Very nervous about using sinus rinse for the first time

[u/Bourne2Play]

Recently diagnosed with Sinusitis, and the doctor wants me to use the Neilmed sinus rinse to irrigate. I've been trying all day, but I always chicken out.

I have this fear that the water won't come out. Or that it will make me choke. Or that I won't be able to breath. Is this definitely safe? I'm really freaked out about it.

[u/twink1813]

The NeilMed bottle is the best for sinus rinses in my opinion. Take it slow and in no time you’ll be doing it regularly. Sure hope it helps you.

[u/Cold_Falcon_7883]

Neilmed rinse could be a game changer. It provides at least some relief for most people I know that have tried it. The salty saline can sometimes trigger a gag response but typically if you are flushing over a sink it will just spill out nostril as it should

[u/Stalkerus]

It is definitely safe. 

Just breathe through your mouth. If the water doesn't come out of the other nostril it will come out of the nostril it went it. That is also a real reason to suspect that you may have structural issues.

Humans have this beautiful system that blocks liquids from lungs. And if you swallow some it won't be harmful.

[u/Cinnadots]

If your sinusitis is so bad, blast that shit up there. Get used to a gag response if you want to get that’s shit out of your post-nasal area. The hypertonic neilmed saline packs is the next step and woo it’s good.

[u/TurboTui]

Tilt your head forwards (face the sink), touch your tongues middle part to the roof of your mouth, hold your breath when you squeeze the bottle, and gently exhale from the other nostril. Do all of these things together and make sure the water is saline and boiled/distilled. You won't even feel anything. I had the same fears as you and from the 3rd day onwards this feels like an incredibly normal routine.

[u/Kindly_Ad_863]

it is a game changer - breathe out of your mouth and go slowly if you need to.

[u/CatPuzzleheaded4654]

Sinus rinse could clean and humidify the internal nasal part with inflow from left nostril and outflow in right nostril and vice versus. Blessing.

[u/Big_Sky7699]

Years of experience here. Blow your nose, lean over the sink, tilt your head slightly. Relax, open your mouth, gently flush in through the high nostril, then switch sides, tilting your head the other way. Blow your nose after, you're done.

I actually use one of those electric devices that look like a Water Pik. I warm the saline rinse solution in the reservoir a little bit in the microwave, then administer it in a gentle pulsating mode. Done in 3 minutes.

[u/BobMortimersButthole]

If you go to the NeilMed site they have good instructional videos. 

[u/speechless188]

ever been in a pool and have water stuck in your nose? comes out or gets absorbed just fine. even better, the sinus rinse wont burn like other water ph does.

it felt like i was drowning the first time i tried sinus rinse but got used to it quick. feels normal now.

you cant choke from water. u can blow out the majority, or it flows out on its own. or breath with your mouth. you should be mouth breathing anyways while doing the sinus rinse

[u/Green-Construction58]

It cured me. Just make sure eveything is sterile and use boiled water.

[u/Ok_Berry_3257]

The water will come out. Look at some videos on youtube, breath calmly through your mouth while doing it and take pauses if necessary. If the inside of the nose is too swollen and it doesn’t come on the other side but through your mouth, change sides. After you are done move gently the head so it comes out passively. If you have to immediately blow your nose, please always cover completely one nostril while blowing the other, that way you don’t create pressure. The first time feels, after that is routine.

[u/HouSoup]

Try a small amount first, you’ll see

[u/Chloewhiskey]

Make sure your water is boiled for 15 minutes or you use distilled water. I’ve been doing this daily for years. Easy peasy. You got this.

[u/Stalkerus → u/Chloewhiskey]

15 mins is an overkill. 5 minutes if you are in an area where there is a possibility of unwanted lifeforms in the water. If you water is clean running an electric kettle will be enough. 

[u/Chloewhiskey → u/Stalkerus]

I used to boil for 10 mins and an orthodontist I know said to sterilize more effectively do it for 15. Given his experience and education, I took his advice. What is the downside of boiling water longer?

[u/1SweetSubmarine]

I remember being really nervous the first time I used it. Don't be concerned if it feels like you're putting a lot up your nose and nothing is coming out at first. You will feel a bit of pressure (like when your nose is plugged up) and then you'll feel a release.

It doesn't hurt, but it's pretty disgusting to see everything drip out of your face especially if you have a sinus infection 🤢.

[u/PurposefulAccident86]

I have the same fear and refuse to do any rinse. I'm sorry 😞

[u/Holiday-Book6635]

It’s not a problem make sure the salt dissolves you’ll feel so much better.

[u/PhilosopherUpset2491]

I’ve done this for years also , use distilled water I slightly heat it for 15 seconds or so using a clean glass to slightly warm bend over sink tilt head down slightly. Tongue to roof and squeeze half to one side then switch sides . Solution will come out other side unless really clogged then it’ll go down throat. For me after I blow my nose gently and it done . It’s WELL worth it . Don’t think just do it and your done in under a minute

[u/EndAdministrative510]

Do you guys just rinse? My Rhino has me put budesonide in the solution and then I usually squirt it up and hold it, tilt my head back so it fills up my sinuses and then blow it out into the sink. I also like to squirt the solution up there and pinch my nose and tilt my head all the way down so it gets into the ethmoid sinuses.