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[schoolmarm]

You have to mix up your antihistamines with long-term use...take one for months until it loses it's punch and then go to a different one. 

If you don't want to do the Neti-pot, I've found some great relief with just Nasal Saline spray.  You can get the kind with the decongestant in it, but if you have pollen/dust/mold-types allergies, just plain saline works well.  I get the generic kind at Kroger for less than a buck.

Leaves are falling...more molds are in the air from that.

As a child I had chronic post-nasal drip and, yes, it does cause sore throats, coughing and can upset the stomach.  My sinus problems are all allergy driven. YMMV.

Good luck, and feel better. 

[itried]

Neti pot has been wonderful for me too. I used to have chronic sinus infections, but since I started using a neti pot six years ago, I haven't had a one. I'm not saying I never get sick -- I still do -- I just don't have to go on antibiotics every four months. When I have a cold, I add 5-7 drops of goldenseal tincture to the sea salt because I've read it's a natural antibiotic. So far, it's worked for me, so now a cold stops at a cold. I don't know if it would necessarily help with allergies, but the warm salt water may feel nice and give you some relief from congestion and inflammation.

I've also heard others say they like the over-the-counter saline spray, but I've never tried it.

[oldfullprof]

I have one too.  Came about a week after the last cold.  I think it's a cold, not allergies.  But who knows?  I use the plastic nose inhaler, rather than a neti pot. 

[merinoblue]

You have to mix up your antihistamines with long-term use...take one for months until it loses it's punch and then go to a different one. 

I must have totally weird CYP enzymes. I've been taking the same antihistamine every night for the last eight years, and it's never stopped working.  If I miss a night, I'm an allergic mess the next day.

[melba_frilkins]

A second to alternating between daily antihistamines (e.g., claritin & zyrtec). Plus benadryl when I need something more drastic, maybe a few times a year.

Has no one mentioned Mucinex (or its generic) yet? I have not had a sinus infection since I learned to recognize the signs of sinus congestion (weird headache around my right eye) and to break it up with a single dose of mucinex.

[schoolmarm]

I think that Mucinex (actually the generic) is a miracle drug! 

My sinus congestion is also behind the right eye.  Sometimes the right cheek.  Top of head.  Upper teeth.  Under the eyebrow.  Yup, that would be about all the sinus cavities!

[marfa]

Chime on regular use of antihistamines, mucinex, and a neti pot. 
<on preview---this might be tmi for delicate folks>

My doc said I could take generic benedryl daily.  I swear the mucinex daily as a prophylactic helped immensely--just keeping the guck loose enough to move helped prevent the sinus infections.  (That was back in the good old days when there was a generic version so it was dirt cheap. Can't do that anymore!)

 I think I've said this before, but not only do I use the neti pot as directed (in one nostril and out the other), but I tip my head back and let it run from my nose down my throat to at least temporarily clear out that dripping at the back.  Works for me!

[melba_frilkins]

My doc said I could take generic benedryl daily.  I swear the mucinex daily as a prophylactic helped immensely--just keeping the guck loose enough to move helped prevent the sinus infections.  (That was back in the good old days when there was a generic version so it was dirt cheap. Can't do that anymore!)

Yeah, there's a generic version. I buy the Target store brand, but I'm sure there are many others. I only wish they sold it by the mega-pack at Costco.

[citrine]

I can get the non-generic mucinex in bulk packs at the BJ's warehouse stores in my area.

(Is it January yet, so that I can have the surgery to fix the broken parts of my sinuses and nose yet? Please?)

[jungle_jane]

I believe that I'm squarely in the allergy camp too. I feel absolutely fine (and have for the duration) but have a cough that won't go away. It is fine as long as I'm inside, but kicks up when I walk outside. Nothing makes it stop. I've tried cough medicine, cough drops to no avail. I almost wish for winter.

[punchnpie]

I am still spraying my throat with pain killer. The stuffiness has dissipated, but the drip is still there, as is the raspiness to the voice after just a few sentences. Blech.

[aysecik]

In my experience (frankly more with frequent colds that don't go away easily) antihistamines are good for stuffiness but not much for post-nasal drip... For a few days you can try some pseudoephedrine maybe (you have to go to the pharmacy counter for it, but it is non-prescription. It is because some people make meth from it) - best decongestant ever, so stops the sinuses filling up. Not for long term use in my case (starts getting me a bit funny after 4-5 days) but is great for post-nasal drip and colds. Maybe it would give your throat to heal and long term antihistamines can hold off further irritation? I also second mucinex by the way.

Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!