Well today I went to the allergist for the first time. Before I was a bit apprehensive and was asking people what happens at your first visit. Well so I thought if there is anyone else out there that wanted to know, maybe me posting my experience would help.

Anyway so the first thing I did was fill out a bunch of papers and questionnaires. After that was done, I played the waiting game of course...lol. When I was finally called in, the first thing I did was sit and talk with her. I got asked a bunch of questions about my home environment, my symptoms and all that sort. And then the doctor just basically did an ears, nose, throat, chest exam. She thought that my sinuses looked a little inflammed so I had to go nextdoor to the other office to get an x-ray of my sinus. After that was done I was given the all important allergy test...ooo...fun stuff...lol. It's where they prick the inside of ur arms with different allergens to find out what you are allergic to. Turns out I have some severe allergies to dust cause I had nice lovely huge hives where the dust section of the test was. I was also allergic to trees and pollen, and grass, and uhhhh dogs and cats (light), and I can't remember any others. So that was that.
Oh yeah and I also did find out the cause to my headaches! Turns out I have like a chronic sinus infection? (Yeah...) So that causes my headaches, supposedly, so I got all these pills and a spray...real confusing, and I have to go for a follow up in December during my next school break when I come home. All in all my doctor was really nice, and I'm glad I learned something new about myself.

Oh yeah! I wanted to know...how often do you have to go see your allergist?

Thanks for posting your experience. I was curious because i am going to have to go to an allergist also.

I see my allergist about once a month. Did your allergist discuss shots with you?

Purple, no we didn't dicuss shots...I just got a bunch of pills...ummm lemme see what did I get...I got Allegra, Nasonex, ummm an antibiotic (Biaxin), and a decongestant...I forget what it called. I felt sooo drugged up today I hadda take a nap...hehe. And I got a bad stomach ache too, I can't tell if it was from one of the pills or if it was from something else. I didn't take the Allegra because I already had the other three to take and for Biaxin I have to take 2 at a time. Anywho, yeah. Why do you see your allergist once a month? Is it for shots? Or somethin else?

Your stomachache is probably from the Biaxin. It totally tears up my stomach when I have to take it. I like Levaquin or Ceftin better. They don't bother my stomach so much. Biaxin is very good for getting rid of infections, but it can be very harsh on the stomach. I see my allergist about once a month (give or take a week) because aside from allergy shots (which I take at home every week), he is trying other treatments with me to help get rid of the yeast in my body and he is trying to figure out if I have any other sort of medical problems other than allergies. The main reason that I see him is to discuss and make changes in the shots and other medications. Since I don't take the shots in the office, I just call him if I have a reaction. When I see him, we discuss everything. You on the other hand would have to take the shots in the office. I have been doing it for so long that we know I am not going to have any kind of bad reaction for which I would need immediate medical attention. Also, my allergist helps me with other health problems as well. Not only do I discuss my allergies with him, but I also discuss any other illnesses that I have, because it is his theory that somewhere down the line they are all related. He is just an excellent diagnostician. He knows about EVERYTHING! His mind is like an encyclopedia! He treats me for environmental allergies, food allergies, yeast problems, and any of the sedondary diseases that might go along with these problems. So basically, when I see him, we discuss my allergy shots and medications, as well as everything else under the sun... :)

[This message has been edited by purple2067 (edited 08-23-2002).]