Anyone ever had allergy shots?

[dezimber]

I got them when I was in high school. I started with getting one shot twice a week, moved to getting one shot once a week, then began to be having more allergy symptoms so my doctor had me re-tested to adjust my shots and finnished the remaining treatment with getting 2 shots once a week. I was also on the 5 year plan. I was also deferred as a blood doner if there had been 24-72 hours since my last shot. I has helped a lot but I still have good and bad days. I am supposed to take a pill a day but I don't prefer to do that as needed. When the symptons are mild it's doesn't require medication so I don't see the need to pill to take care of the same thing a tissue can.

 

[Tiger926]

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.

Thanks for this info! I was tested for just about everything, and I think glycerin was on the list, but I will check my files as I have them for reference.

Best of health to your boy, Tiger

 

[Aristocath]

My allergies got worse the older I got and with each of my three pregnancies. I didn't want to take allergy shots because my brother had them as a kid and as a PP mentioned, he is now allergic to a new set of things. So I told my allergiest "no" for several years until I was just sick all the time and dreaded all outdoor activities.

About 4 or 5 years ago I started weekly shots and now I am to one shot every four weeks. I can't believe I waited so long. I've also been able to go off most of my meds and only use a nasal spray every other day. It seriously changed my life. I seldom get migraines anymore either.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I had allergy shots as a child for years. Back then I was only allergic to mold, mildew, dust, pollen, etc. As an adult I am now having food allergies such as sesame and sunflower seeds and oils. The shots did nothing for me overall, my nose still bothers me all year round, I always have a tissue.

 

[Christine]

My 16 y/o son is on them now. We did it for awhile when he was about 6 years old but not long enough to see if they worked.

His asthma doctor does not like that he is on so many allergy meds and is still not well controlled. We've been doing the shots since August so we won't really see anything for quite some time.

My son has food allergies (which there are no shots for) but he tested positive to 54 of the 55 things they tested him for. The only thing he wasn't allergic to was horses!!

When he gets his shots once a week, he gets two separate injections. In the last month, one of the injections causes his arm to swell for a few days but we were told this is common.

 

[mjkacmom]

I got them for about 10 years, even bringing my vials to college. I'm allergic to pretty much everything, and back in the day, my only medicine was sudafed. Those shots were amazing! I actually used to have to miss school on bad days, because I couldn't leave the house. I can't think of any downside - my kids have allergies, but not to the extent I have them (and I still take medication daily). If they get worse, I wouldn't hesitate to get them shots.

Another upside - I have NO fear of needles, IV's, giving blood, etc.

 

[Minnie_me]

Allergy shots have changed my DD's life. She is allergic to grass, trees, dust, mold and some animals. She used to take Zyrtec every morning and Singulair every night, and STILL suffer greatly -- every single day. It was terrible! We had her mattress and pillow wrapped in special cases, no stuffed animals in her room, she showered every night (to get the allergens off her body after playing outside), we installed central air conditioning, we avoided known allergens, etc.

And still she suffered.

Even though they told us it might take a year to notice results, we started noticing a difference after only 6 months. She was getting 3 shots each time, and going once a week. And after 6 months, we were able to stop giving her Zyrtec and Singulair.

Now, we're coming up on the 2-year mark. On a really bad allergy day (high pollen counts, etc.), she might take a Zyrtec. But other than that, she's symptom free. It has even dramatically helped her eczema.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I just started my allergy shots this past fall and am approaching maintenance.

I've been going 2x/week for my shots where they ramp up the amount and concentration w/ each visit.

The first shot is at a specific concentration and a very small amount. Subsequent shots increase the amount until we move up to the next concentration where the process is repeated.

I just received my first shot of the highest concentration this past week and should start maintenance next month!

My big allergy is grass. I take four meds (including 2 eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis!) and it is too debilitating to go on w/o trying the shots. To make life more interesting, I'm also mildly allergic to dust mites and mold.

My allergist was VERY up front w/ me that allergy shots don't work for everyone, but she did say that if they don't work 100%...they should at least take the edge off and make my allergies more manageable.

Good Luck!

 

[LindaG4458]

My nasal allergies were so bad that the symptoms made me non-functional. None of the available meds could touch them, and I would have to stay home in bed when having reactions. DH had similar, although less severe, allergies.

My doctor sent me to an allergist for a consultation and I decided to try the shots. In my case, each serum had to be injected separately or my arm would swell. I got four shots, two in each arm, at each appointment. After a couple of months I started feeling a little better, so DH also started treatment. We both took shots for 13 years and felt great. We stopped because employment changes made it very inconvenient to get to the doctor for the shots.

In the subsequent years we have been able to control symptoms with meds. In my case I need prescription tablets; DH can use OTC Zyrtec and be comfortable.

Getting the shots was one of the best things we ever did.

 

[Kirby]

I was getting vertigo due to seasonal allergies and went in for an allergy test. My doctor suggested weekly shots there or sublingual immunotherapy drops which I could do at home. If going to the doctor weekly is inconvenient, you might ask him if they provide the drops.

In the end I chose to just take OTC Zyrtec and I've been fine for the last year.

 

[7165red]

Yes, they really helped me.

 

[Tinkh]

Thanks for this info! I was tested for just about everything, and I think glycerin was on the list, but I will check my files as I have them for reference.

Best of health to your boy, Tiger

Thanks Same to you!

 

[horseshowmom]

I scanned the thread pretty quickly, but I didn't notice this. Someone mentioned the minor inconvenience of having to go by to get shots. I took the shots many years ago and gave them to myself. It wasn't difficult at all. My dad did the same.

 

[sap1227]

Allergy shots have changed my DD's life. She is allergic to grass, trees, dust, mold and some animals. She used to take Zyrtec every morning and Singulair every night, and STILL suffer greatly -- every single day. It was terrible! We had her mattress and pillow wrapped in special cases, no stuffed animals in her room, she showered every night (to get the allergens off her body after playing outside), we installed central air conditioning, we avoided known allergens, etc.

And still she suffered.

Even though they told us it might take a year to notice results, we started noticing a difference after only 6 months. She was getting 3 shots each time, and going once a week. And after 6 months, we were able to stop giving her Zyrtec and Singulair.

Now, we're coming up on the 2-year mark. On a really bad allergy day (high pollen counts, etc.), she might take a Zyrtec. But other than that, she's symptom free. It has even dramatically helped her eczema.

My son's story is very similar, but we are now at 5+ years on shots and doing them once a month. He was soooo miserable before and the shots really made all the difference in the world. I know they don't work for everyone, but for us the shots have been wonderful!