Nasal spray vs Neti Pot, 2020

source: Rhinocort.com

Better late than never.

Twelve years ago (see February 16, 2008 entry), I first wrote about transitioning to a neti pot exclusively rather than using nasal spray and allergy pills.

Three days later, I failed. Unable to wean myself off either drug. (see February 21, 2008 entry). I dropped Rhinocort for Nasonex, then switched to an OTC brand called Nasocort. I switched back to Rhinocort about 3 years ago, when it became available over-the-counter.

Price point is much more reasonable now. In 2008, Rhinocort put me out $50/month. As an OTC, I can get it for about $17 to $18/month at Target and Amazon. For pills, I went to Clartin, then Zyrtec, and then to a generic version of Sudafed.

After a conference visit with a nurse practitioner 2 weeks ago, she strongly advised I go off Sudafed and go back to using Claritin or Zyrtec (both now available over-the-counter).

And to use a neti pot.

source: EarthHero

I still have the ceramic one I bought in 2008 (exactly like the one in the photo). The plastic travel version didn't work as well, mostly because the spout wasn't comfortable for my nostrils.

I have since purchased a new plastic travel sized nasal irrigation bottle. For me, it still doesn't work as well as the ceramic pot, but I'm willing to sacrifice convenience over comfort for a few days.

Over the past 2 weeks, it's been a routine of neti wash once or twice daily, then a Zyrtec pill and sprays of Rhinocort.

This past weekend, neti wash only, twice a day. Until this morning. Hard sneezes and small mountain of wadded tissues in the compost bucket forced my hand into a Zyrtec pill.

The sneezing hasn't completely stopped, but it isn't as hard or frequent. I am determined to continue the neti pot usage for the next month or two. I like the way my sinuses feel after the nasal rinse. And more importantly, I would really like to reduce my reliance on Rhinocort and Zyrtec.

Nasal spray vs. Neti pot

If you've been following me this week on Twitter, I just began using the neti pot to treat my chronic sinus problems. My original intent was to switch to Nasonex, but remembered an unsuccessful attempt to switch to Flonaise about 10 years ago. I then decided this would be a good time try out the neti pot. Perhaps this could wean me off nasal sprays completely.

It's been 4 days since I stopped using Rhinocort and started administering jala neti (nasal irrigation). The last time I was without Rhinocort was during a conference in Fort Worth, TX in 2003 and my sinuses were miserable. The use of the neti pot so far has been quite effective. While I'm blowing my nose a bit more than usual, I've been able to breathe through both nostrils REGULARLY and not sneeze as much.

So far, I have yet to hear any negative results of using the neti pot. I've had relief from watery, itchy eyes by using contact lens saline solution as a rinse, so it made perfect sense to try the same process for my nose. After all, sneezing and watery eyes are the body's reactions to rid itself of pollen and other allergens. The neti pot only speeds up the process to prevent the uncomfortable reaction.

I'm hopeful continued use of the neti pot will further reduce sneezing and nose blowing to a bare minimum. Benefits for the body and wallet. Rhinocort was $50/prescription at my previous employer and is $35/prescription at my current one. I've since ordered a second neti pot (non-breakable) that I'll be able to take with me when I travel. I'm still taking oral antihistimines. That might be something I'll still have to continue using. Updates to follow.