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(More customer reviews)My story is like many others. I have allergies, and increasingly frequent sinus infections drove me to try this kit (which a sinus surgeon nurse gave me something like 3 years ago and it sat in a drawer in the bathroom till this summer).
Well, it is pretty weird to think about shooting water up your nose (childhood memories of turning upside down in the pool surfaced--ouch) but I finally got desperate enough to try it. And it does feel pretty weird the first few times, but I am now using this twice a day almost every day. It actually feels really good and it is amazing how much gunk comes out even when I feel relatively clear. It's not as entertaining as a Biore strip, but hey, what is?
Here are a few thoughts that are more random than the numbering might indicate:
1. I aim the nozzle tip at the opposite eye rather than straight up, and that seems to rinse better and not give me the upside-down-in-the-pool headache. The headache did happen a couple of times when I first was learning to use it and it hurts just like I remembered. Once I figured out the right angle it doesn't happen, so don't let that deter you.
2. It does travel easily, but my main problem is either being able to boil water or getting distilled water. I do not use water straight from the tap at home (boiling water at home no problem as I have an electric kettle) or traveling (one hotel I stay at frequently has very moldy pipes--can I shoot what I'm allergic to directly into my sinuses? Can I?), and that is the one pita. Otherwise, the packets and bottle are easy. I even carry a dry dock with me to hang it up on the mirror in the hotel.
3. The great thing about this kit is the pressure and speed it moves the saline solution. It actually is kind of "over before you know it." Sometimes one rinse doesn't feel like enough. I tried the 16 oz bottle and the pressure is not as strong. Now I just refill the 8oz if needed and use it twice in one session.
4. Hypertonic (green) vs. isotonic (blue--the ones that come with this kit) saline packets: I use both and don't really know that one helps more than the other. The green can be used with the 16oz bottle to make the regular solution or the 8 oz bottle to make the hypertonic (concentrated) solution. The green sometimes burns a bit. I'm still experimenting.
5. Definitely follow the instructions on heating up the water in the bottle. I fried one bottle because I didn't test my previously boiled water to see how hot it was before I put it in the micro. Normally about 35 seconds gets room temperature water to a good nasal rinse temp for me, but since the boiled water was already warm it got too hot.
6. People will think it quite strange if you give this as gifts. I tried to tell them that "Santa and I were worried about your sinuses" and it just didn't fly.
7. I find the packaging hilariously cheesy, almost like the Dr. Bronner's liquid soap labels (though definitely not as trippy). Don't ever change, Sinus Rinse!
Overall, I am very pleased with this product and think of using it like I think about washing my face, brushing and flossing (though it is recommended that you do this several hours before bed so you don't get a lot of drainage when you lie down--plus you want to allow a little time if you use a spray like Flonase, so I try to do this in the early evening). I have one at home and one for travel, and sadly for the recipients, have given some as gifts.
Oh well, they'll thank me when they pull it out of their bathroom drawer in a couple of years.
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NeilMed Sinus Rinse Regular Kit 1 kit
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