allergy testing & question about shots

Jennifer1981

New member
Hi Nicole,

I recommend steering clear of the mold allergy shot, but allergy shots with other allergens should be fine as long as they are not any bigger than a quarter/half dollar upon testing.

In the doctor's office that I worked for, they would make you get the skin testing all over again before they would even consider starting allergy shots b/c it has been 6 years since you were tested. They would only wait a week months (1-3) after the skin testing to begin injections. After 6 years, your sensitives may have changed. If anything, your sensitives probably got worse. Ask your doc about that.

I have never heard of that insurance. Here in the U.S., I was referring to Keystone, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Heatlh Assurance just to name a few. But yes, make sure to check with your insurance first. We had a couple patients that thought that it would have been covered. They started by getting the serum bottles and then the injections. Each serum bottle in the beginning can last 2-3 months depending on how much or how little you progress with the doses. Anyway, they would get halfway through and find out that the insurance wouldn't pay for the serum. We were stuck with lots of serum fees.

Like I stated above, the serum lasts (in the beginning) for 2-3 months. Once you get more adjusted to the allergy shots, you start to go through a serum bottle in 4-6 weeks. Your doc will assign you with a serum "mantainance dose". Once you reach that dose, you will be able to cut back going so often. However if you are allergic to pollen (for example) you may have more reactions to your allergy injections in spring/fall. So during that time, you may have to cut back on the dose of your allergy shot and come more often again until change of seasons. That happened to pretty much all of our allergy injection patients.

Like I said, it is a big commitment. I'm not too sure I'd be the best patient with that. I was tested while I worked there and came up with a few mild allergies. My doctor/boss offered to give me injections if I chose so, but I declined. Yes, I worked there, but if I were to quit, I didn't want to have to go back there once a week for allergy shots. They were very mild reactons, though. I had a bad one to chocolate. That couldn't be given in an allergy shot. Foods aren't given in allergy shots. Only molds, pollens, things like that.

I had worked in the cancer unit (on-site chemo & radiation) as a temporary worker for 3 months at a local, major hospital before this allergy career. I loved it, but it was only temporary. I then worked at the allergy clinic for a little over a year then went back to my true love of working with cancer patients. I was back working with cancer patients for 2 years and caught MRSA. That ended my medical career...
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Hi Nicole,

I recommend steering clear of the mold allergy shot, but allergy shots with other allergens should be fine as long as they are not any bigger than a quarter/half dollar upon testing.

In the doctor's office that I worked for, they would make you get the skin testing all over again before they would even consider starting allergy shots b/c it has been 6 years since you were tested. They would only wait a week months (1-3) after the skin testing to begin injections. After 6 years, your sensitives may have changed. If anything, your sensitives probably got worse. Ask your doc about that.

I have never heard of that insurance. Here in the U.S., I was referring to Keystone, Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Heatlh Assurance just to name a few. But yes, make sure to check with your insurance first. We had a couple patients that thought that it would have been covered. They started by getting the serum bottles and then the injections. Each serum bottle in the beginning can last 2-3 months depending on how much or how little you progress with the doses. Anyway, they would get halfway through and find out that the insurance wouldn't pay for the serum. We were stuck with lots of serum fees.

Like I stated above, the serum lasts (in the beginning) for 2-3 months. Once you get more adjusted to the allergy shots, you start to go through a serum bottle in 4-6 weeks. Your doc will assign you with a serum "mantainance dose". Once you reach that dose, you will be able to cut back going so often. However if you are allergic to pollen (for example) you may have more reactions to your allergy injections in spring/fall. So during that time, you may have to cut back on the dose of your allergy shot and come more often again until change of seasons. That happened to pretty much all of our allergy injection patients.

Like I said, it is a big commitment. I'm not too sure I'd be the best patient with that. I was tested while I worked there and came up with a few mild allergies. My doctor/boss offered to give me injections if I chose so, but I declined. Yes, I worked there, but if I were to quit, I didn't want to have to go back there once a week for allergy shots. They were very mild reactons, though. I had a bad one to chocolate. That couldn't be given in an allergy shot. Foods aren't given in allergy shots. Only molds, pollens, things like that.

