Oh Jess I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly.
Now - I know you feel bad, but you struck me as a great researcher. So - since you might not feel like surfing, I'm gonna throw out some suggestions.
Trust your instincts , but have you considered -
herbal - as in echinacea (sp?)
goldenseal
others..
(a good health food store could suggest more)
I can't recall - do you know colloidal silver? I've used it hourly before, in a health crisis to stop the conjestion, with good results & with no ill effect.
What about salt water irrigation? kind of gross - but just imagine going under the waves - and figure out how to get it up your nose & down your throat (I snort it from cupped hands - a friend uses a special device - I've heard even eye droppers work). One caution - personally I only use distilled water & sea salt for this one, mixed salty enough to taste (not sure about tap water on the mucous membranes). I use this mostly for sinus headaches - from 2 - 4 times per day if needed.
Now this is even stranger, but I swear it works (course it drives people away too) - which is garlic for your ears. Again - the health food stores sell an oil - but I have done the home remedy route & used smashed up garlic with a cotton ball ear plug - whew, I stunk for days. (but my ears did improve - probably so I wouldn't do that again
) LOL
Do keep up your probiotics no matter what . I was just surprised to see them as the 1st recommendation in "Prescription for Nutrutional Healing" book, under cold and under sinus. The book talks about Vit. C of course (I like EsterC cause you can take so much of it without stomach distress), as well as quercitin and other antioxidents. Everyone seems to rely on zinc lozenges (I've never been able to stand them, myself)
Good Luck, Feel Better, Dump those toxins, Do What's Best for Your Body NOW!
Let us hear how you're feeling -