SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System

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.

After struggling for a month with a sinus infection, I decided that my bulb suringe was not doing much, NetiPot was too low tech, and bought the SinuPulse. The first use was rough, ewww, something is pumping water up my nose, and it is going everywhere. After a few days of practice, I was able to mostly clear up my nose. It felt good, better than any other nose cleaner with the exception of a long run. The technique that worked best for me is modified standard: pump water into one nostril, let it come out of the other, and blow slightly in and out while doing this to clear up the deeper passages.

One disappointment was slightly shoddy design. The speed knob is impossible to turn with a wet hand, and your hands are always wet when doing this. The water tank leaks a bit when transfering from faucet to the device. For twice the price of my Vicks Ultrasonic Humidifier, I expected much better design. I wish I took a look at Grossan Hydro Pulse

After messing around with the neti pot for 6 months and feeling a little better I decided to trade up to one of these powered irrigators. I liked that the SinuPulse has both a pulsating mist spray and pulsating rinse but even more important for me was the 2 year extended warranty. The Hydropulse only seems to last about a year and has too many problems reported with it. $100.00 is a lot of money for me so I needed a irrigator that was guaranteed to last a couple of years. Its only been a little over a month but my constant sinus headaches and morning congestion have almost entirely cleared up and I am breathing and sleeping so much better. It really is a lot easier to use than the neti pot and not as messy. Amazon has the best service too.

I wanted to wait to use the product awhile before posting my experience as I have put a lot of time into checking out all the nasal irrigators especially the pulsating nasal irrigators before finally deciding on the Sinupulse. I have been using the Sinupulse and it has been extremely beneficial for me getting my allergy and sinus problems under control. I've used antihistamines and sprays and nothing ever worked for long.
I decided on the Sinupulse almost out of desperation, it is not cheap but I was at my wits end. Since using it I have felt better than I have in years. I am sorry I did not begin earlier I could have saved myself a lot of money and countless miserable days. It is also a relief to feel like you have regained some control and are not at the mercy of one doctor after another and the countless drugs they recommend none of which seemed to offer much help.

I like the large water tank that holds plenty of saline so you don't have to refill. Decide where you want the pressure control knob on the unit set, I like it on high. Turn on the unit and have your finger on the pressure control button on the handle and then you can adjust the pressure and even stop the flow altogether right at your finger tip by simply how hard you press the button. Having an additional pressure control button on the handle really makes it easy to use.

On a side note, the customer service is great, answered all my questions, and provided me with a lot of useful information that I have used in my daily routine like using alkalol and making use of the pulsating spray tip with products like grape seed extract or Xylitol which has been very helpful. They can help with reimbursement forms and offered to send me a couple of free tips for other family members. The extended warranty on the product is great as I hear these things can be finicky. My Sinupulse has been problem free but I have no doubt from the level of service I have received this company is one of the good ones. The combination of a product that works from a company that actually cares about customer satisfaction gets a big thumbs up from me and is not easy to find these days where customer service is nonexistent.

I have been a medical doctor for 30 years. I am also a sinus sufferer and like many of my patients I have endured the misery of allergy and sinus problems and know just how frustrating and debilitating they can be if left untreated or if they resist treatment.

I have been using the SinuPulse for some time and can personally attest to just how effective it is. It not only controls allergy and sinus symptoms it targets the source of the problem. The machine itself is simple and easy to use. The pulsating rinse maximizes the cleansing benefit, removes bacteria, and helps to restore the natural mucous function needed for healthy sinuses. Since using the SinuPulse I have been able to control my allergy and sinus problems without drugs. I irrigate regularly and recommend its use to just about anyone with allergy and sinus problems especially those that are experiencing recurrent infections, nasal congestion, sinus headaches, and post nasal drip. The relief can be dramatic. It is also a great tool to help prevent infections during the cold and flu season.


Richard Pego M.D.

After a lifetime of allergy and post-nasal drip problems, using everything the physician specialists recommended, it is my opinion that the plain large ear bulb sold in pharmacies is the best thing to use for sinus irrigation.

I bought this SinuPulse Elite hoping that it would work better than the bulb. It does allow one to get 16 oz. of saline solution through the nasal cavities faster. It is messy, but so is the bulb. The pressure is low so I do not think that the solution enters the upper sinus cavities as well as using the bulb. The design is a little flimsy. I have only owned mine and used it for a few weeks so it is still holding up. However, I do not get as long lasting relief from the SinuPulse Elite and their solution as I do creating my own solution and simply using the bulb. My ENT physician gave me the recipe for a buffered saline solution that I could create and use with the bulb. That works and it costs pennies.

I suffer from terrible sinus infections on a regular basis. They are irritated by my allergies, and then take a turn for the worst. I take 24-D allergy medicine every day and I still come down with sinus infections about 6 times a year. Sometimes, they last months full of sinus pain, pressure and eventual viral infections. I've taken allergy shots for three years and have tried to get my allergies and sinus problems under control every way I know how. In fact, I just went to an ENT about a year ago, begging for some type of surgery to give me relief. As it turns out, my doctor said that surgery would be a waste of money since he felt my condition would return some months after the surgery (as I side note I found out that my sinus cavity is not fully developed).

So, with all that said, I decided to take a chance and order the SinuPulse Elite. What is eighty bucks after all, when I've spent thousands over the years on other solutions? I have used a neti-pot before, and it worked well. But the use of the neti-pot was cumbersome for me, and I didn't do it on a regular basis (which is probably the main reason it wasn't as effective as it should be).

The SinuPulse Elite is one of the best products I've ever used. Why? Well, first it's been almost four months and I passed through the holidays without a sign of a cold, sinus infection or anything else. This was all the while living with others who were very sick and passing things back and forth. Not only that, I can breathe throughout the day well even without my normal allergy medicine (I have not dared to stop taking it on a regular basis, I just base this upon the days I forgot to take it).

Why is it better than a neti-pot for me? Well, for one, it goes into my upper sinus cavity, whereas the neti-pot simply doesn't begin to approach rinsing out my entire sinus cavity. The SinuPulse Elite, gets my sinuses so well, that sometimes I retain the saltwater well into the day and upon moving my head in the wrong direction - the final amount of saltwater is released. Gross? Yeah, I guess - but it's a good thing. It's a small price to pay for something that works so well. Also, it simply doesn't take as long to use as a neti-pot. I use it on full strength, one packet and switch between the nostrils throughout the cleaning. It takes no time flat to do it every day.

