allergy testing & question about shots

[Justsmurfin]

I'm glad you got some answers. I've been allergy tested more times than I can count (skin and blood...first time at age 2, last time just a few years ago) and am not allergic to anything enviromental. Just food, more antibiotics than I can name and fire ants.

Good luck with the shots if you decide to do them. I know quite a few people who have had excellent results with them

 

[Allie]

The only 'bad' rection Ry had was sometimes he'd get itchiness where he got the shot. A benedryl will clear it right up. I say go ahead with it, it did WONDERS for him!

 

[Allie]

The only 'bad' rection Ry had was sometimes he'd get itchiness where he got the shot. A benedryl will clear it right up. I say go ahead with it, it did WONDERS for him!

 

[Allie]

The only 'bad' rection Ry had was sometimes he'd get itchiness where he got the shot. A benedryl will clear it right up. I say go ahead with it, it did WONDERS for him!

 

[catboogie]

thanks, guys!

 

[catboogie]

thanks, guys!

 

[catboogie]

thanks, guys!

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Laura,

I worked for an asthma and allergist and administered those allergy shots that you are talking about.

They don't "cure" you of your allergies. What they do is they help your body build an immunity to those things that set you off. Usually they are given once or twice weekly. Are they suggesting vemons (i.e bee stings) or regular ones like pollen, grass, mold? The regular ones signficantly reduce your allergy symptoms and can sometimes "cure it altogether". However if it is a venom, they only reduce your symptoms. You would have to get that shot for the rest of your life.

What happens is you come in each week and get a shot in your arm. If you have more than one, they will divide them up between the two arms. They usually combine like 4 allergy substances per serum shot. So two serum shots could be 8 allergy substance. Got me? They administer it and have you wait in the waiting room for about 15 minutes to make sure that you don't have a reaction. They then measure the redness, size, and swelling. Based on how you do, they know if they can increase the dose the next time or give you the same dose. They only go backwards if you have a really bad reaction. A very bad reaction is rare. In my clinic, we only had two that had their throat close to the shots. They weren't violently allergic to almost everything. They both were getting the venom shots. THAT WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU!

Usually, people come in once a week. During spring/fall, they usually would come in twice a week. DON'T start the shots unless you are commited to going for as long as it takes. Unless you go as directed, it won't benefit you. Some patients were eventualy able to go twice monthly.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK WITH INSURANCE.

Each shot is about $15.00. Now, the serum (the shot substance in the bottle) is around $275.00 per bottle for the regular allergy substance. The venom serums are much more. Sometimes insurance WILL NOT pay for the serums. Sometimes they will only with prior authorization or a referral. Sometimes they give no problems at all. You may have to pay the $15.00 per shot or not. It's the same situation. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU START!

If you have any other questions ask me. I'll be more than happy to discuss more with you. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Laura,

I worked for an asthma and allergist and administered those allergy shots that you are talking about.

They don't "cure" you of your allergies. What they do is they help your body build an immunity to those things that set you off. Usually they are given once or twice weekly. Are they suggesting vemons (i.e bee stings) or regular ones like pollen, grass, mold? The regular ones signficantly reduce your allergy symptoms and can sometimes "cure it altogether". However if it is a venom, they only reduce your symptoms. You would have to get that shot for the rest of your life.

What happens is you come in each week and get a shot in your arm. If you have more than one, they will divide them up between the two arms. They usually combine like 4 allergy substances per serum shot. So two serum shots could be 8 allergy substance. Got me? They administer it and have you wait in the waiting room for about 15 minutes to make sure that you don't have a reaction. They then measure the redness, size, and swelling. Based on how you do, they know if they can increase the dose the next time or give you the same dose. They only go backwards if you have a really bad reaction. A very bad reaction is rare. In my clinic, we only had two that had their throat close to the shots. They weren't violently allergic to almost everything. They both were getting the venom shots. THAT WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU!

Usually, people come in once a week. During spring/fall, they usually would come in twice a week. DON'T start the shots unless you are commited to going for as long as it takes. Unless you go as directed, it won't benefit you. Some patients were eventualy able to go twice monthly.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK WITH INSURANCE.

Each shot is about $15.00. Now, the serum (the shot substance in the bottle) is around $275.00 per bottle for the regular allergy substance. The venom serums are much more. Sometimes insurance WILL NOT pay for the serums. Sometimes they will only with prior authorization or a referral. Sometimes they give no problems at all. You may have to pay the $15.00 per shot or not. It's the same situation. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU START!

If you have any other questions ask me. I'll be more than happy to discuss more with you. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Laura,

I worked for an asthma and allergist and administered those allergy shots that you are talking about.

