Question:
I have been on and off allergy shots 3 times now, over the
last 6 years.
I am allergic to dust and dog dander (and have plenty of
both in my house-although I do all the typical avoidence things).
I was on shots for 2 years, seemed to do fine, got off them.
Started having problems and got back on shots for another
2 years and did fine up till about 3 months before I quit. Seemed
I was getting sick all the time (sinus, asthma, cough, etc.) so I quit
the shots.
TMALSS, I have been off shots for about 4 months and decided
to give them "one more try" and retested and started this week.
Funny thing is, I immediately started feeling bad. Whistling nose, low
grade cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing, and wheezing
slightly.
Could this be my imagination. I guess I could be getting "triggered"
by a number of things and just misinterpreting it since starting the
shots are the only thing I can "visibly" relate to.
Since allergy shots are of such a low dose, is it *at all* feasible
that the fact that they are injecting you with your particular
allergen *cause* you to have symptoms??
Answer:
My asthma symptoms have improved since I took shots, I just don't know
how much to attribute to the shots since I also changed meds (now use
Serevent instead of regular dose of Ventolin, plus low dose TheoDur and
Double Strength Vanceril 4-5 pf/day [was 16 pf/day Azmacort]) Also
learned how to better manage the asthma using a Peak Flow Meter and
Action Plan. I have a combination of allergic and nonallergic adult
onset asthma, so shots can only help the allergic component.
I think that if shots don't help after a couple of years its not worth
continuing. I was never retested during the 5 yr, so have no scientic
way of knowing if they reduced allergies. Dr. Plaut, in his book on
Children with Asthma, says he only recommends shots to 10% of his
asthma patients.
I had shots once/month for 5 yr. I think cost of the shots was around
$25/month (1 shot in each arm, 1 was standard mix, other special mix)
HMO pickup cost of shots, I paid for serum, which was fairly cheap.
If I missed a monthly shot, they reduced dose of next shot, then had
to work my way back up. Shots are a hassle.
Allergy shots seem to work better for those with hayfever than those
with asthma (I do have mild hayfever, seasonal symptoms seem to have
reduced but perenial symptoms seem to have increased)
I want to try one of the new antileuketrienne drugs. Possibly Accolate,
although if Singulair is about to be released that would be preferable
since its a once/day pill (Accolate is twice/day on empty stomach)
Its supposed to help upper and lower allergic symptoms; is very
useful to those with the 'Triad' asthma (with aspirin sensitivity)
Here's a link from Mayo Clinic on allergy shots:
http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9606/htm/9606up_2.htm
"Study: Allergy shots may help in treating allergic asthma
A study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine may help
resolve the debate over using allergy shots to treat allergic asthma.
Despite prescribing them for more than 70 years for allergic asthma,
doctors have increasingly questioned the shots' effectiveness. The
injections are given in a series and contain increasing amounts of
common allergens (hyposensitization). Over time, they may reduce your
sensitivity to these substances.
The study, published in February, showed that the shots may help you
breathe easier and use other medications less if you have allergic
asthma. About 30 percent of adults with asthma have this form. It's
triggered or worsened by certain materials, such as pollen.
However, the study also showed that the shots, which cost up to $20 per
injection, may not work for everyone or may have only a limited effect
on your symptoms.
If you've tried other asthma treatments without success or experienced
side effects, you may wish to consider hyposensitization shots in your
treatment. Your doctor can advise you if this would be beneficial."
