Monday, May 10, 2010

Neti Pot - Do I Go There? (Disturbing Photo Alert!)

This past weekend, our family converged in Toronto to celebrate our wonderful father's 80th birthday. My brother and his wife drove up from Indiana. Poor Dean. He was an absolute mess of sinus agony. His sinuses were so inflamed that his normally petit nose was heading into Karl Malden territory. Yesterday was my turn. Fortunately, my honker hasn't gone all Jiffy Pop on me, but man does it hurt. If I take just a couple more sinus pills a day, I'll be the doped-up teacher that gets funny looks. Half Nelson anyone?

I'm developing a theory that the Canadian-born side of my immediate family (Mom, Dean, and myself) are cursed with faulty sinuses due to some innate genetic/molecular thingy no doubt related to the frosty climate we were born into. The Australian side (Dad, Lise and Rhonda) all have happy nostrils and contented sinuses. This, I'm sure gets back to the relatively dry, temperate climate of coastal N.S.W. where they were all roughly born. Hey, it's my theory. It almost makes me feel better.
Here's a photo. Sorry.
Anyway, I've had several people swear by the Neti Pot. It's a yogi remedy in which a little pot (that looks like it will grant you a magic wish if you rub it) is filled with a saline solution. You bend over and let the solution flow into one nostril and out the other. Has anyone tried this? I'm scared that I'll feel like I'm drowning or worse - actually drown in my hideous pink bathroom before we get around to renovating it. Let me know if you've given old Neti a try. If I do try it, I promise not to photograph it, nor will I ever run this picture of the happy Neti pot user again.
Cheers, Erin

9 comments:

  1. I have thought of trying this but haven't! I would love to know what others think.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey there! I have really bad allergies, so I have a Neti Pot, and it works for me :) It's a little awkward the first couple times, but you get used to it. I find if you don't think too much about the water flowing through, it's better. Good luck!

    Amanda :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't have one and wish I did! I have the faulty Canadian sinus' as well.

    And wouldn't you know it: last October when I was in Toronto visiting my daughter, one of the Salvation Army stores had a brand new in the box with celophane netti pot for sale for $4! And I didn't buy it. Rats!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think u can get a saline spray from Shoppers here. One brand is Salinex. Neti pot looks like more fun though!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, the Neti-Pot. I used to make fun of it as some freaky hippie device until I inherited the chronic sinus difficulties my Mom has. Truth is, nothing - pills, antibiotics, nasal spray or even saline spray (I've tried em all) - relieves the pain like this does. It feels weird at first but it's the best way to relieve the pressure and rinse things out. I just bought a new one as I had a different type before - go for the actual 'teapot' with the spout as it's easier to, um, get it in the nostril. Apparently the Ancient some-ones (Greeks I'm guessing?) rinsed their sinuses in this manner ... so though I still make fun of it I'm going with the wisdom of our forefathers on this one. A kit at the drug mart that comes with 50 saline sachets and the pot is about $20. Let me know if yo do it and get any relief!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for all the great advice. The sinus pressure is still pretty bad, so I'll probably try the neti pot route. I know so many people who are suffering from sinus pain right now. I wonder if it's just a seasonal thing, or if there's something up with the air pressure.

    I hope to go thrifting this weekend.

    Love to you all!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey girl! I have the Sinus Rinse made by the same company as the Neti pot, a bit less weird looking. I guess it does the same thing. It's totally great for allergies!

    Shopper's drugmart carries it (and the Neti)

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Ive used a Nedi pot for years-you can find great utube video to show you how(I turn head upside down to get it up to forehead sinuses)you can mix your own salt & warm water solution
    1cup(8oz)water,1/8-1/4tsp noniodized salt,1/8-1/4tsp baking soda(not powder)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know a lot of professional singers and they all swear by the Neti Pot.

    ReplyDelete

About Me

My photo
I'm a slightly off-beat Toronto-area teacher who enjoys writing and photography. I come from a family of collectors and now I'm dragging my own family around to yard sales. It's just a bit of fun. Enjoy the scenes.