Saturday, February 7, 2009

Pot really helps with cold symptoms

A Neti Pot, that is--what kind of pot did you think I was talking about?

In case you don't know, a Neti Pot is this little pot with a spout that is used to flush out your nose and sinuses.  It sounds weird and gross and kinda is, but it really works.  I used it twice yesterday, and both times it helped relieve my sinus pressure.

Best of all, I look incredibly attractive while using it.

Photobucket

For the record, my husband, who graciously took this picture, thinks I'm a total freak for posting it online.  He's probably right.

But...I'm a freak whose sinuses don't feel like they're going to explode.

P.S.  On 2/11 I'm posting an update on this with important information for protecting your ears while using a Neti Pot.  Be sure to check out that post if you are planning to try this!

29 comments:

Strange Mamma said...

As I saw the first line of your blog, I thought, 'No, she couldn't be one of...those'. But you are!! And you took a picture!! A few months ago a friend told me of this strange thing she had heard about online and we spent the whole night peeing ourselves as we watched one youtube video after another (one involving coffee and whiskey, I felt his pain). Still...I am drawn by an undeniable curiosity.

M. Bail said...

You're braver than I am, on two fronts: One, using that thing to start with; and two, posting a picture of yourself using it!

silver star said...

So there is something out there to help with sinus pressure, without having to take some kind of medicine that wears off an hour later &/or make you drowsy. I live in what many consider the "allergy capital of the world" so I'm curious why I've never heard of or seen that thing before? You may be a slight freak for posting that picture, but at least you can breath!

Anna said...

I need to go buy one right now! my head is going to blow any minute now!

beckiwithani said...

My doctor (not my doc anymore - she moved away) recommended one of those to me a couple of years ago. I never did buy one. I should, considering that I have bad allergies with lots of sinus problems for 8-9 months of the year.

I'm in pain from reading the first commenter, who mentioned using coffee and whiskey. Even a mild saline solution hurts my sinuses when they're inflamed ... whiskey sounds like a really BAD idea.

Eternal Lizdom said...

I love love love love love my Neti Pot!! I was totally eeked out by the idea of it at first but then tried it, got the hang of it and now sing the praises of the Neti Pot to anyone who will listen!

This year, I've fought off 2 potentially horrid sinus infections with my Neti Pot. You know you can feel when they are going to be bad... I only suffered for a day. Used my Neti twice a day. And it was gone...

*Monica said...

All Hail the NETI!! I love mine. I don't see me posting pictures of myself using it anytime soon (freak) but I will never be without one again.

My 14 year old even uses it when he is stuffy.

You rock for being so brave!

Jenny said...

I'm actually really glad you posted this picture. I've had sinus problems since high school, and people swear by these things, but I've been scared to death to try it. After seeing this pic of you and seeing how it works, I may actually give it a shot!

Call Me Cate said...

That's where I went wrong beign sick the last couple of weeks. I should've been doing pot. Oh, wait...

I have friends that swear by the neti pot but I just can't bring myself to do it. It spazzes me in a claustrophobia kind of way for some reason. I'm so glad you're feeling better though!

C. Beth said...

So, first of all, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this--Neti Pots gained popularity when Dr. Oz talked about them on Oprah, maybe a year and a half ago. I was watching that show, and I immediately got on Amazon to order one, knowing it might be tough to get one because of the Oprah effect. Sure enough, after that show, they were quickly out of stock at drug stores. I used it regularly for months, even got The Engineer using one (he still does), then got tired of it. I'm hoping to keep up with it this time--maybe I wouldn't have this cold if I'd been using it!!

Heather--Ha! Yeah, it is totally weird. Maybe I should have done a video? ;)

Embee--As strange as it looks, it doesn't really require a lot of bravery; it's pretty simple. But yeah, I'll accept the kudos for the bravery involved in posting a photo. :-D

Sara--Looking at your profile, you don't live where I do...but I also live in a place some people consider the allergy capital of the U.S. or the world or something. Mine aren't bad most of the year but this time of year--December through February--is when I suffer. And I don't know about you, but this year has been BAAAAD where I live. As for why you haven't seen it, well, clearly you should be watching more Oprah. I mean, she pretty much solves all my problems {snicker}.

beckiwithani Oh, you TOTALLY should be using this, with your allergies. Seriously. Order one on Amazon right now. You don't need to get the special salt; just get non-iodized sea salt from the grocery store, and use a scant 1/2 tsp. per pot. Jason refills the pot in between nostrils; I just use about half in each nostril since I get tired of staying in that position (leaning over with my head tilted.)

Liz--WOO HOO!!! NETI POT USERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!! :-D

Monica--Ha, thanks! I'm so glad you've discovered it too!

Jenny--Definitely, try it! And report back!

C. Beth said...

Jenny-P.S. Cute pic of your son!

