Allergy Shots

[SampleMM]

Does anyone get them and if so does it really help? I was diagnosed yesterday as being allergic to dogs amongst other things. As luck would have it, I have three corgis (who are going nowhere, btw).

I have to figure out if I'm going to take them or not, which seems easy enough but it will require a 35 mile drive one way just to get the shot.

So, if anyone gets allergy shots please post and let me know if it's worth it.

Forgot to add: My symptoms are congestion and major ear problems with cracking and popping which is coming from pressure in the Eustachian Tube.

 

[Ashley]

My mom gets them I think just once a month now, and has had them since she was a kid. She also has to take over the counter stuff when they are really bad but cant go with out the shots. When she is over due for her shots I can certianly tell. She seems to be allergic to everything..........and thats not a joke. She works outside where just about everything bothers her, she has horses that she is allergic to, she has hay to feed those horses, which she is also allergic to. We have cats and dogs in the house (9 pets total). With her shots she is able to come in the house, with out she would not beable to.

I have never known my mom with out shots, but sure can tell when she is over due for them. I do beleive she only gets them once a month now, but she gets two shots at one time. From seeing her I would say they are well worth it.

 

[HGFarm]

I never have but a friend of mine a few years back did. She was allergic to so much stuff and so sick. They really helped and she was able to slowly wean them down to once a month and then I dont know after that as they moved back east but without them she would have just been too sick to function.

 

[Sue_C.]

I have to figure out if I'm going to take them or not, which seems easy enough but it will require a 35 mile drive one way just to get the shot.

Considering I drove that far each way...everyday...just to work; it doesn't seem like that far to go once a week or month for a shot.

I would go twice that to get an allergy shot if I needed to. I have never had the testing, but know myself from experience that certain things will cause me pain, rashes and/or hives...and am lucky enough that most times I can handle it with Benadryl, but have needed shots on occasion.

 

[bevann]

Based on my own experience many years ago they worked for me.I became allergic to all the stuff I couldn't avoid on a farm-grass, trees, dust, hay etc, but no animals.The nearest allergist was over 60 miles away.He made the serum, shipped it to my kid's pediatrician and I went in 2 times weekly for a while then reduced the frequency until I got off altogether.No problems since then but I have had allergic reactions and got hives(still don't know what triggered that)They went away too.Good luck- I know I would do whatever to keep my dogs.Maybe you can find a nurse or a doctor in your town or someone near you to give you the shots

 

[SampleMM]

Thanks everyone for your replies and it really sounds as though people have had success with them.........I guess I know that I should get them but just don't want to commit to going there once a week. It's not about the drive although in the winter it could be as I live in the snow-belt. It's the time that involved but I realize my health is worth it. I shall call tomorrow and get everything set up. The doctor did say in a year or two we could discuss me giving my own shots or have my sister who is an RN so that would be nice. Thanks again.....forum friends.

 

[MindyLee]

I used too when I had health insurance. actually i would get 5 shots per month and have to take 10 different pills a day for my allergies.

YEP! That much

WHY you may ask....

Believe it or not and yes surprisingly I have a farm and work outside and have flowers BUT I am highly allergic to pollen! Of all things it could be unfourtintly it is pollen. And oh do I hate it. BUT now that im older and more carefull about washing my hands after tuching stuff, I do a really good job from having to many issues. Its hard and I do end up in the hospital at times BUT I manage!

I wish I still had medical because it really made summer life a lot easier for me and I say it worked wonders for me... I miss my shots and medicine!

 

[Connie Ballard]

My allergy doc said I am allergic to every 'weed known to man' plus tree pollen and molds. I took allergy shots for over 10yrs....had deveated septum fixed, then took allergy shots for 10+yrs along with Clariden D.

Then got tired of going for shots, couldnt tell difference if missed a week or two....so stopped then over time started getting sick all the time, sinus infections. So retested...back on shots and Clariden D.

The biggest help for me has been the NeilMed Sinus Rinse (squeeze BOTTLE..not netti pot) the specialist has me use it 2x day and I wont leave home without it!!!!! LOL WalMart, Kroger..$9.99 for the squeeze bottle and 50 packets of saline (salt/soda) mix. I swear by the stuff...even more than the shots...but am taking them, meds and rinse...and rarely get sick.

It is like managing something you cant see...just have to keep trying. Stress makes allergies worse...doc said your body is like a cup...fills with things has to deal with like stress & allergies...if you have more stress...cup fills...cant manage allergies as well...so problems increase. I've noticed hay is bothering me in past 6 mo...since Tim is taking radiation treatments...guess my stress level is up causing it.

Good luck!