Sublingual Immunotherapy (allergy drops) - Allergies Message Board

jenanoelle · 11-17-2005, 12:11 PM

Has anyone undergone this allergy therapy? It's quite popular in Europe, but I don't know an awful lot about the availability in the US (Boston area in specific). And it'd be nice to know if people have good results with it too

Also, if there's anyone who's done the dreaded shot, I'd be willing to try that, if the drops aren't available.. I'm at the end of my rope here. (my allergy is to dust.)

Cut-Throat · 11-17-2005, 07:01 PM

I am on the drops. Getting them in La Crosse Wisconsin. I have been on them for about 1 year and 3 months. I don't think they have 'kicked' in yet. - But it can take up to a couple years. -

At least the allergists there know something and aren't like all the idiots I have dealt with in the past!

astroh2o · 11-18-2005, 06:51 AM

I have a couple of questions, please. How much do these drops cost? And what types of allergies do they cover? 3 years seems a long time for something to have to kick in.

What about Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization (EDP as it's known in Europe) or Ultra Low Dose Enzyme Activated Immunotherapy (LDA as it's known in the US)? has anyone had any experiance with those?

Thanks
WW

Cut-Throat · 11-19-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroh2o

I have a couple of questions, please. How much do these drops cost? And what types of allergies do they cover? 3 years seems a long time for something to have to kick in.

What about Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization (EDP as it's known in Europe) or Ultra Low Dose Enzyme Activated Immunotherapy (LDA as it's known in the US)? has anyone had any experiance with those?

Thanks
WW

The Drops are not too expensive. Cost about $75 every couple of months. The real expense is the Doctor Appt. and Hotel and Gas which runs about $500 twice a year. - I have to travel to La Crosse Wisconsin, as the treatment is 'not approved' in Minnesota (i.e. - Allergy clinics dispensing shots would go out of business).

The drops are mild allergen conconctions made from anything that you are allergic to. Pets, mold, pollen, dust, food etc. etc.

Generally results are seen from about 1 1/2 years to 2 years - not 3 years - Bodies don't always react as fast as we would like them to. The process is not unlike shots, which can also take a year or two!

But Hey! I have very few other options. - This is my last stop!

sneezydiva · 11-21-2005, 11:35 AM

I've only had shots, but they are very effective. The needles are very small, so it isn't like getting an immunization at all. The needle only goes into the skin, not the muscle so it doesn't hurt very bad at all.

With shots you will notice an improvement in about 6 months, but it takes about 3-5 years to become fully effective. But after that time, many people are practically "cured" of their allergies and never need shots again.

I move around too much, so I keep getting my shots interrupted, but I recently tested negative to ragweed, which I have always had an allergy to. So even with different doctors and formulas, the cummulative effect of the ragweed shots worked very well for me. If I could just stay in one place and not be exposed to different trees and molds...sigh.