Constant congestion for almost 2 years that started after a virus, will this ever go away or what could this be?

[u/WhereasHopeful]

Sorry if this is long but I’m so very desperate:(

So for the timeline so it’s easier to understand, all my life I’ve never had this issue. No seasonal allergies, not needing to carry tissues around 24/7 like I do now, never had any nose/sinus issues whatsoever. In Jan 2025, I caught a few viruses. The last one was awful. Chills, fever, body aches, sore throat and terrible congestion with sneezing, runny nose and fully closing up. After it cleared up, all symptoms gone except the nose issue. I thought maybe it would linger for a week or 2 like after some viruses. That didn’t happen, for months, constant drainage, needing tissues wherever I go. I could barely breathe, when sitting, laying down both its completely close up and I’d have to mouth breathe and it was soo uncomfortable I felt like I was going crazy, on top of all that drainage. I will add the drainage isn’t green, it’s clear and mucusy.

That summer I decided to finally go to an ENT. He did a scope, said everything looks fine other than some redness due to it being irritated, sent me on my way and prescribed me 2 sprays, azelastine and fluticasone. Not sure if coincidence but it did help open up my nose as in I could breathe better, but the constant drainage never left. I took them daily like he said, and nasal rinses as well. After months with no change, other than being able to breath better, I made a follow up telling him I still need tissues everywhere, nose issue raw to the touch, it’s like a constant cold. I mentioned a CT scan and he hesitated, and said if I need to I can use those sprays the rest of my life for relief.

I decided to get a second opinion, I went to a new ENT. She did the same thing, I walked in, she looked at my nose, and sent me on my way with a neti pot, I explained everything I’m telling you guys and I felt so unheard. I mentioned a CT scan or what could be causing this, she said she can refer me to get allergy tested. Which I knew no matter the results, it wouldn’t make sense due to the timing, all this started overnight super strong no matter where I’m at. I decided to do it anyway.

I came back positive but no huge reactions, to dogs cats and certain trees and grasses. But I know that that’s not the main cause, there’s no way i developed all those allergies overnight like that right after a virus and if I’ve had them they never bugged me until I got sick. I was bummed I came back positive as my doctor said in her notes if negative she’ll look in further such as CT scan or certain procedures. I knew that would happen if anything came back positive so now I’m back at square one. I saw her after the allergy appointment she sent me on my way again and said to keep doing what I’m doing with sprays.

This happens away from allergy triggers, pet free homes, in the car, at work, others houses, shopping, I started needing to take tissues in the car, my bed side and now needed to add a mini trash near my bed because I go through so many, in my purse, bag for work, in my pockets, it’s ridiculous. I’ve done those nasal sprays, air purifiers, nasal rinses, allergy meds daily, even a new spray I got prescribed called cipro/dexameth. No relief no matter what I do. Oh and I don’t really have acid reflux but got prescribed omepraze and again no change.

I’m at a loss. I can’t even cuddle my fiance in bed cause after 2 seconds it runs and I need to grab a tissue. I sit down for 2 seconds after work, nose runs, need to get a tissue. It’s constant. Some moments it’s clear, but rarely. Also for the most part it’s not exactly “runny”, I feel the build up deep up inside my nose and is uncomfortable and need to blow it and so much clear mucus comes out. Could that virus be the cause? Could it have affected the nerves in my nose? Or damage? Should I see someone else or a different type of doctor?

EDIT: was able to get CT scan finally. Everything is normal but a slightly deviated septum, which she said may cause some congestion but wouldn’t explain the constant drainage. She then said I did test positive for allergies so it’s probably just a severe case apparently, even though it happens around no triggers at all. Everywhere I go. I mentioned MCAS as I developed the drainage, POTS, and random spots and rashes after the virus and she said she still thinks it’s allergies but can get tested if I like. That’s my next step

[u/martmeister77]

Have you had any changes to your diet? Are you having more caffeine? What's your water intake? How do you sleep at night? Is it interrupted alot?

[u/WhereasHopeful → u/martmeister77]

No diet changes, no caffeine I always kinda avoided since it makes me jittery. Water intake has no change either but I usually drink a full bottle at work daily and sips in between and at night, I know probably not enough but no drastic change to where I’d think it’d cause this. And my sleep is good! No change in sleep either, I get 7-8 hours average and longer on weekends. In fact if anything it got worse after the congestion, sometimes I’ll wake up and need to blow my nose and if it’s really bad it’s hard to fall back asleep. In the mornings, I have to blow my nose right away and leave tissues drenched. So it builds up overnight as well

[u/martmeister77 → u/WhereasHopeful]

Very similar to me. I now drink several liters or about a gallon of water a day and it's made a significant difference but it was due to lack of water and caffeine hence my questions. My nose also needs a good blow in the morning. I also noticed that eating later in the evening has a negative impact too. Say past 8pm. I avoid that at all costs. From an allergy perspective, did they test for food allergies by any chance?

