Grossan Hydro PulseŽ Pulsatile Nasal & Sinus Irrigation System
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Customer Reviews of Grossan Hydro PulseŽ Pulsatile Nasal & Sinus Irrigation System
Customer Review: Uh, wow.
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I was certainly skeptical about this thing. I couldn't find many online reviews...and many of the ones I did find seemed fake. Anyway, I've been having sinus troubles off and on these last few years. I went to my ENT and he gave me a cat scan. It revealed my right maxillary sinus to be clogged with a huge infection. Took some antibiotics (Augmentin, then Levaquin) to no avail. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and try this thing. I was on a neti pot regularly, but it really didn't give a whole lot of relief.
This Grossan Nasal Irrigator is pretty amazing. I usually don't say that about many products, either. I used to be a fiend with allergy medications and decongestants (Claritin, Claranex, Xyzal, Zyrtec, Singulair, Benedryl, Nasonex, Nasocort, Flonase, Omnaris, Acupuncture, even hypnosis!). Now, I'm on a couple of homeopathic remedies (and the occassional mucinex-d) that are really helping and this irrigator which has cleared up my sinuses COMPLETELY. Just to be absolutely sure, I got another cat scan done and lo and behold, completely cleared up the infection. My PND has decreased as well. Everytime I irrigate I can see plenty of junk fly out of my nose...and my nose thanks me when it's gone. The neti pot just relies of gravity to kinda make a difference with cleaning, but the pulsing effect of the machine really shoots that water up there. Definitely a more effective cleaner.
I was at first using an isotonic formula, very little salt (as in the salt packets that are provided), and now my doc has recommended a hypertonic formula, which involves twice as much salt as well as more baking soda. Hopefully it'll make the machine even more effective.
I love breathing through my nose. I'm a classically trained singer, so the amount of space I need to resonate in my sinuses is paramount to my singing.
I'm not 100% better, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. I wholly recommend the Hydro Pulse to anyone who needs deep cleansing of the sinuses. I'm still in the early stages of it's use, so I'm looking forward to benefiting from the long-term effects of the machine.
Oh and I guess I should list some cons....
It's noisy. Um, you have to run it twice when you use it, once to irrigate and once to clean out the machine. I already mentioned this, the packets are isotonic (I think). Hm..I sometimes have a hard time pulling off the tip to use the mister and throat irrigator...but honestly, I didn't get it for that purpose in the first place. That's really it. Definitely small concessions for such great relief.
Customer Review: Works great but doesn't last long
Summary: 3 Stars
I have had two of these machines. When I first used it, I was impressed by how much more I liked it than using a bulb syringe. It is much easier to get my 13 yr old son to use it than the syringe as well. I can really tell a difference when I use the machine and when I don't. I also think that it has helped me limit my sinus infections - before I got more of them and they were much more painful. Now, if I happen to get an infection (usually stemming from a cold I caught from one of my kids), at least its not as painful. I really like this machine when its working.
The machine can be a bit tempermental though. The first one I got was good for about a month & a half, then it seemed to struggle with pumping the water (only at the beginning, once it got going it was fine). It seemed to deteriorate as time went on until it would not work at all. In all fairness, I did not do the vinegar flush every week as in the instructions (although I flush it with tap water after every use). I also mix my own solution of simple salt and baking soda becaue the solution they recommend is way too expensive and my solution seems just as good. But the company was good enough to replace it free of charge under the warranty when it failed completely after about 4 months.
The second machine seemed to work much better, although it could also be that we figured out some of its secrets (I never add salt or baking soda to the compartment while the reservoir is sitting in the machine - I'm guessing it may just leak into the machine even before you fill it with water). Unfortunately, this machine has now "burned out" after about 14 months fo daily use.
A little unscientific, but I think that this machine is not really built to last much longer than that. I have sort of reconciled myself to the cost of the machine and compare it to the costs of feeling a bit better and having less sinus problems. Its a bit on the costly side, and I wonder why anyone can't make a little more durable machine (another post happens to mention that the motor is not well insulated from the solution that is pumped through the machine, leading to corrosion - which makes perfect sense to me). It's just that right now, this seems to be the best alternative for me and my family.
Great machine if you are willing to pay for the lack of durability.
