I got my first neti pot in the 1980s, and I still have it--plus another I gave to a family member. I think we had a thread here about neti pots not too long ago. Some folks use them differently, but I just dissolve non-iodized salt in my well water.

Just be careful when blowing out what remains in your nose. Do it over the sink, without any impedance to your nose. If you use a tissue in the usual fashion, you'll likely give yourself pain in one or both ears.

I have been using a netti pot for years now. I bought mine at Walmart, it came with a ton of packets of the salt stuff so that's what I use. I do every thing over the bathroom sink.

I second the Neil Med! It changed my life. It's great for allergy issues, but when you get a cold, it's half the issues. LOVE it

I've also had one forever, as well as a couple other versions of it. Even as a kid when the ENT did it with his fancy machine, I hated it. For plugged up, it works, and I'll use it for relief, but for sinus issues and allergies (which I have masses of), I end up more miserable than if I'd left it alone.

I'm posting the opposing view to say that you should give it a good try, but if you end up hating it, it's okay. It happens that way sometimes. I still believe that it's a good thing for most people, just not all.

In theory, it's supposed to rinse allergens out of the sinuses, and that does make sense. But referring to Plllog's post, I remember one time I used it in the evening to help with an ongoing allergy, and ended up so thoroughly blocked I was almost afraid to go to bed. I don't know why it happened, and it never happened again.

Thanks yall, I'm sure it will be an experimental type of thing. I hope I'm pleased with it. . I will let you know when I get it and when I decide to "bite the bullet" lol

Sadly, my experience was negative, too. I had read that rinsing out the sinuses would help keep them clear and reduce infection. Instead, my infection worsened. Of course, maybe that would have happened anyway, but I was pretty disappointed.

It's really awesome at preventative allergy relief. If that helps any fun2?

I use mine successfully every time I get an itchy feeling in my nose too....I think the itchiness is from pollen or dryness in the air. It works....for stuffed-upness too. Did you notice that you are not to use it before going to bed??? leaving moisture in those cavities or ear canals can cause problems.

I have one but hardly ever use it. When I have tried other methods it never came out the other nostril. Maybe I'm not doing it right. You can use a baby nasal bulb and do the same thing. It feels good anyway.

I meant to tell Cheryl that if the water doesn't come out your other nostril at first, change the angle of your head, usually up or down. Maybe that was the problem, JoAnn.

Cheryl, no "biting the bullet" necessary . . . it isn't unpleasant. :-)

Nanny, no one ever told me you aren't supposed to use it before bed. Good to know.

I believe there was one instance a few years back where using a Neti pot caused a brain-eating amoeba to lodge in a person's sinus cavity and to start doing its thing, which is almost invariable fatal. IIRC he lived in a warm climate, Louisana, and used water straight from the tap, and although properly treated tap water shouldn't contain any still living amoebas that may have been the source.

Rob333, I can see where it might be helpful to allergy sufferers.

Bob_cville, thanks so much for that visual. I'm now totally traumatized. ;-)

Sister has used one for a long time... gets sinus infections on fairly regular basis... like with every cold. She suggested I use one when complaining (whining??) about cold congestion. She "warned" me about potential STUFF that would come out of my HEAD!! WHERE did all that alien debris come from? It worked well and I use it on occasion... think she uses on a fairly regular basis... just in case?

My sister uses a neti to help keep her nose/sinuses moisturized in winter. She is prone to nosebleeds due to a genetic condition, HHT, and if her nose dries out too much it's not at all good for her. She is very careful to always boil the water (and cool it, of course) before each use. Never rely on tap water to be sterile, no matter where you live.

Okay, people, you also don't want the minerals in the water in your head, either! Use water that's distilled or treated by reverse osmosis (labeled "purified" when you buy it at the store). Water boiled for 20 minutes is okay if you can't get distilled/r.o. but pure is better. You can use kitchen salt, but the little packets that are meant for the job are gentler if you have sores from an infection or nosebleed. Plain water, rather than saline (with the salt in it) can hurt more than it helps because it'll dry out your nasal tissues.

Having a hard time showing pictures with this iPad, but, I use this:

NeilMed Sinus Rinse Regular Bottle Kit

and I want to emphasize use distilled water.

Love my Neti Pot, I have the Neil med. Use only distilled water and the packets. Works like a charm!

Thanks for all the input. I have the saline coming with the pot, so that is what I'll try.. DH said he will try it first, he actually watched a very gross rinsing on YouTube, it was so disgusting I couldn't watch. I also get grossed out about bodily fluids.

I've had a blocked Eustachian tube issue for years and my doctor recommended neti pot. I tried it for the first time a few days ago, and the water ended up going into my already painful Eustachian tube. It really hurt and the water was blocked in my ear for awhile. I'm not sure if my ear is fully drained yet. I must have done it incorrectly, and I'm too afraid to try again.

It takes some trial and error to get the right angleangle of the head over the sink for the water to come out of thethe other nostril, if you are not getting thethe proper flow try moving the angle of your head. In my niel med kit the instructions are very clear on that.

check this youtube video. Cute girl showing how!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZgueuvJIsQ

:) Moni