Friday

Also Known As Waterboarding


My hubby and I have passed down allergy and sinus issues to our three kids. We didn't hold back because we really like them.  But the genetic mutation has plagued my kids with hives, eczema, constant post nasal drip and now we've added chronic sinus infections to the list.

So, we've started the road of allergy testing. Because nothing screams summer fun like a MILLION TINY NEEDLES IN YOUR BACK THAT CAUSE A MASSIVE ALLERGIC REACTION?

Upon doctor's orders, we decided to do a Sinus Rinse, also known as waterboarding.  It's like drowning in saline. 

The family lined up like I was giving away ice cream with sprinkles on top.

It was a Kodak moment, except seriously, you don't want to see photographic evidence of a genetic mutation.  Seriously.

My stuffy-nosed clan actually enjoyed the procedure, which is proof that they needed it and that we don't get out much.

There is a line in my kitchen right now for a warm saline rinse.

Have you tried it? 

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, on the orders of the ENT doctor we do this to both my children (9 & 4) and they love and even ask me to do it so that they can breathe. Hereditary sinus issues are such lovely things.

Kim H. said...

When you're dealing with sinus pressure - it truly does feel like a massage... I was terrified before I tried it the first time - and it really did feel good.

brokeintrovert said...

My neighbor just told me about this. She is telling everyone she knows because it has brought her such relief from sinus troubles!

brokeintrovert said...

My neighbor just told me about this. She is telling everyone she knows because it has brought her such relief from sinus troubles!

Leslie Ruth Petree said...

I had a naaaaaasty sinus thing kick in last weekend while I was out of town. As soon as I was home, I headed straight for the hubby's bathroom and his sinus rinse bottle. Kim H said it best, it's like a massage for your jacked up sinuses!

Classy Fab Sarah said...

I have tried it but don't think I've got the hang of it quite yet because it's not working miracles... yet. Guess I'll have to try try again!

Ashley Benz said...

Love it! One thing I learned the hard way - if you swallow while you are doing it, the gunk goes in your ear and promptly becomes a painful ear infection. Now that I know, I'm back to wanting to kiss my neti pot at night.

Pineapple Princess said...

You crack me up!
More, please!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Huh! The Lord must have known that I wouldn't enjoy such a "fun" thing and so didn't plague me with sinus trouble! LOL. Darn it all! You have all the fun!
Hugs.
Kim
Now I would stand in line for the ice cream with sprinkles.

Lynn said...

We do this too, and yes we also call it waterboarding. But it works so well, best thing for my allergies.

Kristi said...

We use a netti pot and it is amazing although weird at the same time.

Alli said...

Yup, been there, done that. I think my 4 year old would benefit from it, but he has sensory issues with water and his head/ face that I am pretty sure it wouldn't fly. But I love it, it really helps clear things up.

Shoebee said...

My youngest loves this, and seeing all the cool evidence it leaves behind. He laughs so hard at the green goo. That's a 6yr old boy for ya.

Michelle said...

I do it. Often even in the winter. I always feel better after and yet I hesitate to recommend it to others even when I think they might benefit, see I do mine the old fashion way... remember gargling with warm salt water. Same concept but you cup in your hand and inhale it literally. It's always a bit of a shock at first, but it works sooooo well! I might have to try an actual spray, it seems a bit more civilized. Aren't allergies fun....

Anonymous said...

Consider that your kids may have wheat allergies or intolerances (not the same thing as an allergy, but has lots of fun side effects!).

Laryssa Herbert said...

If I even think about getting water up my nose while swimming or think about squirting meds up my nose...my nose starts to burn and my eyes start to water.

That being said, this spring I experienced allergies for the first time. Oh boy. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

So I bought and used a neti pot for the first time. It was pretty easy and I didn't feel like I was drowning! It washes out the pollen and really helps.

I do feel like a dork using it, so I make sure I'm alone. Which is no easy task with young kids...they seem to have the Mom's-in-the-bathroom radar! ;-)

Heather said...

I do a similar thing, only with a bulb syringe and 1C warm water with 1/4 tsp non-iodine salt. My toddler thinks it's hysterical every time I do it.

ginger said...

