So tired of this congestion. Any ideas?

I became sick with a cold October 31st 2004. I became very congested during this time as one usually does when they are battling a virus and the congestion has never gone away. I have tried everything and nothing works. I take Claritin D every day and use a sinus rinse twice a day. I always have post nasal drip and thick green/yellow mucous (sorry I know this is gross). It seems the mucous membrane is swelled because the only thing that seems to really help is anything containing oxymetazoline. I try not to use the stuff because I know that it actually worsens congestion if used for prolonged periods of time but it is the only thing that helps me to breathe and I can not do the sinus rinse without using the nasal spray first. I am constantly having to blow my nose although it doesn't usually help much but throws off my equilibrium and gives me vertigo. After an xray I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis but 6 weeks of antibiotics/steroids did nothing but worsen the problem. Now I have pain in my ears as well as a crinkling sound every time I swallow. I did not have these symptoms before the antibiotics. After suspecting fungus to be the cause of my congestion, I began using anti-fungal treatment (some homemade, some bought) also with no resolve to my problem. At the very least the anti-fungal treatment does not seem to be worsening the problem. I can not get health insurance because of an unrelated condition and the government wants me to pay $500 a month for medi-cal (I only make about $800 a month). I can't afford to pay that. My last idea is to have my impacted wisdom teeth removed and see if by some miracle that fixes the congestion. I don't know what to do. I feel completely left without options. I don't want to live the rest of my life this way. I can't breathe, I can't sleep, and I'm so embarrassed I quit going to school. My face is always swelled on one side. Does anyone have any ideas at all??? Thank you and btw, the congestion is one-sided only.  

[Amanda0922]

Bumping up the thread

[Amanda0922]

Bumping up the thread

[hdtruride]

Don't feel alone. I am having the same problems with congestion and my only relief has been to use nasal spray with oxymetazoline. I have been using the nasal spray for a little over a year now regularly. I know that you are not supposed touse this for prolonged periods but what else am I to do I have to breath. I have tried to go without for several days and all that this does is keep me awake for three days. I like you would appreciate any suggestions on who to see or what exactly the seriousness of using oxymetazoline for prolonged times is.

[friggy]

I pretty much had the same problem in both sides of my head. When sinusitis goes on that long you get bacterial, viral, and fungal infections all mixed up in one.  Since you've gone to the doctors and exhausted every other avenue, (which I also did), I will now recommend the technique that will work.  It's the Flip-Turn Sinus Flush.  It's mildly risky, because you have to bend over, preferably in a shower, but it's also possible to do in a bathing suit outside in some grass to be safe.  

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322

Regular sinus irrigation is useless in your instance, because gravity shoves the saline out before it reaches the infection.  Bending over uses gravity to your advantage.  The journal will explain why antibiotics didn't work in your instance, and why washing the infection out does work.