They don't "cure" you of your allergies. What they do is they help your body build an immunity to those things that set you off. Usually they are given once or twice weekly. Are they suggesting vemons (i.e bee stings) or regular ones like pollen, grass, mold? The regular ones signficantly reduce your allergy symptoms and can sometimes "cure it altogether". However if it is a venom, they only reduce your symptoms. You would have to get that shot for the rest of your life.

What happens is you come in each week and get a shot in your arm. If you have more than one, they will divide them up between the two arms. They usually combine like 4 allergy substances per serum shot. So two serum shots could be 8 allergy substance. Got me? They administer it and have you wait in the waiting room for about 15 minutes to make sure that you don't have a reaction. They then measure the redness, size, and swelling. Based on how you do, they know if they can increase the dose the next time or give you the same dose. They only go backwards if you have a really bad reaction. A very bad reaction is rare. In my clinic, we only had two that had their throat close to the shots. They weren't violently allergic to almost everything. They both were getting the venom shots. THAT WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU!

Usually, people come in once a week. During spring/fall, they usually would come in twice a week. DON'T start the shots unless you are commited to going for as long as it takes. Unless you go as directed, it won't benefit you. Some patients were eventualy able to go twice monthly.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK WITH INSURANCE.

Each shot is about $15.00. Now, the serum (the shot substance in the bottle) is around $275.00 per bottle for the regular allergy substance. The venom serums are much more. Sometimes insurance WILL NOT pay for the serums. Sometimes they will only with prior authorization or a referral. Sometimes they give no problems at all. You may have to pay the $15.00 per shot or not. It's the same situation. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU START!

If you have any other questions ask me. I'll be more than happy to discuss more with you. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer-I was adult dx and when I got allergy tested via pricks on back I showed severe mold allergy when they injected a bit into the arm my arm got a lemon sized lump which remained for about 2 weeks slowly going down. Anyway is it possiblt for allergy shots to help with this? I have since found out I have ABPA which I thus far in 4 years have only had to take steroids for once. Whenever it rains I get a headache, if I get near a wet or boggy area also get headache etc etc.

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer-I was adult dx and when I got allergy tested via pricks on back I showed severe mold allergy when they injected a bit into the arm my arm got a lemon sized lump which remained for about 2 weeks slowly going down. Anyway is it possiblt for allergy shots to help with this? I have since found out I have ABPA which I thus far in 4 years have only had to take steroids for once. Whenever it rains I get a headache, if I get near a wet or boggy area also get headache etc etc.

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer-I was adult dx and when I got allergy tested via pricks on back I showed severe mold allergy when they injected a bit into the arm my arm got a lemon sized lump which remained for about 2 weeks slowly going down. Anyway is it possiblt for allergy shots to help with this? I have since found out I have ABPA which I thus far in 4 years have only had to take steroids for once. Whenever it rains I get a headache, if I get near a wet or boggy area also get headache etc etc.

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Nicole,

When you get the prick-testing on your back, that is the mildest form of skin testing. The more accurate form would be via arm. I performed the prick-testing (scratch tests) on the inner forearms first. Then, they would come back in a week to get them done again via upper, outer arm. They were done first in the inner forearm to avoid any possible severe reactions. The upper arm tests were done only with ones of a lesser positive intensity.

NOW IN YOUR CASE.

Your reaction, I think, is too severe for allergy shots. I could be wrong, but you should NEVER have a reaction more than the size of a quarter to half-dollar. It should disappear within 2-3 days. Your reaction was too severe. Did your doc check that out? Your lucky you didn't have breathing problems with that reaction. I have had people with reactions that bad to arm testing need immediate Benedryl or worse, a shot of Eppinefren (sp?) b/c their throat was closing. If you were as sensitive as you said, I don't think they will help. Your sensitivity would not allow you to ever build up an immunity. At least, I highly doubt it. What did your doc say about it? That's a pretty bad reaction.

ONE OTHER THOUGHT...

You stated that you had the injections in you arm - where? Lower or upper? If they were in your upper arm, the nurse may have given the shot in your muscle. That would also result in your arm being that swollen for that long. However if it was tested in your lower arm, there would be no excuse.

What is ABPA? I'm sure I know what that is but don't remember.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Nicole,

When you get the prick-testing on your back, that is the mildest form of skin testing. The more accurate form would be via arm. I performed the prick-testing (scratch tests) on the inner forearms first. Then, they would come back in a week to get them done again via upper, outer arm. They were done first in the inner forearm to avoid any possible severe reactions. The upper arm tests were done only with ones of a lesser positive intensity.

