Nasal Rinse Schmazel Vince!

[plr66]

....or maybe I just don't get it.
Never used this stuff before, as I never get congested unless I actually have a cold. However, since using cpap for the past couple of months, I have stayed just a tad stuffy. Not enough to block breathing at all, but just a little stuffy feeling at times. So I decided to try the NeilMed Sinus Rinse (bottle rather than neti pot) spoken about here. No problem following the directions, and no problem with the procedure. But my nose dribbles water periodically for hours afterward! And I have yet to notice much difference in that stuffy sensation, even after using the rinse. Doesn't matter that I lean over, blow my nose and do each step exactly as instructed. Maybe it's only intended for clogged up breathing passages? Can somebody enlighten me?

[6PtStar]

I don't know. I have never had anything but good luck with the NeilMed rinse. My ENT Doc almost insisted I use it. Do you by any chance have a deavated septum? I used to use it every day but now every other day seems to be enough. Helps keep me open at night. I have had a occasional small drip from it but it is generally within 30 min of using it and no more than about once a month. They do recomend not using it within one hour of going to bed because there could be some of the rinse in the sinus cavity and it might drain.

Anyone else had a problem like this, I just don't know.

Jerry

[sleepycarol]

I, too, have the pesky draining. I have quit using the nasal rinse as I hated dealing with the "running" after a period of time. I would use the rinse then for approximately 2 hours or so I would be fine for a period of time and then get a stream of the liquid. It was rather gross as it would just start running and I wasn't fast enough to be able to stop it before it would run off from my lip down to my chin. This would happen two or three times after using it.

[plr66]

I would be fine for a period of time and then get a stream of the liquid. It was rather gross as it would just start running and I wasn't fast enough to be able to stop it before it would run off from my lip down to my chin.

Yup, that's what I'm talking about. So far, I haven't had it happen outside my home because I've only used it on weekends. I don't actually know what a deviated septum is, much less how I would know if I have one. I don't think so, though, as I've never had ENT problems throughout my life. And TMJ is the only condition I have that I know for a fact has altered the structure of my ear canals etc.

[JayC]

I would be interested in knowing whether people are using a neti pot or other method...

as well as purchased or homebrew solution...

and finally problems like long-after draining problems....

===
I use/have used neti for years.....not regularly. Used to homebrew solution.

Since July 2008 APAP, I bought the 100ct packets on sale to make my routine simpler.

Use several times a week, as needed, often in evening when I do....

I don't recall *ever* having the "after-runs".

Is it possible that the mechanics of the neti pot method better empty out the liquid...?

J

[Jere]

I use a Waterpik with a soft nasal attachment. Been doing it for at least 5 years. I also make my own saline solution (quart of boiled water and 2 teaspoons of salt). I rinse as needed (more in the winter). Rinsing has made a huge difference in reducing stuffiness and dryness and has helped cut down on sinus infections. I have not had any drip issues.

[nightjar]

I would be interested in knowing whether people are using a neti pot or other method...

as well as purchased or homebrew solution...

and finally problems like long-after draining problems....

I use a neti pot with warm water and some regular ol' NaCl. Morton's, I think. I don't use it regularly, just when I have a cold or feel really congested.

But I've never had the problem with dripping described in this thread. Maybe it depends on someone's physiology.

Good luck figuring it out!

nath

[Snoredog]

You need to see a ENT for a nasal exam. Rhino rinse is not going to remove a polyp, spur or fix a deviated septum. All the rhino
wash does is aid in flushing out the allergens that stick to the walls of your nasal passages which left there cause tissue inflammation and swelling. The swelling causes turbinate tissue to close up air passages and resulting congestion.

If you have a polyp growing it also can block off your nasal passage, if you have a deviated septum it too can restrict air flow and if you put anything on the end of your nose like a swift or some other interface it can further collapse the septum restricting nasal flow even more.

The Neilmed and home brew rhino rinse is nothing more than water and salt and mixed at a Ph to resemble eye tears. If your nose is running it is due to allergies not flushing out your nose, you probably had so many irritants in your nose that it will take a while for the flow to adjust. Normal flow should drain down the back of the throat behind the soft palate and down your throat, the fact that it is draining externally indicates you may have a blockage. Same blockage that causes nasal congestion.

These abnormalities don't just impact your sleep, they impact your breathing 24 hours a day.

[allinknots]

Even prior to cpap days I was using a HydroPulse that I bought off of Amazon. I love it! I actually wore the first one out and bought another one. I prefer using the powder mix that is sold with the machine, because I found that it gives me a more consistant nasal rinse solution than when I make up my own. This machine comes with instructions as well as a dvd I think.

I occasionally get a little drippage after I use it, but nothing major or severe. However I've found that if I tilt my head forwards after I've used it, I can often get a little run-off , like some residual solution has settled in my sinus or nasal passages somewhere and is making a quick exit. But it's nothing severe. This machine is worth its weight in gold to me.

hth,
All in Knots

[sleepycarol]

I had a severe deviated septum that was fixed, so that shouldn't be an issue with me.

I have done all kinds of things to aid the flush including tilting my head forward over the sink for awhile, blowing my nose gently several times afterwards, gently shaking my head to dislodge any remaining water, and others.

I used the squeeze bottle method by Neilmed. My nose doesn't appear to be stuffy and I can breathe just fine through both nostrils. I followed the directions on the package and many of the hints I found on the site. Nothing helped the drainage afterwards.

[plr66]

Nothing helped the drainage afterwards.

Weird, huh?? From the limited response to this thread, I'm gathering that this is not a common problem. I'm interested in Snordog's post, but wondering if this is worth the expense of going to yet another specialist (ENT) for a relatively minor issue. I just don't know if it is as minor as I think it might be.

[sleepycarol]

I am unsure why it happens. I wondered about it as others talk about the rinse really helping and I figured it would help me deal with allergies. I tried it several times and the extra drainage always occurred afterwards. Although I must admit my one granddaughter thought it was hilarous -- laughed and laughed over it. She was 6 at the time.

I was told by the ENT that my septum was one of the worst he had encountered and he was the head of the ENT department at Missouri University Hospital in Columbia. I know that a "simple" outpatient surgery ended up me being admitted to the hospital for 4 days afterwards. The hospital did studies on me for a number of months afterward until I told them if I knew what I knew afterwards I wouldn't have had it done.

I don't remember them saying there was any type of abnormality afterwards.

[fortomorrow]

Are you guys blowing your nose afterward like you're supposed to? What about inhaling the water back through your nose into your mouth? It's really important that you get rid of all the excess water after neti.

[skittles]

I have not tried any of the nasal rinses, as I cannot tolerate anything squirted up my nose.

When I get stuffy, I put a little dab of vicks with a q-tip inside my nostrils, and it opens them up and really helps with the breathing all night long.

Take Care

Skittles

[plr66]

Are you guys blowing your nose afterward like you're supposed to? What about inhaling the water back through your nose into your mouth? It's really important that you get rid of all the excess water after neti.

Yes--as was noted in my original post.