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So I made a new friend this week. His first name is Neti and his last name is Pot. Yes, I became friends with my Neti Pot. (Don’t ask me why I made him male.). Have you heard of this magical little plastic lamp? It literally looks like a genie should come out of it if you rub it. (And no, I didn’t actually try).
I was told by a couple of friends that the Neti Pot helps to clear up sinuses. Since I am breastfeeding and therefore can’t take much of anything for colds, I decided to give this a try. I kind of felt like a magician. You know, when they put something in one side of their nose and it comes out the other side. But not only did the water come out the other side, it also shot out through my mouth (I didn’t expect that part. Guess that’s why they said to keep your mouth open?). And all over the counter and sink. Yeah, I must have done something wrong that first time.
I have to say that the experience was sort of like riding a rollercoaster. How, you ask? Well, as I was putting the spout to my nose, I was feeling a sense of anticipation. A sort of nervousness. Wouldn’t you if you were about to make something come out of the other side of your nose, something that doesn’t normally happen unless someone told you a fabulous joke while drinking a soda? Then as the liquid was dribbling out, the anticipation went away and was replaced with a sense of relief. Relief that it actually worked and I didn’t end up with a stomach full of saline solution. Dramatic, I know, but this process has freaked me out ever since I saw the commercial for it! But when you’re desperate, you’ll do almost anything to feel better.
All grossness aside, the thing actually works. It did the trick and I could breathe again….at least temporarily. Or until I repeated the process. Now my husband has one and we have matching blue genie lamps in our bathroom. But you won’t see me doing it at the same time though since it’s gross enough just watching me do it to myself! No way do I want to watch someone else drain snot from their nose! Ok…gross…I’m done.
You can read about the history and explanation of the Neti Pot here.
Have you ever used a Neti Pot? Share your thoughts on it. And if you haven’t used one, why not?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
haha… riding a rollercoaster? We call it self-waterboarding. There is a moment when you think your going to drown or something… but it really works so we keep using it!
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I have never used it, but it sounds like a life saver! I wish I had one now.
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I don't use this device, but have long been a saline snorter. I snort it off a washcloth, and thank God everytime I do that my husband loves me, 'cause it sure ain't sexy! But as a chronic sufferer from sinus infections, this process has saved me hundreds of dollars. I can do a rinse when I start to feel one coming on, and nip it in the bud without meds. Love that!
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Thankfully I don't have sinus trouble, but I have had bad colds and have been too scared to try one. My aunt has one and LOVES it. Do you really not feel like you're drowning/choking when you do it?!
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Hmmmm…not sure if I would relate it to a roller-coaster ride, but I can definitely see where you are coming from! I have only used the magical device a few times last year when I was still pregnant. It didn't work very well for me, so I stopped using it.
~Working Mommy
Come on by, stay for a while and leave a few comments!!
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Erin – It's amazing, but you really don't feel like you're choking. Unless of course you do it wrong like I think I did the first time. I was super skeptical, but now I'm a believer!
My husband used it the other day and said that it hurt him, but he's super blocked up right now, so either he used it wrong (which is hard to do) or he's just got a bad sinus infection. I think he's scared to try it again, too!
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My DH is in the natural health care field and has been using this for years. When I was pregnant, I used it too since it's a natural option.
I have to admit the first time I used it, it kind of freaked me out because it's a weird sensation and you have to be careful not to inhale. However, the relief WAY outweighed the initial uncomfortableness (is that a word?)
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My mom swears by the Neti Pot – but I can't get past the mental image of stuff going in my nose one side and out the other….
Maybe one day I'll get over my mental heebie jeebies and try it – as I've heard great things about it!
Sherri
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I don't use the Netti Pot, it looked to confusing and right next to it at the CVS I visited while pregnant and suffering was the Neil Med Sinus Rinse. It's just a regular ole sqeeze bottle and it was super easy.
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We have two netipots. Kyle keeps one in his shower (the easiest place to use it). I talked Mr.4444 into trying one years ago. He (with his many sinus infections yearly) was desperate enough to try it, and today he's glad he did. These days, he almost never gets sinus infections, and when he does, it's because he's forgotten to use the neti. They really work!
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Can you use it on kids? I don't think draining snot from my tot would be any grosser (word?) than picking dried snot-caps from his nostrils and finding that they're attached to boogplugs that originate from somewhere behind his eyeballs it seems. We're all allergic to my house and he wakes up miserable beyond belief every day and doesn't "get" nose-blowing. Neti Pot to the rescue…? Hm…
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Saw your blog button on Confessions of a working mom and hopped over.
I've heard of the neti pot, heard great things. Now I am going to have to try it!
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Sold. I'm gonna have to buy it!
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YES! A fellow neti pot user! Aren't they great??? I use mine when I have a cold and I find it clears my sinuses quicker. Although, if I'm really plugged up, it goes into my throat and let me tell ya, that doesn't tickle!
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Neti pots are great but I find them incredibly messy. I hate being hunch over the sink (really attractive – right?). I found something on-line that has been incredible for me. It is called a Navage Nasal Hygiene System and I LOVE IT! I don’t have time to be messing around with mixing my own solution so this device has pre-mixed bottles that you just pop on, rinse and go. So easy and clean!
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