Thoughts from a School Nurse You might feel a little stick!

I can't sleep. RLS is acting up and the ibuprofen isn't helping yet. I have trouble sleeping a lot of nights, but I thought tonight would be better, simply because I've discovered something that may actually work for my sinus problems.

For a long time I've heard about Netie Pots and how well they work for sinus congestion, which is an ailment I've suffered with as long as I can remember. Claritin D works well, but it's expensive and I hate taking another pill. So after hearing about the nasal wash system on TV and talking to friends that use them, I broke down today and bought one. It's a little tea pot shaped plastic container that you fill with lukewarm water and a saline packet and then hold it to one nostril, lean your head over and let the water run through your sinuses and out the other nostril. Talk about a weird sensation! Mark stood in the bathroom and watched me attempt this with a look of mingled amusement and disgust. It was a feeling like when you jump in the pool and don't hold your nose and all the water rushes in. After standing there as long as I could, water pouring out of my left nostril, I coughed and shivered and immediately blew my nose, fighting the urge to gag. Then the burning started. Did I fry my brain?! I only used half the saline packet, just like the directions said, but my nose and sinuses burned for a full 2 minutes. Then I sneezed a few times. Amazing! After all that, I could breathe! I've decided to keep using it every night. After only one use with questionable side effects, I'm hooked. I can see this becoming an addiction. Good thing it's only saline and water! For the first time in a very long time, I laid down in bed and was able to breathe through my nose....without using medication. I encouraged Mark to try it, but he just gave me a look like 'yea, right' and shook his head. Just what I expected. :)