Nasal Rinsing and Waterpik (not nose pick!)

[GaryGarland]

Hi All,
I just got my handy dandy Waterpik WP-100 (about $55 on amazon) and a sinupulse elite tip (i believe formerly grossan's) - i had read that the tip does not directly interface with this particular waterpik, but can be made to do so. I wanted this model of waterpik as i believed it had a lot of bang for the buck, and i can use it for gums, squirting my kids, etc.
Anyway, now that i broke the grossan's tip....
anyone have any experience or advise with modifying it or getting it to work? i did sort of get a 1 inch spray out of it (not well) and tried doing the whole up your nose thing - it didn't come out of my other nostril, and i felt like i was swimming underwater - and not in a good way.
basically, i made a wet, messy bathroom sink area - i did sneeze a little but that did more to clear my sinuses than the wash - thanks for any suggestions!!!!!

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

I was never able to get a Waterpik to work well for sinus rinses. I like the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod. ... ST-0-BRAND

My local pharmacy carries it and the refill packets. The bottle can be replaced often and inexpensively. In fact, my Dad's ENT told him to discontinue sinus rinsing with a waterpik because too many germs can harbor in the water line. My ENT recommended NeilMed's Sinus Rinse Kit and it has worked well for me!

[GaryGarland]

Thanks Gail; much appreciated.
After some web searching, i discovered the Rhinotip (which i saw this before i destroyed the sinupulse) - it appears to be a tip that will fit on virtually any jet - versus the sinupulse which is an entire wand that won't fit into my waterpik's base
your neilmed is only $12 - that's 1/6 the price of the waterpik and tip, and a little less expensive than the tip alone - i'm looking at it on-line but i do like the idea of the head positioning with the waterpik.
i didn't consider germs in the waterlines (thanks for the nightmares!) though i would imagine a saline solution will help inhibit them...okay, 10 minutes later i've gone to the neilmed website and i'm sold - i'm buying the kit today (and still ordering the rhinotip) - though i will say even the very attractive model in the neilmed video looks pretty bad doing the sinus rinse (i guess that's why bathroom doors have locks)
Thanks!!!!!!

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

though i will say even the very attractive model in the neilmed video looks pretty bad doing the sinus rinse (i guess that's why bathroom doors have locks)
Thanks!!!!!!

Yes, good thing bathroom doors have locks!

I've never used a Neti Pot, but I know a lot of members here like to use a Neti Pot. I never quite understood how they work, but I watched the video on the NeilMed site and it looks like a slightly gentler way to rinse the sinuses. I might try one soon as I've had trouble lately with fluid affecting my eustachian tube and causing some discomfort. However, when my sinuses get really congested, I'm not sure the Neti Pot would help much. I need some pressure behind the rinse!

I hope you find what works best for you!

[gasp]

It's well known that I endorse the NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot. It used to be sold on Amazon. I also bought the bag of salt.

Pot (kit): http://www.amazon.com/NasaFlo-Neti-Pot- ... 83&sr=8-13
Salt: http://www.amazon.com/Neti-Pot-Salt-8-O ... 83&sr=8-13

I'm wondering if anyone's used the NeilMed Rinse Bottle?
Bottle: http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Large-Sinus ... 383&sr=8-4

[5aces]

I use the NeilMed bottle once a day to help clear chronic sinusitis.Been on antibiotics for nearly a month,after an x-ray detected the sinus condition.

Again,ENT Specialist recommended.Still hasn't spared me from getting a sinus CT scan to determine if surgery is required.

I'll get the results January 30/09.This rinse does provide a measure of relief,along with flushing out what the antibiotics are trying to clear up.

I don't mind a forceful rinse,I microwave distilled water in a pyrex cup for 45 seconds,mix in prepacked salt/bicarb and transfer to the bottle.
Firm squeeze on the bottle sends a nice jet of cleansing solution through the sinus.Another brand Ayr,has a "sport top" dispenser,opens and closes.

Sinusitis has completely offset the nasal CPAP therapy and I am anxious to resolve the matter.Think of this as an enema...for your nose!

[jules]

I have used the neil med (8 oz) and ayr bottles. I think I like the ayr one better. Rite Aid carries both (at least the Rite Aid we shop at) if you want to look at them sometime gasp. The ayr bottle is more slender and also has the ability to shut off the flow.

