Things that aren't fun

[ciphergoth]

Squirting brine up your nose isn't fun.

(EDIT - actually I have very little to complain about, I'm just not letting that stop me :-)

Comments

[deviblue.livejournal.com]

even less fun is 'accidentally with bits of tuna'

[lovelybug.livejournal.com]

Eewwww! That's very unpleasant!

[purplerabbits.livejournal.com]

That sounds quite believeable, and I certainly feel no need to try it...

Here's hoping it's worth it and heals soon.

[slightlyfoxed.livejournal.com]

Sorry, and hope it's not for long. I used to inhale cold water in emergency hayfever situations. My nose really couldn't see the long-term gains.

[dreamsewing.livejournal.com]

unless you are a whale, mmmmmmm Krill. All Autosnoterotic asphyxiation jokes aside, does breathing feel any better/different?

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

OHMYGOD YES. It's incredible. My right nostril, which used to be the better one, is still slightly blocked (apparently it can take a fortnight to settle down). But my left, which used to be almost 100% blocked almost 100% of the time, is like some sort of gigantic air thoroughfare. Sleeping in particular is so much easier.

[babysimon]

gigantic air thoroughfare

I am imagining some sort of Metropolis thing with streamlined deco biplanes flying around inside your nose.

Just so you know.

[lovelybug.livejournal.com]

Love it :)

[booklectica]

Oh, brilliant!

[palmer1984.livejournal.com]

Fantastic!

[barakta]

I remember when they finally fixed my nose for the first time. I'd never breathed through my nose before! It's such a drastic and noticeable thing.

Glad to see you recovering so well.

[lizw.livejournal.com]

That's really good news!

[eqe.livejournal.com]

actually I found it quite enjoyable (compared to the alternative of "can't breathe") once I improved out my technique.

1. use noniodized sea salt (or a medical saline preparation.)
2. dissolve it in blood-temperature water.
3. use a Neti pot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Neti_pot.jpg) rather than a syringe; rather than forcing, simply allow the fluid to flow through the nasal cavity.

There are videos of correct neti pot usage on Youtube.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

It's a medical saline preparation. Heating it up first is a good idea though. I'm not forcing the water; I think maybe a syringe gives me better control of the rate of flow.

[eqe.livejournal.com]

Oh, and getting the salt proportion right takes a bit of trial and error. Water without enough salt in it feels like acid; water with too much salt in it is almost worse; but at just the right saturation it feels almost pleasant.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

The little ampoules are pre-mixed :-)

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

BTW are you saying you've had nasal surgery? What I've just had is a FESS bilateral nasal polypectomy.

[eqe.livejournal.com]

No, though I know a few people who have. I just have chronic nasal infections; pretty much every winter is a snotfest for me. Up until year or two ago I'd just suffer (and make myself high with pseudoephedrine), but since learning how to use a neti pot I've had vastly more success treating the symptoms and breathing.

[lizw.livejournal.com]

Yes, I use Sterimar (which is a saline spray) every morning for similar reasons. In my case, chronic sinus infections are a complication of my allergic rhinitis.

[keirf.livejournal.com]

I just used to mix a tablespoon of salt in a pint of warm water, wash my hands, pour some of the water into one cupped hand, hold one nostril shut with the other hands, and sniff. After a few weeks it doesn't really bother you anymore.

In the admirably whinging spirit of your post...

[ergotia.livejournal.com]

....I must gleefully comment that a lumbar puncture is a lot less fun, I bet!