Allergy Shots..........

**Beautiful Disaster** · 07-26-2010 10:42 AM

As I age (yes, that sounds weird even to me!) I notice my outdoor allergies seem to get worse. This year has been way worse than previous years. I got past the normal high pollen allergy time of year, with Claritin (switched to Zyrtek) and thought I was done. But no...now ragweed comes into the picture. Suddenly if I sit outside in the evenings at all, I can't breath when I come in. I'm drinking drainage (eeeck!) constantly.

A coworker is recommending for me to get allergy testing done. She did this about a year ago and said that since she started taking her allergy shots she has not had one sinus infection where she was typically have 2-4 sinus infections per year.

Can anyone give any experience about allergy shots? I don't like taking meds....and I'm a little reluctant to have myself injected with something that I really don't know what it is, what the side effects, or what the long term effects will be. But...I'm also tired of feeling cruddy over these allergies and having to pump myself with various over the counter meds to get through the day.

Any testimonials on allergy shots? Good and bad??

HELLLLP. *sneeze snot cough*

**LanaBear** · 07-26-2010 10:58 AM

Funny that you post this because I'm thinking the same thing.

I've battled allergies forever and as I just spent 4 days out camping in the mountains with dust, sagebrush, trees, and everything else, I was MISERABLE. Man, it was rough, we went on a 200 mile ride on Saturday where I ate dust for hours... So, I'm at the point where I may go in too because OTC Claritin and Zyrtek do nothing for me.

A co-worker of mine gets allergy shots and he swears by them. He's been trying to talk me into it for about 8 years now, I may finally cave. I don't know what else to do.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 07-26-2010 12:21 PM

Lana, what has been your hesitation in getting them? I guess its because it's sort of an unknown for me. I haven't done my research and I don't truly know what they are, or what kind of effects both short term and long term they could have on me. Would I be pumping my body with chemicals that could later be found to be carcinogenic? Blah. My ex fiance used to give himself his allergy shots every month and even in the first year felt like a new person during allergy season. They say they can take a year or so to even really work.

I feel like I'm taking Claritin daily and still then having to turn around and take benadryl at night. And as someone more prone to sinus infections, I'm a believer that allergies are often the source of that too.

I just want to know more about them!

**LanaBear** · 07-26-2010 12:29 PM

I think really, my only hesitation is that I HATE HATE HATE needles of any kind and since allergy shots fall into that category, it was never more than a passing thought until recently. If I can suck it up once a month or whatever it is, I think I would be happier.

I completely agree that allergies are a source of sinus infections too!

**Beautiful Disaster** · 07-26-2010 12:34 PM

My coworker has to get hers weekly. But my ex only used to do his once a month. I can see me being negligent if I had to physically go into a doctors office every week. Luckily, my insurance makes allergy shots free.

I have no real issue with needles. When I get blood drawn I usually don't even feel it, and like to watch as they put the needle in actually.

Shots never bothered me.

Somethings gotta give. It sure is hard to maintain an exercise routine when you have throbbing head, stopped up nose and a cough.

Maybe some others who have done this will respond...then we can feel more confident in moving forward with it.

**ItsASecret** · 07-26-2010 03:51 PM

Would I be pumping my body with chemicals that could later be found to be carcinogenic?

There will be some who are going to claim that western medicine is nothing but a conspiracy to kill the world via medication. I would not be worried because of the simply fact of the countless millions that take this therapy method and have absolutely amazing results. Sure there will be some that have no effect, but the simple answer to that is no one is going to react the same. My cousin took his, absolutely no symptoms to be heard of anymore. My boyfriend is taking them right now and he says he can hardly feel a difference.

I haven't done my research and I don't truly know what they are, or what kind of effects both short term and long term they could have on me.

