I use one regularly. I am an allergy/sinus sufferer and this really helps. To me, it doesn't feel the same as when you get water up your nose in the pool. lol. You don't swallow this - it drains out your other nostril. It's sort of weird, but you get used to it.
I could not for the life of me get used to the thing. I tried it a few times and (this is gross, but) it would drain out my mouth and generally make me feel like I was drowning. Plus, it was salt water, so it burned! I should try it again. Shopchicago33--how do you do it properly?
I use one and it really helps! I found that the water in the nose feeling only happens when you don't have the neti pot in the right position against your nose and it allows air to pass through with the water. For the drowning thing, just lean forward a little more. It stops the water from draining down the back of your throat.
I use it when I have a cold and it really does help! You do have to lean way over and kind of to the side so the water drains through your other nostril. Also, I have to remember to hold my breath but keep my mouth open. If you pretend like you're about to say the /k/ sound with your mouth open, it creates a seal so the water won't go down your throat. I just have to keep it like that and hold my breath the whole time, but maybe some people are talented enough to breath during the process??
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Ok first of all, you have to tilt your head all the way to the side - the opposite side of the nostril you are doing -their are directions w/the pot. I do it over a sink, tilt my head, and then turn the pot sort of upright through my nostril. I keep my mouth open and do not breathe in, if you do, you swallow the water. Does this help? I've never had a problem!
I keep hearing that these are the greatest things for people with sinus problems (like me), but I've never tried one for the reasons some of you mentioned. But it sounds pretty easy, so maybe I'll have to give it try.
I didn't have any luck with mine. This is gross, but it worked great the first time and all the subsequent times after that I'd be leaning over at random times (hours later) and water would pour out of my nose. I guess I drain all of it or something.