Has anyone done a sinus rinse before?

[Myusernameismud]

And is it horrific?!

I've got various allergies and asthma and while waiting for an appt with allergy specialists (because we still don't actually know what it is I'm allergic to) my asthma nurse has got me trying lots of different things. She got all excited when I said the nasal spray I'd been using had worked well and said 'ooh I've got something fun for you to try then' and gave me a sinus rinse and a load of sachets.

I stupidly watched a few YouTube videos of people doing it and someone said she felt like she was drowning! She did seem a bit dramatic in general though.

I'm desperate to get on top of this, and I really want to try it but I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of a wimp!

I used to use weekly, but after long-term use, my sinuses are fine and I use mostly, perhaps a bit less! It was an almost instant fix too, within days! It has massively improved my quality of life!

*monthly

My left sinuses are oozing foul smelling and tasting goo atm. The stench keeps me awake at night🤢
I have started using a sinus rinse this week. I’ve got a bottle you hold upright and press on a valve to release the solution. I’m going to on with it on a regular basis as my sinuses seem to flare up out of nowhere now whereas I never had problems with them.

I use a neti pot
I make a mix of 1 teaspoon fine seasalt, 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 bicarb with boiled water. I mix it in a standard drinks bottle. The sugar and bicarb soften the water

Yes, they're fabulous. If you make a K sound in the back of your throat as you're doing it it will help prevent the rinse going down your throat.

OK I just did it and was prepared for it to feel awful but it was surprisingly satisfying! No gross gunk came out but lots of tiny little blood clots. And I can breathe through my nose again! It feels amazing. I almost want to do it again

I've thought about trying this myself. Does it hurt?

Not at all, and I'm a serious wimp!

What is this witchcraft?! I've had post nasal drip and horrible blocked sinuses compete with hacking up lumps of nastiness for the past 3 years. GP gives zero shits. I love feeling better for a bit after a nasal saline spray so maybe I should try this?

Do I just google sinus rinse and buy it online?

Google neti pot and salt sachets

Used to use them daily with one particular client.
One thing..if you run out don't try using plain water. It stings like buggery.

EnidButton there's also this one mentioned up thread www.boots.com/neilmed-sinus-rinse-kit-10077009

Every cold I get now seems to end in sinus infection, I use neilmed bottle and homemade rinse (google for recipe), then beconase nasal spray.

Thank you very much Whatis and Bloomed. Well worth a try!

Very glad you asked Myuser. It's just what I need.

I had no idea what this was until someone said neilmed it’s not painful or uncomfortable at all! It’s the thought of what you’re going to do that is worse imo
Before I discovered it my BIL told me to snort water up each nostril, it worked but not as well as the salt water.

Ooh I find it weirdly satisfying! Really helped me a few weeks ago when my sinuses were playing up

I used some infused garlic/saline water in my badly infected sinuses last night and it didn't sting and has really helped clear the infection. The infection was rank .

Used to do this all the time when scuba diving. It certainly clears things out. I used to see people having in in the anaesthetic room too. It seemed fine.

Never done this before but I feel like I have inflamed sinuses all the time. I blow my nose and nothing comes out so I wonder if this could help?

Give it a go, the thought of it is def worse than actually doing it. From a beginners point of view, I'd go for the NeilMed squeeze one as it's very easy to do. I think the neti pot might take a bit of getting used to.

I slept amazingly last night, although a bit stuffy again this morning but not as bad as usual. Nothing ever comes out when I blow my nose either, so it was great having a productive nose blow after I'd done it. I think I'm addicted now . Patiently waiting for the boiled water to cool so I can do it again.

NeilMed Original Sinus Rinse Kit with 60 Premixed Sachets www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RDZFZ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XLt0CbRZTSPXA?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Amazon link for anyone who wants to buy one online, but most big chemists have them.

• [Post edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

Amazing! Never heard of this before but have been meaning to make an appointment with GP as I struggle to breathe through my nose. I can but can't get enough breath in and end up breathing through my mouth. I know I am mouth breathing overnight as I wake up with an awful dry mouth and I don't think it is doing my teeth any good (am sure I read someone that the salvia in your mouth overnight protects your teeth?)

Have ordered one of the kits on Amazon so will give it a go tomorrow!

Ahhh thegoodenough did you order with that link I put up? I've just realised it's sachets only and no bottle! I've asked MNHQ to edit or remove it, but if you've already ordered I think it can be cancelled if you're quick! So sorry!!

• [Don't worry, OP - we've sorted this link now]

No probs. Wasn't that actual one :-)

Phew