Also, the salt that is refined into the powder is very, very, very fine. While I've bought replacement saline packs from the grocery and pharamacy, they aren't as refined (the chunks of salt are bigger), which creates a small amount of irritation sometimes. So, I've gone back to buying and using their branded packets.

The product itself is plastic, and doesn't seem like it will hold up to years of use and abuse. However, whenever it dies I plan on just buying another one.

This is my first real written review on Amazon. But, the quality of life it has given to me was reason to write this review and give it five stars. I don't work for them, but I think it's the best product on the market for people suffering from allergies and sinus problems, like me.

Last year I got my first sinus infection and have been suffering ever since. When antibiotics didn't help I began daily sinus irrigation and it's made a big difference. Innitially I irrigated with a syringe bulb and found the process messy and frustrating. The SinuPulse System is quick and efficient. To keep my symptoms at bay I irrigate daily. When I forget to irrigate the pain and inflammation come back with avengance. I'm not always thrilled about flushing out my nasal cavities everyday but it's the only thing that seems to really help. Heck, I'd snort baby kittens if I thought it would put an end to my sinusitis woes. I definitely recommend this product for anyone with allergies or chronic sinus problems.

I think I've used just about every type of irrigation product out and there's a bunch. For all those confused or not sure what to use I hope this helps. The neti pots and the nasal wash bottles that are everywhere are cheap so there isn't much risk of throwing your money away but they are little better than sniffing saline from your hand, very basic. You mix the saline packets they give you in the pot or bottle and flush your nose. The companies seem only to be interested in selling packaged salt and hope you keep coming back for more. They are messy and a bit unnatural as you have to tilt your head to use a neti pot and have the water drain into your nose. If you have a stiff neck forget it. The nasal wash bottles are a little easier to use because you can squeeze the bottle directly up your nose but you have to have a good grip. There is no control it's just an enema for your nose, again very basic and messy be careful or the water will run down your arm.

The pulsating irrigators are more expensive but way more effective and easy to use. They are mechanical so they can break down. I read too many stories of other water pik type irrigators that break down too easily and customers being told they did something wrong. I wanted to buy the best product from the best company. I did my homework and saw that the SinuPulse company has an"A" rating with the consumer rating agencies and appears to be the only pulsating nasal irrigator to have that. The Sinupulse is available directly from Amazon not some unknown dealer selling on Amazon and I liked that too. The SinuPulse has two irrigation methods not just one. A pulsating mist spray or a pulsating cleansing rinse for a deeper cleansing and is the only product that offers this 2 way rinse operation. The pulsating spray is great if you are a bit intimidated and want a gentle rinse. It makes the machine very versatile

Its easy to setup and takes a minute or two to irrigate. Pour in a packet of the saline powder they include or use regular salt and mix with a tank of water. The water tank can be heated in the microwave and is also dishwasher proof for easy cleaning. Many just use warm water from the tap. Lean over the sink, put the sinus tip up to your nose, turn it on and away you go. You can control the water flow right at the handle. It's simple and works great.

It comes with a professional user guide and a full month supply of the SinuAir saline packets. I like that you can use most any saline solution and they don't try to force you to keep buying their SinuAir but its good to have a box around. They even encourage making your own homemade saline solution. I read somewhere their focus is to provide the best irrigator not just sell salt. The SinuPulse even comes with two throat irrigators as well which can be used as tongue scrappers. I am guessing most folks overlook these but the Throat Mist Spray tip is great for rinsing away food particles and cleaning the tongue and can be used with your mouthwash.

To sum it up the SinuPulse is a great value and works great if you can afford it. If not get a cheap water pik and a sinus tip and save a few bucks but beware they don't have all the bells and whistles and may break down quickly. If you can afford it the SinuPulse is clearly the Cadillac. If you are serious about irrigation and want something easy with great results you won't be disappointed.

Regarding the unit, it works wonderfully and my sinuses feel so much better than using a neti pot -- probably because the unit puts more water through my nose than I had patience with the manual neti pot process. Also, because it's less messy, I tend to use it more often. My neti pot didn't make a tight seal and water seemed to get everywhere. Regarding all the comments about the cost of the unit, I was thrilled to find that the SinuPulse was covered by my flexible spending account so that helped alot.

Having said that, please be careful when reseating the purple reservoir tank. the bottom breaks extremely easily and the unit just doesn't function once this part breaks. I've contacted customer service to see what they can do (I've only had it 3 months). I really hope we can come up with a workable solution (pun intended!) because I've seen wonderful results using this unit.

UPDATE:
6/3/10 - what a wonderful company. a gentleman contacted me and said that they have recently upgraded the plastic used to create the reservoir and they are sending me a new tank at no charge. We were also talking about the price of the unit and he said many insurance companies will pay for 50% of the product under a "durable medical provision". I haven't tried that yet, but will definitely check that out. Now that's what I call customer service!

I suffer from chronic sinuses and allergies. I've used the classic neti-pot for several years, but I had to use it in the shower because water would drip everywhere. I found it hard to get in the habit of using the neti-pot on a regular basis. So i decided to buy the SinuPulse Irrigation System. Luckily, I was able to get it to fit in my medicine cabinet, so it's not taking up space by the sink. I've been using the SinuPulse for about a month now, and so far I'm liking it. It's much easier to use than a neti-pot. The water pressure is adjustable, which is great. You can choose a mist or a stream. Not sure if this product will hold up in the long run, but it's working now, so I'm happy!

Sinupulse elite is a must have device in my opinion. Using ordinary neti pots it is difficult to clear out the nasal passages easily. Using the highest pulse setting in Sinupulse you can clean out all the dirt and mucus and any blood clots very easily. Start with low speed of 3 or 4 using body warm water and half way through the amount of water used, switch the pulse frequency to the highest 7 setting. This will clean out all crap from your nose. As you are using highest setting, you dont need to forcefully exhale/sneeze through to clear out nose and doing this is bad for sensitive blood vessels inside. Using neti pot you are forced to sneeze sometimes but sinupulse takes care of it neatly.

I highly recommend using the SinuAir that comes with it. Its a modified Ringer's Solution (Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bocarbonate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride) which has the most balanced and closest pH rating when compared to human blood. That means if you have any cuts or bruises inside your nose, this will not sting a bit. To prevent the drying out action and also to prevent any infections or colds, another recommended addition is Xylitol. My best saline mixture that provides me a lot of relief is below

!!Do not ever use cold water, i once used it and had clogged sinus for about a week. !!

1. 20 oz bodywarm water (room warm water also great for second wash)

2. 2-3gms of the best saline available - SinuAir
SinuAir Powdered Saline Convenient Packets
SinuAir Formulated Saline Powder - 300 Gram Jar
Order Sinuair in bulk directly from the manufacturer's website and you might even get some for free.

