Cortizone shot good for seasonal allergies?

[Titchou]

According to my dictionary (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition) the correct and only spelling is cortisone.

[sneezydiva]

Originally Posted by Titchou

According to my dictionary (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition) the correct and only spelling is cortisone.

yes I think Cortizone is the brand name of the cortisone cream, but people tend to use them interchangably.

[sneezydiva]

It will probably help you, at least for a little while. And from my experience taking short courses of prednisone (oral cortisone eseentially), you will feel like a million bucks. But it is only a quick fix, its not something you can keep doing indefinitely. Getting repeated cortisone shots can cause major problems, weight gain, osteoporosis, and the symptoms Tichou discussed.


In the end the shots you really need are allergy desensitization shots.

But if you are really bad off, and need some much needed relief, it might be a good thing to do. I know when I got my short course of prednisone, it was what I needed at that time. Just don't look at it as a long term solution.

[elmhar]

Hi Hollister,

Yes, docs do Rx oral hydrocortisone or prednisone, as well as cortisone shots for severe hay fever. But these drugs will affect your entire body to a significant extent. Even your mood.

Have you tried a combo of cortisone-type nasal spray (Nasacort Rx) plus 1% cortisone eye drops (only Rxd by ophthamologists; even allergy/immunologists do not rx), plus cortisone-type inhaler for asthma/reactive airway (if that is a prob)? Plus an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec or Allegra.

When cortisone is applied locally, only a small fraction of the dose is used, compared to what is given in oral meds or shots. The med has local effectiveness, with fewer systemic effects. It can be used on an as-needed basis. Cortisone pills affect the entire body over an extended length of time, and the shots esp. have a fairly lengthy half-life.

[url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=391382[/url] is a link to a post last month about cardiac events following oral Prednisone for eye allergies.

IMO it's less risky to use stack up eye/nose/oral/lung steroids at low doses than to get shots. However, it's much more expensive & perhaps a little more complicated than just getting a shot & being done with it. And, at times with severe asthma accompanying hay fever it's the only thing left to do.

Best wishes.

[Twickle Purple]

No. This is an extremely bad idea. I am shocked that a doctor would suggest this. I would find a new doctor.

Good luck.