purplebee
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Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Oct 8, 2014 20:17:04 GMT
Mentioned on the headache thread. I started using a neti pot, but kinda got scared off by an RN friend who says her clinic sees lots of bad infections due to Neti Pot/Sinus Rinse use. Do you use them? What do you use for the water? How do you sterilize and keep it easy and simple to use? Do you think they work? Just wondering about going back to using one now that cold/flu season is here again.
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Post by khaleesi on Oct 8, 2014 20:29:25 GMT
Mentioned on the headache thread. I started using a neti pot, but kinda got scared off by an RN friend who says her clinic sees lots of bad infections due to Neti Pot/Sinus Rinse use. Do you use them? What do you use for the water? How do you sterilize and keep it easy and simple to use? Do you think they work? Just wondering about going back to using one now that cold/flu season is here again. Quoted so I could make sure I answer all of your questions. I have one that I use about once a month during my allergy off season. I use distilled water and rinse after use. I also put it in the dishwasher and will run it through the sanitize setting. I find that it has helped me and I do not use it daily or even weekly. Even during peak allergy season I use mine maybe once every two weeks. Each person seems to have a different experience and what I have found is you have to try it for yourself to see if you notice any relief. Good luck.
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Post by Jennifer C on Oct 8, 2014 20:29:28 GMT
My allergy sinus Dr recommended the Neti Pot for me. It has worked wonders. I use it at least 3 times a day or once a day when my sinuses are acting up.
My Dr recommends buying a new pot about every 6 month if used regularly. He also says to wash it with hot, hot water after every use. I even put mine in the dishwasher once a week.
ONLY use distilled sterile water, NEVER tap water. My Dr says that most of the people that get infections due to the Neti is because they use the incorrect water.
I love mine and even have my 9 yr old ds rinsing his sinuses out.
Jennifer
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,726
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Oct 8, 2014 20:56:53 GMT
Thanks ladies, sounds like the distilled sterile water is the safe way to go.
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oaksong
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Oct 8, 2014 21:53:49 GMT
I swear by it, and DD 17 uses it too. We use warm tap water, but make sure that it's sterilized in the dishwasher afterwards. It is the only thing that clears up a bad sinus infection for me, and gives a lot of relief for allergies also.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Oct 8, 2014 21:56:30 GMT
As others have said, it is most important to use distilled sterile water. I wash the neti pot with soap and hot water after each use.
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eleezybeth
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Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 8, 2014 22:02:14 GMT
I use the bottle not the pot. I use distiller water. To clean, I rinse and then once a week I clean it in a sterilizing bag. The bags are in the baby aisle and meant to clean pump parts but we use them to sanitize everything.
The bottle is what keeps my chronic sinus infections at bay. Since I started using one, I've gone from constantly having a sinus infection to maybe one a year. And I usually get it when I go on vacation and don't take my bottle.
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Post by anniefb on Oct 8, 2014 22:38:43 GMT
I use sinus rinse daily and have done so for about 5 years. I boil water that's come out of my tap filter and have never had any issues. I clean the bottle regularly and replace about every 6 months. Before using the rinse I had chronic infections that only cleared up when I was on antibiotics and came back straight away I finished a course. Not an overstatement to say sinus rinse changed my life
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Post by peanuttle on Oct 8, 2014 22:42:40 GMT
I use one and swear by it. My Dr actually recommended it for my allergies/sinus issues. Be sure to use distilled water and clean the pot thoroughly.
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eastcoastpea
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Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Oct 9, 2014 10:34:27 GMT
Our adult and pedi doctors both recommend it.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 9, 2014 11:13:12 GMT
I use the Neil Med bottle and it is actually prescribed by my doctor. I managed to avoid major brain surgery and keep the hearing in my right ear because of it.