I had worked in the cancer unit (on-site chemo & radiation) as a temporary worker for 3 months at a local, major hospital before this allergy career. I loved it, but it was only temporary. I then worked at the allergy clinic for a little over a year then went back to my true love of working with cancer patients. I was back working with cancer patients for 2 years and caught MRSA. That ended my medical career...
 

mom2lillian

New member
Jennifer

I am so sorry to hear about you having to quit your true passion. I can see how MRSA would keep you from that. Is there anymedicalwork you can do with say people who aren't sick like perhaps allergy office or dermatologist office? Again I am very sorry to hear that. Thank you for the information you have relayed to me. I did not have time in my last post to clarify that immunocap is a way of testing for allergies that is very nifty, they take a blood sample and can use that to test for all your allergies (I believe this is how it works) my friends works for company sells them. Here is a brief descirpiton below if anyone is interested.

Laura-sorry for hijacking your thread with all my questions and such but I think this is what you wanted to help others learn so thanks for the opportunity

Immunocap __ Allergy testing without back pricking if you are interested.
Correct and precise results - the firm basis for clinical diagnosis
Only a test system consistently giving correct results is a suitable clinical tool. Traditionally IgE antibody test results have been reported as positive/negative or in classes. Even this broad classification of IgE sensitivity requires a very good test precision, in order to accurately determine if a sample falls above or below the stipulated cut-off value or within a certain class.

Correct and precise results - the prerequisite for obtaining more information
In order to understand an evolving allergic disease it is necessary to gain more detailed information about the ongoing IgE sensitization process in the patient. Such accurate information can only be obtained through quantitative measurements of the levels of IgE antibodies to different allergens in the blood.

ImmunoCAP - the truly quantitative IgE antibody test
For a truly quantitative antibody IgE test giving the results in kU A /l rather than in classes, the requirements for accuracy are even higher.

Technical as well as clinical data confirm that ImmunoCAP from Phadia is a test system excellent for the precise and correct measurement of IgE antibodies in relation to clinical disease. Consequently, ImmunoCAP is a suitable tool for supporting clinicians in the evaluation
 

mom2lillian

New member
Jennifer

I am so sorry to hear about you having to quit your true passion. I can see how MRSA would keep you from that. Is there anymedicalwork you can do with say people who aren't sick like perhaps allergy office or dermatologist office? Again I am very sorry to hear that. Thank you for the information you have relayed to me. I did not have time in my last post to clarify that immunocap is a way of testing for allergies that is very nifty, they take a blood sample and can use that to test for all your allergies (I believe this is how it works) my friends works for company sells them. Here is a brief descirpiton below if anyone is interested.

Laura-sorry for hijacking your thread with all my questions and such but I think this is what you wanted to help others learn so thanks for the opportunity

Immunocap __ Allergy testing without back pricking if you are interested.
Correct and precise results - the firm basis for clinical diagnosis
Only a test system consistently giving correct results is a suitable clinical tool. Traditionally IgE antibody test results have been reported as positive/negative or in classes. Even this broad classification of IgE sensitivity requires a very good test precision, in order to accurately determine if a sample falls above or below the stipulated cut-off value or within a certain class.

Correct and precise results - the prerequisite for obtaining more information
In order to understand an evolving allergic disease it is necessary to gain more detailed information about the ongoing IgE sensitization process in the patient. Such accurate information can only be obtained through quantitative measurements of the levels of IgE antibodies to different allergens in the blood.

ImmunoCAP - the truly quantitative IgE antibody test
For a truly quantitative antibody IgE test giving the results in kU A /l rather than in classes, the requirements for accuracy are even higher.

Technical as well as clinical data confirm that ImmunoCAP from Phadia is a test system excellent for the precise and correct measurement of IgE antibodies in relation to clinical disease. Consequently, ImmunoCAP is a suitable tool for supporting clinicians in the evaluation
 

mom2lillian

New member
Jennifer

I am so sorry to hear about you having to quit your true passion. I can see how MRSA would keep you from that. Is there anymedicalwork you can do with say people who aren't sick like perhaps allergy office or dermatologist office? Again I am very sorry to hear that. Thank you for the information you have relayed to me. I did not have time in my last post to clarify that immunocap is a way of testing for allergies that is very nifty, they take a blood sample and can use that to test for all your allergies (I believe this is how it works) my friends works for company sells them. Here is a brief descirpiton below if anyone is interested.