Customer Review: Truly phenomenal tool for those with chronic sinus problems
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been using the HydroPulse for 6 years now (still using original unit I purchased) and have found it to be something that quite literally made it so I no longer fear cold/flu and allergy seasons. For years I would go thru sinus infection after sinus infection during each change of season, or when my wife (a 3rd grade teacher) would bring home the latest bunch of germs from school. I was plagued with a perpetually clogged/runny nose - and had allergy shots, inhalers, saline mist, vaporizers, prescription meds and the like. Since I also sing - I finally had in desperation done various web searches on dealing with sinusitis - and came across multiple positive references to the Grossan tool and nasal lavage/irrigation. I figured it was worth the $ to try it (since my prescription meds for any one or two colds would get me close to the purchase price of the unit). I also purchased a couple of bottles of Alkalol to use in the saline mix - and tried it. Must admit the feeling of the unit filling your sinus is a wierd one - but after you get past the "wow - this is a reallllly strange feeling" moment - I found that it consistently enabled me to breathe again. In many cases when I knew I was getting a cold (and all of you who have been thru this know that post-nasal feeling that heralds the moment) I would use the unit - and find myself not getting sick. I had never had that happen before - and from that moment on have been hooked. Sure - my kids laugh at me - but I'm healthy and won't give that up ever again!
My recommendations: Use 50 ml of Alkalol in your saline solution, and make sure to clean the unit after each use - and disinfect weekly if using regularly. I think that has been the reason my unit has lasted so long. Also make sure to lean over at the sink from your waist at 90 degrees - and don't turn your head to the side when irrigating.
I love that I can make my own saline (cheap), and I normally make it be just slightly warmer than body temperature. Too cold gives me brain freeze (though I hear it reduces swollen membranes) - and "hot" tends to swell the sinus membranes. I've had a number of friends converted to using the HydroPulse - and they all swear by it.
Customer Review: Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal & Sinus Irrigation System
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been faithfully using this nasal irrigation system since December 2008 and it has been nothing but helpful for me. When I feel the force is not right with me and it is due to sinus issues, I whip out my trusty little machine and mix my own saline. Alas, the trick to taking care of this machine is religiously flushing the salt water out of the lines EVERY time you use it. If you do not flush after each use, you will ruin your machine. Corrosion will set in and sooner or later it will stop working.
This is by far more superior than just using a neti pot. This thing powers through your sinus cavity and pushes out any mucus that is in it. You will be amazed when you see what is causing your nose to be stuffed up! It also cuts down on my visits to the doctor for sinus related treatment. If I am getting a sinus infection, I just hammer at my sinuses every couple of hours with saline. If you keep pushing the infection out, it can not flourish.
Anyway, I love the thing and if mine decides to go to nasal irrigation heaven, I am buying another one. It is not a cheap machine and I feel it is well made. Of course, it is the only one I have used and can not compare it to anything else.
Your first experience with it might be a bit uncomfortable because you actually have a compressor pushing, with force, into your nasal cavity. I assure you this feeling is something you will get used to and actually come to enjoy. You are in control of the force that is used. If you have constant sinus issues, like myself, I highly recommend this nasal irrigation system.
Customer Review: Works great . . . . when it works
Summary: 2 Stars
History: Buyer with severe allergy/sinus problems. ENT doctor recommended purchase. I tried many of the handheld irrigation systems prior to purchase put they just didn't have the force to perform a thorough cleaning.
I purchased my first Grosson machine about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time it was basically the only electric irrigation machine on the market. I used it twice a day for about 11 months and began experiencing problems with the machine plugging and poor pressure. I spoke with the manufacturer who recommended running a tank of clean water through the machine after use to keep it free of build-up. The machine progressively got worse until it finally had no pressure at all. I threw it in the garbage and ordered a second machine Amazon.
Being that there were really no other machines of this nature on the market I purchased another Grosson machine in June 2008. This time I took the advice of the manufacturer right from the start and cleaned it after every use, occassionally even running a diluted tank of vinegar through the machine. 18 months later the machine motor is starting to sputter and the pressure is getting weaker. I'll be lucky to get another month of use out of the machine.
The plastic construction of the machine isn't the greatest but it is adequate. The motor, which happens to be the major component, is terrible. If you can accept the fact that your going to be buying a new machine at $99 a pop every 12 to 18 months go ahead and buy it. It works great, when it works.