3. One to One-half Teaspoon of pure Xylitol crystals. NOW Xylitol dissolves in 2 minutes, for disinfection and moisturizing.
Now Foods Xylitol, 2.5 pound bag

4. About two bottle caps worth of Alkalol, for an enduring aroma helps breathing.
Alkalol - A Natural Soothing Nasal Wash, Mucus Solvent and Cleaner Kit - with Cup, 16-Ounce

edit:
I recommend reducing the quantity of Sinuair saline used as it can deposit inside as white residue if used too much. So spread 5 gms over two whole washes. If it gets deposited inside/near sinuses wash it away with warm water.

Alternate method:
For those suffering from nasal/sinus problems that need a little more something, i recommend trying out a totally 'scary' way to irrigate. Search for sutra neti/rubber neti on youtube and you will find a lot of videos on people doing it. I started doing it last week and after the first 3 -4 experiences its becoming a lot of FUN and relief for me. I may even opt out of a correctional operation if this works out. i now do this atleast once/twice daily. You wont be able to buy Rubber/Sutra Neti in the US over online since it needs to be taught by a Yoga practitioner. But if you are brave enough to learn it yourself, i did - it was gross but easy, you can buy it online from Yogashop (search "Yogashop" on google) based in UK or "YogaNow" which is based in malaysia or just buy it online usa, search google for "red rubber cathether" medical supplies. The tube i have is about 3-4 mm in diameter.

Also try out Ponaris. You wont regret it.
Ponaris nasal emollient - 30 ml

This is my second sinus irrigation product which I have purchased from Health Solutions. My first one the Grossan was the only one they were selling at the time. Worked well but stopped working after about 15 months and I just didn't have the money to risk on a second. I used the neti pots and the cheaper units for a while after that but they just didn't do the trick. When I heard they came out with the new SinuPulse I decided to buy it. I cant tell you enough how satisfied I am with the new Sinupulse. It not only works faster and takes less time but has this new pulsating mist spray tip for moisturizing the sinuses. I like the larger water tank that can hold enough water to irrigate both of my nostrils and it takes up less space on my sink. I used to suffer from horrible sinus pain every time I would catch a cold and get a sinus infection. The pain would radiate to my eyes and my head and cause huge discomfort. The SinuPulse gets me the relief I need and couldn't get with the neti pot. My colds don't last as long and my sinus problems are at a minimum. This product is so safe that my 7 year old daughter who is also suffering from seasonal allergies is using it!

With money hard to come by I like that the new irrigator is guaranteed for two years and I can tell you after dealing with this company for several years asking for advice, getting information on irrigation techniques, and buying their saline products they are one of the good guys and will be there if you need them.

Wow! I have to say that I have NEVER been this impressed with a new product. I am so thrilled with its results, I've told all my friends and every Tom, Dick and Harriet who'll listen how much it has changed my life. Serious. I decided to give it a try after a series of sinus infections over a span of months that were totally (frightenly)untouched by multiple courses of several types of antibiotics. The first use gave me relief, the kind of which I hadn't felt in years. I could actually feel air entering parts of my sinuses where I didn't even know it was possible. I could smell odors and perfumes to a depth that I had not remembered. Now, after about six weeks of using it every day, I am pleasantly surprised..... I have not contracted a virus since! And this is major for me. I am one who seems to get every bug that comes accross my way, but not lately. This alone is worth the price of this little gem, ten times over! I'm not going to lie, it takes a little getting used to to have salted water jetting up into the nether-regions of your face, but hang in there. I certainly hope you find the same kind of life-changing relief that I have.

This device works a zillion times better for me than the neti pot or the squeeze bottle. I had been suffering from a sinus infection for over 2 months. I've known about nasal irrigation for quite some time, so I had used the squeeze bottle twice a day every day since I got the sinus infection. I first went on Amoxicillin, but it did not work at all. When I went to the doctor the second time my sinuses were really closed up so I was put on Steroids and and another antibiotic called Biaxin. I felt good for a couple of days but the infection came back. I had a follow up appt with my doctor, but before that I had ordered the SinuPulse. Shipping was amazingly fast, and started using it 2 days before my doctors appointment. I really didn't know what to expect, but within 2 days my sinuses felt great, and didn't need another round of antibiotics. I honestly didn't know that this type of irritation would work so much better for my sinuses or I would have bought it ages ago. If regular sinus irrigation with the squeeze bottle or the neti pot doesn't work for you, then I would recommend that you try this. One thing I wanted to say is when you have a sinus infection, stay away from caffeine and alcohol, as it will deplete your body of water. Also drink lots and lots of water. This will help loosen the mucous to make irrigation more effective.

***Update***
I am editing this to add that my sinuses continued to drain for another 2 weeks. My sinuses feel more clear than ever before. What I also wanted to say is initially you may feel worse before you feel better. What I realize now is that my sinuses were actually trying to get the gunk out, and initially felt my sinuses were a little more stuffy, but just continue because the gunk will work itself all the way out, and you will feel great. The cycle of clear/stuffy continued for a couple of weeks until all my sinuses were clear.

I am not sure how long the unit will last, but it is fantastic. If you suffer from sinus infections and have tried the pots and bottles this is a better experience. I got more "stuff" out than normal and cant wait to use it again.

Packaging was great, shipping as well. It will not be able to replace pots/bottles on trips since it is large and kind of cumbersome. But it fits well on my sink counter.

For anyone complaining about noise and other "issues". It almost made me skeptical on buying it. IT DOES WHAT IS SAYS and cleans your sinus cavities.

I have been suffering from a sinus infection for 2 months and although it took some extra antibiotics to clear it up, this product defiantly made it bearable. I will continue to use it on a daily basis.

Thumbs up

I would still pay for this even if i ahd to buy a new one each year

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband. He stayed home today from work due to a severe sinus headache. Just his luck the irrigation system arrived today. He got his present early!! We were both skeptical. It was easy to figure out how to use and I got the lucky job of watching him do this....snot and all oozing out of his nostrils! He didn't feel instant relief, but about a half hour later, he felt great. I've never had sinus issues but I wanted to try it just to see what it was like. I thought my nasal passage was clear...ha!! I had to blow my nose after using this for about 20 minutes (I wasn't as clear as I thought)! Great product - seriously.

