Allergy shots: Do they work?

[Dakota_Lynn]

I want a dog or a cat! I've been allergic to them most of my life. I love animals, though, and would do anything to be able to have a non-reptilian pet (not that I don't love my snake!). I can't even be in somebody's home with a cat or dog without getting asthma. I've been getting allergy shots, and I'm about half way to maintainance.

My question is to those of you who have gotten the allergy shots for allergies to dogs and cats. Did they help? Did the shots make it possible for you to actually HAVE a dog or cat live in the house? Some relief is better than nothing. I would consider the shots worthwhile if I were able to go into somebody's home (who has a pet) and visit for a few hours and not get sick. But I am really hoping that I'll be able to own a pet. I don't want to get my hopes up (or my daughter's) for something that is impossible. So I thought I'd ask. There's bound to be people here who've gone through this or knows somebody who has. I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

My mama gets her allergy shots every two weeks. She has a long haired chiuaha (sp) that sheds like crazy. She has severe allergies and asthma but has no problems with Biscuit, the dog. I don't know anything about her and cats though since I've never seen her around any. Talk to your allergist about wanting a pet with hair and see what he/she reccomends. Normally if you control your environment and stay on top of your shots I would think it would be okay.

Good luck,
Tina

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My ds 14 gets 4 shots a week and he is into the 7th month. I cant notice anything different besides he still takes all his regular meds. He said they have to retest him again with the skin tests. He is also allergic to cats and dogs and we dont have any and a few other things. He plays with our neighbors dog and never has a problem. I sure hope this works or else I will feel like a terrible mom putting him through all this. I also might seek another drs. opinion since this one does not want to reduce any of his meds and he has been on them for 5 years now. Not good in my opinion. Good luck.

 

[kellib36]

YES!!!! At least for me, they are a lifesaver!! I'm allergic to dogs, cats, trees, grass, sagebrush, dust and mold. (And maybe a few other things!)

I do my own shots once a week and have for about 3 years. I take 15 units a week, and I have NO problem with my 3 dogs. I do however still have a problem with cats, but I make sure I wash my hands after petting them. That seems to relieve most of my discomfort.

If you want a dog, I'd look into the few breeds that are fairly "hypoallergenic". I know poodles and bichons are 2....not sure what else there is. I have 2 bichons, and they are great dogs. They have "hair" rather than fur, and don't shed.

I also got rid of most of our wall to wall carpeting, and noticed the difference right away!

I've been thinking of doing away with the shots, but each time I don't take them for about 3 weeks, I end up with a problem, so I guess I'll still keep taking them.

Just curious, how much is your serium? I'm supposed to take 10 shots with one vial, and over the 3 years, its gone from $75 a vial to $140. Still a bargain when you figure per shot, but it still hurts to write the check. I think I'm lucky in that my insurance will pay for injections, but its still only 80%.

I was looking for a way to make it even cheaper and I use the serium for 12-13 shots. Makes me feel better about the price.

Kelli

 

[mtblujeans]

What they will do is test you first. They do skin reaction tests and see what and how badly you react to things. Then, they 'mix' the shots to your exact reactions. They do work very well. Sometimes it might take a little while for them to 'kick in', sometimes they help right away. They can make life more 'normal' for people with allergies. You really should try it. Sometimes, people have seasonal allergies and just need them a certain time of the year. There is always the slim chance that the shots will help you not react so badly and they can gradually cut back on them - not too many people do that, tho'. Depends on your immune system, I think.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I was allergic to animals from the time I was little. The shots did help and I don't seem to be bothered by animal dander as much as I use to.

Cats tend to produce more allergic reactions than dogs. There are some canine breeds that don't shed and are "better" for a person with allergies.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Thanks everybody, for all the advice! I guess I do have reason to hope they will work. I love animals of all kinds, and these allergies have been a real bummer to my life. My daughter has mild allergies to cats and dust, and we've already started her on the shots, so hopefully the problem will be solved by the time she's an adult. She loves getting the injections...there's a reward system at our clinic. We get a Barnes and Noble gift certificate for every ten shots we get. They do that to encourage people to get in for their shots. It works, because my daughter is always asking me if we can get a shot! lol!

I'm glad to hear that some of you have gotten relief from the injections. Hopefully my daughter and I will as well!

 

[IandGsmom]

I am another person on whom the allergy shot have worked for.
I have been getting the shots for a little over a year. Last season ws so horrible I felt like ripping my nose off and scratching my eyes out. Then I got tested, got my shots and Allegra and this season was no problem. I still go once a week but in about a month or two should be down to every two weeks then less and less often as the years go by.

Allergy Doc.

