I’ve come down with a summer cold over the weekend, so I got out my Neti Pot this morning. My left side is so blocked, I cannot get the solution through from either side. Any suggestions?
Try a squirt or two of decongestant spray to loosen up the clogged nasal passage. Blow your nose and then try the neti pot again. If you choose not to use the spray, make sure your mouth is open and head tilted enough and just allow the saline solution to sit for a bit.
Thank you, thank you! That worked like a charm… sweet relief. 
Great! Did you use the spray?
I did. It stung a little but was well worth it.
It’s amazing how we delight in the small things like being able to breathe through ‘both’ nostrils! LOL
I tend to take a different approach as nasal decongestants often contain either phenylephrine or oxymetazoline, neither of which I particularly want shot up into my nasal membrane. They can adversely effect balance and the nervous system.
Nasal congestion is often a sign of dietary imbalance - though not always so. IN that case there is a sign for us to follow relative to our eating or living. Further, a neti wash will loosen that which is lodged in the nostril and there is no prerequisite for the wash to pass through the nasal passage, though it is the desired effect. Finally, the nasal passages can be freed (to a degree) by placing the middle fingers of each hand on either side of the nose just above the nostrils - rubbing up and down along the outside of the nasal passage. This will often dislodge enough mucous for a good nose blow before a neti session.
gordon
Thank you for the input IA
I think from now on, I will use it on a more regular basis instead of waiting until I get a cold.