If you happen to follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed me whining for the last two weeks about being sick with a sinus infection that I just couldn’t shake. (Actually, if you didn’t unfollow me as a result of that whining, I’d be surprised — thank you!) I’ve been walking around with a purse that looks like a Walgreens: cough drops, Mucinex, antibiotics, Dayquil, and Advil for the pounding sinus headache.
I was desperate. So I finally gave in to what so many of my friends swear by: I bought a neti pot.
Don’t know what a neti pot is? Observe:
For the longest time I couldn’t get past the idea that you’re pouring water UP YOUR NOSE!! I mean, haven’t you ever gone swimming and gotten water up your nose? It’s horrible! Plus it just didn’t seem possible to do that and not drown yourself, right? And there’s always the fact that it’s just a little disgusting.
I used to swear up and down I could never have an I.V. put into my hand either, but when I had kidney stones and they offered me an I.V. of demerol, you can bet I took it quite gladly! Same with this situation — my sinuses had been so severely packed for two weeks that I’d have put firecrackers up my nose to bust the congestion loose if someone told me it would help.
Thankfully a neti pot is much less drastic than firecrackers.
First off, it doesn’t hurt at all. I can’t even say that it’s uncomfortable. It’s a bit strange, but not bothersome. The trick, I’ve found, is to make sure to keep your mouth open and continue breathing through your nose the entire time. If you stop breathing, you get some of the saline solution down the back of your throat (post nasal drip like). Even that isn’t so bad; just spit it out.
The first time I did it, the gunk that came out of my left nostril (the infected side) was absolutely disgusting. But, um, better out than in, right? After it was out, though, I felt the most relief I’d had in two weeks. My sinus headache let up and I could actually breathe!
I purchased the SinuCleanse brand neti pot at Walgreens for about $14.99. There are several brands available ranging in price from about $10-15. The kit I got comes with directions, the neti pot, a little spoon to mix the saline solution, and 30 saline solution packets.
So, you can all say I told you so now. You win. I’m a convert.
