Am I going too fast with the allergy shots? - Allergies Message Board

carrielynn · 02-26-2006, 06:08 PM

Finally got skin tested at the allergist's and discovered I was allergic to most trees, weeds, molds, cats, etc. etc. No surprise to me. My main symptom is fatigue and motivation/mood problems. I've been dealing with this for years and am just frustrated by it. I am looking forward to hopefully getting some relief through allergy shots. I get two shots every visit, one in each arm.

They told me I could get my shots up to 3 times a week in the build-up phase (3 times a week for 6 weeks, I think), as long as there was one day in between. So I've been doing that and have gone 5 times in a week and a half. I think they've been increasing the dosage.

I got my 2 shots yesterday and today I have been feeling sick, like I'm hungover or something. All I could do was sit on the couch and watch TV. I usually have these kinds of problems with pollens are high, but it seems worse.

I'm wondering if I should slow down the frequency of these shots... if I'm going too fast.

Does anyone have experience with this? Should I request that they not increase the dosage for awhile? I'm new to all of this. They seem to only be concerned with too much sweling in my arm (which I don't have, only it still itches over a day later) and haven't mentioned any other potential problems. Thanks.

Titchou · 02-26-2006, 06:33 PM

Probably not. Do you take an antihistamine before your shots? I suggest doing that. It will help.

Anjjou72 · 02-27-2006, 01:30 PM

Wow, that seems like a lot of shots in a weeks time. I've been on shots for a couple of years (3 shots per visit) and during my buildup phase I was to come no less than every 5-7 days. Then again I also have a LOT of very serious allergies so maybe they didn't want to overload me. Also when I was in the buildup phase, (and whenever they raise my doses) I am not allowed to take antihistamines for three days before so they can get an accurate measurement of my wheal. You can bet I'm popping one before I leave the building though! LOL My reactions tend to make the nurses a little nervous at times.

I think it's a good idea to let your nurses know how you feel because allergy shots can in fact be very dangerous to a sensitive individual who's being overloaded. I'm sure they won't subject you to that, so it's very important you let them know how you've been feeling so they may make necessary adjustments.

Best of luck.

Titchou · 02-27-2006, 01:57 PM

My previous doc, an ENT,wouldn't let me have an antihistamine within 48 hours of a shot but my current one, an immunologist, suggested taking one the day of. I have found that immunologists seem to do things differently from ENTs. And in start up I was going twice a week for two shots each time. I was allowed to take the shots every 72 hours so could only get in twice a week. They never measured my wheal...only checked to see if I had one and asked if it bothered me. Rarely did....I finished up my 5 years last November.

chuzzlewit · 02-27-2006, 04:09 PM

carrielyne, I don't wish to be cynical, but dr's make a lot of money off of allergy shots. How exactly do you know your alleries cause fatigue and mood problems? There are a ton of things that can cause fatigue, and I've never heard of allergies causing a mood disorder. I also am allergic to molds, trees, grass, cats, etc. etc. etc. etc. I used to have the typical allergic symptoms of sneezing, congestion, runny nose, etc. etc, but once I started taking a nose spray they all disappeared about 5 years ago. Recently I had some shortness of breath and went to an immunologist. He gave me all the allergy tests and then tried to talk me into shots, despite me telling him I didn't have any bothersome symptoms (except the sob which was relieved with advair). On my followup they again tried to talk me into shots, despite not having any symptoms. To their credit they were very upfront with the fact that shots aren't effective for a large number of people.