children and allergy shots...what is your experience?

[BWVDenise]

I took ds(8) back to the allergist last week and he mentioned allergy shots. He says that ds is a very allergic child. His asthma has been really bad but is getting better with lots of medications.
I don't know anyone who has a child who gets this done. My m-i-l gets them, but I was wondering how effective they are for children and if there is a down side to doing this. Weekly trips to the doctor for a needle isn't exactly what my 8 yo had in mind for after school activities! But if it can't be avoided....

 

[Jenzebelle]

I've had allergy shots since I was 9yrs.
Yikes! That's almost 20yrs

Allergy shots have helped make my allergies much better and much more manageable.
They were very effective in the sense that I am no longer allergic to many things I used to be. And I have a higher tolerance for the things I am still allergic to.
I didn't have a down side to my experience as a child, other than having to get shots weekly. And I used to be pretty moody for 24hrs after the shot.

 

[DocRafiki]

I had them when I was a kid, and I got to stop them when I was in ~5th grade. I actually liked getting them. I got to get out of school a little early because we were rural and had to travel a ways to the dr. I would be so proud of how well I could take them; I'd usually go to the back and have it over with before my mom finished filling out the paperwork. After a little while, my mom started giving them to me at home.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My son got allergy shots for a number of years. They really helped him a lot. My mother and I both took them, as well. I'm a believer. They don't usually hurt much, it's more of a pain to just find the time to go sit in the doctor's office.

 

[Pam]

Well - they literally saved my life! I was 10 years old and weighing not even 50 lbs. - that's how sick I was when they finally discovered that I had severe allergies in addition to my asthma. (Only took 10 years to find that out, )

I took allergy shots for 10 years - when I was 20 I decided to quit. The doctor was really, really mad, told me I would die, etc. That was 21 years ago. I still have the occasional asthma attack - and if I'm in a lot of ragweed, pine, etc., the allergies kick in. But those 10 years of 2 shots did miracles for me. I only decided to quit when the nurse told me my arms were too thick to get the needles in them and wanted me to get the shots in my leg!!

We went to the doctor's office for several years and then found a local RN to give the shots to me. I believe now that you can give the shots yourself - usually the doctor will teach you how to administer the dose.

My DS took allergy drops for 5.5 years. They weren't as effective as the shots - but he has a real schism about needles. Last year we switched over to Zyrtec and noticed a real improvement.

Pam

 

[Mermaid02]

I had them as a child for a time..... turns out the doc was a QUACK though who was shooting us (his patients) up with all kinds of experimental crud. Not nice. Needless to say I have not had any since- I take allegra-d everyday.

 

[Kermit]

I know lots of kids who took them when I was a kid with good results. But all the kids I know now with allergies take Claritin or Zyrtec or one of the other new, non-drowsy antihistimines.

They will train you to give the shots yourself if you're interested (which I highly recommend). You usually have to have the first few shots of a new vial given at the doctor's office just to make sure there's no bad reaction, but then they'll let you finish the rest of the vial at home.

 

[BWVDenise]

he already does take zyrtec... and singulair, and advair, and albuteral... so I wonder if they would do the shots instead of the zyrtec. I guess I'll find out eventually.

 

[Lars624]

I got them once a week as a child starting at about age 7 or 8. They eventually progressed to once every 10 days, then once every 2 weeks, then once a month etc. until i stopped them altogether. They were very helpful for me. I have a lot of friends who are afraid of needles but they don't bother me....I got used to them at an early age Your DS would get used to it too

 

[Kermit]

I don't have any real way of knowing, but I'm guessing that he wouldn't take Zyrtec with the shots. The shots are actually a small amount of the allergins that bother him, and they're given to increase his immunity to those particular substances. I have no medical training, but I'd think that an antihistimine would negate his reaction to the allergins anyway, so I'm not sure it would help his immunity. I may be completely wrong, though.

That's a lot of medicine. I hope you do find something that works for him soon. Poor guy.

 

[BWVDenise]

Well, Kermit, that makes sense to me. He is doing better though!

 

[missymouse3367]

We have several pts that take the shots. They say that they are wonderful. We have the pts get their first shots @ the allergists office, thn once they are on a maintenance dose we will give the shots. The pts have to wait 20 min. and we have to check for a reaction. I worked @ another office where a pt had a bad reaction (stopped breathing), thank goodness she stayed.
What is your DS allergic to? If it is something that could be controlled by oral meds I'd try that route. The shots are something that really freak most kids out, so a few prizes might be needed @ first. Good Luck.