The first SinuPulse Elite I purchased from Amazon arrived sounding like LOUD fingernails on chalkboard clanging and pulsating. I could not tolerate the noise so it is irrelevant how well it cleaned my sinuses as I would never do it as not only was the noise too unpleasant but very well might cause hearing loss. I believe the reviews on the SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System are being closely monitored by the seller and others with financial incentive. Just watch how fast this review gets marked as unhelpful and the 5-star reviews get marked as helpful.

I decided to purchase another one hoping it would not be as noisy as the first one after several comments on my previous review about that mine most have been broken. This one arrived from Amazon MUCH quieter than my first. So watch out from broken models - one of my two purchases was broken. Now that it is not so noisy, it is my favorite model of Hydro Pulse

This little unit irrigates your sinuses and does a fair job at that; however, I have nothing to compare it to as I have not used the Grossan unit. With that caveat, the SinuPulse will shoot a stream of water up your nose, into your sinuses, and you'll see a stream of water come out of your other nostril. I think if you are going to get a cold, this unit can prevent the cold from getting too bad b/c it will wash out all the gunk in your sinuses that contribute to congestion and mucus creation. I rate it 3 stars because the quality of the plastic reservoir is not up to par for the price you pay. In just 2 weeks' use, the trap door at the top of the reservoir broke a plastic peg that locks it into place. If I am paying over $100 for this unit, I don't expect plastic pieces to be breaking off. The second reason for the 3 star rating is the price; it's fairly cost prohibitive at $97 + shipping + tax, etc.

But if you're suffering from sinusitis, infections, allergies, etc. I would definitely try some type of sinus irrigation machine; they do help a lot. Even better than a simple nasal rinse from a squeeze bottle. I settled on this particular unit b/c there is a warranty, apparently; one which I am going to have to use now that the trap door is missing a plastic leg...all said and done, I paid about $120 for this unit. The Grossan did not have the 1 year warranty (or at least it was not advertised) and so I went with the SinuPulse Elite. If a better quality, cheaper unit existed, I'd have gone for that but after much research, I could not find anything reputable besides the two above mentioned options.

So, if you can afford it, this unit will ease your sinus issues. Think of it as a bath for your nose. Done daily, it will probably prevent severe sinus congestion; but you have to be disciplined about it and use it daily even when you feel up to par!

This product is amazing! I bought the sinus pulse after I had been on antibiotics for a sinus infection for an entire month and it still wouldn't go away. I suffered from daily headaches even though I used my regular sinus squeeze bottle daily. As soon as I bought this product, I could tell a difference from using the sinus squeeze bottle.

Shortly after purchasing the product, I went to my allergist who recommended that I use Pulmicort (generic: budesonide; liquid steriod) in my saline water (just put the entire vial into the full 20 ounces of salt water). The next day, everything started to drain from my sinuses. I won't go into gory detail, but everything gross that was causing my headache finally came out over the next 3-4 days.

Note: FDA use for Pulicort is intended to be used as an inhaled steriod in a nebulizer. However, when used as a sinus rinse, it is similiar to Naxonex, but it works much better to get deep into your sinus cavaties. New studies have been done on using Pulmicort in sinus rinses: ([...])

Ever since then, I have been using my sinus pulse two times daily, and I use a vial of Pulmicort either every day or every other day. I also use 3-4 drops of grape fruit seed extra (GSE) concentrate into my salt water once a day which is supposed to help naturally kill bacteria.

If you suffer from sinus headaches or sinus infections, BUY THIS PRODUCT! Also, I highly recommend going to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to check the anatomy of your sinuses. I had a deviated septum which caused my frequent sinus problems. The sinus pulse and Pulicort together were able to clear everything even with my deviated septum, but it was always very hard to maintain a perfectly clear sinus passage. I had surgery a couple months back, but I still use my sinus pulse daily. I honestly can't imagine not cleaning out the gunk from the sinuses. It just seems gross to me now considering what I see coming out every day!

One thing to point out: If you have a cold and your nose is blocked, do NOT use this product. It can actually push the virus from your sinuses into your ears causes an ear infection--I know because it's happened to me twice until I finally figured it out. If your nose is blocked, I first recommend to use an oral decongestant (guaifinisen and pseudophedrine work best for me) with a spray decongestant (4-way or Afrin but for NO LONGER than 3 days). This will open up your nasal passages and then you can do the sinus rinse, but do it VERY GENTLY. You don't want to feel it in your ears because then there will be a chance of the virus getting into your ears. Unfortunately, I have found no natural or OTC pill method to clear an ear infection and I'm pretty sure I tried just about everything.

If you are like me and you have major sinus troubles and you hate antibiotics, this product is for you. The sinus rinse bottle (even combined with the pulmicort steriod) still doesn't prevent my chronic sinus issues. I got lazy for a few weeks and stopped using my SinusPulse and started using the sinus bottle (still twice daily. However, laziness turned into a sinus infection in my Maxillary sinuses and now I am using my SinusPulse and Pulmicort to cure it without antibiotics or oral steriods. I realized that even when my sinuses "seem" clear, I can't go too long with my sinus pulse or I will end up with issues. I trust this product and I highly recommend it.

I have been using the sinupulse for a couple months now. At first I was really afraid to use it. It seemed so foreign to be spraying water up my nose with what seemed like the power of a sandblaster. haha.

So I turned the pressure down to about a 2 or 3. Actually that made it worse because it took FOREVER to start running out the other nostril...with that same icky feeling of filling up and drowning. I felt I was just prolonging the agony using such a low power setting.

TAKE HEART if this is a problem that you have. I NOW LOVE THIS MACHINE. I can't wait to use it each day and it only takes about 60 seconds (haven't timed it but it really is over with so quickly.) It is no longer scary or uncomfortable. I just had to get over the psychological issues. That was a big issue for me.

I spoke with Glen....someone who knows the machine very well and he took some time with me to help me get rid of my fears. He explained that blowing ones nose is 25 Pounds per square inch (PSI). He said turning the machine up to 5, is only 5 PSI. That helped me to feel better.

Then I went on youtube and saw lots of people, even children irrigating their sinuses with various forms of nettie pots. I figured if kids can do it than I need to quit being a big baby. I KNOW the sinupulse is superior to a nettie pot because of the pulsing action, so it is just more effective in terms of washing and stimulating the silia ( the little hairs that move back and forth to clean out mucous).

The sinupulse is now my very best friend in the world. I feel so much better after using it for my allergies and infections that I get in the sinuses. I usually get a couple of those horrible infections every year and they are miserable.

