Hi,

I've had allergies all my life, I've just had my last allergy test yesterday, and the news was bad as usual. I had a positive allergic reaction to multiple things including: mold, rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, dogs, cattle, pigs, trees, cockroaches, ragweed, and dustmites among others.

My doctor has decided that shots could be an option for me, because my symptoms are so wide-spread. I have decided that I'm going to go ahead and get the shots and see how they help me, but I have a few questions.

1. Do they feel similar to regular shots/immunizations?

2. How quickly do they start to make the allergies better?

3. What kind of side-effects are there?

thanks!

Not sure exactly what you mean by "feel" but they use a small needle and give it in the fleshy part of the arm, not up by the shoulder like a flu shot. You will probably get some sort of reaction at the site - small bump that may itch depending on the strength of the serum. They strengthen the serum gradually. The strongest concentration (towards the end of your series) will have a red top. You should take an antihistamine the morning of the day you get your injection to help with the reaction.

How long it takes to see any progress varies with everyone and also depends how quickly you get to the once a month level. Most docs will let you get at least two shots a week...some will do 3 but that's a huge committment from you. I did the two a week at the beginning. My doctor made me wait till November to start them when there were fewer of my allergens about. By June when the grasses were coming out I was somewhat better. By the one year mark I could really tell a distinctive difference. I finished up the 5 years last November and have had a great spring.

The only side effect is the reaction to the shot. They make you wait 20 minutes to see how severe it is. Of course, the most severe is anaphalaxis but that's very rare.
Just be sure to take the anthistamine that morning.

I've done the injections 3 times in my life (I'm 60 now) and they work wonders. Good luck!

Allergy shots have done wonders for me. I started back in October 2004. I have asthma along with allergy to mold, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, grass, trees, weeds, etc. No food allergies. The only draw back is the commitment to 5 years of shots. But once you get to monthly shots its a breeze.

I can now keep my windows open without wheezing. I do occasionally have allergy eyes, but I just use artifical tears and that helps.

As Titchou said, it depends on the person how quickly your body adjusts to the shots. I got some relief after 3 months and total relief after a year.

Take care.

Some of the shots can be mean. For me the dogs really sting. But usually I don't feel anything. Don't notice anything and I heard from people that after a few years, they were allergy free. So they seem to do their job.
I never had any side effects. It might take a while before you feel any difference with your allergie triggers.
I am still in the weekly shots period and I get three each week.
I think it is worth the effort.

I did the shots for 15 months with an ENT that had an allergy clinic---nothing nada zip--I just saw a immuno/allergy specialist----she was great-----she stated that the dose she will be giving me is 5 times what the ENT was giving me----she retested me (***** trest) nothing was down from 15 months ago----it seems as though I wasted my time for 15 months---I chose to start the shots in October of this year

Yes, I go to an immunologist as well. I found that they do give higher doses of the serum. The ENT I went to let me give myself the shots at home. The immunologist does not due to the levels. I think I got a much better situation this time around.

did you ever have reactions right after the shots---with the higher doses???

tightness in chest or throat---dizzy?? anything??

ENT has me alittle scared that the dose will be to high and it could hurt me??

He just wants your business. Yes, anaphalaxis is a rare side effect. But they start you out low and build you up to the higher doses. And they can drop back if you over-react. Another reason why you should take an antihistamine the morning of your shots...to be ready for such. And also the reason they make you wait for 20 minutes after before you can leave. They will check the level of your reaction at the injection site. If it is a small bump, you're fine. They'll also ask if you feel OK or if the bumnp hurts or anything. If you're going to have anaphalaxis, it will hit you way before the 20 minutes is up. Trust me on that!(I had that to a penicillin shot one time so I know from whence I speak!) They take precautions so do not be concerned.

Well I thought allergy shots were working for me, that is until my allergies worsened after 2 years of getting them. I had some pretty bad reactions to mine and even in the winter when everything was at a lull...antihistamines and all couldn't prevent the reactions I was having. Arms swelled up huge, hives, dizzy, lightheaded and killer headaches were pretty much standard reactions for me. Needless to say I'm all done with shots from now on. Both my ENT and Immunologolist agreed that I am far too sensitive to be a good candidate for shots. Whatever. I guess now it seems I'll be on antihistamines for the rest of my life...that is until they stop working too.

