Would like some insight on allergy shots? - Allergies Message Board

jaekers · 08-31-2006, 10:26 AM

Just joined today and hope this posting doesn't upset anyone, but I'm at my wit's end!

I've been on allergy shots for 6, yes, that's 6 long years. I started mainly because of asthma, my sinuses were secondary. I was told at the time (I tested positive to 7 allergens) that they would have my dust mites under control in 6-8 months. Notice my chuckle and sarcasm here? I think NOT!

After 4 years of weekly, yup weekly allergy shots and my Pulmonologist has the asthma controlled...my sinsus were starting to get really bad. New allergy doctor in same practice orders new allergy testing and sinus catscan. Two weeks later and new testing..oh, lo & behold I find out #1 the Bahia grass I tested positive to was *not* included in my serums, #2 not only am I still testing the original #4 to the dust mites, roaches, cat, etc..I am now allergic to 32 additional allergens. Can we say cry? I was hysterical to put it mildly!!! And angry. My poor husband said.."Try the new approach for a year and if you don't feel any different, stop them". I've put ALOT of time and money into this therapy. So off I go with the new program and another build-up phase. I have been getting one sinus infection after another (they have pushed me past the normal maintenance of #3 dosing to #5). Down for another sinus catscan in January only to hear the same thing. Inflammation indicitive of allergies and a mild deviated septum. I have been to three ENT's all more or less with the allergies takes perferance sort of attitude. I have just come off another course of antibiotics, two in fact for a month. Been through every nasal spray, now started Astelin last night. Am also stuck with hives they said.."99% of the time we'll never know what's causing them". I have moved from two apartments fleeing from the rugs sort of. Have NO pets sadly...and am ready to run from another rental. I am totally stuffed on the one side at night now, started doing the nasal rinses. Real fun!

I guess what I'm asking is...has anyone else felt that they allergy shots have not worked and what did you do? I have cried so much in the last two months, normal people have NO clue how bad one suffers with allergies..I dust with the mask--suffocation time--vaccumm with a Dyson...I just don't know who to turn to. I do not trust the allergy office, you get a different person everytime and two weeks ago I was switched from Bactrim DS to Avelox, had a very nasty reaction and spent the night on the bathroom floor only to contact them the next day and NO ONE was in the office to help me. I resorted to going to my Primary....

Any advice???? I would SO appreciate it and am SO sorry for the rant!

Titchou · 08-31-2006, 10:43 AM

Well, personally, you couldn';t drag me to en ENT for allergy related issues. I see an immunologist in an allergy clinic. You should not need weekly shots after 4 years...you should be once every 4 weeks at about 6 months or so into the program and finished around 5 years. I just finshed the 5 year deal and am very happy with the outcome. I still have a little trouble but Zyrtex takes care of it...and Ilive with a 14 pound long haired cat who was my #2 allergy - right behind ragweed which is blooming so well right now! Ask around for a referral to a really good allergist. Ask your dentist, gyno, GP, whomever who they would send their family members to. THat's who you need to see. Good luck and let us know how you are progressing.

thegardener · 08-31-2006, 12:09 PM

I would go to an alternative doctor. I don't know how close you are to Boca Raton but there is doctor there named Al Robbins who does LDA Therapy (low dose allergen). Search my user name "thegardener" and read my story about how I finally got my daughter healthy (not treated with medicines but cured), and it wasn't with traditional doctors. Taking antibiotics all of the time is really unhealthy for your gut and if you read my posts you will see why. Good Luck!

chuck43 · 08-31-2006, 04:13 PM

Honey will Help Allergys if taken 1 tps. daily and it comes from near the area where you live.

sneezydiva · 09-01-2006, 01:26 AM

I have a feeling you always had at least some of those additional allergies, that's why your first set of shots didn't help very much.

Are any of the ENTs willing to operate on the septum? I was also told my CT scan was "just allergy" inflammation. But I had an enlarged turbinate that needed reducing, and after a little nagging, my ENT agreed while I was under anyway to "just take a look" in my maxilary sinus, and he ended up removing a lot of mucus, and some of it was infected.

Have you tried nasal irrigation? It really does help prevent the infections. Als