OT-Allergy Shots for children?

[liznboys]

Does anyone have any experience with allergy shots and children?

My 6 yr old sons Dr. wants to start him on them. They explained the whole process to me, and how long it would take, and the fact that it is a big commitment, etc...

Geez, it sure is! I am unsure as to what to do... He is a brave boy, has always handled shots and getting blood drawn without a problem. But when I think about just how many shots he'll be getting, mulitple times every week for months...I really don't know how this would go! Shots/medical stuff doesn't bother me at all, but even *I* can't imagine getting that many shots! So how do children handle it?

And I wonder if we do decide to do it, is age 6 a good time to start?? Would it be better, and not detrimental, to wait til he's a little older?

The Dr. says it's up to us. No pressure or anything. I need to get some first-hand opinions and experiences to help us decide.

Oh, as we were leaving the Dr.'s office after they just told us about all this, there was a young girl (I'd say 7 or 8 yrs old) who had just gotten her allergy shot(s) and she was all red-faced and teary-eyed, and holding her arm. Her mom put her arm around her and they just walked quietly to their car. I just felt sad for her... And I picture having to go through that over and over and over again.

And then I think of the kids/parents who decide not to get shots. They live with the allergies (take meds and/or cope) and then sometimes they outgrow them as they get older-with no shots...

Anyway, thanks for any help.

 

[james'mommy]

Allergy shots have been a life saver for me. Previously I would spend the entire spring trapped in my house wearing a painters mask and wiping the dogs off from head to toe every time they came in from outside. I'm already down to 1 shot per month. The shots really don't hurt that much. The more liquid they inject the more it hurts (just a little bit and only really because the amount pushed under the skin). The worst part in my opinion is the allergy testing. My doctor had to stop mine at 12 minutes because my throat started to swell. My doctors office also uses a cream after the shot that is a mix of eucerin and hydrocortison. If you put it on right after the shot it really cuts down the itching and swelling. For kids the office uses stickers and fancy band aids. You might want to reward your son with a special treat every time he gets a shot. And it's only for a few years but the benefits last much longer. Last time I got allergy shots they lasted for about 2 years but I had relief for about 5-6 years after the shots stopped.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I started getting allergy shots very young - don't know the exact age, but it was before 10. It was one shot every week, usually the same day and time. Getting the testing was bad. They did little pricks under the skin all over my back. It was a long and painful process that I remember having to go through more than once. After that however, it was just one shot once a week - the Dr would ask you if anything in perticular was really bothering me, like polon, or the dog or cat, etc. and adjust the dosage to my answer. I don't remember when I got to stop going, I think sometime in HS, and now I don't really have any allergies. I know most people get the runny nose, but for me, if I ate something I was allergic to, my joints would hurt so badly I would be in tears. Drs for years told my mom it was just growing pains, but they were wrong and it was allergies, so its a good thing that you are taking care of it for your son, and hopefully he will be just fine!!!

EDIT - I just read the post of the person above, and just wanted to let you know that I never experienced any of the things they talk about like itching and swelling after the shot. Just wanted to let you know so you don't think that will 100% happen because after at least 10 years of going every week, I never had that, though my Dr was one of the best in the nation, not to say that OPs Dr is bad!! Just different experiences!

 

[ChelleinNC]

My DS is 11 now and has been getting allergy shots (in each arm) for 2 1/2 years now.

The first thing to relax you: he was terrified the first time, crying/sobbing the whole 9 yards. After they gave him the shot, he was amazed and said "that's it?" The needles are very thin, and they don't go real deep and don't (shouldn't) go into the muscle, so they don't hurt too bad. They also have a cream that they can put on to help after the injection.

I have found that the shots have helped my DS at least a bit. He's still on a daily allergy medicine, but he has less instances of sinus infections and strep (although both were worse this year).

Does your DS suffer from outdoor/enviromental allergies? Has he had the allergy testing to see how bad his allergies are? We only started because DS was miserable, was on 2 daily allergy medicines and they weren't doing enough. Didn't help that he played soccer & golf and one of the worse reactions on his test was Bermuda grass (soccer fields and golf courses ) He actually was very reactive to almost all grasses, trees, pollens, a few molds.