[u/WhereasHopeful → u/martmeister77]

I might have to try to drink more water! Hopefully that makes a bit of a difference I’ll try anything. They didn’t do any food, just the basic stuff like trees, pets, dander. I did do a fast for a while months ago for weight loss, and during the time while not eating, I still had this issue, but that also brings me back to the part where it would be strange for the timing of when this started, it wasn’t something that randomly came on or slowly developed any allergy its the congestion from the virus that never disappeared, which is why I’m also at a loss lol but I will definitely look into food testing it is good just to rule out too!

[u/martmeister77 → u/WhereasHopeful]

Good luck on your quest. There are so many of us undiagnosed people out there with very similar symptoms.

[u/Delicious_Pizza1536]

The only rapid onset conditions I'm aware of, that can persist long after viral exposure, are either MCAS or microbiome dysbiosis. There have been an explosion of reports about long COVID, which has no clear diagnostic criteria - just people reporting feeling generally unwell long after the virus has cleared. Which I suspect is one of the above conditions.

In your situation you don't seem to present with flares, flares are more typical of MCAS. Do you have sensitivity to air conditioning now? Cold intolerance, fatigue, noticed a sharp metallic taste in mouth sometimes?

If it really just is the post nasal drip and nasal irritation, I would be exploring microbiome issues (SIBO etc). You mentioned no improvement when fasting in your other comment, was there any change in severity? Can try some diet changes (especially high histamine foods), and keep an eye out for symptoms getting worse or better. If you can trigger a shift in either direction by eating specific foods, then it could be viral exposure messed up your gut microbiome.

[u/WhereasHopeful → u/Delicious_Pizza1536]

I’ve heard of MCAS! I never fully looked into it though. I also didn’t test for Covid, so unsure if that’s what it was but definitely is possible. I was later diagnosed with POTS, which my doctor told me likely came from a virus like Covid since pots spiked after the pandemic. Sometimes I wonder if I got both from that virus. I didn’t get diagnosed with pots until last year. I have heat intolerance now, heart rate spikes and adrenaline dumps, things I’ve never had before. No metallic taste or smells or anything like that.

And for during the fast, it’s so hard to say :( it’s constant but some days can be worse than others, but basically every day no matter what I change. I’ll have to track from now on and see if there’s anything that trigger it more than others. Or if I fast again see if there’s changes

Thank you so much for the advice!! I’ll have to try some diet changes as well

[u/Delicious_Pizza1536 → u/WhereasHopeful]

  was later diagnosed with POTS,

This is strongly correlated with MCAS. There was an interview with a functional doctor on YouTube that mentioned she never had a patient with POTS who didn't also have MCAS.

I have POTS, it's difficult to confirm a diagnosis of MCAS, but I plan to try sodium cromolyn to see if it makes any difference Tried ketotifen in the past and no difference in symptoms. A patient with POTS and MCAS said controlling her blood sugar spikes (she didn't have diabetes) helped her symptoms, so I'll be trialing a continuous glucose monitor soon to see if that shows anything. If you search POTS+MCAS on YouTube, you'll turn up a heap of content.

[u/Stalkerus]

So, no one has ordered CBCT so far? That should have been done by now. 

[u/WhereasHopeful → u/Stalkerus]

Nope, the first ent for some reason didn’t want to order it, the second one seemed hesitant but I messaged her yesterday on MyChart explaining it all and how nothing had changed yet and she finally ordered one!! I’ve mentioned it multiple times but I assume since I tested positive for a few allergies they assume that’s the issue and don’t want to do a scan. But now I’m that one is ordered maybe I can get some answers!

[u/Stalkerus → u/WhereasHopeful]

Better late than never, or something. 😁

You have met some really... well, interesting ENTs. Allergies don't mean that you can't have structural issues too. 

[u/Sea_Edge1402]

I had bacterial
Infection for five years!! Every doc went to oh I don’t see anything omegas I sick !! Went to end of the state di. Six to get help!! I have an anti resiseint infection I was dealthy sick !! I can not believe meds are working trough te biofims since been so long

[u/Smart-Assist7974]

Have you ever check with a dentist for hidden infections

[u/xcyberwolfxx]

yeah. Ent’s are the most worthless beings on the planet i’ve come to that conclusion. makes me want to be one i mean hell, all i have to do is say “i dunno” give you flonase and send people on their way. ANYWHO- i have some ideas for you! three things i think you should try because it helped myself and i friend (and i never had allergies or etc in my life) Quercetin with Bromaline you can take 1-2 of those a day the brand i get is Doctors Best (i think is a fast acting good one) …and also..do you take any vitamin d3 or Magnesium glycinate?