Laura-sorry for hijacking your thread with all my questions and such but I think this is what you wanted to help others learn so thanks for the opportunity

Immunocap __ Allergy testing without back pricking if you are interested.
Correct and precise results - the firm basis for clinical diagnosis
Only a test system consistently giving correct results is a suitable clinical tool. Traditionally IgE antibody test results have been reported as positive/negative or in classes. Even this broad classification of IgE sensitivity requires a very good test precision, in order to accurately determine if a sample falls above or below the stipulated cut-off value or within a certain class.

Correct and precise results - the prerequisite for obtaining more information
In order to understand an evolving allergic disease it is necessary to gain more detailed information about the ongoing IgE sensitization process in the patient. Such accurate information can only be obtained through quantitative measurements of the levels of IgE antibodies to different allergens in the blood.

ImmunoCAP - the truly quantitative IgE antibody test
For a truly quantitative antibody IgE test giving the results in kU A /l rather than in classes, the requirements for accuracy are even higher.

Technical as well as clinical data confirm that ImmunoCAP from Phadia is a test system excellent for the precise and correct measurement of IgE antibodies in relation to clinical disease. Consequently, ImmunoCAP is a suitable tool for supporting clinicians in the evaluation
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Hi Nicole,

Now that you described it, I think that I may have heard of it. I'm trying to remember 4 years back. I think so. My doc never used it, but that was a while ago. Now if I reentered the medical field, it would be like relearning things all over again.

Yes, I lost my passion for the medical field due to the MRSA. But I gained a husband, house, 2 dogs, and 1 guinea pig. So I think my hands are full enough. LOL! Thankfully, the MRSA hasn't really effected near as much as some. I have currently no interest in going back or "turning back the time". I often picked a lot of stuff up b/c of my career interest. And now with trying to conceive, the last thing on earth that I need is to get sick, lose weight, or get not near enough sleep. So thankfully, everything worked out in the end! Good luck with whatever you choose!<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Hi Nicole,

Now that you described it, I think that I may have heard of it. I'm trying to remember 4 years back. I think so. My doc never used it, but that was a while ago. Now if I reentered the medical field, it would be like relearning things all over again.

Yes, I lost my passion for the medical field due to the MRSA. But I gained a husband, house, 2 dogs, and 1 guinea pig. So I think my hands are full enough. LOL! Thankfully, the MRSA hasn't really effected near as much as some. I have currently no interest in going back or "turning back the time". I often picked a lot of stuff up b/c of my career interest. And now with trying to conceive, the last thing on earth that I need is to get sick, lose weight, or get not near enough sleep. So thankfully, everything worked out in the end! Good luck with whatever you choose!<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Hi Nicole,

Now that you described it, I think that I may have heard of it. I'm trying to remember 4 years back. I think so. My doc never used it, but that was a while ago. Now if I reentered the medical field, it would be like relearning things all over again.

Yes, I lost my passion for the medical field due to the MRSA. But I gained a husband, house, 2 dogs, and 1 guinea pig. So I think my hands are full enough. LOL! Thankfully, the MRSA hasn't really effected near as much as some. I have currently no interest in going back or "turning back the time". I often picked a lot of stuff up b/c of my career interest. And now with trying to conceive, the last thing on earth that I need is to get sick, lose weight, or get not near enough sleep. So thankfully, everything worked out in the end! Good luck with whatever you choose!<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
 
P

paws

Guest
I got a copy of my allergy blood test results last week. Can anyone provide information on how to interpret these?

I had a "Complement C4 Serum" which was elevated.

The only thing the dr. mentioned was that I should probably have my pneumonia vacc updated based on the Pneumoccal immunity results. He didn't mention what the C4 indicated (if anything).
 
P

paws

Guest
I got a copy of my allergy blood test results last week. Can anyone provide information on how to interpret these?

I had a "Complement C4 Serum" which was elevated.

The only thing the dr. mentioned was that I should probably have my pneumonia vacc updated based on the Pneumoccal immunity results. He didn't mention what the C4 indicated (if anything).
 
P

paws

Guest
I got a copy of my allergy blood test results last week. Can anyone provide information on how to interpret these?

I had a "Complement C4 Serum" which was elevated.

