Neti Pot - Any experiences or tips?


Just wondering, of the people here that reported multiple sinus infections, have you sean an allergist? I went through this my whole life. It got to the point where the post nasal drip had me nauseous and choking most of the time. Went to an allergist and learned I was allergic to everything on the panel but two things. They started me on meds and I've lived a much better existence since.
 
Thanks everyone!

I have one of the plastic teapot looking things, came with salt sachets which have been fine.

The temperature thing hasn't bothered me, it's room temperature water not ice water. Normally I'm prone to headaches too but this is no worse than breathing outside when it's 20F. I'll definitely try heating the water up for better comfort and effectiveness.

Definitely notice I breathe better and sleep better after using it. Haven't seen anything particularly nasty come out of my nose but blowing my nose afterwards I can feel things moving around up there much more effectively, and even the tubes out to my ears seem to crackle and get some movement. Definitely helping.
 
@Pastor Chris Your suggest reminds me of a lobotomy. I would rather just let the bottle sit at room temperature for a while then add the solution. If one has a beard, I would put a towel around your face or plastic bag, so your beard doesn't get soaked with your nasal excretions.
 
Spenser said:
@Pastor Chris Your suggest reminds me of a lobotomy. I would rather just let the bottle sit at room temperature for a while then add the solution. If one has a beard, I would put a towel around your face or plastic bag, so your beard doesn't get soaked with your nasal excretions.
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I do the same thing as @Pastor Chris ...the closer I can get it to body temperature, the better. If you're tilting your head correctly, the drainage will bypass your whisker and your beard will be safe 😂
 
MahagonnyBill said:
I also use the NeilMed squeeze bottle instead of the traditional neti pot. I usually fill the bottle with distilled water, add the saline packet, and then drop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm it up.
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I used a neti pot a couple of times until I found the NeilMed squeeze bottle years ago. I have terrible allergies so I use it often spring summer and fall. I've always used tap water but it sounds like I should buy some distilled.
 
There was a youtube where a dude put all kinds of stuff in the neti pot including coffee and whiskey. Someone should try everclear 😁 🤣🤣
 
Spenser said:
OMG, those Neti pots are disgusting and awkward to say the least. Nothing like flushing out your sinuses and brain...

I suggest getting distilled water. There are Neti pot solution packets that were suggested to me by my doctor. You mix one packet with the distilled water. If you are sterilizing the water yourself, first put the water through a filtration system, then use the UV pen.

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@Emjay I used to get Sinusitis about 10 times a year, which usually turned into Bronchitis for me. The doctor couldn't believe why I was repeatedly getting sick with the same thing for several years. Eventually I was living with my grandparents for high school, and they took me to their doctor, some really old guy that thought that it was all in my head. It wasn't until I had a specialist take a look at me and ordered a cat scan or MRI, don't remember which, and it was revealed that I had a deviated septum. After the surgery, I rarely get either of them anymore.
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This is what I use and have for years. Neil med with distilled water, baking soda mixed with non-iodized salt.
I played Santa for 20 years and prior I would Qtip some triple antibiotic ointment up each nostril. After playing Santa I would use the Neil med with the above concoction. After I told my PCP what I do she said, that's smart, hardly anything lives in a saline solution.
 
Thanks folks.

Been using it off and on. Heating the water definitely makes for a more comfortable experience, and seems to get more ickies out of the sinuses at the same time. Seem to sleep better on the nights I use it too, breathe easier.

Definitely a win.
 
I had nasal surgery several years ago to fix a deviated septum. While healing, my surgeon suggested doing this: add 1/2 teaspoon salt to warm water, pour it in your hand and snort it. I asked about it going into lungs, he said it comes out your mouth. Worked great. I'm in the warm water/saline crowd--as necessary--myself. I assume I don't have brain worms...maybe someday they will ask for seconds Salt kills the brain eaters ;)
 
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Couple days ago I woke up with the dreaded sinuses burning sensation, the one we all know. Blew my nose, yellow stuff on the tissue, sinus infection well under way.

Neti pot immediately, got lots of gross stuff out. Neti pot again that night, and neti pot again last night.

Sinus infection never came. Outstanding.
 
OM617YOTA said:
Couple days ago I woke up with the dreaded sinuses burning sensation, the one we all know. Blew my nose, yellow stuff on the tissue, sinus infection well under way.

Neti pot immediately, got lots of gross stuff out. Neti pot again that night, and neti pot again last night.

Sinus infection never came. Outstanding.
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👍 👍👍
 
This is awful. Awful awful awful. I hate the neti pot.

But, if you think of it as a medical device that has to be used occasionally, then it's fine. I used mine recently. I went to sleep with a fan blowing on my face and woke up with a stuffed nostril that felt like it wasn't going to clear on its own or from blowing my nose. This wasn't an infection. This was a "take care of this before it becomes an infection.".

So I heated up tap water in my electric kettle. It comes to a boil and then turns itself off. This kills any bad stuff in my water such as brain eating worms, which are only reported a few times a year in the whole United States. Usually from someone kayaking in the South or occasionally Lake Meade/Lake Havasu.

Whatever, better safe then sorry. Then I pour it in my thing and pour in salt to mix. Adding some Hydrogen Peroxide sounds interesting. I might try that. I was also thinking a drop of tea tree oil or oregano oil. Maybe some whiskey.

Now the awful part. It sucks. It really sucks using it and feeling that god awful salt water mixed with dried up mucus draining down your throat as you try to spit it out. It really is awful.

But again, the alternative may be a sinus infection. So pick your form of suck. I choose the neti pot. When it's done, it's done right? No. It really does kinda linger in your nose and throat for a while. Maybe a few hours. It ruins whatever good meal you eat. Oh well. It's not a daily thing. When you need it, you need it.

Now the espresso enama! Way more pleasant! And your farts smell like coffee! Sure I feel bad for the Starbucks employee that has to come up after me, but that's their job. ;)
 
EternalLove said:
This is awful. Awful awful awful. I hate the neti pot.

But, if you think of it as a medical device that has to be used occasionally, then it's fine. I used mine recently. I went to sleep with a fan blowing on my face and woke up with a stuffed nostril that felt like it wasn't going to clear on its own or from blowing my nose. This wasn't an infection. This was a "take care of this before it becomes an infection.".

So I heated up tap water in my electric kettle. It comes to a boil and then turns itself off. This kills any bad stuff in my water such as brain eating worms, which are only reported a few times a year in the whole United States. Usually from someone kayaking in the South or occasionally Lake Meade/Lake Havasu.

Whatever, better safe then sorry. Then I pour it in my thing and pour in salt to mix. Adding some Hydrogen Peroxide sounds interesting. I might try that. I was also thinking a drop of tea tree oil or oregano oil. Maybe some whiskey.

Now the awful part. It sucks. It really sucks using it and feeling that god awful salt water mixed with dried up mucus draining down your throat as you try to spit it out. It really is awful.

But again, the alternative may be a sinus infection. So pick your form of suck. I choose the neti pot. When it's done, it's done right? No. It really does kinda linger in your nose and throat for a while. Maybe a few hours. It ruins whatever good meal you eat. Oh well. It's not a daily thing. When you need it, you need it.

Now the espresso enama! Way more pleasant! And your farts smell like coffee! Sure I feel bad for the Starbucks employee that has to come up after me, but that's their job. ;)
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That sounds miserable!

Very thankful it's not nearly that bad for me, although it makes me wonder if I'm not doing it right and not getting the full benefit. The time it takes while getting ready to go to bed is a bigger deal for me, other than that it's maybe 10% worse than brushing my teeth. Just another bit of self care that needs to be done.
 
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