DS started out with shots twice a week for 6 weeks, then once a week for 6 weeks, once every 2 weeks and so on until he hit once a month and that's what we continue to do for "maintenance". I do think it's helping, but I can't be sure.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks so much everyone!

They sent us home with a lot of literature, and it says that itching where they do the shot (and other reactions) can happen, but rarely. They said that we are to stay in the office for 30 minutes after each shot in case an immediate reaction occurs. And then there's a list of symptoms to watch for after we leave.

He has had the skin testing done multiple times. At his appt. 2 weeks ago they did 66 pricks on his back, and 5 intradermals on his arm. I could see how red and itchy his poor back was getting as we waited the 15 minutes, I felt so bad for him. The pricks covered his entire back! They actually had to go slightly around the side of him to fit them in. But he did great!!

He is allergic to trees, grass, weeds, cats, dogs, dustmites, & mold. He takes Singulair, Zyrtec, and Nasonex every night. He has never had a severe reaction, he has only had symptoms that are bothersome, but not dangerous. He is fine as long as he is taking the meds. For the skin testing we of course had to stop any antihistamines, so without the Zyrtec for a week, I noticed his symptoms were worse.

 

[tripplanner]

My daughter was about 6 when she started shots. She really has tolerated them well. I really can't remember a single time where she cried. She does tend to be dramatic, but not with this. I have seen a few kids over the years with the red crying faces, but not many. She has had a few episodes of redness and fever (when you touch it it's hot) where she gets the shot. We always tell the office and they reduce her next shot amount. We started with twice a week, one shot in each arm. She's now up to every three weeks, one shot in each arm. It is quite a commitment. She's in High School now (15 years old) and they are working to get her up to once every 4 weeks and then finally off the shots all together. For us, it's been a great thing. I really do see a difference in her allergies. She has asthma that is triggered by allergies, so this has meant no more bouts of pneumonia or night time hospital visits.

My brother did this same shot therapy when he was a kid. He's 44 now and has no issues with allergies as an adult. It really worked for him. My husband started taking them as an adult. He's taken them for a few years now and really hasn't had the same benefit from it as my daughter and brother have had. He's debating whether he should stop.

 

[dreamin_disney]

i took dd to a chiro dr. that was recommend by a co-worker for ear pressure (problems since age 3) . Anyways he said the adjustment should help her allergies so far so good (.In the 1 month she's got her adjustment and held I only had to give her zytec once , thats because she went to her nanas house and she has dog. She did break out but not as bad.

She also had the 64-66 pricks and her back was swallen and red itchy too. The week before testing she wasnt allowed antihistamines. Boy was she miserable. She was mainly allergic to environment , cats and some food but very low on those. Olive tree , and 2 grasses were very high.Dr gave her a nasal spray and two pills to take everyday and depending she would need 3 shots per week and he felt she would need the shots. I stopped the allergy meds the day of her adjustment its been about one month and she hasnt complained- Thank goodness!

Another patient at the chiro said he's allergies also got better from every weeks to evry two weeks and less shots.


This route worked for us and the chiro was recommend word of mouth. He doesnt crack our bones but uses a tool called an activtor(i think) palmers method. Anyone who decides to try a chiro i suggest using one word of mouth that has had positive results. DD only had one adjust and has held it for a month so far-yipeeeee! she goes back on monday to see if shes still holding

 

[DisSarahK]

We don't have experience with allergy shots yet as my daughter is too young. I can tell you, though, that age 5.5-6 is when our allergist wants to start shots with my daughter, so it sounds as though your child is right at the same age. Our allergist says her reason for waiting until that age is to be *very* sure the child can clearly articulate if they are having a reaction and be specific about what the reaction is.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I started allergy shots at age 4 and continued with them into high school age and then again in college.

I still remember the pain of the initial testing on my back - that was 100 times worse than the twice weekly shots I got! Honestly you get used to the shots and learn to relax your arm. If you tense up it hurts worse!

I still had allergy issues growing up but supposedly the shots have lessened the severity of my reactions.

