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re: Allergy shots...are they worth the cost and drive and wait at doctors office?
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:10 pm to oleyeller
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:10 pm to oleyeller
quote:
it is much safer to have done at a doctors office in case of a serious allergic reaction to the allergy shots which could happen at any time.
I was given 2 Epi pens along with instructions on how to use them and when. Each time I got a new dosage on the allergy med, I was instructed to bring 2 syringes with me to the dr office and gave myself the new dose there and waited for any reaction. I suffered no ill effects and the shots all but cured me. I had pollen and grass allergies and suffered every spring. I could see where someone with much more serious allergies may have an issue with self medication.
2
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:20 pm to Bagger Joe
quote:
was given 2 Epi pens along with instructions on how to use them and when. Each time I got a new dosage on the allergy med, I was instructed to bring 2 syringes with me to the dr office and gave myself the new dose there and waited for any reaction. I suffered no ill effects and the shots all but cured me. I had pollen and grass allergies and suffered every spring. I could see where someone with much more serious allergies may have an issue with self medication.
My doctor will not allow anyone to do this. Too dangerous... i know some who will. And i know people would rather give them at home because it would be much more simple. But speaking from someome who has had actual anaphylactic shock before... it is scary as fuk, and i wouldnt want to be home depending on an epi shot with no medical experts around.... thats just me though
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:25 pm to oleyeller
quote:
Because it is much safer to have done at a doctors office in case of a serious allergic reaction to the allergy shots whicy could happen at any time. I have personally witnessed 2 patients go into anaphylactic shock in the clinic after getting shots. They have all of the steroids and epi on hand and know how to deal with it. This is something serious that you do not want to encounter at home.... or i dont.
I think you're exaggerating a bit. If there's reason to not administer the injections yourself, this is not one of them. A physician who allows you to administer the shots to yourself would prescribe you an epi pen to have on you while administering the injections. Allergy shots are typically given in dosages that increase the allergen concentrations every month or so. Each time your concentration increases, you have to take the initial (higher) dosage at the clinic to ensure you don't fall into anaphylaxis.
In response to the OP, I do not believe allergy shots are as effective as they claim (although there must be some data out there that supports benefits or health insurance companies would not cover them). I have suffered with allergies for years and was told I would have a higher chance of benefiting from injections as I am only allergic to one allergen (dust mites). I took them for a year and a half or so and really didn't notice a change in everyday health. Still have nasal inflammation and congestion. Maybe a few less sinus infections, if anything.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:30 pm to Tamer of beasts
yes. i suffered most of my life with allergies living in the south. if i cut the grass i was out for the weekend (feeling like crap) and also had constant issues with sinus infections and colds. I started the shots 3 years ago (weekly) and was in maintenance mode after 18 months. since that time, I've not had a cold or infection and can do anything i want in the outdoors without issue. I just stopped taking the shots completely.
I was allergic to every weed, grass and tree in southeast La.
I was allergic to every weed, grass and tree in southeast La.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 3:02 pm to tigerbater
quote:
I think you're exaggerating a bit. If there's reason to not administer the injections yourself, this is not one of them
No actually i didnt exaggerate at all
Posted on 5/3/17 at 3:09 pm to Tamer of beasts
After landing in the emergency room with major reaction to the bite of a single fire ant, I had the shots for fire ant stings. They worked well.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 3:14 pm to Tamer of beasts
Changed my life. Mine would get so bad that my eyes would be crusted shut in the mornings. I couldn't breathe. REALLY bad shite.
Did the shots for about 2 years and now I can snort pollen like its cocaine with no problem.
Did the shots for about 2 years and now I can snort pollen like its cocaine with no problem.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 4:01 pm to BoogaBear
So these shot don't work for cat or dog allergies?
This post was edited on 5/3/17 at 4:06 pm
Posted on 5/3/17 at 4:01 pm to oleyeller
Once you're on maintenance it is very safe for an educated person to self- administer. First shot from every new vial and all escalating shots given at the office is standard of care. Traditional escalation schedules are very conservative and risk of anaphylaxis is <1/100,000. Most offices that require you to get your shot in the office indefinitely are either using aggressive protocols or enjoying your co-pay.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 4:07 pm to gumbodawg
I'm undergoing shots now. I've completed the 3 shot/week protocol and now get shots once per week. When a different serum is used, they ask me to wait for 20 minutes in the office. Are they working? I would say yes, but I did suffer a mild sinus infection earlier this year that lingered. I'm pleased because I am a difficult case. 2 sinus surgeries in my past.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:37 pm to tigerbater
quote:i disagree. a reaction is very much the reason. the clinic would be in serious doo doo if they allowed someone to self medicate and there was a reaction that, heaven forbid, killed someone. that is precisely why clinics ask you to stick around for at least 15 mins afterward. when they call me back in, they have a specific protocol; measure the site, administer topical steroid, sometimes benadryl. they are very cautious and methodical.