 

[kellib36]

All you people that go into the Doc's office for your shots-------

Don't they charge you to have them administer it? My Doc just explained how to do them yourself, and unless you freak and tell them you couldn't do it, they sent the stuff home! Last I checked and it has been over 2 years ago, they charged $11 per shot to administer it, and the insurance didn't pay for that. I've always just done my own!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by kellib36
All you people that go into the Doc's office for your shots-------

Don't they charge you to have them administer it? My Doc just explained how to do them yourself, and unless you freak and tell them you couldn't do it, they sent the stuff home! Last I checked and it has been over 2 years ago, they charged $11 per shot to administer it, and the insurance didn't pay for that. I've always just done my own!!

Well if I were you, I would park my car outside in the hospital emergency room parking lot and administer them there and then I would wait a half hour.. Any time you are introducing an allergen, you risk a severe allergic reaction progressing to anaphalactic shock. I have seen two pts who never reacted develop a severe reaction that had to be treated with Epi and benedryl. People who have their allergy shots in the doctor's office are not just paying for the nurse to stick the needle in. That is the easy part. They are paying for the availability of emergency and resusitative equipment, in case something doesn't go well.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have 5 toy poodles and I have asthma and allergies!!!

I've had dogs my whole life even though I'm allergic to them! I developed allergies and asthma at about age 19. I remember it quite well.

Anyway, I lived with being miserable for years and finally (with good health insurance) decided to do something about it.

I'm SO glad I did! I feel so much better now! I started Spring 2001 so I've been getting shots for 3 years. I'm at once a month. I pay $5 ONLY for doctor visits like maybe every six months. He'll make sure everything's on track. I do not pay for the shots once a month. They are completely covered. I have Blue Cross.

I am also on Singular (one pill at bedtime) and Advair Disk (2 times a day) for my asthma. I never have an attack and I never need my emergency inhaler anymore.

I can't believe it but the shots and asthma medicines REALLY work! I'm not sure how much longer I must get them but I certainly don't mind. I'm not miserable anymore!

I am allergic to dogs, cats, horses, dust mites, pollen etc....

 

[clutter]

Unfortunately, what Dawn says is true. I've never found a doc that would let me do my own shots unless there was a physician present. I never thougth that anaphlectic shock was a big deal until a friend described when it happened to him after years and years of no problems.

Fortunately my insurance covers it, unfortunately, only after the co-pay.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by clutter
Unfortunately, what Dawn says is true. I've never found a doc that would let me do my own shots unless there was a physician present. I never thougth that anaphlectic shock was a big deal until a friend described when it happened to him after years and years of no problems.

Fortunately my insurance covers it, unfortunately, only after the co-pay.

A physician who would allow a patient to do their own allergy shots is at the least irresponsible and perhaps negligent. I can't imagine that his malpractice insurance carrier would be pleased.

 

[kellib36]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
A physician who would allow a patient to do their own allergy shots is at the least irresponsible and perhaps negligent. I can't imagine that his malpractice insurance carrier would be pleased.

Don't know about other areas of the country, but this is common practice around here.....

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by kellib36
Don't know about other areas of the country, but this is common practice around here.....

That is not reassuring. If you are going to continue to self administer, then I would insist on a perscription for an epi pen and IM benadryl with specific instructions on how and when to use it.

 

[Crankyshank]

My father took allergy shots for 20 yrs and now his allergies are almost cured. he just has mild attacks during high pollen count days that are easily relieved with low doses of allegra.

I'm on my 20th year of allergy shots and mine are significantly better but I'm not cured. the 3yrs I lived in FL and then moved back to MA basically put me back to almost square one allergy wise because of the different climate and allergens I was exposed to.

My allergist gives me my injections every week. I get a quiz before I get the shot so he knows what my symptoms have been like, and he makes me wait 20min afterwards to make sure I don't get a reaction.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I just love that so many people took the time to tell me about their experiences. Thank you!

I have to admit, I'm amazed that some people are allowed to give themselves the injections. My daughter and I have to go in to the clinic for shots...not only that, we must wait a full half hour before leaving to make sure there's no reaction. At first, I was seriously irritated at this. Then one day somebody else who was getting shots had a really, really bad reaction. At that point, I realized exactly why they made us wait and now I don't complain. I just take a good book (Harry Potter) and wait it out! lol!

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm glad to know that the shot have helped so many people. I'm really thinking they'll work for me, too! If I'm very lucky, someday I'll have a furry pet to love!

 

[Kristi1357]

I just wanted to reiterate the importance of waiting in the doc's office 30 mins. after your shots. I have been getting my allergy shots for years and about a couple years ago I had an anaphalactic (sp?) reaction. And this was just after my 30 mins. were up and I was driving home!

I see people all the time, get their shots and head out the door. They don't want you there just to see your pretty face for awhile longer, ya know.

My allergies are pretty severe, so I could never have pets myself. I have heard of people that can have cats or dogs after receiving shots though.

Good Luck!