Neti Pot NIGHTMARE and trip to the ER!

Fixie · October 2012

So I finally caved and got over my fear of the neti pot. I had used it two times, and it seemed to help a little bit. So last night after dinner I decided I would do it again...well immediately after I started I got a pain in my left ear and it felt like my ear had filled with water.. so I touched my ear and it was dry?? Blew my nose a bit to get the saline out and see if my ear would unclog. Well it did not unclog, so I decided I would not continue this session of the neti pot drain. Fast forward two hours and my DH and I are laying in bed watching TV and my ear starts to hurt (and it has been clogged this entire time). I have already told my husband what had happened and he wasn't worried and tried to calm me down...well the longer I laid there the worse the pain got. Finally I am now in tears because my ear hurt so bad. I told him I needed him to call my mother to come over and stay at our house (our son is sleeping upstairs) and he needs to take me to the ER. My ear pain continues to get worse and worse and worse...I have never felt ear pain like this before in my life, and I can't stop crying. So my mother arrives, we head to the ER. They tell me that my Eustachian tube has most likely filled with water and the only thing to do about it is give it some time to drain....TIME?!?!?! But I am in so much pain!!! They consult with my Dr and give me a percocet to help...which DOES NOTHING. They give me a script to fill for more on my way home, and told me I could take another...finally it helps with the pain....but now I can't sleep because it has made me nauseous. What an awful night...NETI POT NEVER AGAIN!

AshasaurusRex · October 2012

Oh my gosh, I've never heard of that happening, I'm so sorry you had to go through that!

AM926 · October 2012

Oh my goodness I'm sorry that happened! I hope it drains and you get some relief very soon! I use my NettiPot religiously during allergy season... I think I might be paranoid the next time I use it now! Feel better!

jerseygirl81 · October 2012

That sounds horrible! I've never managed to get the hang of those things.

DanielleSheree · October 2012

Bahhh this is exactly why I haven't used the neti pot even with such terrible allergies...I was so scared water would get stuck up in my brain or something, lol...which I know is not the case, but ear pain no thank you! Hope you're feeling better soon!

CharlotteJ2 · October 2012

Ok I was thinking of trying this soon because of congestion, but I have such a weird phobia of water being in my nose that it terrified me. Now that I read this story it confirms me not doing it. SCARY! I'm sorry this happened, feel better!

Beccabby · October 2012

That really sucks

I hope you start to feel better.

cmread · October 2012

Wow, that sounds terrible! I had no idea that could happen. I hope you feel better soon!

Fixie · October 2012

Thanks everyone. My ear has drained and I am doing better today. My OB suggested is see an ENT about my congestion, as the worst sinus and ear infections she has heard of have always been in pregnant women (great). So I guess I'll be calling one tomorrow to see what I can do and hopefully get some relief so I can breathe. Side note- my morning sickness has been gone for three days now...not sure what I'd rather have though at this point, I go from one evil to the next.

chottomotto · October 2012

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This sucks!!

My ENT recommends using a NeilMed squirt bottle instead of the Neti Pot. I used it after sinus surgery and for every time my nose has bothered me (allergies or colds). The main difference is that you don't tilt your head at all, so it doesn't travel into your ears or throat. I think it's also more effective as well.

I hope you feel all better soon!