My sinus issues always start out as allergies. I get sick if I don't nip the itching in the bud.

Have you seen a doctor?

Oh duh, I should have mentioned that I saw a doctor about 3 weeks ago who looked in my ears and throat and said I didnt have anything serious and that it should go away, and was dismissive when I said "I've been waiting for it to go away for 3 months but it keeps coming back."

I was wondering if I should have argued for antibiotics but I don't want to take them if I don't have to, and I don't know if they would even help whatever this is (virus?)

Maybe I will take some claritin and see if that does anything, thanks for the allergy tip, brujita

Have you done any bloodwork? It sounds like a lot of people in northern climates, who rarely go out in the sunshine, etc... have Vitamin D deficiencies. Others to look at would include iron, B2, DHA (fish oil).

Just spitballing, this stuff is super complex, and diet does play a huge role (I think, anyhow). My fatigue-related symptoms, weight struggle and moderate thyroid dysfunction cleared up when I cut out all wheat/grain/sugar after my husband developed IBS/Crohn's type symptoms but that's just us.

A looong hot bath.

I got one of these a year ago; great fun for the 'what's in my ear' 'why is my nose clogged' moments of life.

http://www.tomtop.com/mini-usb-digital-microscope-endoscope-otoscope-led-5mp.html

Get well soon!

Elderberry capsules work for me. I switched to taking them from echinacea when a friend told me about it. Elderberry keeps me from getting completely sick when symptoms first present, and shortens the duration of sickness if I do get sick. Whole foods & other vitamin-y places have both elderberry capsules and the extract. The extract works better if you're already sick - I put a few drops in some grape juice & down the hatch.

Also, it sounds crazy but garlic and onions really are germ fighters. Between those & washing my hands. a. lot. It keeps the ooks at bay for me.

I use a neti pot more frequently when my sinuses are ornery. The other half works at a vet hospital & buys bottles of saline (9% sodium chloride, I think) for $2 each. Much more comfortable on delicate nasal tissues than chlorinated water. It may also be available through medical supply type stores.

Very much a YMMV thing, but I do find that I feel noticeably craptastic when my carb intake goes up. (Like during the holidays, when carbs are everywhere!) I try hard to eat non-processed foods of any kind, and to eat more fruits, nuts and veggies than meats. Breads & anything with flour I keep at a minimum. Rice is a weakness though, & I do chow down on that a couple of times a week.

All that is in tandem with walking on our treadmill at least 3 times a week. Even if it's on a slow speed & zero incline, it's still better than sitting. And I do make an effort to get into the sun for 15 mins a day. Walking the dogs helps with that.

Hope you feel better soon!

Oh! One last thing: make sure you're drinking plenty of water. It helps with everything - bug fighting, kidneys & bowels are happy, skin - the works.

I had a cold a few years ago & was basically just lying around & waiting for it to go away. Mrs chewie suggested I drink some water because I was dehydrated with fever & just generally not drinking enough. I felt measurably better by the end of the day & the next day, too.

So yeah. Water.

Chelated zinc, 100mg every day. And a large dose of Vitamin C. Zinc is awesome for battling cold symptoms.

Last time this happened to me, I took a pregnancy test...

Water, exercise, hot shower/bath, spicy food. There are in my experience relatively few conditions this combination does not improve.

Thanks guys! I will try more water, zinc, (garlic, onions, and spicy foods are a given), a bath, neti-ing, exercise, elderberry, less carbs, and vitamins.

I'm going to be the healthiest person in the WOOOORRRRRLLDDD!!!!

Also, I really want one of those microscopes buzzman but I pick at myself enough that I think this would be a dangerous, hours in front of the mirror contemplating the things up my nose, purchase.

My immune system is weak, so I experience this cycle often.

I start killing germs. Nearly obsessive hand-washing, mouthwash two or three times a day, no touching my face except with freshly washed hands, gloves whenever outside the house and the weather is approriate. Straight liquor, especially breathing deep the lingering fumes. Right down to changing sheets daily if necessary, especially pillowcases. Don't neglect anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen.

Also, both eating healthy and eating well. Early to bed and late to rise. A bowl of fresh citrus peel on my desk seems to clear up my head enough to warrant the effort.

I also recommend staying home and sleeping as much as you can until you feel fine. A lot of bugs hang on relentlessly until you have, at last, slept them to death. And I notice a lot of people short themselves on the amount of time they need in bed to get well.

Since you covered everything I would have recommended (water, zinc, neti), I will say that Dr. Oz today talked about increasing magnesium and vitamin D to help strengthen the immune system. May be worth checking out or researching more (I'm not normally a Dr. Oz fan, but he was the best choice at the gym today).

I use a neti pot two or three times a day if my sinuses are acting up. Really helps!