Neti pot help? Please?

wagvan · July 2015

I don't do neti pots. I tried it years ago and I felt like I was drowning. But I am so miserable I decided to give a neti pot a try. I went to the walk in clinic a few days ago and the Doc said he thought it was just a virus and suggested musinex and a neti pot and fluids. I've been trying everything I can think of including lavendar and peppermint EO on my forehead and cheeks. The musinex didn't seem to do anything. Now my sinuses hurt so bad that I sent my daughter out to buy me a neti pot. I followed the directions, but nothing would come out the other nostril no matter how long I waited.

I'm pretty sure I did it right. I'm assuming that my sinuses are completely full. So now what? When I went to the doc I didn't have the killer sinus headache that I have now, just drainage down the back of my throat. My nose and my lungs are clear, though I have a nasty cough. Anything I can do to help it clear enough that the neti pot can flush stuff out? Should I go back to the doctor? Is there any way short of the doctor to tell if I have a sinus infection vs just full sinuses? I'm good going to the doctor if I actually have an infection so I can get antibiotics and clear this up, but I hate to go again to have them tell me there is nothing they can do... I've been sick for about a month, but the sinus and drainage has been about half of that. I'm 9.5 weeks.

Any neti pot pros in the group?

HELP! Thanks ladies!

danielleacor · July 2015

I love the netipot. It took several times for me to do it accurately but it always cures me. When you and leaning over your sink make sure you neck is perfect straight. Even the slightest bent backwards will give you that "drowning" feeling. If you are yhag congested, you may not get the stream to come out the other nostril, but the saline still helps you get enough relief to blow your nose. I know it's weird but watch YouTube videos and see how other have success using it. Feel better!

MamaFroFro · July 2015

The first time I tried it a couple weeks ago I did it in the shower and that worked pretty well. Maybe some steam from the shower water will help loosen things up. Also, make sure when you do blow your nose, do not plug one nostril! I know it says that on the directions but I didn't take it seriously and boy does it put some serious pressure on your ears. It is a very sharp pain that takes a while to go away. My husband got sick about the same time as me and I used the neti pot twice a day and he didn't. He's still fighting his cold and I am all better!

GigLag1227 · July 2015

Agreed with the girls above. I used to get chronic sinus infections and used the neti pot all the time. Then I went to my ENT and had sinus surgery... I had to lubricate my sinuses 2x/day with the neti pot to help myself heal. That thing is amazing. I make sure to blow my nose as much as possible before use (the steam does help- either in the shower or boil a pot of water over the stove, lean over it and inhale with a towel over your head. Careful not to get to close or you'll burn yourself.) Once you're able to blow some out of your nose, try one nostril at a time. I lean forward and keep my mouth open. Don't try to do it with your mouth closed. The extra air coming through your mouth will help push the mucous out. Use the warmest water you can stand in the neti pot and the saline mix. Never do it with plain water, it'll dry you out worse!

When you've done both nostrils, blow blow blow. You'll feel so much better! Good luck!

brushesnbrunch · July 2015

I used to get frequent sinus infections and had to have surgery almost 3 years ago to repair the wrist deviated septum my doctor had ever seen. I could never do the neti-pot right, so I bought one of the saline rinse kits you get in the same aisle. That works for me MUCH better. Maybe it would you too.

kateryna72 · July 2015

I actually don't like the neti pot, I prefer the neilmed sinus rinse squeeze bottle. It just gives you a little more pressure to blast the nasties out of your sinuses. Also if I suspect that I'm getting a sinus infection I also add a drop of baby shampoo to the bottle and it helps to lubricate the sinuses a bit more to get all the junk out.

brushesnbrunch · July 2015

kateryna72 said:

I actually don't like the neti pot, I prefer the neilmed sinus rinse squeeze bottle. It just gives you a little more pressure to blast the nasties out of your sinuses. Also if I suspect that I'm getting a sinus infection I also add a drop of baby shampoo to the bottle and it helps to lubricate the sinuses a bit more to get all the junk out.

The squeeze bottle is what I use too! Love that thing

jkajones89 · July 2015

Love the squeeze bottle! I do it in the shower so there's less mess

hope you feel better!

oxfordlanding · July 2015

There was an episode of House that put me off netti pots for life. Be careful of hygiene if you do use one.

starsinnight · July 2015

Yes, make sure you use distilled water or boiled water that has cooled. In Louisiana, a few years back amoebas were in the water - I think House was based off it. Never use tap water. I try not to use it anymore because of this. Instead I'll just clear my sinuses and blow my nose in a hot shower. I also had chronic sinusitis and sinus surgery 5 years ago. Antibiotics will help if it doesn't go away on its own. Get lots of rest and fluids. But call your dr.

Erinka · July 2015

If you have had a sinus headache for a while like that it sounds like a sinus infection. Neti pots are great. But they can't kill a sinus infection.

snidercasey · July 2015

I love my Neti pot! When I'm too stuffed to use it I usually hold my head over a bowl of hot water (with a towel over my head to keep the steam in) and try to breathe in as much steam as possible. Adding peppermint oil helps too. As soon as I feel some improvement I try to use the Neti pot right away.
Also I've found that if I blow my nose too much or too hard before trying to rinse then in actually irritates the membranes in there and makes me feel more stuffed. So be gentle with your poor nose

Good luck!

hrthompson82 · July 2015

I don't use the Netipot but I use the bottle. It's easier than the pot for me and works great! I put I drop of eucalyptus oil in it every morning and it's cut way down on my frequencies of sinus infections. I do it twice a day when I get real congested. I've also used Olba's oil on my sinus cavities and such and it seems to help! Hope you get to feeling better soon!

ecmb · July 2015

kateryna72 said:
I actually don't like the neti pot, I prefer the neilmed sinus rinse squeeze bottle. It just gives you a little more pressure to blast the nasties out of your sinuses. Also if I suspect that I'm getting a sinus infection I also add a drop of baby shampoo to the bottle and it helps to lubricate the sinuses a bit more to get all the junk out.

Throw the Neti pot out and go get the Neil med squeeze bottle at Walgreens.

It is SO much gentler and easier than a Neti pot. It is a game changer!!!

wagvan · July 2015

I boiled the water. I have broken down and went to sudafed hoping to get it to where it will drain. Both the OB and pharmacist say its safe, I was just nervous for 1st tri. But it will be no good if I cough up a lung.

lightrox · July 2015

Vapo rub in the bottoms of your feet with socks at night will help the cough subside don't ask me why but it works for me and my boys whenever they get sick. Hope you feel better soon.

vtwd40 · July 2015

I will agree that the squeeze bottle ones are easier if you have Neti troubles.

anamilia · July 2015

Your sinuses may be so inflamed that the liquid can't get through, especially if you have been sick that long. I agree with PPs that steam may help to clear the way a little bit. Are you using the saline solution with the neti-pot? This will help to reduce the swelling in the sinuses. If your sinuses are that inflamed, keep taking your medication, and keep using the neti-pot (or spray bottle if you like) - the hot water alone will help with the swelling. Eventually, you will be able to tell when things are getting better because the water will go through.

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