My Neti Pot Experience

*Warning* Post might be gross to some.

My friend, Jessica, introduced me to the Neti Pot this week. For those of you that don’t know what a Neti Pot is, it’s a very interesting and unique way to clean out your sinuses. I had heard of a Neti Pot years ago, but thought it sounded just wrong and disturbing so I completely forgot about it until my friend Jessica brought it up to me yesterday. This week I thought I came down with a cold. At first I thought “How can this be? I was just sick with the flu a couple weeks ago.” After talking to some friends I realized that it’s not a cold and more of a sinus problem. I have never had sinus problems in my life so that’s why I automatically assumed I had a cold. In talking with Jessica she recommended I try this unique way of cleansing out my sinuses and at first I was not going to do it, but then I woke up on Friday and my forehead and the area between my eyes were just throbbing. I was tired of this and decided to suck it up and head to Walgreen’s to purchase this miracle pot. I learned there are two forms of this sinus cleansing and one form is a pot and the other is a nasal spray. Initially I thought the spray was the way to go, but then I changed my mind as I was standing in Walgreen’s staring at both packages. The pot looks gentle and innocent while the spray looked fierce and scary. I didn’t think I was going to be able to shoot liquid straight up my nose. I think I was fearful of it going straight to my brain… HA HA! Anyway, I opted for the pot version and headed to the pharmacy to get some Sudafed so I could head back to work. I spent the afternoon agonizing over what my poor nose was going to face once I got home from work. I also was hoping this would help me and I wasn’t going to be torturing myself for shits and giggles. I got home from work and found that Andy wasn’t home so I was thrilled because I didn’t want him to watch and laugh. I got to the bathroom and opened up the package to find the Neti Pot was much bigger than I had expected which was a little scary. I opened up the directions and read carefully because I had no idea how this was going to work. I did a practice run to make sure I knew how to hold this pot. After a couple practices I finally figured it out and was ready to fill the pot with salt water. I filled up the pot put the spout in my right nostril, put my head forward and tilted a little to the left. The next thing I knew water was streaming out my left nostril. Now this was very weird and an awkward feeling. I was also trying not to laugh as I looked at myself in the mirror. It was quite the sight! Oh, the other important thing was that I needed to remember to focus on breathing through my mouth and not my nose. That was difficult as I never thought focusing on breathing so much would be so tough. This breathing was to make sure I didn’t swallow the salt water mixed with boogers! Once the pot was emptied into my right nostril, up my nose, down through my left nostril and into the sink it was onto the other side of my nose. After the first run I realized it wasn’t so bad. I worked myself up for nothing. This was a piece of cake. I just had to focus on breathing and not laugh at myself in the mirror. Onto the other side, and that turned out great too. I was a big girl and wore my big girl pants while doing the Neti Pot. I am very glad I decided to try something new and scary because it completely helped only after one cleansing. I feel much better already. I will do it again tomorrow morning and continue to do it until I am all cleansed. Who knows, maybe this will be a daily routine for me, just like showering!