So to encourage anyone who is afraid of it, just know that the first few times, it will seem foreign and maybe even a little creepy. But just breath through your mouth. While doing the irrigation. Use it on number 4 or 5 pressure so that about an inch of water is spurting out of the unit. I count to about 25 while irrigating one nostril and that seems to use about 1/2 a tank of water. Then I gently blow my nose (very gently), and then I do the other nostril until the unit is empty....Blow your nose VERY gently.

Its' over with in just that short amount of time. You will feel pressure building up which will seem uncomfortable, but within a second, it will then come out the other nostril and that pressure will be gone. After doing it a time or two, you will recognize that "friction point" and it will no longer bother you because it only lasts for a second, and because you know that is the point at which it is going to start coming out the other nostril..

If you are a scardy cat like I was, and you put the pressure down to a 1 or 2, you will feel that pressure for several MINUTES and you wont like the feeling. Just go for it. Turn it up to 4 or 5...feel that friction point of pressure and it's all downhill from there. It's easy and it feels wonderful. Nothing to fear.

Be sure and use lukewarm water. At first my water was just room temperature and that still was a bit too cool for my comfort level. I now make it just tepid..just "slightly" warm to the touch BUT NOT VERY warm cuz that would be uncomfortable and might even burn you.

The instructions say that your nose can drain a bit with the salty water, for up to 20 minutes, but last night, I had some drainage 6 hours after having used it in the evening, when I went to bed and layed my head on the pillow. I asked Glen about this and it is perfectly normal and not harmful at all if a bit of residual water stays in the sinus cavity for awhile.

Actually it is good for you, says my friend, Glen (who has used the machine for a LONG time)it goes through all the nooks and crannys of the sinuses and sometimes just a little bit doesn't come out for a few hours. It is not enough to make you feel congested or have pressure.

I always breath better after using it. I am having an allergy attack lately (or a low level infection...I am not sure which). My sinuses and throat have been so dry lately, and there is just no movement of mucous at all, like there should be. So this is when I hauled my machine back out and got over my fears. I have been using it twice a day, faithfully now for the past couple of weeks and It is just the most wonderful thing in the world.

Sorry for such a long post, but I wanted to help people who might be afraid of it and let you know that once you are used to it, you will just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

I don't want to be taking antibiotics all the time and developing resistant strains of infections. I also don't like antibiotics because they ruin the flora in your gut. I already am trying to fix my gut issues and it is so important to have good flora in there for good health and good digestion, according to my naturopath doctor.

The sinupulse ROCKS!

Diane

I have been using this product for about a month now and overall I am pleased with it.

Here is some background for this review:
I have used sinus irrigation for about 8 years now and it has reduced the number of sinus infections that I get each year. Before using irrigation I would get 2-3 infections per year which required lots of antibiotics. Now I might get an infection once every year or two.

I have used a grossan tip on a waterpik for many years. It worked well but the saline damaged the unit and it would fail after a year or two. I washed the unit after each use but it would still fail. Most times it was the plastic tube from the unit to the attachment. It seems that the salt caused the plastic to become brittle. One unit had the pump die. These units cost around $25-$30 each at a big box store plus the $20 nasal attachment.

The SinuPulse seems to be well built. The plastic tube from the unit to the attachment is longer than my old units and seems more flexible. The manufacturer claims that the components are resistant to the saline. The unit is also much quieter which is good early in the morning when the house is asleep.

The tank holds plenty of saline and is rectangular in shape with a lid. Unfortunately it has a number of levels and corners which make it harder to clean. Since salt is corrosive everything needs to be cleaned after each use. Time will tell if all these nooks cause premature failure. The manufacture recommends that you mix up your saline solution in a separate container and pour it into the tank. Since the tank is multi level this is really the only way to get the saline properly mixed. Sadly that adds another container to my already full bathroom counter. I think that their design team missed the mark. The tank could be much friendlier.

As of this review I have not used the additional attachments that came with the unit. In reading the literature I can see that they could be useful.

I have given the unit 4 stars due to the tank design and the cost. Based on cost this unit will need to last at least three years to equal the cost of my other units. I will have to wait to see if the manufacturer's claim is true about the unit's saline resistance.

Overall I would still and have recommended this unit to people. If you suffer from sinus infections give irrigation a try. It has helped me a lot.

About 1 month ago, my allergies had reached an all-time bad. It was the worst I had experienced with nasal drainage, scratchy eyes, sniffles, popping ears, etc since I moved to So-Cal 5 years ago. After waking up in the middle of the night from wheezing from all the drainage, the next morning I sent an email to a gentleman/scholar who I often refer to as "mr. wisdom". because he has either seen it or probably have experienced it. I asked him what might he recommend for my allergy/nasal related issues, that wasn't some new allergy medicine I could buy at the local drug store(because I dont trust any of that stuff...even the "doctor recommended" stuff....I think it's all bad for you). By coincidence he started to tell me about how terrible his allergies once were that he had to have surgery and in the midst of it all his doctor told him to purchase this pick like thing that works as an irrigation systems for your nostril. Well as soon as he started to explain what it was, I went to my office to search further ....and I was lead to Amazon.com for the SinuPulse System. I couldn't get my credit card out fast enough to make the purchase. And because I just wanted the suffering to just end, I expedited the order for next day...as it was thursday and there was no way i was going into another weekend with popping ears. Saturday morning my packaged arrived. I read all the directions....and within the next 24 hours ...drainage was no longer an issue. I could breathe again....and no more popping ears. Not only that....no side effects. I wasn't aware that the system came with saline packets.....so I'd purchased some extras anyways. Between the irrigation system and bee pollen consumption with my fruit-cocktail in the morning....I'm officially summer allergy-free. I thank Dr. Wisdom and Amazon....as Amazon had it for the cheapest!!
I Highly recommend this product as I have for sinus sufferers in my family.

I have had sinus problems for years. The VA has put me on medications, CAT scans, nasal sprays. I have checked out everything I could find on forums. i Converted a Waterpic to use on my nose. It seemed to be most effective in irrigation, but the infection remained.

I bought the Sunupulse unit, and after using it for over a month, I find it has been most effective in ridding me of my problem. It has not cleared up completely, but the amount of phlegm has been greatly reduced on irrigation. The packaged powder that comes with the machine is less harsh (stinging) than the two-to-one pickling salt and sodium bicarbonate that I had been using.

I believe the Waterpic stream was too harsh and may have forced the phlegm deeper into the sinus cavities. The Sunupluse stream is more like a babbling brook than a fire hose. The stream does pulsate and is effective.

If you have been having problems, BUY THE UNIT. Do not waste your time and money on prescriptions, doctors visits. I wish I hadn't. This may be just what you need.

