First of all, has anyone used one of these? Is it hard? I know there are how-to videos all over the web. Also, has anyone seen one to buy in stores rather than ordering online? TIA.

I have to use it after I had nasal surgery - very easy to use. Recently Dr. Oz demonstrated it on Oprah. I've seen them at Whole Foods Grocery store, but they are pricey. I would definitely look on eBay.

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Mary

They have them for $12.99 at Walgreens. Just be careful to tilt your head down and not back because I did that and water went back towards my ear canals. It was very painful for about 2 weeks.

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NeilMed Sinus Rinse are sold at Walmart. It is a bottle that you put the salt rinse in and do the same thing are the pot. You just squeeze the bottle and it runs from one side of your nose to the other. I think the kit sold around $10-$12. Saved dh a couple times from running to the doctor with sinus problems.

CVS has the plastic classic pots. Tilt forward, don't swallow, and expect that creepy sensation you get when water gets in your nose. Otherwise, not difficult at all.

I use mine from time to time, especially with the onset of sinus problems. Seems to help. I also add a 1/8 tsp. baking soda to the water, they say it helps prevent bacteria from growing.

Do you buy the packets of salt mix? If you add your own how much and what kind of salt? Thanks

Am I the only one who thinks this is absolutely disgusting???? Really gross....
They showed this on Oprah?? Lots of YouTube videos on it...

YouTube - neti pot
This one is particularly funny: YouTube - How To Irrigate Your Nasal Passages (Stop before the last 10 seconds...naughty word)

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

You are right, cjs216...it is disgusting...but I would rather have all that stuff out of my body and down the sink!

I love my Neti pot...so does my DH, his sinus headaches have almost totally gone away since we started using it.

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Nutella,....
proving some of the best things in life come in a jar.

You do not have to buy the saline packets - here are the instructions for making your own solution - This came in my Nasal Saline Irrigation Pamphlet my Doctor gave me. Whatever you do - don't use just regular water - you have to have the saline (buffered) .

Homemade Saline Mix

1 ½ tsp - Salt - Use Sea Salt or Pickling Salt (Do not use table salt)
½ tsp - Baking Soda

Mix with 2 cups warm water until well dissolved (Tap water is fine)

"The amount of salt added will depend on your tolerance. However, the more salt that is added the greater the decongestant effect. Bicarbonate is a buffer and will allow the saltwater to be less irritating."

You can cut this in half if you only need one cup.

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Mary

Thank you that should save some money.

Agree if you ever had bad sinus infections the rinse is no big deal. I have used it a few times. First time I forgot to keep my mouth open. Wasn't long correcting that error.

I bought one about 6 weeks ago, and I LOVE it. My teenage son and I use it every other day or so. He likes it too. He doesn't seem as sniffely to me.

I bought mine --called Sinucleanse -- at CVS for $14.99 -- which is WAY over priced for a plastic nose watering can!!
But I wanted to try it.

It came with a bunch of saline packets to mix in. I only use a little bit of the packette so it is going a long way. I have mild allergies, and I can really tell the difference. I wish I would have discovered it years ago. My head and throat just feel better.

I do it before I get in the shower. One weird thing though -- my water rarely comes all the way around and out the other side. I did have sinus surgery 20 years ago, and maybe that has something to do with it. Still it works wonderfully for as far as the water goes.

I highly recommend them.

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Donna