Anyone ever had allergy shots?

[dawn1620]

DD's allergy doctor said her meds are not working for her anymore and has suggested she start allergy shots. She is allergic to dust, mold, pollen, all the usual. She is not allergic to foods, we've already gone that route. She has been on medication since around two years old. She has been sick four times already since last January and it's related to her allergies.

Her doc said once her immune system is built up then the shots will gradually be phased out - could take a year or so but he said this will be the best thing we can do for her. She also has mild asthma so that is also affected by her allergies.

I was just wondering if you could tell me your experiences with allergy shots. We've been going over all the pros and cons and we think we are going to give the ok but I would still like to hear your experiences.

Thanks!

 

[Tinkh]

My son was sick almost every week for two years after a very, very bad strep infection. After that his body turned against him and his mild allergies were stepped up severely. We started allergy shots over 6 years ago. Used to be every 4-6 days and now we go 28 days in between. His immune system is so much stronger. We are so thankful to his allergist.

 

[golfgal]

I haven't but I know many, many people that have and other then having to go in for them frequently they all have said it was the best thing they have ever done. Most don't even need allergy meds once they are done with the shots. If the allergy clinic is not close to your house, it will get to be a hassle. Our kids' old allergy dr was an hour away but she contracted with more local clinics to administer the shots so the kids in our old town that saw her went to the local clinic, to which they could walk, to get their shots.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I took them for years and years and they had absolutely no effect on me. When they tried to talk me into this with the kids I refused, boy did the Allergist come at me strong, so I switched to a Pulmonologist instead and am much happier with the attitude. Kids get bigger and their bodies change so a new medicine or a new dose is what we did with great success.

I took a Microbiology class a few years ago and in my text they said that certain very severe allergies like peanut & bee are different because they have similar protein coats that imitate parasites & trigger Eosinophil responses.... or at least that's the theory. Anyway, in the same section they said that these 2 particular allergies are the only 2 that research has shown to benefit from the shots. The entire industry is based upon the thinking that the benefits of these 2 very unique allergies can be reasonably extrapolated outward, the tone of the text was skeptical. Personally I don't buy the idea but that's just me.

If you REALLY want an accurate picture of allergies request Immunocap. They draw blood in a lab that has nothing to gain or lose by your results and there is zero risk of cross contamination. So far only 1 person I know who had allergies and switched to this test had the same outcome in both. My son, who would previously test allergic to everything came back only allergic to the mold linked to Asthma, not cats, dogs or dust. The majority of people who get this test done come back with zero allergies. I can't decide if this is due to grand scale human error or padding the bill, but I'll go with human error to be nice.

 

[beattyfamily]

I had allergies similar to your DD (dogs, cats, pollen, dust mites, horses, cockroaches, etc...) that started at around age 18. I also had asthma and got Brochitis a lot.

I was miserable for most of my 20's and then I decided life's too short to be so miserable all the time so after I had my kds, I started the allergy shots.

It took almost 7 years but it was SO worth it for me. Within the first year I noticed a big difference. Now I no longer get shots and I hardly ever even have a tickle in my nose. I also don't get Brochitis anymore either.

Good luck deciding.

 

[Jeafl]

I have the same allergies as your daughter, plus asthma. I had allergy shots for 21 years before I finally decided enough was enough. They really did nothing for me, and the strange thing is that I now have different allergies than I had when I was little. Some I outgrew, and I got some new ones over the years.

My younger daughter has bad allergies too, and her allergist suggested shots. He also gave her two kinds of allergy medicine, both very expensive, We found out that over the counter Zyrtec works as well as the other meds, and she seems to be doing just fine without the shots. I guess it is different for everyone.

 

[NewCrew42]

My son is mildly to moderately allergic to almost everything, every pollen, mold, dust, etc. & has asthma. Around the age of 13, he was missing a lot of school and it seemed as if he was sick ALL the time.