Allergie shots have done wonders for me. They do take at least 6 months before you notice a difference. They aren't like immunizations at all. Most of those shots go into the mucsle. Allergy shots use a small needle and only go under the skin. The actual getting of the shot is practically painless. You might get a hive that itches afterwards, but that is normal.

Thanks for all of the responses.

I have decided I am going to do the shots, and I start in two weeks.

I realize there is always the chance they won't work, but I have heard in some cases it takes up to five years to finally get the results, which is a long time, but I assume it would be worth the wait.

As far as side-effects, I've had killer migraines most of my life, so I don't think headaches will bother me too much, and I have had allergies all my life off and on, so I imagine having worse allergies won't bother me, if the shots work.

The biggest reason for my choosing this is that I have some major depression and my health has made me unable to do most of the things I love. I love playing piano and sax, but had to stop after my tendonitis became so bad that my hands just shake uncontrollably and pain shoots up my arms. I can't ride my bicycle anymore due to my back and knee problems, and now....the last thing I love...animals...are going to be taken away from me if I don't do something...and I won't let this one go!!! It would ruin what I have left. So I've decided this is my last option, and I'm willing to try anything.

Thanks again for all of the advice, I pray this will finally help me see the end of these horrid allergies....or at least make them bearable.

-Vers

I have a ton of allergies that I was born with and around my early teens I started to get 2 shots each week. I haven't had any for a long time after that. But they helped me out a lot and I was glad I got them. They feel like regular shots and I know with me since I had to get 2 a week my arm toughen up some from them. I didn't have any side affects from mine. They started to help about a month after I started taking them to a point to where the doctor decided I didn't need them anymore. I haven't had any since then and I rarely go to the doctor for allergy problems as much. I do have some stuff that still makes me have allergy problems like fresh cut grass and other stuff in the air.

Allergy shots haven't done a thing for me. I was considering seeing a Allergist and have myself restested instead of going through my ENT and see what they say I should be doing, but since I'm about to have my frontal sinus removed it won't really matter. I hear that everyone in my ENT's office who has had a Frontal sinus obliteration no longer have major allergy problems anymore. I'm hoping that is what will happen to me. Surgery is in 2 weeks!

Anyhow, my advice is if you want to be treated forallergy problems see and Allergist. Sinus, nose, throat, ears you should see and ENT. I know everyone thinks sinus and allergies are one in the same issue and they can be, but if you just deal with allergies(sneezing, asthma, itchy eyes, rash's, etc..) see and Allergist.

Allergy shots haven't done a thing for me. I was considering seeing a Allergist and have myself restested instead of going through my ENT and see what they say I should be doing, but since I'm about to have my frontal sinus removed it won't really matter. I hear that everyone in my ENT's office who has had a Frontal sinus obliteration no longer have major allergy problems anymore. I'm hoping that is what will happen to me. Surgery is in 2 weeks!

Anyhow, my advice is if you want to be treated forallergy problems see and Allergist. Sinus, nose, throat, ears you should see and ENT. I know everyone thinks sinus and allergies are one in the same issue and they can be, but if you just deal with allergies(sneezing, asthma, itchy eyes, rash's, etc..) see and Allergist.


Wow Halls! That is a major surgery. Good luck with it.

I agree with you about ENT vs. allergists. My sinus surgery was very successful, and my ENT is a wonderful surgeon. But for allergy treatment and shots. I've had far more success with the allergist/immunologist.

I DID see an allergist for my allergies, and I HAVE had sinus surgery through an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I've been through all of that crap and I know what I'm doing. Had the sinus surgery and am still no better...had an allergy test, thus, am going with that route.

I DID see an allergist for my allergies, and I HAVE had sinus surgery through an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I've been through all of that crap and I know what I'm doing. Had the sinus surgery and am still no better...had an allergy test, thus, am going with that route.
Had the allergy test and ended up taking allergen shots ? How did it work out ?