Call Me Cate--Yeah, I will admit it is really a strange feeling, with the water going in your sinuses and then coming out. It's not like anything else....

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Egads, that looks very strange - but I do suffer too, so I am now off to Google them!

(Perhaps you could get them to sponsor your Blog - a useful source of income, C-Beth?!)

Unknown said...

I use mine everyday because you and the Engineer so highly recommended it.

YOU are my new Reality Blogging hero!

Dad

Bobbi said...

You are the second Austinite that I know to recommend it! After 9 years in Texas, I may have finally fallen victim to Cedar Fever... Or else I've coincidentally gotten a cold this week? I'm about to run down to Walgreens for my own pot! :)

Anonymous said...

Brilliant photo! Love you for posting it! You should post it on the In Rel Life Flickr pool.

I love my Neti Pot, too!

Scriptor Senex said...

This will probably get you a record number of comments! But Embee said it all.

However, as my wife has been complaining (in it's nicest sense - and it's worst sense) of a blocked nose all week I shall have to see if we can get one in a UK pharmacy. Seeing the photo I can guaranatee I won't be using it!

Dan Felstead said...

This is hilarious! OK...just so you know, the title grabbed my attention. I had to find out what in the world this post was about and I have to say...I have learned something. I never heard of a Neti Pot before your post and still little unclear about it. Why would anybody want to shoot water up one nostril just to watch it drain out the other??? I have to admit however, it is a supercool picture!

Dan

C. Beth said...

A Woman of No Importance--Yeah, really, I've already had multiple commenters say they my buy one! Where's my commisson?

Dad--I am so glad you're using it! Do you feel like it helps?

rainylakechick--Did you get it? Every Austinite should have one...

JL--You're right, it would be a great photo for the Flikr pool! Not up to the level of milk leakage (loved your photos) but I think it would fit nicely.

Scriptor Senex--I hope your wife will be willing to try it!

Dan Felstead--Hey, good to see you over here on "my other blog." The nice thing is, the water isn't "shot" up one nostril--with my head tilted, it basically uses gravity to go from one side to the other. It is totally weird but with the water going through a nostril into the sinuses and out the other nostril--it really helps clean things out. :) Glad you liked the photo. :-D

Dan & Hillary said...

Yes, after seeing that Oprah show, my husband wanted to get one but we never did. Glad to see someone took Oz's advice;-)

LEstes65 said...

I love neti pots. And not just because my nickname is Nettie. HA!

Deanna said...

They do work so well!! I have the NielMed Sinus Rinse instead and it is super easy to use!

I got it because the drugstore was out of stock of the Neti-pot itself due to, you guessed it, the Oprah effect. But, I really like this one. It squeezes so you don't have to turn your head so much.

Strong work with the stark reality photo :)

C. Beth said...

Hillary--I gotta say, sometimes I like what Oprah says, sometimes not...but I nearly always like what Dr. Oz says. :)

LEstes65--Hey, I'm never going to think of your nickname the same way again! :)

Deanna--Yeah, the head bending gets old. Hmm, the Sinus Rinse sounds interesting. Glad you enjoyed the photo...on second thought, "enjoyed" is probably not the right word!

Maki said...

Oh my goodness, I've heard that this pot works quite well. And this pic makes me really want to try it! lol

And OMG, I do see my post title!!! I didn't realize that - thanks so much for letting me know... And my hubs pointed out that my grammer sucks (post title) :(

I will definitely be back!

Debbie said...

My daughter in law loves her...but all I can think of is "water boarding".
bravo to you!

Lyndsay said...

Okay, I like you even more after you posted that pic (if that was possible to do). I consider myself fairly daring, but I guess I'm not as daring as I once thought ... as you couldn't pay me to do that LOL!

Mike said...

Beth...

You are too cool.

Mike
http://365Sonnets.blogspot.com
http://SomeTurbidNight.blogspot.com
http://VoglioTempo.blogspot.com

C. Beth said...

Maki--Hey, if that photo makes you want to try it instead of just scaring you away, my job is done! :-D

Debbie--Ha! Yeah, I can see how that would be a bad connection to make....

Lyndsay--Aww, thanks! :) I think it's my theatre/exhibitionist side. I honestly didn't mind posting it, though I did not like how huge my nostril looks. I mean, it is a big nostril and looks even bigger with a spout stuck in it. Oh, well....

Mike Fan--THANKS! (And likewise!)

Sandra said...

Hmmm. I'll give you points for posting the picture -- not something I would EVER be able to do. Let's just think of it as a public service announcement, shall we? You're imparting information that may help others with clogged sinuses. Get well soon. :)

Mike said...

Thanks Beth! Seriosuly, you are awesome to have a picture taken of you while you shoot watery snot out of your nose...glad you're feeling better!

Mike
http://365Sonnets.blogspot.com
http://SomeTurbidNight.blogspot.com
http://VoglioTempo.blogspot.com