allergy shot eye symptoms

xandrr · 11-11-2003, 05:53 PM

I have eye symptoms (burning/dryness/irritation) that my opthamologist believes may be allergy related. I'm going to start allergy shots in two weeks. I know it takes awhile for them to kick in, but have any of you had relief from allergy shots, especially in terms of eye symptoms (i think from a mold allergy). I have some PND, but by far my eyes are driving me nuts and making me feel hopeless (allergies aggravating dry eyes). Just wanted to know about other people's experiences. Thanks for any help!

moonglow · 11-12-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xandrr

I have eye symptoms (burning/dryness/irritation) that my opthamologist believes may be allergy related. I'm going to start allergy shots in two weeks. I know it takes awhile for them to kick in, but have any of you had relief from allergy shots, especially in terms of eye symptoms (i think from a mold allergy). I have some PND, but by far my eyes are driving me nuts and making me feel hopeless (allergies aggravating dry eyes). Just wanted to know about other people's experiences. Thanks for any help!

I have the same problem and its awful! I use a nasal decongested everyday and that helps alot...I hate the antihistimenes cause they dry you out which can dry your eyes more and make you sleepy...blah! I have to take the decongested early in the morning though (I use the 12 non-drowsy) otherwise it keeps me awake at night...so by evenings as it starts to wear off my eyes and nose will start bugging me again, but then its not too long before bedtime. They can RX you allergy meds too or you can try Carltin which is over the counter now and VERY expensive...makes me feel werid though. Also the allergia tears up my stomach for some reason so I can't take that either. But they have several choices now avaible. When my eye allergies are super bad though I use Liquid Colloidal silver which you can get at GNC and put a drop in each eye...it can burn a little but it helps where even the allergy eye drops don't help.

Try the allergy eye drops first though...they have them over the counter and you can get an rx for them too..they are expensive though. a 2 oz bottle of liquid colloidal silver is about 12$. If you get this silver somewhere esle check it for acholco though...you CANNOT put anything in your eyes with acholco in it unless you are into intense pain!!!!

My eyes are starting in on my already today cause its windy out..I avoid going out when its very windy...if I have to I wear my sunglasses. And you are right about the mold...alot of mold grows on plants, especially if you are around farmers fields...the wind can carry the mold and dust from wheat for many miles..right into your eyes...pooh. I think those of us with eye allergies need to live in space! ha!

Julie

xandrr · 11-12-2003, 11:33 AM

Yeah..i'm having a lot of trouble. My doctors are guessing allergy since i tested positive to a lot of allergans. Problem is none of the OTC allergy stuff helps. Claritin seems like it just worsens the dryness and irritation (especially if i take it for a few days). I don't bother with OTC eye drops, because you can't use them for more the three days or they do bad stuff. I've also tried Alocril but the preservatives in the Rx aggravate my eyes i think. So i'm pretty lost. But back to my original question about allergy shots, have you tried them and have they helped? If not what's stopping you from taking the shots?

moonglow · 11-12-2003, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xandrr

Yeah..i'm having a lot of trouble. My doctors are guessing allergy since i tested positive to a lot of allergans. Problem is none of the OTC allergy stuff helps. Claritin seems like it just worsens the dryness and irritation (especially if i take it for a few days). I don't bother with OTC eye drops, because you can't use them for more the three days or they do bad stuff. I've also tried Alocril but the preservatives in the Rx aggravate my eyes i think. So i'm pretty lost. But back to my original question about allergy shots, have you tried them and have they helped? If not what's stopping you from taking the shots?

I don't know why this thing keeps doing quotes of the last reply...I am not clicking on quotes...mmmm. Anyway yes I do get allergy shots and have been for a number of years now. After my son was tested and found to have tons of allergies I decided to get tested too. I had more allergies then he did! So I started getting the shots too. They have helped...but not as much as I had hoped for. But I smoke too...I go outside or in the garage to smoke so its not in the house...terrible addiction...but also second hand smoke bugs my eyes. I am probably allergic to smoking! (I know..takes brains uh?

) And I am allergic to cats, dogs of which I have three cats and one dog...I am an animal lover...lol. And dust mites...and it seems I always need to dust. If I vacum and dust alot that seems to help my allergies and my eyes. Not much helps on really windy days..even hidding inside only helps so much.

My eyes used to be just horrible though! So its not everday (or nearly everyday) like it used to be ...so the shots have helped. But I have had allergies bad every since I was a child and am in my 40's now...so that is going a long long time with no allergy treatment. Since my son's allergy were caught much earlier...he started getting shots at age three...I have seen faster improvement in him....but his system hasn't gotten as worn down from allergies as mine have.

I understand not being able to use the regular allergy stuff...that is why I told you about the Liquid Colloidal silver...cause it will be awhile before the shots start helping. You have to start out on the work up shots..low dose of the srum...can't spell it...then they gradually increase the strength of it. Also can you take something like contact? I get the non-drowsy...it can dry out your nose and throat...but it sure seems to help my eyes. I also use Afrin a nasal spray for those really bad days...which today is...the wind is really really bad here today...so my eyes are already starting to itch.

What I hate is when they burn so bad I can hardly keep them open...

Another thing that helps is a cold wash rag...and if you can...when they get really bad...just lay down for 30 minutes or so and just keep your eyes closed. I have no idea why that helps, but it does me.

Julie

xandrr · 11-12-2003, 11:51 AM

I see what you mean about the quotes..hehe.. yeah actually a cold compress is the only thing that seems to buy me time during the day. And washing my eyes out with cold water. My optho is trying to have me treat only the dry eye aspect of it (for all any of us know, that's the main cause), but a lot of these drops might be pestering my eye more then helping (like restasis). My eyes are pretty bad every day, regardless of what the pollen count is or whether it's windy or not. It's just bad. Was horrible yesterday. I'm in NY too, and winter is pretty much here. So seasonal allergies can probably be ruled out. It might be molds though. I don't know..i wish a doctor could tell me but it seems to be doubtful.

I really don't have any other allergy symptoms though. LIke my nose is fine. I have a little post nasal drip and extreme eye irriatation. So who knows.