I had a wicked sphenoid sinus infection that literally ate away part of the membrane into my right inner ear. I caused vertigo that was initially thought of as heart issues because it triggered a fright or flight response. The infection was very difficult to get rid of and I was on antibiotics almost constantly for a year. Eventually, it was decided that the only way to get rid of the infection was surgery. I had a landmark CT, which maps the brain for surgery, as the sphenoids are deep into the brain and the dr casually mentioned the sinus rinse. I started using it and it cleared up all the thick goo in my sinuses--all of them, even the sphenoid. So no need for surgery! And it saved the hearing in my ear.
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Post by anonrefugee on Oct 9, 2014 13:48:08 GMT
basket1lady, I have the NeilMed setup too. It's so easy to use! But if it's been a few months, I stall. I've got seasonal allergies and have known it's time to start- your post made do it. Thanks, for helping me get back in habit.
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gloryjoy
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Jun 26, 2014 12:35:32 GMT
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Post by gloryjoy on Oct 9, 2014 14:14:48 GMT
Another vote for the neti pot. I had never used one until last year, thought they were kind of weird, didn't want to squirt water up my nose, couldn't visualize how it would work.
Eventually after reading all the recommendations I bit the bullet and tried it, and my relief was pretty much instant!
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Post by utmr on Oct 9, 2014 14:17:30 GMT
I use warm tap water with no problems. It's a huge relief with sinus infections and allergy season.
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Dalai Mama
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Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Oct 9, 2014 14:52:22 GMT
I don't worry about sterilising the water and definitely not distilled. Given the amount of ocean water, rife with goodness knows what kind of crap, that travels through my sinus cavity when I dive, treated tap water doesn't even ping my radar.
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sharlag
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Oct 9, 2014 15:26:11 GMT
Basket1lady did you get these terrific results just using the saline in the water? Or did you use something else?
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Post by flanz on Oct 9, 2014 15:35:00 GMT
I use sinus rinse daily and have done so for about 5 years. I boil water that's come out of my tap filter and have never had any issues. I clean the bottle regularly and replace about every 6 months. Before using the rinse I had chronic infections that only cleared up when I was on antibiotics and came back straight away I finished a course. Not an overstatement to say sinus rinse changed my life NeilMed's Sinus Rinse system (bottle, not NetiPot, much easier to use!) changed my life too. I do what Annie has described here. During my bad allergy times I will rinse 3X a day. The relief is real. I also learned to never use just water, that the salt packets are essential. it STINGS like a biotch without the salt to make it the correct pH! Good luck. Sinus issues can cause so much pain! Ask me how I know.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Oct 9, 2014 15:42:47 GMT
However small the risk might be, people have died using tap water when they became infected with a brain eating amoeba. If you are trying to do something for your health and well being that is natural it's worth the time and effort to use sterile water.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 9, 2014 15:43:02 GMT
Basket1lady did you get these terrific results just using the saline in the water? Or did you use something else? I just the saline packet that comes with the Neil Med system. I buy it at Costco. I think it's 200 packets and 2 bottles for about $18 ish. I change out the bottles every other month, so it works out so that I have the right amount of packets for the bottles. I wash out my bottles daily and it all seems to be good. I use at least 2 packets a day and sometimes more. I usually rinse in the morning and at night, but if I'm outside for any length of time, I rinse again. A lot of pollen collects in your sinuses and it's good to rinse all of that out. I also shower after being outside for any length of time.
If you have nose crusties, you probably have them in your sinus cavities as well. The rinse helps drain all of that out and keeps the goo from solidifying, which helps keep the sinuses clear. It seems so incredibly simple, but it really did help me a tremendous amount. I'm so grateful for that!
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likescarrots
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Aug 16, 2014 17:52:53 GMT
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Post by likescarrots on Oct 9, 2014 17:57:04 GMT
I have had at least 4 doctors, including an ENT, recommend a neti pot/sinus rinse for my chronic sinus issues, so I would say they are safe if you use them correctly. I have the Neil med bottle that you squeeze and this can go in the microwave and dishwasher to sanitize.
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Post by woodysbetty on Oct 9, 2014 18:02:47 GMT
I use one everyday.....tap not distiller at home distiller if I am on the road. I keep my Netoot clean and Ive had the same ceramic one for about 6 years......I started as part of yoga practice to keep my sinus cavities moist for pranayama (breathing) practices....