The only thing the dr. mentioned was that I should probably have my pneumonia vacc updated based on the Pneumoccal immunity results. He didn't mention what the C4 indicated (if anything).
 
P

paws

Guest
I got a copy of my allergy blood test results last week. Can anyone provide information on how to interpret these?

I had a "Complement C4 Serum" which was elevated.

The only thing the dr. mentioned was that I should probably have my pneumonia vacc updated based on the Pneumoccal immunity results. He didn't mention what the C4 indicated (if anything).
 
P

paws

Guest
I got a copy of my allergy blood test results last week. Can anyone provide information on how to interpret these?

I had a "Complement C4 Serum" which was elevated.

The only thing the dr. mentioned was that I should probably have my pneumonia vacc updated based on the Pneumoccal immunity results. He didn't mention what the C4 indicated (if anything).
 

lightNlife

New member
When an acute or chronic condition has been diagnosed, complement testing may be used to help give a rough idea of the severity of the condition (with the assumption that the severity is linked to the decrease in complement levels). Complement testing may also be ordered occasionally when your doctor wants to monitor the current activity of your condition.

So in your case, Paws, the doctor was checking on a specific allergy. The Complement (also called C4) measures that. An elevated number means that something was causing inflammation to a degree that was noticeable compared to what they expect in a normal person of your height, weight, age, etc.

The Pneumonia vaccine should ONLY be done every 5 years.
 

lightNlife

New member
When an acute or chronic condition has been diagnosed, complement testing may be used to help give a rough idea of the severity of the condition (with the assumption that the severity is linked to the decrease in complement levels). Complement testing may also be ordered occasionally when your doctor wants to monitor the current activity of your condition.

So in your case, Paws, the doctor was checking on a specific allergy. The Complement (also called C4) measures that. An elevated number means that something was causing inflammation to a degree that was noticeable compared to what they expect in a normal person of your height, weight, age, etc.

The Pneumonia vaccine should ONLY be done every 5 years.
 

lightNlife

New member
When an acute or chronic condition has been diagnosed, complement testing may be used to help give a rough idea of the severity of the condition (with the assumption that the severity is linked to the decrease in complement levels). Complement testing may also be ordered occasionally when your doctor wants to monitor the current activity of your condition.

So in your case, Paws, the doctor was checking on a specific allergy. The Complement (also called C4) measures that. An elevated number means that something was causing inflammation to a degree that was noticeable compared to what they expect in a normal person of your height, weight, age, etc.

The Pneumonia vaccine should ONLY be done every 5 years.
 

lightNlife

New member
When an acute or chronic condition has been diagnosed, complement testing may be used to help give a rough idea of the severity of the condition (with the assumption that the severity is linked to the decrease in complement levels). Complement testing may also be ordered occasionally when your doctor wants to monitor the current activity of your condition.

So in your case, Paws, the doctor was checking on a specific allergy. The Complement (also called C4) measures that. An elevated number means that something was causing inflammation to a degree that was noticeable compared to what they expect in a normal person of your height, weight, age, etc.

The Pneumonia vaccine should ONLY be done every 5 years.
 

lightNlife

New member
When an acute or chronic condition has been diagnosed, complement testing may be used to help give a rough idea of the severity of the condition (with the assumption that the severity is linked to the decrease in complement levels). Complement testing may also be ordered occasionally when your doctor wants to monitor the current activity of your condition.

So in your case, Paws, the doctor was checking on a specific allergy. The Complement (also called C4) measures that. An elevated number means that something was causing inflammation to a degree that was noticeable compared to what they expect in a normal person of your height, weight, age, etc.

The Pneumonia vaccine should ONLY be done every 5 years.
 
P

paws

Guest
Thank you lightnlife for the info.

I looked at my results again (it's a poor quality copy they gave me), and it looks like the Complement C4 Serum is actually -46 (with a normal range of 9-36). So I was incorrect earlier when I thought it was elevated. Instead, it looks like it's below normal. Sorry for the confusion!
 
P

paws

Guest
Thank you lightnlife for the info.

I looked at my results again (it's a poor quality copy they gave me), and it looks like the Complement C4 Serum is actually -46 (with a normal range of 9-36). So I was incorrect earlier when I thought it was elevated. Instead, it looks like it's below normal. Sorry for the confusion!
 
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