I am a happy camper.

John BrowneSinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System

The SinuPulse has relieved a lifetime of sinus infections! I would never have thought it possible that a simple, easy-to-use product could make such a difference not just in my sinuses, but in my whole life! Only those who suffer chronic sinus infections will understand how chronic sinus infections can diminish not only one's health, but one's life! It's awful.

Since using the SinuPulse I have not have One Infection! I am now free to enjoy my life, breathing deeply, and appreciating those who have made this wonderful product available.

Thank you SinuPulse!


Rev. Marsha Mendizza
Former Sufferer

I bought 2 of these, one for each son. One of them had been told about it by a satisfied user.

My sons are very pleased with the machines.

SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System

I've been using the SinuPulse Elite for almost three years now, and I absolutely love it. It's easy to use, and makes me feel great when I'm done. Let's face it, cleaning the inside of a person's nose is certainly NOT the most pleasant topic of conversation, however, when my friends see the SinuPulse proudly diplayed on my bathroom sink, they always ask me what it feels like, and I tell them. It feels great, and it really works to improve my breathing. I just empty the little pouch of saline powder into some room temperature water, dump the solution into the reservoir, and then just push the "ON" button. Simple. Plus, I've noticed I very rarely get a cold anymore. It helps with my allergies, and I sleep much better. I can't say enough great things about this device. Also, it's worth mentioning that, in one of the older models, the off-on switch got stuck in the "ON" position, so I called the manufacturer, Health Solutions on their toll free line, and they immediate sent me a brand new unit no questions asked, no hassle what so ever. The best customer service I've ever experienced. they didn't even ask me to return the old unit. They've since correct the bad switch problem as well. Obviously, I'm impressed with these folks. They have a great product, and they treat their customers the way we all want to be treated, and they've certainly made a loyal customer out of me.

I have used the SinuPulse Elite for about two years now. It was recommended by my ENT. Before I started using this, I was unable to sleep at night because of sinus drainage into my throat. I would have to sit up all night in a recliner. This got VERY old. Siince I started using this faithfully twice a day and taking the meds from my doctor, I have not had one night where I had to sit up.

I even take this on out of town trips because I know it makes a difference. It is so simple, but so effective. I have encouraged others with sinus issues to check with their doctor about this device. I told my internist about it, and he copied the literature so he could pass the information on to other!

Thanks so much for the machine and the great service.

Carole Myers

I like just about every feature this system offers other than the fact that there is no way it is capable of getting to the far upper/rear sinus cavities even when set on the highest level. They should have designed it with just a bit more pulsating pressure and it would have been a really great product. Overall its very easy to use and I think if you have mild sinus problems only, then this would be the perfect solution for you.

Just got this product because I am prone to sinus problems, sinus infections, allergies and colds. It really blows a lot of salt water through your sinus' and works quite well. The neti pot I was using only contained about 20% of the water this thing an hold. Also, it didn't get the water up where it needs to go for a thorough cleaning of the sinus. Only time will tell if I get less sinus problems this winter using this machine, but I am optimistic. I will give an update in a few months and say whether this really improved my quality of life as I am hoping it will.

after suffering with serious sinus problems for about two years going back and forth to doctors with sinus infections nothing they perscribed seemed to help the problem only seemed to get better for a short time and then i ordered the sinupulse what did i have to loose at this point i was ready to try anything i was at my wits end i mean it puts a damper on your day to day life having to clear your nose and throat in public all day long NASTY well after using this product for a short time i can really feel and see a big difference dont get me wrong i am not cured maybe with time but i can surely tell a difference i dont know why doctors dont recommend this product but i do strongly like i said i am not cured but i am better than i was before and so i say try it and see the difference for yourself this is the best product that i have used yet i also recommend the sinu air saline powder that comes with the system i hope this is helpful

i have suffered from cronic sinus infections,and headaches for 20 plus years. neti pots were okay but this product works much better and last longer. I highly recomend this product for anyone with sinus issues

Neti pots are great, and I'd strongly urge anyone with sinus problems to try one out before plunking down a huge wad of cash on one of these things, but if your congestion is often too severe to allow gravity to pull the water through normally, this gizmo's pretty cool.

How quickly the tank empties is largely a function of how high you crank the pressure, but 2 cups should be more than enough for one treatment. I had no problems with leakage, and the knob was easy enough to turn, wet hands or no.

The "misting" tips are more or less worthless--they sputter more than they mist, and if mist is all you need, you can pick up a bottle of Ocean saline spray at any drug store cheaply enough. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with my purchase.

I saw a reporter talk about the SinuPulse on Good Morning America and decided to get one. Not sure what to expect I have to say it has exceeded my expectations. Its much easier to use than I thought and makes irrigation a breeze. I never liked the feeling of the tea pots as it always seemed like I was drowning and most the solution would run down my arm. With the Sinupulse I just lean over the sink turn it on and after about a minute I am done. You don't feel like you're drowning the solution easily goes in one nostril and out the other with no mess and really clears everything out. The size of the water tank holds a lot of solution about three cups so you can irrigate as long or little as you want and you can control the flow the entire time you are rinsing with the push button on the handle. Since using it I feel much better more clear headed without that morning stuffiness. It has really helped with the annoying post nasal drip in the back of my throat too. I have recommended it to many others and would to anyone who has sinus problems.

I have had severe congestion for at least 10 years. I have tried 4-5 different prescription nasal sprays, as well as all of the allergy medicines (allegra, zyrtec, etc). None really did anything. It was affecting my sleeping too, because I just cant breathe at night. So I got the SinuPulse a few weeks ago because I was rather desperate.

This thing has helped. A lot. I can actually breathe through my nose, and I don't have any painful sinus pressure. I stopped using it for 2 days while out of town, and went back to my old terrible congestion. It made me realize that a) this thing really works and b) I will probably be stuck using it for the rest of my life. But, I would rather be stuck using water than chemicals.

I use it twice a day (morning and night). So far I am still using the packets that it came with, I havent tried others yet.

I will give a warning though... it isnt the most comfortable thing. It is actually slightly painful pushing the water through your nose/sinuses, but it is well worth it. It is pretty fast, so the discomfort doesnt last long.

If you are a chronic allergy sufferer, I cant recommend this enough.

I questioned the need for a product this expensive when a bulb syringe or the NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle cost only a tiny fraction of the price. But I had a lot of Flexible Spending Account money about to go to waste, so why not? I found that the expense of the product actually made me feel guilty when I didn't use it regularly, so I finally got into the habit - and I can definitely tell the difference when I don't rinse 2x a day! The bulb syringe was an absolute mess, and I had to refill the Sinus Rinse bottle to get a rinse that felt adequate, especially as there is a lot of unusable solution left in the bottle every time. With the SinuPulse, I fill the tank once, and get what actually feels like a good rinse on both sides in about a minute.

