That is painful to read. So sorry you have this problem!

Did you get adequate Vit D support? I'm reading in the science magazines, that you can cut colds/upper respiratory infections by up to 62% by raising your D levels.

Hubby and I have not had a cold or flu for 3 yrs now on the higher D3 we both take. It has been a wonderful experience!

Another thing that helps are essential fatty acids. Flax oil and fish oil. These strengthen the membranes of the lungs and bronchi and help resist infection. I did that over a decade ago, and fixed my GERD and asthma so I need no drugs now for either.

Some lung infections are resistant now to Z-pak. If you do 500mg daily for 3 days, instead of the 250mg regimen, it tends to work better.

Another thing that helps is Mucinex DM (there are generics for this, at WalMart (Mucus relief DM-- and Walgreen's.). This is like Robitussin DM liquid only in tablet form. The DM helps the PN... I have a post here about it even from 3 yrs ago, and the guaifenesin helps the mucus move out and not stagnate. Clear mucus is good. Sometimes after an infection, it continues for 2-3 weeks, as the body over-reacts to the invasion. Helping it move out, reduces your discomforts. Drinking alot and I mean ALOT of water helps too.

Hubby and I have allergies and when we get congested we use 1/2 Mucus relief DM at night when we go to bed. This reduces the congestion and prevents further incidents of potential infection.