 

[swkmom]

Our son has been getting allergy shots for about a year now, he will be 9 this week. I have really seen a difference in his symptoms this spring as compared to last spring when he was not getting them. His worst allergies are to trees and pollen, we live in WV so there's no hiding from the trees!

He gets a shot in each arm. He's just now to the point where he can go every 2-3 weeks instead of once a week. His doctor does say to stay at least 20 minutes after the injection, we always do but I see so many people that just come in get their shot and leave. I'm too paranoid that my son might have a reaction so I stay the entire time.

He did have a reaction once after a shot (when they increased the dose), I wasn't there my hubby was. He said that our son's arm swelled up and he was having trouble getting a "good breath" (according to our son) but the doctor immediately came out into the waiting room and gave him medication to stop the reaction. I probably would have freaked out if I had been there!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Our son has been getting allergy shots for about a year now, he will be 9 this week. I have really seen a difference in his symptoms this spring as compared to last spring when he was not getting them. His worst allergies are to trees and pollen, we live in WV so there's no hiding from the trees!

He gets a shot in each arm. He's just now to the point where he can go every 2-3 weeks instead of once a week. His doctor does say to stay at least 20 minutes after the injection, we always do but I see so many people that just come in get their shot and leave. I'm too paranoid that my son might have a reaction so I stay the entire time.

He did have a reaction once after a shot (when they increased the dose), I wasn't there my hubby was. He said that our son's arm swelled up and he was having trouble getting a "good breath" (according to our son) but the doctor immediately came out into the waiting room and gave him medication to stop the reaction. I probably would have freaked out if I had been there!

The policy at DS's allergy office is that you're supposed to stay 20minutes after your shot in case of reaction until you move to a maintenance dose (monthly shot) then they suggest 5 minutes but don't worry if you leave immediately because you're much less likely to have a reaction and would recognize it if it were to happen.

DS's reactions are swelling/redness at the injection site (sometimes). It never bothers him, but they say to report if it's bigger than a quarter. He's gone well over the silver dollar/half dollar size several times. He has to take a benadryl dose before getting his shots now. The only other reaction he has ever had was earlier this year. The minute the nurse gave him his shots he came back in pain, very unusual for him. Said it hurt to lift his arms. We went and talked to the nurse, stayed for awhile longer to watch it. No outward signs of reaction, just him saying how bad it hurt. We had to give him tylenol/motrin through the next day. Still not sure if it was a reaction to the shot, or if somehow they hit a nerve/muscle and didn't want to admit it. It was a very strange "reaction". After that they said they wanted him to take tylenol as well before his shots, but we haven't bothered.

 

[McSooner]

My DS 9 should be the poster child for allergy shots.

In 2nd grade he ended up in the hospital 2 times for RSV...Yes RSV in a 8 year old. My DS is a big boy...Tallest in his class and it knocked him out. He was breathiing at 84 percent. They finally diagnosed him with Allergy induced Asthma. Went to the Doctor to find out he was allergic to everything except food and cockroaches....I said great he can grow up and be a fat slob and he'll breathe alright...LOL

We've been on the shots for a year and half. He had perfect attendance at school this past year and only had to take 3 breathing treatments all year long.
It was amazing.

The test is a bit hard. It's not that it hurts it is just that their are so many. Just hold on to him tight!

I swear by them

 

[dezimber]

I had shots thru high school and into colleges for 5 years(once a week and twice a week for a shot period). Oddly I don't remember much about testing and was tested twice because during an annual check-up I told the Dr. that I had been having so and so symptoms with a day that shot(s) were due. I went every Thurs. As for painful shots for me that depended on who gave. One nurse a very gental the other one often got me in my muscle. If I tensed it was worst. Maybe talk with your son to prepare let him bring up his conserns and address them. Sometimes they do hurt but not all the time. Thinking positive and relaxing helps. If he goes in fearful and tense it will hurt more. Mind over matter is what got me through. Going through allergy treatments help me to be more aware of my own body. From time to time I do have allergy problems but for the most part I am symptom free. It was well worth going through treatment.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks for the replies, you've all been a big help!!