I haven't tried Sinus Rinse. I finally had surgery to correct a deviated septum & narrow turbinates (Google it) 8 years ago after a lifetime of sinus headaches & infections. While I wouldn't recommend the pain I had the day after the surgery, I rarely have headaches anymore & literally cannot remember the last time I had an infection.

Anonymous said...

Yes, every day! And coupled with a mouth guard to stop my teeth grinding, it's working wonders!

Kasey said...

I use a neti pot and it helps lessen my allergy issues. I think everyone would benefit from a saline rinse.

Traci @ The Bakery said...

YES!!! I would do a commercial for the company it has helped me so much!! I like the one you have pictured over the nettie pot. I bend as far over as I can and squeeze it slowly...I swear I feel it in my BRAIN!!! I was a perpetual sniffer...sniff, sniff...so annoying until I go this thing!! It also really helps to keep the stuff from going into the chest and causing a cough!! Just NEVER NEVER do it when nose is totally stopped up or w/ plain water, or with cold water....don't ask me how I know this...lol.

Groovy Mom said...

I wonder if it is different from a Neti Pot? I love my Neti.

Darla said...

This is the best thing EVAH if you have a sinus problem. Getting my child to do it? Torture for ME. :P

Jennifer said...

Oh yes, this is wonderful! I am a huge fan of the neti pot and saline rinse. I don't think that I would have survived this spring without it! :) So glad to see others are benefiting as well.

Michelle said...

The sinus rinse bottle in your picture worked way better and easier for me.

Just ask my son about the first time I tried it. I looked like I was being tortured but enjoyed it. It is not enjoyable and a little messy but worth every second!

Cindy said...

I haven't done it, and don't plan to, after glancing into the bathroom while my husband was doing it...why was the bathroom door open?????

-J said...

I love it! and recommend it to friends and family. Wish I'd had it 25 years ago. :)

ShEiLa said...

Just wanted to say...

I sympathize.

familiar with saline waterboarding
recurrent sinus issues
sinus CT scan today...
the saga continues.

ToOdLeS.

Dawn said...

Yes, I've tried it and it does work! The first time, my hubby came running into the bathroom to see if I was okay - he thought maybe I had slipped under the water in teh bath tub and was drowning! LOL

Blessings!

The Source said...

Ummm...no, no, I haven't tried it. I've seen it and heard of it, but unless I were drowning in snot I don't think I could bring myself to do it. It looks awful. But I'm glad it helps!

Grateful for Grace said...

We do this at the first sign of allergies or a cold. The kids now call it "cleaning your nose out". I've found the 3yo doing it herself a few times now. They were very skeptical until they saw how it helped. DH too. We'rea ll believers now! Happy rinsing!

Adminswife said...

My husband has severe allergies. He can't mow the lawn without a half box of tissues. BUT, this year we discovered "Little Allergies." A cream in a tube (like a small toothpaste tube), costs $14 and is about 1 1/2 inches long. It is over the counter medicine and looks like it is for children. Now he mows the lawn without using ONE tissue. He doesn't have the sinus issues because he doesn't have the allergens climbing inside his nose. You might try it - it is expensive, but worth every penny!

Mrs_Scotsman said...

LOVE IT!

Multi-tasking Mommy said...

Hmmm...interesting.
I've seen that product in stores and have been tempted!
We spray the kids' noses with a saline spray, looks somewhat similar.

NerdMom said...

I got the stuff to do the nasal rinse but I am scared. I don't want to feel like I am drowning. I need to just toughen up and do it;).

Andrea @ The Train To Crazy said...

Neti Pot. All the way. I have insane sinus problems. The neti pot is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I Twittered you about this, but I didn't tell the whole story . . . . I am hardcore when it comes to saline sinus rinses. Hubby and I use an enema bucket. Seriously. His mother even bought it for us and wrote up the funniest directions you have ever read in your life.

Phyllis Sommer said...

we (my dh and i) love it too. have to work on getting the kids to try it.

i laughed OUT loud because dh also calls it waterboarding!!!

3LittleMonkeys said...

Hey, we use this too! LOL Recommended by our family practice Doc when we lived in Montana. Works great! Sometimes I am amazed at what "stuff" comes out. I start screaming brains! My brains! Hubby just rolls his eyes at me. LOL