We started allergy shots, taking them every 3 to 7 days until we built up to maintanence level where we are now which is every 14 to 28 days.

All I can say is this is the best thing we have ever done for my son. He is off all of his allergy and asthma meds. He was on 4 daily meds plus his epi pen and inhaler. He shows no symptoms and is doing great!!! He has not missed any school this year so far. It is as if he is a different child/person.

 

[Gigi22]

DH was on allergy shots for about six months (his allergies included cat dander, grasses, dust, mould) during which time he developed symptoms similar to bronchitis. Turned out he was allergic to the allergy shots. Treatment: stop the shots. His faux bronchitis disappeared. Moral: keep your eyes on the effect of the treatment.

 

[okeydokey]

My son had them from ages 5 to 10. He would cough constantly, his ashthma was triggered by his alleriges. The shots helped tremendously. He is so much better now and I am so glad we did them.

He started at twice a week, went to once a week, once every other week and finally settled on once a month. After 5 years he was not allergic to many things anymore and mildly allergic still to some. The Dr. recommended discontinuing after 5 years, said that to continue would not help him more at that point.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DD's allergy doctor said her meds are not working for her anymore and has suggested she start allergy shots. She is allergic to dust, mold, pollen, all the usual. She is not allergic to foods, we've already gone that route. She has been on medication since around two years old. She has been sick four times already since last January and it's related to her allergies.

Her doc said once her immune system is built up then the shots will gradually be phased out - could take a year or so but he said this will be the best thing we can do for her. She also has mild asthma so that is also affected by her allergies.

I was just wondering if you could tell me your experiences with allergy shots. We've been going over all the pros and cons and we think we are going to give the ok but I would still like to hear your experiences.

Thanks!

I did them for 6yrs in my 30's. I literally was so sick at times I could not get out of bed.

It did not "cure" me however I got my life back.

I live in MO and it is allergy hell here.

 

[mom2aandj]

I am curious most about your allergist saying the shots would only take a year or so? I've never encountered them being given for such a short time period. Everyone I know who has done them, it's been a many year process, usually 5 like another poster stated.

My DS has allergies to pollen, trees and grass and his nose used to run non- stop every spring. He also has cat allergies and would react anytime he went into someone's house with a cat. We began with weekly shots when he was 6. We moved to every other week after a year or so, and now, are on a monthly shot schedule which will continue for another 6 months or so (and DS is now 10 1/2).

DS has improved tremendously; he can go into people's homes that have cats with no reaction now. Springtime he is sniffle free. I am glad we did it.

 

[dawn1620]

Thanks everyone. I meant to say her doc said it could take a year or two before she hit the "maintenance period" with the shots and would only get them periodically during the year. He said it could take some time to build up her immunity and the shots would start out twice a week. We live only about five minutes from the doctor's office so it would be really convenient.

DHs mother wants us to try a homeopathic med she got at the Health Food store before we start the shots. I have nothing against natural remedies but my gut tells me the shots are what need to be done. I hate to see her sick so much and I would love a spring or fall to go by and she does not have symptoms and also have to be loaded up on meds. Her doc has switched her medications up so much that nothing is really working now.

 

[Tiger926]

Yup, did them for years, and they just made me sicker.

There were 4 levels, and I could not get past level 1. I would react so badly to the shots, that my allergist that he thought I might be allergic to the actual needle, latex, etc. It was not good. I went every week for years, except of course when I was ill (which was often)...but because I couldn't build up immunity, they did not do anything.

I honestly wouldn't try anything homeopathic either. Those of us with allergies to mold, dust, pollen, trees, etc. cannot do natural remedies as that is what is in those remedies. I have to stay far away from any of those natural remedies as they just make me sicker, just like the shots did, as my immune system can't build up immunity, instead, it fights that product that has been introduced.