NOW IN YOUR CASE.

Your reaction, I think, is too severe for allergy shots. I could be wrong, but you should NEVER have a reaction more than the size of a quarter to half-dollar. It should disappear within 2-3 days. Your reaction was too severe. Did your doc check that out? Your lucky you didn't have breathing problems with that reaction. I have had people with reactions that bad to arm testing need immediate Benedryl or worse, a shot of Eppinefren (sp?) b/c their throat was closing. If you were as sensitive as you said, I don't think they will help. Your sensitivity would not allow you to ever build up an immunity. At least, I highly doubt it. What did your doc say about it? That's a pretty bad reaction.

ONE OTHER THOUGHT...

You stated that you had the injections in you arm - where? Lower or upper? If they were in your upper arm, the nurse may have given the shot in your muscle. That would also result in your arm being that swollen for that long. However if it was tested in your lower arm, there would be no excuse.

What is ABPA? I'm sure I know what that is but don't remember.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Nicole,

When you get the prick-testing on your back, that is the mildest form of skin testing. The more accurate form would be via arm. I performed the prick-testing (scratch tests) on the inner forearms first. Then, they would come back in a week to get them done again via upper, outer arm. They were done first in the inner forearm to avoid any possible severe reactions. The upper arm tests were done only with ones of a lesser positive intensity.

NOW IN YOUR CASE.

Your reaction, I think, is too severe for allergy shots. I could be wrong, but you should NEVER have a reaction more than the size of a quarter to half-dollar. It should disappear within 2-3 days. Your reaction was too severe. Did your doc check that out? Your lucky you didn't have breathing problems with that reaction. I have had people with reactions that bad to arm testing need immediate Benedryl or worse, a shot of Eppinefren (sp?) b/c their throat was closing. If you were as sensitive as you said, I don't think they will help. Your sensitivity would not allow you to ever build up an immunity. At least, I highly doubt it. What did your doc say about it? That's a pretty bad reaction.

ONE OTHER THOUGHT...

You stated that you had the injections in you arm - where? Lower or upper? If they were in your upper arm, the nurse may have given the shot in your muscle. That would also result in your arm being that swollen for that long. However if it was tested in your lower arm, there would be no excuse.

What is ABPA? I'm sure I know what that is but don't remember.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer

It was about 6 years ago they did it but first they did teh back test then whatever showed positive on that they put a small shot of under the skin on my arm (this is my memory serving me here). any way the one for mold on my arm was pretty red when I left but just got worse over the evening and it was high on my arm because I remember my short sleeve shirt covering the lump and it hurt very badly to the touch even the next week.

Anyway I had some other allergies that I think shots will help with even if no on the mold. ABPA is alergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis meaning I am SEVERELY allergic to mold when I got my IGE level tested to check for the abpa it was over 1000 basically it is your allergic and immune reation in overdrive big time so you take steroids for a bit to suppress it and reduce the inflamation that it causes.

have your heard of immunocap? my friend works for the company and I am going to see if my insurance will cover it.

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer

It was about 6 years ago they did it but first they did teh back test then whatever showed positive on that they put a small shot of under the skin on my arm (this is my memory serving me here). any way the one for mold on my arm was pretty red when I left but just got worse over the evening and it was high on my arm because I remember my short sleeve shirt covering the lump and it hurt very badly to the touch even the next week.

Anyway I had some other allergies that I think shots will help with even if no on the mold. ABPA is alergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis meaning I am SEVERELY allergic to mold when I got my IGE level tested to check for the abpa it was over 1000 basically it is your allergic and immune reation in overdrive big time so you take steroids for a bit to suppress it and reduce the inflamation that it causes.

have your heard of immunocap? my friend works for the company and I am going to see if my insurance will cover it.

 

[mom2lillian]

Jennifer

It was about 6 years ago they did it but first they did teh back test then whatever showed positive on that they put a small shot of under the skin on my arm (this is my memory serving me here). any way the one for mold on my arm was pretty red when I left but just got worse over the evening and it was high on my arm because I remember my short sleeve shirt covering the lump and it hurt very badly to the touch even the next week.

Anyway I had some other allergies that I think shots will help with even if no on the mold. ABPA is alergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis meaning I am SEVERELY allergic to mold when I got my IGE level tested to check for the abpa it was over 1000 basically it is your allergic and immune reation in overdrive big time so you take steroids for a bit to suppress it and reduce the inflamation that it causes.

have your heard of immunocap? my friend works for the company and I am going to see if my insurance will cover it.

 

[Jennifer1981]

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...