Sore throat, ear pain and clogged head - from the neti pot?

Question

I never had this happen all the other times I've used my neti pot, but after the last time it's been awful. First my head just felt clogged up (like water was in it) then my right ear started hurting on and off. Then today I woke up w/a terrible sore throat and stayed home sick from work because the feeling in my head is just awful... Has anyone else had this happen??

Answer 1

Ive had that happen for a day or so.....first off, make sure that all the water has drained - if I bend at the waist with my face paralell to the floor for a few moments it helps....,but I've never had it "linger" for more than that....rather, I should correct myself...everytime that has happened, I also came down with whatever cold bug was going around at that time.

Hope You Feel Better Soon

Answer 2

Never.  I've been using my Neti pot for years and nothing like that has happened to me.

I'm assuming you were using it because you felt like something was going on in your head, correct?  Whatever was there probably just bloomed into a cold or something.  Or if you didn't wash your pot before using it that might happen.  You need to wash your Neti pot before using it each time so that it is clean and ready to go.  Also if there was a foreign body in your water, or if the salt was not fully dissolved then I could see that happening...

But for regular use, no, never had it happen.

Answer 3

yes, that's happened to me before. You have to make sure not to forcefully blow out the rest of the water in your nose, do it gently, otherwise water blows back up in your sinuses . Also some drainage techniques may help like the one in the video.