After watching Dr. Oz, I made my son use one. Well, sort of. I made one out a gravy boat!!! He had a hard time getting used to not snorting (salt water up the noes, yuck!! But he thinks it helps. Less headaches and no sinus infections so far!!!
I remember reading an article about them in a health magazine a while back. Most of those who tested it said it worked pretty well, but was messy and uncomfortable (kind of like getting water up your nose when you're swimming).
I just went to my ENT Doc on Thursday of last week, I have sinus infections twice a year, set your clock by it, and he gave me this (the product on the far left 'Sinus Rinse) http://www.neilmed.com/ ....which is similar to the 'neti-pot' and he swears if I do that once a week, our relationship is over. So I am going to try it....this company also makes the neti-pot too (you can see the neti-pot product on the right).
You can use those baby bulb syringes to do the same thing for less money.... You know the ones you get in the hospital to suck out the babies mucous.... Epsom salt and warm water...
Wish I had not peeked into this thread until I'd finished lunch:? I've never heard it called a neti pot but my Mom has used this process for years (washing the sinus out with the rinse) and she swears by it and lemme tell ya, Mom has been the QUEEN of all sinus infection sufferers:!: My DD uses it too because she is prone to frequent sinus infections. It helps DD some by relieving the pressure. But, DD has a severly deviated septum so, sadly, the relief is short lived for her.:-( ENT will correct it surgically:shock: :-( when she is a bit older. I suffered from sinus infections at least twice a year most of my adult life (especially through all 4 pregnancies & months of nursing baby after when I was limited on medications) but that all ended when ENT put me on Flonase and Allegra. My worst times are spring and fall so I just use them then and stop most of the rest of the year unless I feel a little itchy or something. It has really made a HUGE difference in my life. Dealing with sinus problems can make a person so miserable. It makes a large dent in your "quality of life.":cry: There were many, many days I wished there WAS a dremmel attachment I could use on my sinus. And NO, I'm NOT joking there. (I LOVE my dremmel - handy little thing) I sure do hope the rinse works for you!! Let us know!
Simply Saline Before going to this dramatic measure, try Simply Saline. I've never tried it but my M-I-L swears by it. It is sold in drug/grocery stores. It is a kind of nose spray, irrigation but looks much tamer than this. She declares that she has had less colds/sinus problems with using it every day.
I use Simply Saline and have for years, it goes hand and hand with the Nasonex. The 'rinse' takes it a step further....and as my Doc says, 'clears out your entire head'. He recommends using it in the shower as its a bit messy. I can't wait to try it. I will report back of course.
Glad you mentioned that bystander. I forgot to add thet my Mom does this too. The rinse is for the really bad times. She tries to keep her sinus clear by using the spray you posted about. Only, her ENT told her to position herself so her head is nearly upside down (on the bed - hanging head off side) and use the spray in one nostril while pushing the other nostril closed. Let the spray run all up into your sinus passages and then do the other side the same way. You can feel it going all through the sinus passages. Burns a little & is not the most comfortable thing, but worth it. I tried it a few times myself and it helped. NsaneMom, I agree with bystander. Try the spray first. Give it a couple of days. If that does not work, try the rinse (if you have an infection, it will clear all that gunk out instantly - gross, really gross, but again, worth it. Just hold your head low over the sink and be prepared:shock: ). If this doesn't work, talk with ENT about the meds I mentioned earlier. I took clariten for a while, but ENT told me allegra is considered the "big hitter" of those type meds (his words:-D ). And I think it is WAY better than clariten. Sorry you are dealing with this - sinusitus is horrible stuff! Feel better soon.
I feel bad for anyone going through this. My DH had these same problems, but nothing helped. He tried every medicine, the rinses, in the shower, with one nostril closed, the sprays, and every combination of the above. Nothing worked so he just did the surgery 2 months ago. He had a deviated septum also, so guess that was a problem as well. He is soooo glad he got it done, says he feels a whole lot better. It's pretty serious though, his ENT didn't even want him to do it, but he had to do something, he was miserable! So glad he did though, he's a much happier and energetic person now.
Mom had the surgery - twice. Helped for a while but eventually, it came back.:? Hope your DH has better luck. She just tries to control it with the sprays and rinse now.