so.... neti pot users

MamaFantastic

i recommended it to someone a few posts down but i've never tried it myself.  i don't usually get bad colds so the occasion doesn't arise too often.

what does it feel like?  the thought of flooding my nasal cavity with water isn't too appealing but i've heard too many amazing reviews about these contraptions to not give it the ole college try at least once.  did you find you had to hold back a choke or gag reflex?  was it awkward to breathe only through your mouth as you felt it gushing through your head?  did you suck in water accidentally anyway?

educate me, please

bb80

It's pretty unpleasant but it does work.  I'm not currently using because i think that it might cause me to throw up (gag reflex).  If you are not feeling ill you can try it.  Some of the saline goes out your other nasal passage but some will also go back and come out your mouth.  It does feel weird but you get used to it after a while.  I wish I had been using it because now i have a bad cold with laryngitis!

superflygrl

I used a Neti Pot all last winter on a recommendation from a pharmicist friend.  I checked out YouTube, read a bunch of articles and researched it before I tried it.  I do not like the feeling of water in my nose so I was kinda freaked out. It took about 4 good tries to get it right and feel comfortable using it.  I LOVE IT!!!  I use it all the time, whenever I feel a little congested or a cold approaching.  The salt/saline solution that comes with the pots are great, I use 1/2 a packet per nostril. Also, use warm water, it is rather soothing.

If you want to try it, buy a plastic pot from the drugstore, it can be washed in the dishwasher and it is light enough to travel with.

 

 

 

bb80

also, make sure you use distilled water because tap water BURNS

jzc0106

i love my neti pot!  i got one after i saw it recommended on oprah.  i'm always getting sick and i think it provides great nasal relief w/o needing nose spray.  you can use it all you want.  it's a little wierd to do, but it does clean you out. 

thanks for the tip about the tap water, i wondered if it was only me!!!

scubaspot

I personally can't use them. I broke my nose as a kid and it left me with a  really nice deviated septum but my husband uses it and loves it.

robinsokj

If you use it properly you shouldnt have water coming out of your mouth.  It takes a while to get used to, but it really helps with my sinus infections and allergies and such.  If youre especially stopped up it takes a while for the liquid to come out of the other nostril but once it does it feels like a plug was just let loose and its so satisfying.  can you tell i like this thing?

Peach&Fireworks

Oh I love my neti pot!  It takes some getting used to.  You have to learn to tilt your head up a little so the water doesn't trickle down your throat - yuck!  Once you get the hang of it, you will love it.  It really does clean out all the gunk in your sinuses!

Peach&Fireworks

I use tap water and haven't had any burning - however, this is important - make sure at first to use only half the salt packet!  If you use the whole thing it WILL burn.  Work your way up to the whole salt packet.  I'm referring to the Sinu Cleanse version of the neti pot...it comes with the little salt packs.  They will last you forever.

choctwiz

I tried neti pot for the first time a few weeks ago.  I have a strong gag reflex and I was already feeling a little nauseous, but I got terribly sick around 6-7 weeks (fever included) so I was really willing to do anything I could.  I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I did it every day for a few days, and in the beginning I found that it really helped, the last day or two I did it, I don't think it cleared me out for as long as I had hoped, but it was better than nothing.  I would use it again if I needed to.

aubie96

I use it when needed, my mom uses one daily.  It takes a while to get used to it, so be sure you are tilting your head correctly and the water can flow through the passage (unless you are so blocked up, which will take a little longer).  I use tap water and it doesn't burn, but I use luke warm water w/salt in it as instructed.

The real porecelin ones are better and might cost a little more (maybe like $30?!!?)

I will def use it should I get a cold while pg but I love my nasal spray too.  I have bad allergies