Allergy and Allergy Shot Advise

Hi W.,
I had extensive allergy testing done about thirteen years ago when trying to get to the bottom of various health challenges and like you, turned out to be allergic to tons of airborne stuff (mold, mildew, pollen, pet dander, every kind of "weed" and more). There are different kinds of allergy treatment shots and I gave myself injections for months, which I think did help somewhat.

What really helped my allergies, though, was embarking on a solid nutrition program to strengthen my immune system. My immune system was not functioning properly, and so it was responding with an allergic reaction to something that the body should have just "processed out" (like non-allergic people do).

I also found air purification technology that removed the offenders from the air in my home. It works on pet dander too.

This "natural" approach to allergies was definitely preferable over shots for me. Feel free to message me if you'd like more specific info about this option.

Blessings,
A.

I have the same allerdies...and four cats!!! I bathe my cats about once a month and use my own shampoo. It helps a ton to keep dander down and works really well. I highly recommend shampooing cats once in a while. They don't like it but they allow me to do it - they smell great and I have no problems.

I get 2 allergy shots every Monday and Friday. It takes a while to get up to the maintence does, but once you're there they work well. You will need to keep some OTC allergy meds on hand tho. Did you consider medications? Shots are a last resort, and really only need to be done if your allergies are beyond the point of control with medication. You'll have to stay at the docs office for a minimum of 20 minutes after the shot(s) to make sure that you don't have an allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention, and that can be a oain in the butt. I would check out meds first, they're a easier to use than having to go somewhere and get shots and wait around for something to happen. Good luck!

I have had allergies all my life adn finally had the testing done about 5 years ago when they got so bad that the meds didn't help anymore. I have been getting two shots since then. It sounds like we have about the same allergies except that my worse one is pollen (of any kind). I am now at my mantenacne dose so get 2 shots every month (one in each arm). Most places don't allow you to give your own shots anymore due to the chance of having a reaction to the serum. I do take an OTC allergy pill the morning of my shot appointment. I very rarely have to take OTC meds anymore, only when the pollen count is very high or there is a lot of mold around. They work so well for me that I now need to set a reminder so I don't forget to schedule the shot before the time runs out. (I need to have the shot every 2-4 weeks, if I go over 4 weeks I have to get an extra shot two weeks later then go every 2-4 weeks again.)
When I got the results I came right out and told the Dr. I would not get rid of my cat and actually now have two cats and I am fine.
The build-up process took a long time because I am so allergic that we had to build for almost twice as long as normal.
If you haven't already, I would try meds first. The allergy shots should be a last resort as they are very time cinsuming during the build-up stage and can be costly if not covered by insurance.
Good luck with it. I hope you get results as good as I have.

HI W.,
It was helpful, I actually started giving them to myself.
S.
mamasource business owner

I have had allergies my entire life (I'm 41) and was miserable until I started shots about 10 years ago. They improved my symptoms 100% during the winter and about 80% during the summer. I have terrible seasonal allergies to just about every weed, grass, pollen as well as mites and mold. I am deathly allergic to cats to a point that I have to go to the hospital if I am exposed. All of my allergists (I have lived in three different states) told me that cat and dog tests can come up false positive a lot - both my kids got a positive on dogs and we have two dogs and they never have allergies so your animal results may not be right. The build-up stage of shots is difficult, but once at your top dose you only need to go once a month. I would recommend them if your symptoms are not controlled with medication or if side effects of meds interfere with your life, like sleepiness. All three allergists also told me that shots for animals are very hit and miss. Maybe ask if you could try shots for the other allergans besides the animal ones and if your symptoms go away it may prove a false negative for the animal allergies. This time of year is the hardest time to start shots and build because they won't increase your dose while the allergan is high. If you have two cats, I have a hard time believing you are allergic to them - every person I've ever know that's allergic to cats gets super sick when they are around them even for 1/2 an hour - swollen shut eyes, breathing problems, symptoms similar to a horrible cold, etc. Research on the internet might help too. There's an "ask an allergist" website that's good. Good luck.

My name is H. and I am 38yrs old. I had allergy shots for about two years when I was about 17yrs. My allergies did improve but did not go away. It made it tollerable and I didn't need as much medications. I recently went back to an allergist and am on 3 different meds. I am serriously thinking about a second round of treatments. I also am a animal lover having Ferrets and cats. So I will always need something to help me with those darn allergies. Find out if insurance is an issue or what would be better the possibility of dealing with no meds and allergies or mild alllergies and maybe one med. The shots are given weekly at the doctors office in case of a bad reaction. So you need to plan around these appointments which are a minimum of 30 min.
Hope this helps