Allergist told me I can't get allergy shots?

I've been struggling with allergies since I was young but am trying to really take control these days. I'm currently 26, I do have asthma unfortunately and have been to one allergist. Now maybe he wasn't the best guy to go to, but I checked in and got my scratch test done. I found out I am allergic to pretty much everything they tested me for (I think 15 things). Anyway to make a long story short, the only two I wanted to get shots for would be cats and dust mites, since dust is everywhere no matter and all my family members and friends have cats. I was told by him though that he refused to give me them since I may have a asthma attack. >_<

So how exactly do I get better? I know most people wont know the question to this, and it's not easy just avoiding everything in the world. I heard netti pots do well, but I have tried them on two occasions and my sinuses are so blocked up, the water wont actually go through the other nostril. :(

Thanks for any tips

I agree with Alcie. Either get another allergist or see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. How else are you going to build the antigens unless you start with a minimum dosage and keep it up until you are able to step up to the next stronger dosage?

No allergist has ever refused to give me shots when I needed them, and I had asthma. An epi-pen is used for a rare risk of attack from the allergen being given.

Please get a second opinion; you want a better allergist than the one you've just seen. And you need to ask for copies of the tests so that you may show them to the next specialist you see.

I.G.

Joy and supa -
I reacted to my first dose of each vial. My allergist cut the dosage way way down and I started again. I had another reaction when I was into the 3rd or 4th vial (one new, stronger vial a month for each group of allergens) and I had to go to a lower level again for a couple of months. Each week I got 1/10 cc more in the new strength until I was at .7cc. Then I got a stronger vial and started at .2cc again. It took me at least 9 months, maybe longer, to get the allergies under control.

My point is, as It's Genetic said, consider trying another allergist. My first one said I didn't have any food allergies and sent me away. He didn't even consider treating my inhaled allergies. My older, more experienced allergist is a gem.

I took allergy shots for 4 months. Due to reactions, I could never advance to stronger dose. Then I developed asthma from the shots. I had lived in the city. My husband and I moved to Tennessee in 2000. We built a home in the country. In 2004 my asthma went into remission. I still have a runny nose and itchy eyes. I live on benadryl and claritin, but I am doing better.

Alcie, The allergist did try lowering the dosage on me twice, but my reactions were so bad he told me he couldn't risk it anymore on me.
In my opinion he's the best allergist I've ever had...he helped me with my gerd, allergies, sleep apnea, and found my Lupus.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Yea it hasn't been easy and I'm sure most of you have been through a lot of frustration with allergies and health. When I was younger and more naive, I always thought this life style was normal because my main physician I had for those years told me it was normal to have this, along with needing my inhaler three times a day through out the week. Thankfully I learned that not all doctors want to help you, and sometimes you have to keep looking.

The shots sound like a good plan even if they are expensive, I guess I just need to find another one in Western Mass. He was the closest but I will def check more out.

Thanks all!

To those who are getting the shots, are any of you allergic to cats or dogs? Did it help? Are you able to live around them without asthma problems?

Thanks!

I have allergies that are too severe for allergy shots. I saw a well-known ENT. They gave me the allergen test and I actually needed shots and meds during the test because I reacted too badly. They could not find a small enough dose for me to even make the shots. So yes, it is possible that you cannot get the shots and you are not eligible. There are legit safety concerns.

With that said, my doctor did let me know that allergy drops are still an option. These are more experimental though and not covered for insurance companies. I am not sure if it's a financially viable option for me because I was allergic to so many things that the cost would be pretty high. However, lately I have been looking into it more and more since my allergies are so bad that I have lost my sense of smell and taste and have had to have multiple surgeries to repair damage.

The only thing I have found to work so far that really made me feel good was a nebulizer with steriods. When I took that I had my smell back and I had no allergy problems. I am going to see my doctor soon to see if I can take this medicine long-term. I am unsure of the long-term effects but I am not sure what other options I have. Right now I take Singulair, Nasonex and Allegra but I still have no sense of smell and I get fatigued and I have facial pain. They also impact my mood. However, I don't have any congestion on them.

Good luck!

That's great that you have gotten relief from allergy shots. I have heard good things but it seemed to not be an option for me since there was no level of dilution that I did not severely react to. Maybe it is worth looking into again (been a few years since I had the allergy test).

Yeah I agree with the cons regarding steroids but so far it has been the only thing that works :(. I have to weigh the pros and cons for sure.

I had sinus surgery to repair damage caused be repeated infections (caused by allergies). I got very sick a year ago when my allergies were at their worst and it led to multiple infections. That was when I wasn't really treating my allergies well because I was unaware of the problem.