if I tried your method, I think I'd drown. Probably one of those things, like peeing standing up, that if your mom didn't teach you when you were 2, you're just never going to have the determination to teach yourself (and yes I know some adult women do have the determination and enough free time in the shower to teach themselves how to pee standing up - I'm just not one of them)

[sundial]

Oakleaf, did you see the NeilMed neti pot? It comes with a lid and when you want to regulate the flow, you place your finger over the hole on the lid.

[OakLeaf]

Oakleaf, did you see the NeilMed neti pot? It comes with a lid and when you want to regulate the flow, you place your finger over the hole on the lid.

Huh, no, I haven't seen those. That might be useful when I'm really stuffed up. OTOH it might just mean it would take an hour for the solution to trickle through my sinuses drop by drop I'm having visions of those old Taco Neck commercials.

[sundial]

I just wanted to share that since I started using the rinse, it has helped my allergies tremendously. I don't have those allergy attacks and I've cut back using allergy Rx's. Just wanted to encourage those who have alleriges to consider this option. I feel so much better.

[Geonz]

I used to go to the beach and make a point of doing somersaults in the waves if I was feeling allergic or sinusy (but my sinuses are also low-maintenance). I swear by gargling ('cause my throat *is* the Favorite Entry Point for Bad Things - almost always I get a sore throat before I get sick when I get sick every few years).

So perhaps when the fervor goes down Ill get one of them things... or, perhaps the fad will die and they'll be at garage sales

[mupedalpusher]

My ENT surgeon had me do this after my sinus surgery. I didn't have to buy anything special, just use one of the little squishy-bulb things you use for baby's. My surgeon gave me the recipe to make my own solution with canning salt and baking soda. It's been a life saver, at the sign of any problems I start using it again. I don't do it everyday anymore because I do fine without it.