@picartist I've been using Mucinex for over 40 years - I just calculated it yesterday for the PharmD who was reviewing my meds. Periodically, I stop it to see if it still works - every time, after a few days I feel the effects of thickening mucus in lungs, sinuses and ears and restart. He told me as far as they know, there are no known long-term effects to be concerned about.

For allergy symptoms I use Flonase plus generic Astepro (azalastine) and was having a problem with nosebleeds. The ENT advised me on a different way to use sprays - tip your head forward, angle the tip of the mister towards your ear, and sniff strongly afterwards to move the spray upwards. It worked for me. Astepro takes up to a week to show if it is working, so be patient.

I add a 24-hour antihistamine when necessary, taken at bedtime. I will not share which one, because there are quite a few, and which you use depends on any other health conditions and what your doctor recommends.

Before my diagnosis I struggled with thick drainage down my throat. Once I got my lung congestion under control with daily airway clearance I could tell the drainage from my sinuses was a huge part of the problem in my lungs. I have a great ENT who has worked with me to try to figure this out. I have a Sjögren’s syndrome diagnosis so I cannot use antihistamines regularly. Allergy shots did not seem to work. Flonase slowed the drainage but not enough. Sinus surgery corrected some anatomical issues. Finally we tried Budesonide using a sinustar nebulizer cup. This is held under the nostrils. It takes about 7 minutes to nebulize and the thick stuff is gone for the day. If my allergies are particularly bad I can do it twice a day. This has been a game changer for me.