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Anyone had luck with allergy shots?

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Posted 7/24/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Ooooh... I'm a little forum-hopper now!  LOL

So I'm allergic to nature, pretty much.  Dust, pollen, mold, mildew...if you can breathe it in, I'm allergic to it.  I'm also allergic to nuts (mild) and cats (pretty bad) - just to make it interesting.  I've been living on allergy medicine since I was about 16 or so, and every few years I become resistant to the medication I'm on and I have to be switched.  I've done Claritin, Zyrtec, OTC stuff, and now I'm on Allegra.  But the Allegra isn't cutting it anymore.  It works fine in the early day, but it wears off by about 8pm.  I tried asking my doctor to increase my dose so I could take it before I go to bed, but they told me that I"m already at the max dose (180mg) and they won't give me more.  Oh yeah, and to go see an allergist.

Now...I don't LIKE my family doctor, and I'm in the process of researching to find a new one.  This doctor's office is populated by lazy, resentful people who will LITERALLY leave the phone off the hook so they don't have to answer it when they're eating lunch, watching their soap operas, or just feeling EXTRA lazy.  I know, I've seen them do it.

ANYWAY...

I'm thinking about trying allergy shots, but I've heard really mixed reviews about it. Some people say it really does help, but a lot of people say it doesn't help AND it makes your allergies worse.  I'm not sure I want to make mine worse - they're bad enough as it is!!  LOL   Then again, if there's a chance it could be better, I'm not sure I want to pass that up either.

SO yeah...  How about you guys?  Any good luck stories to report?  I'll even settle for second-hand information.  I'm just torn about whether or not it'll be worth it for me - especially since I'm really scared of needles and shots! LOL

Thanks!

Posted 7/25/2008 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Allergies are just a sign your immune system is not working correctly (a symptom.) Find a good doctor that will treat the root of the problem not the symptom and you have a chance at getting really well again. Good Luck to you!
Posted 7/25/2008 8:29 AM (GMT 0)
My Brother was allergic to everything in the air too, and he hated needles. But eventually he got tired of the allergies and went for the shots. He improved significantly in a relatively short time (within a few months), and continues to get the shots because of how helpful they've been for his allergy symptoms. I think it is worth considering the shots, but be sure you understand the time committment ~ my Brother went every week for a bit before they reduced the frequency of the shots. And his doctor has him pre-medicate the night before with high dose antihistamines. And he has had a couple of reactions to the shots. He's gotten rashes at the location of the shot. And once, he got a systemic reaction that put him in the hospital briefly. The Allergist has him wait at the shot clinic for an hour before he is free to go because his reactions to the shots tend to come on a little slower (probably because of the premedication). So be sure to ask lots of questions, and get a prescription for an EpiPen to bring with you when you get the shots in case you have a serious reaction. That said, there are a lot of folks who get the shots who have never had a systemic reaction to the shots and do very well with them.

Good luck,
Posted 7/25/2008 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am 33 now I was tested when I was 17 after living on allergy meds and anitbiotics for  12 years. I always has sinus infections. Finally my mom told my Dr to do something so we saw the allergist I was allergic to all the enviromental cats, not dogs. I started the shots and yes at first you go weekly because the shot the give you is the thing you allergic to but diluted then you go monthly as they build up the dose and you tolerance. Yes you wait in the waiting room for an hour to make sure you don't have a reaction to it. What better place to be is their office if that happens. I had my shots for 2 years and stopped taking them and I was awesome it was the first time I could go camping be outside without sneezing and blowing my nose. I could breath through my nose not out of my mouth. It burned my nose at first to breath. Occasionally now I find I have to pop a Claritin but I also take 500mg of Vit C daily for my immune system. I know there's controversy over it if it works but I swear by it. Go to the allergist you don't need to be miserable anymore.

Posted 7/27/2008 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
They did not help me after 4 years of treatment...you can read my blog...

http://www.sinusallergy.blogspot.com

Post Edited (dploy) : 7/26/2008 10:33:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/27/2008 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy) for about a year and they have helped me. They are basically the same thing as allergy shots, only they are liquid drops that you squirt under your tongue three times a day. They are only offered at a select few clinics in the US right now b/c they aren't approved by the FDA yet, even though their use is widespread throughout Europe. I go to a clinic in southwest Wisconsin. They are nice because you don't have to go to the doctor often, you can just do them yourself at home. I go in for check-ups every 6 months to chart my progress and adjust dosages of the antigens in the drops. I am allergic to cats (pretty badly) and dogs. The drops have helped me so far, and they will hopefully help me more as I continue them. I hadn't heard that the shots could possibly worsen your allergies.

p.s. - I agree it's time you find a new family doctor. And an allergist really is the way to go to get good advice on treating your allergies.
Posted 7/27/2008 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
yes...i am highly allergic to respiratory irritant and did very well with shots. it took a long time and it is not the sort of thing to drop and pick up again. you need to be very faithful. i went for around ten years. eventually once a month. i am doing so much better now. my allergist said my situation would have been "grave" without the shots.

by the way, get a doc and allergist you like. you are paying these people and they should listen to you and communication is a two way street.
Posted 8/1/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
This is the whole thing what works for one might not work for another....Main thing with the allergie shots is being consistent...I have been on them on and off for twenty years....Only when switch to another allerigest it has been working...I have been thru alot of antibiotics and constantly had sinus infections and asthma attacks...But these last two years have really made a difference..I alsotake nasonex and singulair..I f i do well the next 6 months hes going to cut one of the meds...Im also getting the shots every 3 weeks now. the next step is monthly..Its a long process, but you have to be consistant and not missing the shots...anything is worth the try when your suffering....What do you have lose????/ diane

Posted 2/23/2009 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
I TRIED ALLERGY SHOTS FOR about 2 YEARS (SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN THEM WEEKLY FOR 5 YEARS) AND I FINALLY TOLD MY ASTHMA SPECIALIST I WOULD NOT TAKE THEM ANYMORE!! THEY MADE MY ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA SO MUCH WORSE!!!
Posted 2/25/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I've taken allergy shots for a very long time, so you might say that it hasn't been successful, but I'd argue that they have. While I can't get off them, my occurrences of sinus infection plummeted with shots--especially after I switched to an allergist who treats allergy more aggressively. I used to get so sick all the time with sinus infections. While I still get allergy symptoms in extreme pollen situations, they have gotten much better.

I must say, though, that last spring was a very special challenge. The tree pollen came on with a vengence, and I got behind on it. Also, I had been sick during the winter, and I did not get my shots for a few months. I'm not sure that didn't make the difference.

Anyway, while it's not 100 percent effective with me, I wouldn't stop, because I know how much worse I'd be.
Good luck with your decision.
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