severe congestion

I have had post nasal drip and severe congestion for about six weeks now.  I typically let it run its course since my doctors don't prescribe antibiotics as often anymore, so going to the doctor is a waste of time/money.
However, this past week, I have been waking up around 1-2am, with a "normal" "dry" cough, but in "fits", and I cannot get a full breath of air.  After about 10 minutes, things start to loosen up, and then comes two hours of non-stop, productive cough that brings up "jelly-like", yellow mucus.  I also feel "rattling, wheezing and whistling" all the way down to the bottom of my lungs.  My dad was hospitalized a few days after Christmas with severe pneumonia, so I am wondering if I "caught the bug."

I work part of the time outside, and a week or so ago, the air temps were -20F, with windchills of -30-50F.  I am typically out in this weather for anywhere from 3-6 hours at a time.  This is about the same time that the congestion got worse.  What I am wondering is, is it possible that I "froze" the linings of my sinuses and/or lungs, even though I used things to keep my face covered (ie, Head Sokz and triple thermal layers of clothing)?  Also, is there any home remedies that I can attempt, before spending money on a doctor's visit, with probably no antibiotics prescribed?  Any suggestions would be helpful.