Severe congestion, need some advice

To start this whole story, we need to go back 2 months ago. Cat had regular checkup and, like many summers in the past, was suffering from allergies. She was sneezing a lot and we go through this any year where the pollen count is high, even though she is an indoor cat. Vet put her on antihistamines. 2 weeks after that, the congestion started. She was sniffly on a Friday, stuffed on Saturday, and we rushed her to the animal hospital on Sunday. She could barely breath. The vet put her on orbax and azium, hoping the combo would help. She almost immediately responded and was perfect, that is until the orbax ran out.

She immediately regressed, within 2 days, after the orbax ran out. I was continuing azium but it did nothing. Vet gave me baytril to try in lieu of orbax, but its not helping at all. In fact, she has gotten worse. I have tried it all. I moved her to my parents for a few days to rule out mold spores or other irritants. I try vaporizers, boiling water, running showers...no relief. She can't smell her favorite food and just looks at me as if I'm torturing her each time I open a can. She is eating a little, but not really drinking. This is now 1 week and 3 days of this (since orbax ran out) and each day is worse than the one before it. I've spent well over $1000 in the past month trying medicines, foods, etc.

She had a respiratory panel on Friday, but I don't know when they will have the results. Until that time, is there anything more I can do for her? I've spent the past week on these boards, reading other people's solutions, but no luck. I just want to make her comfortable and relieve her terrible congestion.

Addtl info:
She is 6 years old, otherwise in perfect health, not interested in grooming, only wants to sit under the bed or next to me, breathing through her mouth on occasion, can't sleep because of the congestion (wakes herself up), and is as lethargic as can be. Vet is really good, but just tells me to be patient.

The feline upper respiratory that is very bad here in Chicago has been responsive to doxycycline. Many cats here as well as those that have been brought in from other states (via rescue transport) appear to have the same thing. It is worse this year and more contagious than in the past. If I had to guess, your cat got it from the vet's office, ESP since you noted the two week time frame.
I would see about getting doxycycline liquid, it is more effective. If u can only get pills,then be sure and get some plastic syringes and put water in them to squirt after u give your cat the pill, it helps to swallow and prevents throat burns from the pill.
You can also ask your vets office to show you how to give your cat Subcutaneous fluids, it is not that hard and there are lots of you tube videos to walk you through it plus the fluids are cheap. Also it will perk your cat up immensely. You can tell if your cat is dehydrated by pinching her neck fur, it it goes right back down she is ok, but if it is hard to pinch or if it stays more rigid, she needs liquid.
Last but not least you can get A/D canned food from the vet along with a very large syringe and feed your cat that way, you swirl the syringe around like a slushy to suck up the food and then slowly give it to your cat. If she is weak from illness she will not resist very much.
It does take time for improvement but these things shd help, ESP if u can do the fluids.

I'm in Ireland and my cat has a similar problem at the moment, I'm waiting on results of bloods from the vet, he is on a multispectrum antibiotic at present, I have a suggestion which may help the congestion, get a piece of clean cardboard and thickly smear " Vicks VapoRub " on it, wherever the cat is asleep just leave it on the floor/ bedding ect under his nose, if he moves-move the card. My cat gets a lot of relief with this little trick, I can actually hear his breathing easing and he changes fr om mouth breathing to nasal. Make sure the card is not in contact with his nose/eyes as it will sting to hell, it's best done when you can be with him to keep an eye on him.

To help her breathe, run a vaporizer 24/7 near where she spends most of her time.  Also, you can try steaming her in the bathroom.  Get the bathroom nice & steamy, turn off the shower, and sit with her in the bathroom with the door closed until the steam dissipates.  Also, be sure she eats.  Add a bit of water to canned food, warm it up in the microwave or in a water bath to enhance the aroma.
 

Puzzwozz, I gotta tell you, I just recently saw a post on Facebook about unique uses for Vicks vapo-rub. One was to put on things to keep cats away as they hate the smell so much. You might want to google it, I just wanted to share that with you!

Please get a culture and sensitivity done as soon as possible, few vets suggest it but a lot of the time it finds the problem and the solution. My cat has the same thing you are describing and finally after almost 3 months of trying stuff it turned out to be a bacterial infection.

Sorry I haven't followed up, but I've been moving and trying to get her better all this time. She was diagnosed with a mycoplasma infection. The vet put her on a combo of orbax and doxycycline. She has not improved at all and is losing weight. It's been weeks of the doxycycline. I have an appointment in 2 days with a new vet, as I'm unsure of the original diagnosis. I feel awful for her. It's been 2 months of suffering for this poor cat. I just want my best friend back. Instead, she just hides because she knows ill pick her up to give her medicine. Her congestion is so bad she can't smell food nor bend down to eat or drink, as the snots bother her. Now, she vomits after syringe feeding because she gets all worked up...and the doxycycline doesn't help her stomach.

I don't know what to do for her to help. Nothing relieves the congestion. I've tried drops, vaporizers, herbal pet remedies, pretty much everything. I fear this new vet will send me on another round of tests and "wait and see", which isn't much of an option at this point. I know you all won't be able to help, but I figured I would just update...

Edit/side note: each time I question the original vet, he says this takes time. I don't think 4 weeks of no improvement is an acceptable outcome.