I have been suffering from rhinitis all my life (had it since I was kid). I first saught treatment from a respiratory disease specialist to prevent the likely hood of asthma (i was at the brink of developing it). Luckily, I never developed asthma and were baffled as to what would cause nose symptoms and the like. At first, we thought sinusitis, but then realized it might be allergies. So, I started seeing an allergist at the age of maybe somewhere between the ages of 12-15 and had skin tests done on me. Well, I had reactions and the Dr. diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis. I then started immunization therapy (allegy shots) and it worked, but then the clinic went belly up and I was forced to stop treatment after only 2-2 1/2 years of treatment. I felt fine with after, with no underlying symptoms (like a normal teenager) until I graduated from High School. A couple of years after graduation, I started experiencing a lot of post-nasal drippage; this was a MAJOR problem. Whenever I ate, drank, experience heartburn or had real bad nasal symptoms and nasal discharge, I would experience post-nasal drippage that would cause me to have a lot of plegm or mucus in my throat. This would often times be so thick, that I would have to cough it up real bad (cause me to sound like some kind of cat-like predator) and would be real embarrassing in public. The only true way to avoid this was not eating, but this was not an option since I have a little reflux. The nasal allergies I was able to control with sprays, but nothing could stop the production of mucus through eating or drinking beverages.

Currently, I am in real bad shape. I had just started a job in March and was doing real fine, until I noticed a sour throat and then it escalated to cough with mucus and bronchio-spasms. This has not subsided, but has been controlled to a certain degree. I still suffer from cough and bronchio-spasms as I type this. This led me to see an allergist again.

I managed to find a good allergist near by and proceeded to re-test for allergies (skin tests). I underwent 4 days of skin tests and the results were negative. No reaction. My doctor ordered a CT scan of my sinuses and said it could be Vasomotor Rhinitis. He also advised me to see an ENT specialist which I have an appointment for tomorrow. I have also seen my general doctor and has prescribed anti-biotics twice.

That's my story in a nutshell, now the questions...

Could this cough and chest spasms, itchy throat, etc. be caused by the current season, climate, etc?

I have immediate reactions to smoke and pollutants. I have noticed this directly when dealing with perfumes and cigarette smoke, it's immediate reaction. One wiff and symptoms begin. I would have to say cigarette smoke is the least tolerable.

Any natural ways of treating this? Immune boosters, etc?

I have tried several nasal sprays, including: Flonase, Atrovent, Nasonex, Nasacort, etc. I have found these sprays help to a certain degree and provide no real relief.

PLEASE HELP, I AM DYING HERE!