It's not perfect by a long shot, though: the tank is designed poorly, and won't empty fully; the small flap/window on the lid is flimsy and the hinges broke very quickly, making it basically useless; the power button is unresponsive and requires me to press far too firmly to turn the machine on and off; and the system does take up a lot of counter space.

But all in all, I am happy with my purchase. The frequency of my sinus infections has decreased, and I feel much less stuffed up when I use the system daily. I am still stunned by the price, and think it is unreasonably high (which is why I only bought it when I was about to lose that money anyway!), but compared to the lost time at work from sinus infections I am now avoiding or short-circuiting, I suppose it's worth it.

I have seasonal allergies and a tendency to develop sinus infections, so on a doctor's recommendation I have for years used nasal irrigation to reduce allergy symptoms, get over colds faster, and eliminate sinus infections (I've never had one since).

Unfortunately, I never took the time to look for alternatives to what the doctor recommended, which was the use of a baby nasal syringe to squirt saline solution up into my sinuses. What a mess! I did it that way for years, but until now I never knew how much easier and faster it could be. First I tried a neti pot, and I found that to be much faster and easier than what I had been doing, but not nearly as effective. Then I bought the SinuPulse Elite; and boy, what a difference! It works faster and far more effectively than either of the other methods I have tried.

Note that I have not tried the Grossan Hydro Pulse irrigation system (an older design, similar to but I believe inferior to SinuPulse) nor NeilMed Sinus Rinse (bottle approach, much less expensive), so I can't compare them to the SinuPulse Elite. But based on my experience and what I have read, I believe that either the SinuPulse Elite or the Hydro Pulse irrigators are more effective that neti pots or NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottles, and I believe that the SinuPulse is more reliable and longer lasting than the Hydro Pulse.

Pros:
- Works great, far more effectively than other methods I have tried.

Cons:
- Expensive, but worth it.
- Fairly noisy, hard to use when others are asleep.
- Takes up counter space, doesn't "pack" well for putting away or traveling.

UPDATE January 2011: I am updating and revising this review for the second time, after getting our original unit replaced under the generous 2-year warranty and great customer support from Health Solutions (thanks Glen). The problem that we had with our unit was that the power switch -- which felt cheap and flimsy from the beginning -- started hanging and refused to turn off. We got to the point that we had to unplug the unit to turn it off.

Starting sometime in early to mid 2010, Health Solutions redesigned the power switch and significantly improved the switch feel and reliability. I am totally pleased with the design change, and I can now recommend the Sinupulse Elite without reservation.

Recommendations for use (unrelated to the review, just some thoughts for new users):
- Mix your solution in a separate container (I use a large coffee mug) and then pour it into the tank. It's a lot easier, and it keeps undissolved particles out of the pump.
- Use your own solution. 1 teaspoon uniodized table salt in 2 cups of lukewarm water works great. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon or so of baking soda if you wish, and doing so seems to make the solution a bit more comfortable on your sinuses (less burning), but it arguable is less effective and adds what to me seems to be an unnecessary additional step.
- Ditch the lid to the tank. There's nothing wrong with it, but it seems to get in the way.
- After you finish, rinse the tank, add about 1/2 cup of clean water, and run that through until gone.

Doing the final rinse will clean the salt from the pump and purge out any standing water, which should greatly lengthen the life of the unit and prevent water from standing in the unit when not being used.

Great idea... still better than a NetiPot, but poorly executed. On/off switch nearly impossible to operate one-handed (it takes me 5 or 6 tries, by which time my precious saline mixture is gone). The lid for the water reservoir was warped out of the box and never fit properly. The oddly-shaped water reservoir makes it difficult to replace without spilling water everywhere. The "pause" button stopped working within a week.

Use it near a drain!!! There will be water everywhere.

I've been using this product for about few months now. Prior to this product, I went the economical route of using a sport bottle mixed with sea salt. It still shoots more water than this product, but not as long. So here's my comparison:

Pro:
1) The plug that goes directly up to your nostril does it's job - it's a good clog.
2) The pulse aids in water shooting up and cleansing the nostril.
3) I used the tongue cleanser once - it was effective and the sprayer helped relieve my swollen tonsils. Downside to it was that I was sort of choking on the salt water. Probably better if you use it for short intervals at a time or use mist.


Con:
1) The initial "pulse" takes some getting used to. Unlike the water bottle, the pulse stings in the beginning. It has different pressure setting, but other lower settings doesn't feel as clean. (The mist requires lower setting and only 1oz of water usage). And as much more pressure can be applied from the water bottle, the initial drainage can feel more clean from the water bottle than the machine. However, depending on the person, you have to be cautious of the way the water is being shot up - if it shoots into your ear canal, it will hurt more, so in that essence, the machine has it's advantages.

2) The instructions specify NOT to use sea salt or other coarse salts. I didn't want to constantly buy the salt packets or special salt containers, so I went to Wholefoods and bought the Uniodized sea salt (it said something about calcium silicate (anti cake...about $2-3) - I really didn't see a difference; they also had Kosher sea salt which would be ok - and used a separate container to shake and mix the solution prior to pouring it into the reservoir. You can probably make other solutions by looking it up in Youtube (some used salt and baking soda mixture. I just needed something easy.) So far no clogs (after using, I rinse it then fill up the container with fresh water to clean and run it again to clean the system/tubing out).

3) #2 takes some time compared to using a sports bottle.

So which do I use/prefer? I like them both. This machine is not meant to be a travelling companion. It's too bulky. So water bottles will do the trick if I need to go somewhere. Also, on lighter days, the water bottle can do a quick job rather than going through step 2 above. For each nostril, I use the entire reservoir - mainly b/c it takes that much to sometimes cleanse the drainage. But on some days, the machine does enough to clean up the sinus passages. Since I started nasal irrigation, I don't have much "buggers" now and if I do get them, they are small, pretty clear or white.

Caution: If you have fully clogged sinus/nostril, do NOT use this machine or other sinus irrigation system until you relieve some of thaqt drainage - blow your nose, tilt your head...whatever. The water pressure can shoot up your ear and can cause some serious pain. It'll do you more harm then good.

Another thing to watch out for is on occasion, you might have excess, uncontrollable drainage from your nose (almost feels like if you have bloody nose, but it's just trapped water coming out of your nostril).

