Question: I had a cold a couple weeks ago that had me hacking up a bit of phlegm, not really stuffed up, but obviously had some sinus stuff going on. Well it progressed into a dry cough where I'd get an itch in my throat and have coughing attacks. At night mostly. Then I noticed just over a week ago my ears seemed a bit plugged up. Last Friday I woke up and my right ear ached pretty good and it was plugged and hurt to touch. That lasted 24 hours and the next day my left ear was that way and then it went away in about 24 hours. Well I haven't had any pain since last weekend, but both my ears are still plugged up. I've literally tried everything. Plugging my nose and breathing out, they crackle, but don't clear. I've tried chewing gum, yawning, blowing my nose, etc. It's driving me nuts! What can I do and how long does this last? My cough is gone and so is my cold. I just can't get them to clear. I haven't been swimming or anything, so it's not water in there. I can't take decongestants because they make me all anxious.