Netipot - have you used one?

[janpa]

I have got myself a Netipot and some sachets of salt, but haven't yet been brave enough to use it. Can anyone pass on top tips please?

I'm working up to using it!

Oh, I'm in the same position, Janpa. How many months/years will it sit on my shelves waiting for me to be brave...

There isn't a Youtube clip showing one being used is there?

I have one and I was nervous at first. But if you follow the instructions the warm salt water is not a shock. I think the secret is to lean your head on one side whilst keeping the mouth open. Funny enough it should then just rinse out the nostril, then repeat for the other side. If nose is very blocked it can seem to "sting" a little bit but its bliss when you can breathe again so its worth putting up with.
Cleared my sinus infection and an early cold was stopped by morning and evening rinses. They are great.

There is a YouTube clip - it looks very odd! I've had mine about 6 weeks but, in fairness, have only had the salt for one week! What temp does the water have to be? How brave do you have to be to do it the first time?

Lol, I'll race you. My target date is, erm, 2013, maybe? I can't make sense of the instructions! Too daunting...

I know with mine it said 1gram salt in neti pot. half fill it with boiling water to disolve and top it up with cold. This makes it blood heat and you are ready to go. Really is easy when you have done it once and it works ladies!!!

They supplied the salt which you could buy as organic sea salt.

they're great you get used to it really quickly, just gently tip your head back.

there is a right hippy video explaining what to do, i found it last year or so

you have to get natural salt

Don't make it too hot, make if comfortable for your fingers. You can use a little hot to dissolve initially then top up with cold. It's not as bad as it seems, though is a little wierd for want of a better description. Definately take a look at the youtube clip mentioned above just to get an idea about doing it.

My fear is it running down my throat. How do you stop that happening?

I keep on saying (well, sort of whispering) kaaaaaah, kaaaaah, kaaaaaah

That stops any going down my throat!

OK I'm going to use it this afternoon. Will post later to let you know how I got on, unless I drown and I'm dead

You'll wonder afterwards how you managed without it.At the moment I'm doing it twice a day due to sinuses being blocked (pollen etc) and it feels great. I always have the water quite hot otherwise it feels a bit like the ache you get when you eat ice cream too quickly.
You may not get it right first time but persevere- head forward and tipped to one side slightly and don't blow nose hard afterward esp. not one nostril at a time. Get a bit of kitchen roll and snuff out into it.
Good luck

It's a lot less traumatic than trying to get a mooncup out.....

It's the earpoppy thing which gets me every time (and the fact that the water comes out hotter than it went in!) But it is truly lifechanging.

Embrace your netipot!

My target date for mooncup is 2015...

Why can't you blow your nose afterwards? Sounds intriguing!

Maybe your brains get dislodged and run the risk of coming out with the snot?

Bit like my uterus tried to when I pulled my moony out (for the first and last time) I felt soooo claustrophobic, and more than a little afraid I was going to have to get removed at A and E.

Oh no, not my uterus as well as my brains! What will I be left with?

Ah well- you haven't 'drownded' yet then
You can blow your nose afterwards just not blasting away one nostril at a time as this could force any remaining water up into your sinus. Gently does it doing both nostrils at once like a very refined bus driver

I still haven't tried it - I have looked at the sachets of salt a few times, but not the netipot and salt at the same time - I'm building up to it. I know once I've done it once I'll be fine, but there is a huge amount of fear involved!

Me too, Janpa. I really need to use it, as well. Am steaming my head a lot.

I just decided to do it - but now I've lost the bloody thing!

Right. Made a cup of tea, found it and did it [proud], but I didn't do it right. I haven't drowned, but I poured for ages up left nostril, nowt came out of right, so I took away netipot and it poured out of my LEFT nostril (are you keeping up?). Tried with right nostril and it dripped out of left. Took it away and breathed out (through my nose) and it poured out of left. Thought 'Aha' and tried again in left, while breathing out through right nostril, but nothing happened again.
Advice please.
I have to say I am now determined to get this right and am not put off as it was not uncomfortable or at all scary!

It didn't get up and round the corner evidently........I found at first you'd pour and pour and nothing would seem to be happening, and you'd be convinced all that salty water was seeping through into your brains, and just at a moment when you're about to stop- you get a real sense of pressure at the top of your nose/eyes etc....and suddenly whoooosh down it all comes, down the opposing nostril.

Try again, and let it go up for a bit longer. Tip your head over a bit more as well.

Isn't this a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon!

Ps you are being very brave!

OK, I'm going out soon but will do it on my return. I've put the unused solution in the fridge - is it OK just to reheat it?