I will offer a simple explanation as to why the shots work the way they do. Allergy shots are essentially a concoction of everything you are allergic to, placed into a vial, and administered via needle. Basically the nurse is injected the very things that make you have allergy symptoms. If a foreign body enters you in any way the immediate response of your body is to see if it is an okay thing or a not so okay thing. This recognition is done by antibodies. An antibody will attach itself to the exact antigen that it was designed for (think of it as only one key works for the one lock). If the body determines that the object is foreign then it will go into defensive war mode and attack via immune methods. You are being bombarded with foreign dust particles and other commonalities during the day so your body is so used to it that you do not feel the 'war zone' happening with your immune cells. However, with allergies your body decides that the immune method it preferably wants to use is histamine release. This oh so lovely chemical is responsible for the uggy feeling of stuffiness, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and just general yuck. The thing is your body right now does not have enough of the necessary equipment (antibodies) to recognize the polllen or ragweed (an antigen) and therefore it is being overrun. So extra histamines are released because your body is in a panic to get rid of allergens because this dumb pollen is not recognized as something that can be easily dealt with...so on goes the sneezing and blowing your nose to get the foreign junk out of your body. The point of the allergy shots is to increase your antibody count for those specific antigens. The only way the body can really do this is to be exposed to it enough times to build up the higher immunity to it. Eventually you will have enough antibodies that when pollen grains enter your system your body can easily recognize them and easily get rid of them without needing to go through the big phase of yucky histamine release. This is the part though that takes a long time since antibodies are not exactly a quick build.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 07-27-2010 06:44 AM

ItsASecret - great info. Thanks!!

**Sniffles** · 08-04-2010 11:45 PM

ItsASecret, seriously great info, thank you! Beautiful Disaster, I can see why you're hesitant, as am I! Not because of the needles or anything but just because I know there has to be a better solution out there, that isn't going to be miserable! This year has been the absolute worst year of my life, being newer to all these allergies, and I've been very involved in trying to find something better then all these drugs all the companies have to offer! I HATE antihistamines and plus all the side effects really make me not even want to take the product! I've seen some homeopathic and holistic doctors who believe in all natural remedies and some of them actually kind of make sense. I'm still doing lots of research but I'll try to keep everyone dealing with these horrible problems updated

Good luck in your own searches, and please keep us all updated on the shots!

**Beautiful Disaster** · 08-11-2010 06:39 AM

I got the allergy test yesterday. It wasn't a bad experience at all. Found out I'm either very strongly or strongly allergic to about 16 out of 24 molds. And I'm strongly allergic to dogs.

I was totally not expecting that. I have always had dogs and have never really noticed a direct reaction like I do when I'm outside and get all stopped up. I love on my dog ALL the time, constantly kissing on her head and snuggling with her. haha. Considering I have an indoor dog, who's about 70lbs that I will NOT be getting rid of, it is looking like my best option may be the shots. With my insurance I can get the shots for free, so it doesn't really make sense to pay for medicine when I can get the shots.

For prob the first year I'll still have to take other medications, like Zyrtec to minimize the allergies, until the shots are fully active in my system.

I would highly recommend getting tested for those of you experiencing allergy troubles. Then if you opt not to do the shots, at least you know specifically what you're allergic to, what times of year to watch out for them, and ways to learn to make yourself feel better.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 09-07-2010 01:48 PM

I forgot to update you gals.

On Aug 3 I got allergy testing done. It was totally a pleasant experience, nothing very painful, only some mild discomfort. Turns out I'm highly allergic to 16 of 24 molds all of which I got a 3 or 4 result on (4 being highest). AND.... I got a 3 on...........DOG DANDER!!!

Yes, I'm allergic to my favorite furry girl. haha. He told me to start taking Zyrtek and use Nasonex and decide whether or not I want to start the shots. I've decided I'm going to start taking them. The Zyrtek is for indoor/outdoor and what I was taking before was outdoor only. It is helping tremendously. But, I can get the shots for free through my job so I'll end up spending less than if I continue for years to come to buy meds.

I highly recommend getting the test, especially if you have good insurance. I ended up spending a total of about $58. It's great to know now for sure what I'm allergic to so I can handle it better.