I have been having problems with recurring pneumonia and they could not figure out what was causing it.  Turns out sinusitis is the culprit.  While I am sleeping, drainage trickles down my throat and is aspirated into my lungs.
 
My doctor suggested a neti pot.  It is a method for rinsing the sinuses out with a saline solution, sort of like saline nasal spray but much more effective.  No drugs involved, just luke warm tap water and saline (salt).  My sinus headaches are gone, I have my voice back (I love to sing and have not been able to carry a tune due to enflamed vocal cords), I can sleep through the night without waking up hacking and coughing, and I feel soooo much better.
 
I have now been about 7 weeks post my last episode (pneumonia).  I was hospitalized for 24 hours on oxygen.  That helped.  Amazing how much more clearly you can think with a little oxygen to the brain.  I didn't have a 2-hour wait at the ER but waited for about 6 hours on the gurney in an exam room/curtained off.  I spent my time sleeping.  The Oxygen was so good!!
Didn't realize how sick I really was.
 
I did have IV antibiotics and I did come home on antibiotics for several days.
 
But the point is the Neti pot works and it is an over the counter, non-prescription method for combating allergies and sinusitis.
 
In His Grip
 
Dawn