I Wish I Had Tried the SinuPulse Sooner!

I am a registered nurse for 24 years and have suffered with chronic sinusitis for 15+ years. I have tried everything from making changes in my environment to nasal irrigation. My allergist, ENT,...Read complete review

I am a registered nurse for 24 years and have suffered with chronic sinusitis for 15+ years. I have tried everything from making changes in my environment to nasal irrigation. My allergist, ENT, and general practitioner have all suggested I irrigate my sinuses twice a day. They say it's like washing your face. It makes sense.
I have done this off and on for years using a bulb syringe, a neti pot, and then the plastic squeeze bottle. I felt like the daily irrigation was doing nothing and I was still getting sinus infections. Plus, I kept getting fluid in my ears. So I resorted to just using the irrigation when I did get a sinus infection.
I happened to be talking to another nurse and she suggested I try a pulsating irrigator. I had seen the Grossan irrigator before, but thought, "What could it possibly do for me that the others do not?" I also thought, "I am willing to try anything." So I went to order it online and that is when I saw the SinuPulse. At this time, I didn't know which product to try since they cost the same and seemed to do the same thing.
I called and spoke with a service rep at Health Solutions. I was impressed that he took so much of his time to talk to me. He explained to me what the SinuPulse did. He emphasized how the SinuPulse sends a gentle but leveraged pulsating saline rinse into the nasal passages and lower sinuses. This pulsating action is more effective at removing debris because it can penetrate and get into more areas of the sinuses than a simple nasal wash product like a neti pot or bottle. It also helps to break down biofilm, massage the mucosa, and helps restore the function of the cilia. (The cilia are the microscopic hairs which naturally move debris from the sinus passages.)
I think the SinuPulse is well designed. The unit has no latex or rubber which is great for me since I am sensitive to these materials. The plastic is antimicrobial. The unit holds about 1 liter of solution. In addition to the nasal irrigation tip, there is an atomizer. I do not see this feature on the grossan product. By using this tip, you can administer a fine spray of saline into the sinus cavities. This is much more effective than using a saline spray bottle to keep your nose moist. You can also use it to administer medications or other rinses much more effectively than a simple spray. (I would consult with your physician about what solutions you can use with the atomizer.) When I have a sinus infection, I will use Pulmicort Respules, a steroid used for asthmatics in a nebulizer. (They inhale it.)
Besides the nasal irrigation tips, there are two for the throat. I didn't think I would use them. But I did and it helped tremendously. I sometimes get a nagging cough even though my sinuses feel clear. I guess there is still a fine layer of post nasal drip even after you irrigate the sinuses. It also has the atomizer tip to administer a fine mist your throat as needed.
When I first got the SinuPulse I had just finished a course of antibiotics for a sinus infection. But as usual, the sinus infection was not completely gone. I figured I would be on yet another course of antibiotics soon. Instead I tried the SinuPulse and within a week, the sinus infection was completely gone.
The other nice feature is the adjustable pressure. There is a knob to adjust the strength of the water pressure. With the sinus infection, my ears were starting to feel full. So I just irrigated my sinuses on the lowest setting. My ears did not get worse, in fact they cleared up since I was able to still irrigate my sinuses. In the past I would not irrigate my sinuses because it would just make my ears worse.
I am still amazed at how much clearer my sinus passages are after using the SinuPulse. I cannot believe how much better I feel. When I had the sinus infection, I used over a liter twice a day to irrigate my sinuses. Now I am in maintenance mode and use just 500cc twice a day.
I still use medication. One medication I use is Astelin, a nasal spray. Now when I use it after irrigating, the medication does not drip back out of my nose like usual. I'm guessing my sinus passages are clearer and the medication is covering more surface area.
I have been lazy and skipped irrigating my sinuses, but I find myself needing to irrigate my sinuses. Like most everyone, it is a hassle to irrigate your sinuses no matter what you use. But for the first time, I feel like this product is working, so I am using it.
I have noticed I have used less decongestants and expectorants too. I just haven't needed them. Knock on wood, I have not had a sinus related headache since I started using it. I tend to get many headaches along with the sinusitis.
You do need to get a system down and when you do, it only takes minutes and is very easy to use. It is not messy like the neti pot or squeeze bottle. With those, I would always get water everywhere including the mirror.
The true test will be how I do over time. I usually get a sinus infection about every 2-3 months. So, I'll have to see how I do especially with the cold and flu season approaching. At least now, I feel like I have some control over my situation and do not feel like I will have to suffer so much from sinus infections!
When I think of what one sinus infection costs, the SinuPulse is nothing. I have down time because I feel so awful. Then I end up spending money for at least one or two doctor visits, antibiotics, and sometimes a CT scan.
However, the rep at Health Solutions, told me to try the saccharin test. To do this, you place a little powder sweetener (like Sweet N Low) just inside your nose up against the septum and time how long it takes for you to taste the sweetener in the back of your throat. The first time I tried it, I never tasted it even after two tries and over one hour. Although, I did have a sinus infection still. I repeated the test about a week after the infection was gone and could taste the sweetener at 22 minutes.
I did look on the internet for information about the saccharin test. It is an easy way to test the "mucociliary" function in the nasal and sinus cavities. I plan to use this test to monitor my progress with the SinuPulse.

Some reviews I have read about the other irrigator claimed it can wear out early from the exposure to saline. The SinuPulse comes with a two year warranty. So I was not worried about investing in this product.
The SinuPulse comes with a certificate of medical necessity that can be completed by any physician for possible insurance reimbursement. Apparently many insurance companies will cover some of the cost and reimburse.
I highly recommend the SinuPulse to anyone who suffers from sinus problems. I think children could use it too as long as they are supervised.