Neti Pot

Hi K.

I have used the neti pot but it just didn't work for me either. I switched to a squeeze bottle, Neilmed makes a saline solution and a squeeze bottle that you put warm water in and squeeze half the solution in one nostril and the other half in the other. I do it in the shower and it works much better.

Anytime i feel my sinus giving me a problem i use it and it seems to nip it before it gets worse. Good luck
W.

I agree. You need to tip your head way over so the water just pours out. Keep trying- it is worth it. I am not exaggerating when I say that the neti pot was life-changing for me. I used to get chronic sinus infections and was miserable. I now use the neti pot whenever I feel a little congested (I used it today!) and it always helps. It a great, non-medicinal way to treat sinus problems. Stick with it.

I learned, after trying the Neti Pot and having it just cause discomfort, that some people can't use them successfully because of the position of their estacean (sp?) tubes. I think there was even something in the instructions that came with the pot about it. I imagine the sinus rinse kits would have the same issue since they work the same way - don't know, but wanted to let you know you aren't the only one.

I started using a neti pot during my current pregnancy - I have chronic mild allergies to nothing in particular, and this got much worse when I got pregnant again. A few things help this work well for me (i use mine once every day and I think it definitely helps):
1. Make sure the water you use is warm enough and has the right amount of salt. If the water's too hot or too cold (esp. too cold) it can cause your nose to close up.
2. Blow your nose to get it as clear as possible before you start
3. Make sure you're looking forward with your head tilted to the side - otherwise the water can get into your ears or go down your throat. Ick.
4. Sometimes if you're really stuffy you may need to pour a little through and blow out while you're doing it. Or pour a little through, stop, blow your nose, and then continue.
Also, you'll want to blow your nose only very gently afterwards, to clear out the water etc.

K.,
Hi, I just bought a sinus rinse kit and was told by the pharmasist that I did not need to purchase the netipot. My little sister used one after she had a sinus injury and it totally helped her with clearing out blood clots. I Bought the kit and was told that it can help clearing a sinus infection. I am not pregnant but at the same time do not want to use anibiotics if i don't have to. They make me sick to my stomach and dont realy help clear me of the post nasal drip and the infection and cough. I truly sugest either using a neti pot or the sinus thing. with the sinus kit i got, you dont really have to use the neti pot. i hear that can be awkward. the sinus cleansing kit i bought from the drugstore is like one of these oceans nose drop bottles but bigger with this tube in it, so it mists stuff up to clear your nasal passages. it uses this special solutioun and says you'd never want to use pure water or your nose would have an awful awful burning sensation.

Just please purchase a nasal cleansing thing from your drugstore minus the neti pot (its not needed and awkward).

K., I use the Nedi pot from time to time and yes I do have the squeek in my ear the sinuses and the ears are closley tied together, this is something both you and the baby would benefit from probiotics for you Mom and eliminate sugar products from your diet and that means sugar substitutes and go to your health food store and ask them to recommend a good probiotic it doesn't have to be the most expensive. L.

You have to tip your head forward and to the side and hold your breath. it takes getting used to and maybe try it in the shower. I almost drowned the first time I did it, too. it will help with the stuffy-ness and the dryness, too. Good luck!

Hi,

For years I had horrible sinus infections. I still get them, but only once in a great while. I also have airborne allergies. I read all the responses below, and I just want to add that I have used the Neti pot, and while it did help, it always made my ears uncomfortable, no matter how well positioned I was, etc.

I now use a squeeze bottle that is even more effective than the Neti pot and much more comfortable. I try to rinse at least every other day, and during allergy season 1-2 times a day to remove the allergens like pollens and dust from my nasal passage. Anyway, it is called:

NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit

It is available and most places like Osco, CVS, Walgreens. It comes with a squeeze bottle that you fill with luke-warm water and one premeasured packet of salt and baking soda. This also helps as opposed to just adding salt because it is pH balanced. I no longer experience any burning sensation as I sometimes would with just water, or even when I added salt.

Also, recently in the past few months I have started using two products called Sinus Buster that are all natural and the main ingredient is capsaicin. It is a known anti-inflammatory for arthritis, and other inflammatory illnesses, and research has been coming out about its effectiveness in treating inflamation due to allergic rhinitis. The first is simply a spray and the second is something that you add into your NeilMed squeeze bottle or Neti pot.

Sinus Buster All Natural Pepper Nasal Spray Allergy Formula

Sinus Genie Nasal Rinse Mix

(I ordered them online through the CVS website because I could not locate them anywhere else, not even in the actual store.)

I agree with Robyn about tipping your head. Also, its almost sort of like a relaxation thing to "allow" the water to go where it needs to go.

It took me a while too and often would go into my ears. I hated that!!

Anyway, give it another try with tipping your head and relaxing (almost "see" the water going up your nose and into your sinuses and let it come all the way out before you move).

Good Luck!
B.

Hi K., I have had sinus problem most of my adult life,I'm 51 and have used a neti pot. I've had 3 surgerys to remove poylps from my nose, just recently I have ringing in my ears. I went to a holistic health food store for advice, and they suggested I stop all dairy products, maybe too much mucus forming in ears, nose, sinus cavity, just thought i would suggest cutting down dairy.