Doing an informal survey -- how many of us use nasal irrigation of some sort -- spray, mist, bottle, neti pot -- as part and parcel of our sleep apnea treatment? Also, do the people that use it like it?
Actually use a neti pot. I use it at night to flush all the days irritants out before I sleep. I like to use the most natural ways. It seems to help with any nasal drip and any throat irritation that occurs from that.
I don't use if for sleep apnea, but I do use it for allergies. I have a Neti pot, but usually just grab a bottle of Simply Saline because it is so easy to use.
I do use NeilMed sinus rinse, when I think of it. But now that I read that it help with post nasal drip, which I suffer with. I'm going to start using it at night to see if the post nasal drip improves.
I am new to nasal irrigation and am trying to get used to it based on the recommendations I'ver ead here. I have the Ayr Saline Nasal Kit, which is a bottle.
I'm ambivalent about nasal irrigation. I don't find it clears things out all that well; that is (not to be gross), nothing comes out my nostrisl but water.
But my husband has found it really helpful for softening and clearing away nasal buildup.
I do find it initially uncomfortable. When the salt water first hits my nasal passages, I'm reminded unpleasantly of being pulled under the waves in an ocean as a child (I guess that would be the first time my nasal passages filled with salt water).
On the other hand, this has been a really bad allergy year for me, and I think that nasal irrigation might shorten the length of time allergens are resident in my sinuses.
I use a generic (Walgreens) Saline nasal spray that is comparable to Ocean ingredients. In the winter months I experience dryness even though I use a humidifier on my CPAP and I switch to Ayr Nasal Gel. I find if I don't do this during the winter months, I have nose bleeds. The Ayr completely eliminates my nose bleeds.
I use a neti pot with saline rinse every night before bed. Works great. Like Lila I don't like the initial feeling of the saline solution in my nose but using warm water helps a lot and the unpleasantness does not last for long. I have one of those bottled water dispensers with hot and cold and I just mix to a comfortable temp, very easy to do. It's worth it!
I've just started using a salt water spray from Stelimar just before I take Nasonex. I can't say I've noticed a great improvement over and above what I previously achieved with just the Nasonex.
I have tried the nasal rinse once, and use the nasal gel. I have a full face mask so my nose gets really dried out and stuffed up. The nasal rinse is awkward though, so I've been kinda chicken to use it again.