For the past 15 years I swore by neilmed saline rinses. But I still ended up on antibiotics. Then 3 years ago I got a really bad sinus infection (I usually got 4 a year anyway that required antibiotics) and I never could completely get rid of it and stayed on them for three years straight. My doctors tried bursts of prednisone, which worked initially but about a week later the infection returned. I got full, radical sinus surgery and got a sinus infect a week after the surgery! I realized that the neilmed couldn't fully cleanse the (now opened) sinus cavities completely. I met this amazing ENT in Florida (Dr. Steven Anthony) who put me on an antibiotic/bethmenasone sinus nebulizer for 40 days and boom! The infections were gone! Then I went spent the night in a very moldy beach house (pretty as it was)and I was sick again. It was then that I realized it was the tissues in my sinuses (which I now understand that antibiotics don't reach well systemically) that some how needed to treated directly by applying any antibiotic if needed with the rinse. Dr. Anthony asked me if I'd ever tried a waterpik in my sinus. Well it made sense but the reviews were kind of scary re: using a waterpik like that). So I stumbled upon the SinuPulse. It has transformed my life. I have been off of antibiotics for 8 months now (I started using teh pulse 8 mos. ago. If I get some real serious inflammation I put an ampule of budesonide in the last 1/2 cup or so of the saline and I'm clear. The most important maintenance tip is follow their directions. You are running saline (a corrosive) through it and you must run clear warm water through it to clear any remaining saline out. Also a dilute white vinegar once a week and once a month a very dilute bleach mix. Read the directions because the bleach can destroy the gaskets if you don't do it as recommended. Anyway, it's a miracle product for me and the only issue that I've had was how bulky it is to travel with. Well, they are coming out with a travel size! YAY!

This is a revision of an earlier review, based on positive interactions I have had with the company which makes the Sinu-Pulse. Yesterday, I posted a negative review of this product due to a defective water tank. In less that 24 hours I was contacted by a representative of the company, who offered to replace the defective part. Needless to say, I was surprised by this, and impressed. As I said in my first review, this item works well mechanically, and that was why the water tank problem was so frustrating. I had searched to find a replacement part, which I would have been happy to purchase, but couldn't find any.

So, I am revising my review. This is an excellent product to help avoid sinus infections. Prior to purchasing it in January of 2011, I would use a neti pot twice daily with a saline solution, and even with this activity I had to take antibiotics twice last year (last autumn, in fact) for sinus infections. Since using the Sinu-Pulse, I have had no sinus issues at all. It is very easy to use, gentle and effective. When I first purchased it, I used it twice daily. After a few months, I went down to using it three times per week. Now that the allergy season is upon us, I have begun to use it again daily, in the morning. So far, I have avoided the uncomfortable reactions to pollen that I usually experience.

The good quality of the product, its effectiveness, and the incredible responsiveness of the Health Solutions Medical Products Corporation to a negative experience with the product make this a definitely recommended item for anyone who needs serious and gentle sinus care.

definitely helped in aiding in solving my sinus infection, I had extremely bad sinus problems and along with using all natural suppliments I kicked my infection, I use it about 2 times a week for maintenance in the beginning used it daily 2-3 times a day. I have learned you don't need a Dr. to misdiagnose you when it can be solved on your own. Most Dr. will only want to recommend surgery for you which I seriously thought was going to be my only solution but I started my research online looking for home remedy's, I simply add to my daily diet 2000MG of Vitim C daily with 1-2 fresh oranges a day for 2 weeks. I also added Garlic pills and oil of Oregano which all helped in boosting my immune system. Also for the first 2-3 weeks Apple Cyder vinegar 3x day (very important), this makes it very difficult for Fungus to grow as it changes your PH balance of your body making it more acidic. Please note I had this infection for about 5 years living in agony. I was told by a Pulmonary Dr. I had chronic allergies and chronic Asama, they prescribed me steroids and other pharma junk which only temp relieved my problem. I was stuck on Affrin for the longest time which only covered up the problem. Well I have none of these issues now I dont even have any symptoms of allergies or Asama at all! Do your self a favor get on this regimen and stick to it every day and you will solve your allergies/sinus infection in a month, I am 100% cured with no help from a Dr. But note you need to all of this.

I am a full-time professor w/three kids and severe dust, mold, seasonal allergies. I lost a decade to severe and un-ending sinus infections. I forgot what it was like to not feel that fatigue and heavy head that goes w/a sinus infection. It affected all aspects of my life -health, work, parenting,outside activities,etc. Of course spent tons of time and money at ENT's, allergists, treatments. Sad.
If this story sounds familiar to you and you are ready to feel better, I would suggest trying the Sinupulse Elite. I am cured because of this device. I use it now only when exposed to allergens or if I feel a cold coming on (w/kids you can't totally avoid it). This devise has restored my health. My ENT prescribes a Budesonide inhalation solution (.5 mgs) (which is used in kids nebulizers) -which I mix one liquid vial w/a NEILMED salt packet, warm water, and rinse. The Budesonide keeps the inflammation in check and helps to clean the sinus cavity.
I bought this after trying neti, Neilmed, steroids, and it seems like 5 million other things -this has truly healed my sinuses and my life is better as a result. I'm a professor not a salesperson but reading the RN's comments about the sinupulse put me over the top and I hope this review also helps some of you who are struggling and feeling so bad because of allergies/repeat sinus infections.
If it does not work Amazon is great about returns also Sinupulse just sent me a new lid and tip (for free) because I broke the tip. GREAT customer service which is extremely rare these days. Hope your feeling better soon.

I've had my machine for two winters, since having sinus surgery. I was afraid that the pressure would be too strong, as I had quite a bit of pain from the surgery, but I can use the machine on the highest setting with no discomfort at all. I like to make sure that my sinus runs clear, as I would get infections very easily, and having this big 26+oz reservoir makes it a breeze to irrigate. I mix up my saline packets with warm water, put it in the reservoir and start the machine up. I don't have to stop midway, nose dripping, and make another bottle (or two!) to finish the job. I always rinse my machine with a reservoir of clean tap water for a full cycle afterward, and have not had leaking issues with the system. I did break the little flap of the top this year, though. It's just too small, and I would leave it open so that the reservoir would dry out between uses (because I didn't want to encourage mold growth.)

40 years I have had sinus and taken 1000s of antibiotics for infections and netipots. This one somehow is able to get pollen possibly stuck in areas which those netipots are unable to reach. My allergies are not completely cured but dramatically minimized to less than 20% which is good enough of that misery. I will update more after this Spring 2011....