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Dalai Mama
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Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Oct 9, 2014 18:40:37 GMT
There have been only 32 cases of Naegleria fowleri in the past decade including cases from the more likely source of people swimming in fresh water. I'm probably more likely of dying from an infected paper cut.
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azredhead
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Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Oct 9, 2014 18:58:10 GMT
My mom swears by it. It scares me too. I just getting over another cellutius infection in my face. I think it started from allergies and got worse. It was down right nasty. I had to be on heavy antibiotics. I have wondered if I should try it when the allergies flair up.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Oct 9, 2014 19:07:49 GMT
I have the Neilmed sinus rinse. It works okay, not too gross. You have to use the packets that come with it. But I had only one problem using it when my sinuses were already partially blocked and then all the fluid when to my ears. The extra fluid got "stuck" and my ears wouldn't unblock. I had to call my ent and go on prednisone to clear everything out and clear my blocked ears.
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purplebee
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Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Oct 9, 2014 19:18:28 GMT
Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I know the warm tap water is the easiest way to go, it's what I have used in the past. Just a bit leery now to use it, not b/c of the scary brain eating amoeba thing, but of just a regular, bacteria- caused sinus infection. I will give the sterile water a try, 'cause I know it helps. Good to hear about all the positive results from sinus rinsing!
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pridemom
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Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Oct 10, 2014 2:58:47 GMT
There have been only 32 cases of Naegleria fowleri in the past decade including cases from the more likely source of people swimming in fresh water. I'm probably more likely of dying from an infected paper cut. Risk increases if you live in areas that don't get well below freezing in the winter. I believe you live in Canada, so it would not be concerning. However, in the lower half of the US, I would highly recommend using water that's been boiled and allowed to cool or distilled water.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 10, 2014 3:04:36 GMT
I have the Neilmed sinus rinse. It works okay, not too gross. You have to use the packets that come with it. But I had only one problem using it when my sinuses were already partially blocked and then all the fluid when to my ears. The extra fluid got "stuck" and my ears wouldn't unblock. I had to call my ent and go on prednisone to clear everything out and clear my blocked ears. I've had this happen, too. Don't force the water into your nose. If my sinuses are a bit blocked, I just squeeze the water in gently and then give it a minute or two, then repeat. The rinse can loosen up any blockage if it's not too bad. If you take a hot shower and then try the rinse, that helps with congestion as well. Or try from the other nostril and see if it's more open. After you rinse, stay bent over for another 15 seconds or so. Blow your nose gently, again bending over. This can help drain any remaining saline rinse in the nasal cavity.
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Oct 10, 2014 6:41:58 GMT
I use a Sinucleanse thingy, and the sachets that come with it. Brilliant product.
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Post by flanz on Oct 10, 2014 6:45:19 GMT
There have been only 32 cases of Naegleria fowleri in the past decade including cases from the more likely source of people swimming in fresh water. I'm probably more likely of dying from an infected paper cut. Risk increases if you live in areas that don't get well below freezing in the winter. I believe you live in Canada, so it would not be concerning. However, in the lower half of the US, I would highly recommend using water that's been boiled and allowed to cool or distilled water. Pridemom, I actually almost always boil my water and let it cool before using it in my NeilMed.
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Dalai Mama
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Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Oct 10, 2014 17:02:56 GMT
There have been only 32 cases of Naegleria fowleri in the past decade including cases from the more likely source of people swimming in fresh water. I'm probably more likely of dying from an infected paper cut. Risk increases if you live in areas that don't get well below freezing in the winter. I believe you live in Canada, so it would not be concerning. However, in the lower half of the US, I would highly recommend using water that's been boiled and allowed to cool or distilled water. I was under the impression that the issue arose from the hot water tank. I tried to find information on whether the two Louisiana cases involved well water vs. treated city water but I didn't find much.
City water here is treated up the wazoo.
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