If there's reason to not administer the injections yourself, this is not one of them
quote:the epi pen is for last ditch emergencies when you can't get to the er fast enough. not for someone who is regularly self administering risky allergy shots. that is definitely abusing their purpose.
A physician who allows you to administer the shots to yourself would prescribe you an epi pen to have on you while administering the injections.
quote:you and i have had VERY different experiences. i was almost off the charts on everything outside. the shots have made a HUGE difference in the quality of my life.
I do not believe allergy shots are as effective as they claim
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:43 pm to gumbodawg
quote:my allergist would be horrified to hear someone say this.
Once you're on maintenance it is very safe for an educated person to self- administer.
quote:this is misleading. first, there are quite a few variables involved so, each time you go in, it's not simply a case of ceteris paribus. i know because i get peppered with a series of questions each visit. second, while the brute number might be low, it is definitely fatal if not treated properly and immediately.
Traditional escalation schedules are very conservative and risk of anaphylaxis is <1/100,000
quote:or trying to avoid malpractice.
Most offices that require you to get your shot in the office indefinitely are either using aggressive protocols or enjoying your co-pay.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:46 pm to Bagger Joe
quote:
I was given 2 Epi pens along with instructions on how to use them and when. Each time I got a new dosage on the allergy med, I was instructed to bring 2 syringes with me to the dr office and gave myself the new dose there and waited for any reaction. I suffered no ill effects and the shots all but cured me. I had pollen and grass allergies and suffered every spring. I could see where someone with much more serious allergies may have an issue with self medication.
My Mom did the same for a few years after a few months of doing shots. They worked fine for her as well.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 7:18 am to Tamer of beasts
I did shots and get sick far fewer times a year than I did before them. I work at a place that has a nurse on site to administer them though. When I did get shots in the office I never really waited very much.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 8:22 am to bfniii
Considering self-administered immunotherapy (once on maintenance) has been standard of care for 30 years, I doubt that your allergist would be horrified. You are correct that anaphylaxis can be fatal. That is why all escalation doses and every first shot from new vial are administered in the office. Subsequent doses from a maintenance vial are extremely safe. The risk of anaphylaxis is probably lower that that with routine antibiotics. And all immunotherapy patients have an epipen and have been trained to use it as opposed to the random antibiotic reaction. Lastly, there is zero risk of successful malpractice litigation assuming these protocols have been followed.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 8:43 am to gumbodawg
quote:from the papers i'm seeing, this is at the least, controversial. the obvious reason why is safety. anaphylaxis is not to be trifled with. sublingual - maybe. shots - no way.
self-administered immunotherapy (once on maintenance) has been standard of care for 30 years
quote:the clinic i go to does dozens of shots every week and i can tell you from 3 years of experience, they would be. and with good reason, as stated above.
I doubt that your allergist would be horrified.
quote:this is just plain misleading as i have pointed out already. safer. yes. extremely safe, absolutely not. immunotherapy is a risky treatment, especially at .5cc.
Subsequent doses from a maintenance vial are extremely safe...The risk of anaphylaxis is probably lower that that with routine antibiotics
quote:maybe if a patient signed a waiver and even then that practice is not a good idea.
there is zero risk of successful malpractice litigation assuming these protocols have been followed.
the only reason i'm being a stickler is because i don't want people to get bad medical advice and this is a procedure i'm familiar with.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 8:58 am to bfniii
I second what you are saying.
I have seen someone in full-blown anaphylaxis before and the epi pen did basically nothing. Luckily EMS arrived quickly and he ended up doing okay. Anyone downplaying anaphylaxis should be challenged. A severe reaction is a very big deal. And the epipen is not an instant miracle cure that you can rely on 100%.
I have seen someone in full-blown anaphylaxis before and the epi pen did basically nothing. Luckily EMS arrived quickly and he ended up doing okay. Anyone downplaying anaphylaxis should be challenged. A severe reaction is a very big deal. And the epipen is not an instant miracle cure that you can rely on 100%.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 9:14 am to Tamer of beasts
Yes. See if you have a "Family Allergy & Asthma" location or some type of similar business that just does allergy shots. My son had to have them weekly and you are literally in and out.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 9:16 am to Tamer of beasts
Absolutely, they help.
Most larger towns now have clinics that focus on allergies and their is hardly any wait in the shot clinic for your weekly injections.
Most larger towns now have clinics that focus on allergies and their is hardly any wait in the shot clinic for your weekly injections.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 9:21 am to lsufan_26
quote:
So these shot don't work for cat or dog allergies?
They absolutely work for pet allergies. They mix whatever allergens you are allergic to into a cocktail that they inject you with or you dissolve under your tongue as drops.
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