I also use distilled water, zapped in any suitable cup measured out with the salt added afterwards, stirred and let sit for hours. Sometimes I get lazy and put the distilled water and the salt in the bottle and shake it up (ah, that ayr one closes for that) and let sit.

[GaryGarland]

this afternoon i stopped at CVS and they had both the neilmed neti pot "kit" and the nasal rinse kit - i was torn, but ultimately decided on the rinse. i gave it a shot this afternoon - really wierd. nothing like enjoying the feeling of drowing in the pool from the comfort of my bathroom! seriously, it had that underwater feel to it. rinse went alright, and then 30 minutes later i was looking for something in a drawer and water just started dripping out of my nose -- wierd!
the whole rinsing thing wasn't unpleasant, though i did make a mess (i'm sure i'll get better with practice). i THINK my sinuses were clearer, though now they're pretty stuffed (cold).
amazing thing is i slept well with my swift lt, and once i took it off my nose was stuffed right up. the other thing is my apap efficacy pressure is roughly 1.4 higher - again, likely because of the cold.
i'm still waiting for my rhinotip, but for the $13 (about $1 more at CVS than on-line) for the neilmed rinse, i didn't think i could go wrong - in fact, if i had to do it again, i wouldn't have blown $75 on a waterpik and sinupulse tip (that i ultimately destroyed), and then another $24 for a rhinotip.

[ozij]

I prefer the Neilmed sqeeze bottle to the Neilmed Netipot.

O.

[GaryGarland]

2nd day, 2nd rinse - still have to get used to the feeling - like going underwater. my sinuses feel clearer, or at least i think they do - it can also be the absence of forcing water up my nose that feels better.
i read the neilmed literature - turns out the sinus rinse is what they recommend - they offer the netipot, which they claim is less efficient, for those who can't tolerate the rinse.
i'm seriously considering sending my waterpik back - this $12 rinse takes care of what i wanted to accomplish.
i was hoping for sinus miracles and so far i don't have them - but i'm new to this. i'm also hoping my poor sinuses will feel better in general, and that cpap (even with my humidifier) isn't destroying them...

[slacker]

Hi Gary

I also use waterpic w100, and had a hard time finding the correct tip, some just didn't fit . I found http://www.ethicare.com,

Type U Connector (use with Water-Pik® Ultra (WP-100W)

AHUN Nasal Irrigator

$21.00 (+5.95 S/H)=$26.95

I also tried one of the bottle setups, works fine, but I like the pulsing of the waterpic.

Good luck, Bob

[GaryGarland]

thanks bob - i would have bought that connector in a heartbeat! i'm awaiting my rhinotip, and i'm considering returning my waterpik - they give a 14 day full refund if you don't love the thing - i wanted it for the nose, but the neilmed kit seems to accomplish that (though i'm starting to like it less each day) - i'll probably keep the pik and use it for my gums
thanks again!

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

i'm also hoping my poor sinuses will feel better in general

Give it a few days. Also, you might try rinsing at least twice a day for the first few days. It can take several rinses before the congestion in your sinuses really loosens up, releases it's grip and moves on out. I have found on several occasions that it took at least 3 or 4 rinses before I could see phlegm moving out with the rinse or when blowing my nose after rinsing. But when it moves on out, it feel SOOOOOO much better!

[Driver59]

Bought a poultry flavor injector at Big Lots for $2. Mix my own saline solution, 1/2 tsp. sea salt and 1/4 tsp. baking soda
per 1 cup of filtered water warmed for a few seconds in the microwave. Works great, you can use as much or as little
pressure on the syringe as is comfortable. You can seal the nostril by gently pressing the end of the syringe to the bottom of your nose and get less mess that way. Be sure to safely dispose of the big needle before you poke yourself with it.
Not that I did that or anything, but it hurts like the dickens.
Don

[gasp]

I have used the neil med (8 oz) and ayr bottles. I think I like the ayr one better. Rite Aid carries both (at least the Rite Aid we shop at) if you want to look at them sometime gasp. The ayr bottle is more slender and also has the ability to shut off the flow.

I also use distilled water, zapped in any suitable cup measured out with the salt added afterwards, stirred and let sit for hours. Sometimes I get lazy and put the distilled water and the salt in the bottle and shake it up (ah, that ayr one closes for that) and let sit.

Thanks for the info. So you like the bottle better than the pot?