Netti Pot Users?

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Anyone out there use a netti pot? I received the suggestion after complaining on facebook about my third (yes, THIRD!) round of sinusitis in less than 2 months. So, my question is... Anyone have success using one? Anyone nearly drown themselves? I'm curious to see any success/horror stories out there before I go running off to buy one. Thanks!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I don't use one, but back in August I got my DH one. He is 55, no health insurance, was running out of options. All that was left was a neti pot. He had tried everything else. And could no longer just rely on his health insurance for a Z-pack.

Ok, so 5 months later...he is much improved.

You must use distilled water with it though. And I bought the whole thing, the little packs of medicinal salts and the distilled water. And, he heats the mixture in the pot, in the Microwave, for 10 sec.

He started out with 2x a day. It took him some acclimating, even though he uses the saline nasal sprays. Now, he is down to PRN...."as needed" His sinusitis has healed and improved considerably.

I am glad it has helped him...he was doing very poorly over the summer, health wise. Now, he can breathe better, and feels better.

He is not a member on these forums though...or I am sure he would chime in.

 

[turney31]

I use the Neil/med Sinus relief bottle. Make sure to use distilled water. I buy the saline packets. I didn't like the netti pot.

Kinda like comparing a water hose to a fire hose...

 

[evenstargirl]

My husband is supposed to use one for his allergies, but he is so paranoid after that story of the brain eating amoeba thing! He uses water from our Berkey water filter and then boils it and lets it cool before using. He has noticed improvement but he hates doing it!

I tried it once. The sensation was not pleasant!

 

[NickyPick]

I've always used straight tap water - warm, with the saline packets and if I'm starting to feel sick, I'll add the sinus booster from Walgreens. You turn your head sideways over the sink and keep your mouth open. I've never had the water go down to drown me, it can leak into your mouth if your head isn't tilted right - but it's not a big deal. I have bad allergies and used to get 3-4 weekly migraines and every 2 months a bout of bronchitis. The bronchitis is a thing of the past and the migraines have dropped to maybe once a month or two. The Neti pot is great! Got to use warm water tho - cold water HURTS!

 

[EweSheep]

I do the same thing but I'm really bad about keeping it up. I have to go back and start using it again. It is getting to the point of getting migraines and headaches often when my sinusitis are going at it full tilt!

I've always used straight tap water - warm, with the saline packets and if I'm starting to feel sick, I'll add the sinus booster from Walgreens. You turn your head sideways over the sink and keep your mouth open. I've never had the water go down to drown me, it can leak into your mouth if your head isn't tilted right - but it's not a big deal. I have bad allergies and used to get 3-4 weekly migraines and every 2 months a bout of bronchitis. The bronchitis is a thing of the past and the migraines have dropped to maybe once a month or two. The Neti pot is great! Got to use warm water tho - cold water HURTS!

 

[cupman]

Horror stories, huh? Well I read about a month ago these children in Louisiana died using a netti pot. They used tap water and got some brain eating amoeba that killed them in a couple days. Apparently it is harmless when ingested but not when you run it through your nose.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/...oeba-fatalities-linked-to-common-cold-remedy/

You'd probably be fine but I would look for alternative remedies first.

 

[Lollipop]

Horror stories, huh? Well I read about a month ago these children in Louisiana died using a netti pot. They used tap water and got some brain eating amoeba that killed them in a couple days. Apparently it is harmless when ingested but not when you run it through your nose.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/...oeba-fatalities-linked-to-common-cold-remedy/

You'd probably be fine but I would look for alternative remedies first.

That's the only area of the country that has reported problems with that amoeba, to my knowledge. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the high water table, or the ground saturation as a result of hurricanes. I used tap water from an artisian well. It's quite deep, but I' also on a low mountain. No reported problems in my area........Pop

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

I read about the amoeba thing, and I think if I use distilled water or boiled water I will be ok. Thanks for the input, I think I will go buy one tonight and give it a shot!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

It's probably a good idea to know what is swimming around in your water. In the area that I live in, the water is considered quite safe and I just use tap water with salt and baking soda. I have used a neti pot, sometimes regularly, sometimes sporadically and sometimes when I think I'm coming down with something. It took a little getting used to the first time, but after that, no problem and it has been helpful. I learned to use it by watching a demonstration on youtube. I was told to get the ceramic one rather than the plastic one...I think because it is easier to thoroughly clean, but I really can't remember with absolute certainty the reason. But, I did get the ceramic one.