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My Love/Hate Relationship with my Neti Pot
 Posted by Sally Kilpatrick Dec 16 2011, 12:03 am in drainage, mucus, neti pot, phlegm, running, Sally Kilpatrick
So far, my biggest problem hasn’t been my knees—I’ve learned to buy shoes more frequently. I moved past the muscle aches—did you know you’re not supposed to stretch until after you’ve at least warmed up? No, my biggest problem is, pardon my French, the snot. I’ve always had problems with my sinuses, particularly in the winter. I can think I’m as right as rain, get just past the one-mile mark and practically drown in drainage. My former college roommate, a seasoned cross country runner, tried to explain the art of the snot rocket to me but a) I don’t want to do that to some unsuspecting person’s lawn, and b) I can’t. So, what’s a girl to do? I did what anyone in my situation would do, I went to Google. I found two words repeated over and over again: neti pot. I even found a post about the benefits of the neti pot complete with a helpful video of how it’s done. You can check it out here—but it’s not for the faint of heart. I, being ever the intrepid journalist, decided to try to the neti pot to see if it helped. Yes, yes it did. I was on the cusp of my second sinus infection in two months, and I’ve been able to stave off the headaches and can see visible improvement thanks to a combination of Mucinex D and using the neti pot every other day. Last Thursday I couldn’t run two miles. This Monday, I ran for a full 32 minutes on the treadmill, albeit at a slower pace, to make 2.5 miles. By Wednesday I ran for twenty minutes and had to stop because it was time to get the kids—not because I couldn’t breathe. All this and I stopped taking Mucinex on Tuesday. I know what you’re thinking: there’s something about pouring salt water up your nose that sounds as though it’s more torture than beneficial. I’m here to tell you that, done right, you’ll relieve both the pressure in your head and end at least some of that drainage down the back of your throat. If you don’t like the actual neti pot, they now make other kinds of saline rinses—maybe I’ll be brave and try one of those next. Of course, I have to confess one other thing as well: I’m still not jumping up and down with glee at the thought of getting out the neti pot. I have to force myself. In the meantime, here’s another LiveStrong article on drainage among runners. Oh, and do you have any helpful hints to beat the phlegm? (Lest you become so enamored of pouring water up your nose that you decide to do it EVERY DAY, please take a look at this WebMD article about how mucus is supposedly your friend and not something you should get rid of completely.)
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I’ve heard so many people talking about this, Sally – so thanks for being our guinea pig and testing it out!
I have to say, I’m of the ‘salt water up my nose sounds like torture’ brigade. Too many memories of swimming and having that happen accidentally. Then again, sinus infections are horrid, so maybe it would be worth a try.
By the way, on your recommendation I’m going to a Yoga for beginners class in the new year. Hopefully it’ll help my back and get me back to running!
So glad you’re trying yoga! I think you’re going to like it–I’m looking at some different ways to incorporate yoga since the gym class now conflicts with other aspects of my schedule. I’ll probably be reviewing a video one of these days.
As to the Neti pot, for some reason the angle of the kitchen sink works far better than the bathroom sink. Watching the guy in the video was disgusting, but it helped me get the right angle so I didn’t halfway drown myself. It’s kinda like using breathe right strips: I have to read the instructions every time I do it in order to get it right.
You know how much I value my neti-pot. I’ve had a sinus infection so bad the doctor ordered me to use it or have an operation. Once he packed my nose with miles and miles of medicated gauze…. Ew. Gimmee the neti pot, thanks!
And now I’ve got the boys sold on it too. We’d all rather do it than suffer and go to the doctor and take the meds.
But I still can’t convince my husband (zero-hero in this application).
And I don’t snot rocket, but I do hock & spit when I run or bike! Makes me feel tuff!
You would think this country girl could hock and spit, but it’s a skill I’ve never acquired. I suppose I could keep trying…
Okay, I had to laugh all through this post because I could just “hear” you, Sally.
But I’m a neti pot believer too. I’ve had enough sinus infections to last me a lifetime, so if I feel even the hint of one, out comes the neti pot. Yes, it’s gross, but you get the hang of it and it’s a million times better than the infection.
So happy you laughed. My goal in life is to get people to laugh about things like snot. I know, I know. I’m a bit crass. Anyhoo, if everyone was afraid to talk about such things, I would have never learned about neti pots and would still be suffering.
Have I failed at teaching you the proper way to snot rocket? Also I use my netti in the shower every morning. It is much less messy in the shower!
It’s quite possible I declined a demonstration of the snot rocket which would explain my inability to do so. Perhaps we should make a movie?
I haven’t tried the shower, but the kitchen sink provides a better angle. Not the biggest fan of rinsing my nasal passages over the sink, but, hey, they make bleach for a reason, right?
Trish swears by this, and I’ve wondered if I should start using it during allergy season.
This NPR post makes me wary though:
Second Neti-Pot Death From Amoeba Prompts Tap-Water Warning
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/19/143960631/second-neti-pot-death-from-amoeba-prompts-tap-water-warning?sc=fb&cc=fp