Cathie this is an area that I have personal expertise in, unfortunately. My experience with 20 years of dealing with sinus stuff comes down to a few things:

1. It takes a LONG LONG time to clear up an infection, and green or yellow guck will last longer than you'd expect.

2. Cultures are always negative if they're taken while you're on antibiotics. They should be done first. An organism can be partially sensitive to an antibiotic, and not grow out while you're being treated, but if it's not very sensitive to it, it might not do the trick. One way or another, it's par for the course for it to be negative at this point, and doesn't mean anything one way or the other.

3. Alkolol definitely helps break up mucus, but don't use any more than you find totally comfortable. I use maybe a tablespoon in 600cc

4. All the docs I've seen, and the sinucare.com website my doc put up, recommend irrigating twice a day. I find that even under the worst of circumstances, that helps. Once a day works when I'm stable, but not when the stuff is really thick.

5. During the day keep moist by using a saline nasal spray, or pump, just a few puffs, to keep the mucus membranes moist and functioning.

6. After healing, and you will, you'll still have to deal with thick secretions, most likely. Definitely if you have sjogen's, and maybe even if you don't. Once you're better, using the Grossan or netti daily is going to help.