I have had chonic sinusitis as far back as I can remember, especially during the winter months. I thought it was normal and just lived with it. I am not sure what casuses it. A doctor once injected a bunch of things under my skin to test for allergies but I didn't have any reactions to anything. Another doctor prescribed a nasal steroid. It worked okay but it dried out my nasal passages severely.
The period where I remember having the clearest sinuses was in college when I used to teach kayaking at a summer job and would get water up my nose repeatedly every day doing eskimo rolls. That worked great. Later on I tried snorting water out of my hand and tilt my head back to get the same effect, but my sinuses got worse every time I did that. Then I discovered the neti pot - but most of the time my sinuses get worse after using that as well.
I use a saline solution and I have also tried hydrogen peroxide. It is very effective at washing out the mucus that is there, I feel great for a few hours, but then the sinus infection comes back with a vengeance! Rinse and repeat. I usually have to stop using the neti pot, take an over-the-counter nasal decongestant , and then wait a few days for the infection to subside. As a result, I have pretty much stopped using my neti pot.
A quick google search shows that at least a few other people have had similar problems. I wonder if I am not getting all the water out and some remains in my sinuses and acts as "breeding ground"? (But wouldn't the saline nature of the liquid prevent this?)
I also tend to get a clogged ear after using my neti pot. I am not sure if liquid gets into my eustachian tube clogging it or if the sinuses just get inflamed and pinch it off. Either way I have trouble getting my right ear to equalize pressure. I end up walking around all day clicking my jaw open to try to get it to do equalize :)
Any thoughts or suggestions?
I've been a big fan of the Neti Pot and used it off and on for a few months. Was recommended to my by my doctor for my sinus problems that I've had since early childhood. Always added a drop or two of tea tree oil - but would never use H2O2 because that's going to inflame the membranes of the sinus passages. (I know, from taking it orally.) Then about a year ago for other reasons I began taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D on a daily basis. Within two weeks my sinuses cleared up completely - first time in decades. Only take about 25,000 IU of D now, but they remain open with very little drainage. If you take calcium supplements you need to cut those out because they interfere with the D.