Sinus Infection and Netty Pott

klyann

So I've been terribly sick with a cold since Friday and now I'm pretty sure its turning into a sinus infection - yellow mucous and terrible sinus pain. 

I would really like to avoid any antibiotics this early in the game.  I've read about netty potts but never tried one.  Has anyone used one?  Did it work well?  Also, where can I find one?

TIA

mag2point0

I've never used a netti pot, but I've used sinus rinse. It can work ok, but it hasn't helped a ton on the cold I've had since I got my BFP on Friday. What HAS worked was the old fashioned towel over head over pot of steaming just-boiled water.  A little bit of vicks or chest rub under my nose while I do this helps too.

tomkat35728

My DH uses one regularly and loves it.  You can get it at Walgreens, CVS, etc.  It would be in the same section as the cold medicines.  HTH.

Mrs.Mugsie

I love my netti pot.  I got it at Walgreens. 

larrys_bride

I may be the wrong person to ask... I tried to use a Netty Pot and did not do well with it. I felt like I was drowning! Though it wasn't a good experience for me, people who like them swear by them - so don't let my words dissuade you. I've heard there's a how to guide on You Tube.

You should be able to get one at Walmart or Walgreens. Me personally, I just like good old fashioned nasal saline - without the whole pot contraption(-;

kl8107

I love my Neti Pot! I tried saline, and it didn't hold a candle to the neti. You have to be prepared that its a bit gross, but if you use it right, it works well

drakee

The neti pot was a HUGE help during my first pregnancy.  Yes, it will take a few tries before you can use it without a problem, but it is worth the learning curve.  You can find them at any drugstore.  If you don't want to buy the refill packs, you can find the recipe online.  Basically the refill packs are just baking soda and salt. 

Ryleigh

One piece of advice when using the Netti Pot... make like a gargling noise when you do it to help avoid swallowing the salt water.  The first time I used it, I kept swallowing the water which made me dry heave (and nearly vomit).  But other than that, it works well.  If you are really, really congested - it probably will either take awhile for the solution to make its way through or it won't.  Just keep trying!

CityGirl07

I have a sinus rinse that I think works in a similar way to the Neti Pot. Basically you shoot water up one nostril and it comes out the other

I really like it, this is the one I have: https://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Cough-and-Cold/SINUS-RINSE-Allergy-and-Sinus-Kit/ID=prod2598807&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?V=G&ec=frgl_579550&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku2598244

Dobie_Mama

I love mine!  It really helps for viral sinus infections. 

thethomps

I love, love, love my neti pot.  It get me through allergy season here!  I'll use it 3-4 times a day when I have a sinus infection to get all the junk out.  I warm 1.5 cups of filtered water in the microwave for 1 minute and then add 1/2 tsp. of kosher salt (dissolves better than regular salt).  I then use 3/4 cup of salt water on each side.  Definitely remember to tip forward a little over the sink and breathe through your mouth when doing the neti or the water will run down the back of your throat.  And blow gently into a tissue to clear the remaining water out afterward.  I bought a ceramic neti pot at Whole Foods.  I like it because I can throw it in the dishwasher to clean it.  HTH!

aldyn

I'm a total convert when it comes to the netti pot.  I am also suffering from a sinus infection and while I did cave in and get antibitotics, I also got a netti pot since I can't take any decongestants either (I'm nursing too and decongestants dry up your milk).

I was scared of it, but honestly, it wasn't hard at all and it cleared up SO MUCH gunk in my head.  I'm going to use it daily going forward.  I've only had mine a few days but I love my netti pot now!

And for the record, my OB said amoxicillin was an OK antibiotic to take - I lasted about 3 days with a BAD sinus infection and it just wasn't getting any better.  I started getting a fever and that's when I decided that drugs were necessary because a bad fever would be more harmful to the baby than approved antibiotics would be (that was my reasoning anyway).  Once I started the antibiotics, my head started feeling a lot better.

 Hope you feel better soon!

diaper10

I agree with whoever it was that said they felt like they were drowning! I love mine and should use it more - but when I have used it when I was super stuffed up it did feel like I was going to drown.  You can't breathe through your nose and your mouth ends up with the liquid from the back of your throat.  I've been sick too and I'm only 5 weeks now and was nervous to take anything.

 I have been taking sudafed regular strength.  It doesn't help much, so it's almost like you just have to be patient and wait for it to take it's course.  I've heard the tylenol you are suppose to take doesn't work either since it's such a low dose.

 Hope you feel better - this is my first pregnancy and I'm really nervous to take any medication but know that I have to because I can't breathe otherwise!

j'sgrl

Ryleigh:

One piece of advice when using the Netti Pot... make like a gargling noise when you do it to help avoid swallowing the salt water.? The first time I used it, I kept swallowing the water which made me dry heave (and nearly vomit).? But other than that, it works well.? If you are really, really congested - it probably will either take awhile for the solution to make its way through or it won't.? Just keep trying!

?haha! This is soooo what happened to me! Definitely close your throat off so it doesn't seep into your throat!?

?

PinkRoses

I think they actually say you SHOULDN'T use it if you can't breathe at all through one side.  The water just wont' come out, and will end up goign down your throat.  Try to stay calm and not think about the drowning thing, cus that can freak you out.

 Make sure your head is titled over the sink, almost parallel to the floor.  The water should just run in one side and out the other, while you breathe through your mouth.  Afterwards it helps to turn  your head the other way and kind of shake it to get the water to come out.  Mine came with a pamphlet with soem recommended yoga poses to get all the water out!

newly_naugler

There are two women at work who use them. They swear by them and never seem to pick up the office cold. They just got them at the drugstore or health food store.