My allergies have improved over the years, just with small tolerance building and avoidance (no smoke, pets, etc.) . I live in one of the worst allergy areas in my province, and so it's been difficult, but after almost 40 years of being alive, I'm starting to see improvements with outside stuff. I can't cut grass, can't have pets, and have serious chemical allergies, but some of my allergies are not so bad as they used to be. The past 15 years, I have been doing it without drugs, as I am pretty much allergic to most antibiotics and cold/allergy medications. It's difficult, but I can only take 1 antibiotic, and so that has to be reserved for serious illnesses such as strep or sinus.

I hope that this works for your child, but the immune system is a very tricky place, so it will take some time (usually years for allergy shots).

Best of health, Tiger

 

[Wall-E1]

I've been getting shots going on three years now (cats, grasses, etc.). It has made a huge difference for me. It is much more effective than any medication I have ever taken.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

My dad was on them for a long time. They worked well you just have to very attentive to giving the shots. He got lazy and stopped doing the shots. Then when he started up again he went into anaphylactic shock. Not pretty.

Just do what the doctor says and it should be fine. Allergies can take over your life but the shots should help a lot

 

[samshane]

I had them regularly for 3yrs... and they didn't do a thing for me. Maybe I should've stuck with them longer - in reading this thread I didn't realize that. But after 3yrs and seeing no improvement at all I was done.

 

[luvestodizz]

My DS 12 has allergies to dust pollen mold. When he was about 6 he started allergy shots. HE had a very bad reaction to them once. The allergist had to give him a shot of epinephrine and then steroids. HE can never have those shots again. When I was a child, I went for allergy shots to and never had a reaction. I still get seasonal allergies though.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I had allergy shots for years starting at age 4. From what I have been told, I was incredibly sick as a child but as an adult I very rarely have any of the severe allergy symptoms that others have. I'm not sure if it is because of the years of shots or not but I'm not complaining. The shots were to curb the reactions to dust, pollen, mold, cat dander, etc...

Food allergies on the other hand have not been affected by the shots. I have developed new food allergies at different points and some have subsided in intensity.

 

[lrichardson]

I have suffered with allergies my entire life. I have had chronic sinusitis and surgery because of my allergies. Three and a half years ago I had constant post nasal drip and allergy symptoms. I went to an allergist (ENT) and he suggested either surgery again or allergy shots. I decided to try the shots first before having surgery. The first year I didn't feel much of a change but gradually it all changed. Now 3 and half years later I feel so much better. Have been much healther too. I have 3 cats adn a dog and no problems.

 

[Tinkh]

Yup, did them for years, and they just made me sicker.

There were 4 levels, and I could not get past level 1. I would react so badly to the shots, that my allergist that he thought I might be allergic to the actual needle, latex, etc. It was not good. I went every week for years, except of course when I was ill (which was often)...but because I couldn't build up immunity, they did not do anything.

I honestly wouldn't try anything homeopathic either. Those of us with allergies to mold, dust, pollen, trees, etc. cannot do natural remedies as that is what is in those remedies. I have to stay far away from any of those natural remedies as they just make me sicker, just like the shots did, as my immune system can't build up immunity, instead, it fights that product that has been introduced.

My allergies have improved over the years, just with small tolerance building and avoidance (no smoke, pets, etc.) . I live in one of the worst allergy areas in my province, and so it's been difficult, but after almost 40 years of being alive, I'm starting to see improvements with outside stuff. I can't cut grass, can't have pets, and have serious chemical allergies, but some of my allergies are not so bad as they used to be. The past 15 years, I have been doing it without drugs, as I am pretty much allergic to most antibiotics and cold/allergy medications. It's difficult, but I can only take 1 antibiotic, and so that has to be reserved for serious illnesses such as strep or sinus.

I hope that this works for your child, but the immune system is a very tricky place, so it will take some time (usually years for allergy shots).

Best of health, Tiger

Sounds like a glyercin allergy. Many people who do not do well with the shots are allergic to the actual glycerin in the shots. My son has to do the glycerin drops before he takes his shots. Not all glycerins are the same either.