 

[janette]

My understanding of the shots is that they are in addition too the other treatments. My 8yo DD is on all the maintenance drugs except for she's using Maxair instead of Albuteral. She uses Albuteral only when she's wheezing and needs something more than her other drugs.

Her doctors haven't recommended shots, she doesn't see an allergist right now though. We have a relative that is an allergist and I'd ask his opinion before going that route. Most people I've known that have had shots say it does lessen the symptoms but not cure them. Especially in cases like my DD when they are allergic to almost everything.

Another consideration is that many insurance plans don't cover allergy serum. If it was needed that wouldn't be an issue but if there aren't clear indications that it would help it might be.

 

[BWVDenise]

thanks for the "heads-up" on the insurance. I hadn't even considered that it might not be covered. My ds is allergic to all of the first 22 things that they tested him for (weeds, pollen, dust mites, grass, trees, mold, pets, etc.) I just want to be really informed before deciding if the allergy shots are the right thing for him or not.

 

[janette]

I know how that is Denise. My DD tested positive for everything but dust mites. We've been lucky because our family friend did all the testing for us. Nice to have an allergist in the family but he lives too far away for regular treatment so we'd have to have someone else if she needs someone.

I struggle with the drugging my child feeling. It doesn't feel right that she's on so many meds but I know how sick she can get even with the meds so can't imagine how we could do without. For the most part her asthma is under control, most things I've read are very positive about the results of the treatments asthmatic children receive now vs years ago. The maintenance drugs really help their lungs stay heathy.

My DD is pretty good about it all and can now recognize when she's having problems. Maybe someday they'll work out how to cure it

 

[Eeyore2U]

DS has been on the for 4 almost 5 years and I only wish the Pedi would have sent him sooner. We were at the docs almost weekly until he was sent to the allergist. Now the ear/sinus infections are nearly nonexistent. He was on weeklys for years and now we think he has only a few months left.

 

[LisaR]

I have never been on the community board before. Stumbled here by accident but I had to respond to this one. My dd is 7. We were told 5 hours after she was born that there was a very good chance she would have asthma since she already had her first attack! She was on different medications from that day on. She also had ear tubes, which was a big help. She started allergy shots in Feb. of 2001. We started weaning her off of different meds awhile ago. Three months ago, she stopped taking ALL of her medications!!!! She is doing great (knock on wood)! I feel the allergy shots played a big part in this, however, they weren't the only thing. We do not have any carpet in our house (hard wood floors or vinyl tile only). I have a vacuum that is designed specifically for people with allergies. It wasn't cheap but it is the best vacuum I have ever seen. We have air purifiers in all the bedrooms and family room. We do not have curtains on the windows (mini blinds, no valances). It may sound extreme to many people but there is nothing worse then pumping your kid full of steroids. We were willing to do whatever it would take to at least reduce her meds. I feel all of these things combined have been the reason she is doing so well. I wish you the best of luck. Trust me, I know what you are going thru.

Lisa

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well I get allergy shots weekly (2yrs+) and did ask them about kids. The 'allergy girls' say that kids immune systems are immature and they do not recommend them getting shots, until they exhausted other solutions.
Also it DOES hurt...sometimes my arm is sore for a couple of days. Depends on the shot giver.
As far as cost...it cost my insurance company $40.00 a week for me.
I could give my shots at home myself, but ewww, I'd rather have them do it.

Is there an allergy-free state because I would like to move there. I am never well and I HATE it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Don't move to Oklahoma, then. I think we win the allergy award of the world.

 

[ez]

! had allergy shots from when I was like 2 or 3 till I went away to college at almost 17. I had severe allergies and asthma. Dogs were the worst, if I even trick or treated at a house with a dog, I could get an asthma attack. Needless to say, I couldn't go to many friends or relatives homes as a child. I also couldn't do any activity where I broke a sweat, I'd get an attack.
I'm happy to say that as I reached college age, my dream came true and I outgrew my allergies/asthma. I don't know if all those years of shots helped, but something did. We have a huge, constantly shedding golden retriever, a cat, and I jog! No allergies or asthma! Go figure