systemic desensitization

[dawn2]

Has anyone ever heard of getting rid of allergies by "systemic desensitization?" If so, what is it and what's the success rate? I can't find any info on the net about it and all I can get out of the doc is that it's like behavior modification. And furthermore, my insurance lists it under "natural alternatives" and will not cover it. Thanks in advance. Dawn2

[silverwill]

Systemic desensitizaton is usually just a fancy term for "allergy shots" although there are other approaches--pretty much the same concept. It is like behaviour modification in a way. It should be covered by most insurances. If not,the process can get kind of pricey.

[dawn2]

Silver:
Thanks for your reply - I did ask if shots were involved and they said no. The doctor they referred me to is a psychologist which means he can't give out shots anyways. I got the impression it's more like the behavior modification type thing. I do agree, it could be costly and I know my insurance won't cover it. And if they are going to go the psychoanalysis thing, I want nothing to do with it. I just can't find any info on it searching the web. TX again.

[Sarah68]

Would your insurance cover you for going to see an ND rather than an MD? If so, he would be able to help you more than psychoanalysis and homeoopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine have great success in treating allergies and actually stopping them from occuring in the first place.

[dawn2]

Hi Sarah:
I checked into homeopathic/acupunture, etc. with my insurance also - they pay nothing on it. Right now, my medical bills are so high from multiple specialists and lidicaine injections (I have fibro/cfids/tmj and on and on.) Once I have all that paid off, I was considering homeopathic cause nothing else is working. We have also been trying to make our house - dust proof - chemical free, etc. It has cost a fortune. I even react severely to the foam in couches, chemicals such as perfumes in shampoo, dish detergent, etc. My endo said they don't know what else to do with me. After my hysterectomy, all these problems seem to really magnify. They kept me on antibiotics for almost a year cause of repeated uti's. I feel the antibiotics weakened my immune system and that's when I developed all these sensitivities and increased muscle pain. Although, my tests don't show I'm reacting to all these things (dust, mold, foods), I know I am. My ear tubes are blocked (one side totally - the other almost) and the doc doesn't know if it's from the allergies or the tmj (muscles pressing on the tubes). It's so frustrating. I just get no moisture to the nasal area and now my throat and eyes are extremely dry, but again, all tests come back normal. No lupus, no sjogrens - SED rate fine. I've seen homeopathic drops at a local "natural store." I looked and some said for allergies and then others for specific allergies, i.e. mold, etc. I can't afford to go to a homeopathic doc now and pay for the visit too. TX for your advice in advance!Dawn