Posted by Lonely on December 30, 2006, at 1:20:19
In reply to Re: Jealibeanz, are allergy shots a theory?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 23, 2006, at 14:56:07
I took allergy shots for 6 years and it never really helped. I was allergic to dust, pollen, mold, horses, nearly all types of plants, and virtually everything for which they tested me.
The "de-sensitization" shots seem to work for some people but then I wonder if they wouldn't have gotten better anyway or with other treatment. My shots were admittedly 30+ years ago but I could never get beyond the beginning dose without wheezing, swelling, itching and generally reacting badly. Several times they had to give me epinephrine or something like that - really causes the "shakes." A couple years ago another allergist on the other side of the country leaned on me to do them again which I refused. I really think it contributed to other diseases that started during my teen years.
I have sneezing, chronic sinusitis (catscans and mris have shown it) runny nose, headaches, itchy eyes, ears, nose, throat all the time. Easily break out in rashes and have moderate to severe asthma. I guess the shots are based on the theory that the body will better recognize the intruder (as harmless) and stop fighting it - kind've the opposite of the idea behind vaccinations which want the body to recognize the intruder and disarm it. The allergy shot theory seems like faulty thinking to me. I've read and had doctors admit that 50% + of patients who take the shots do not find them helpful.
I might start on xolair - waiting to see what happens - need more info. Good luck to you!
> I would love to hear the opinion of you and anybody else on allergy shots.
>
> When I got tested, it showed I was allergic to dust, pollen and smoke, which I heard everybody on Earth is allergic to.
>
> I took the shots for 2-3 months and did not feel they were making a difference.
>
> Does it really work? Any success stories? It seems like a theory to me, rather than true medicine. I could be wrong, tho.
poster:Lonely
thread:706811
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20061106/msgs/717508.html