should I have the shots?

Question

I have allergys alot and my husband said I should be allergys tsted.I did and looks like the highist number is grass mixs,When I tk the allergy meds they dry out my tonge bad and it hurts,So I have to decide its 2 shots a week for probly 3 yrs,and Ill know if its wrking in a yr.

Answer 1

Its is sooo worth it, it is annoying to get shots that often, but once the treatment is over you never had to deal with the problem again. It worked really great for me, I would definelty recommend them.

Answer 2

I never took any shots - it took me about 6 years to get used to the pollens and develop ways of coping with them. Shots are not a guarantee - sometimes they don't work. It is all individual, and really depends on the severity of your symptoms - do you relly need the allergy pills all the time? If so, maybe the shots are better. Don't forget that you will still need the medicines while the shots are taking effect - sometimes years. Ask your doctor.

My son had allergies too, and the doctor told us that, with today's medications having few side effects, why bother with painful needles? When the symptoms were bad, we gave him something. Now, at 21, he has no symptoms.

I wouldn't bother, not with shots or medicines, but then again as I get older I worry more and more about the crap they say is okay to put in my body. Also, my symptoms are not debilitating.

Answer 3

I'd give the shots a try. I have taken them 3 times in the past 20 yrs. After I took them for the 3 yrs. I did really well for a long time, but I guess we just develope new allergies. All of my allergens had changed on the next two skin tests I had done. Good luck!

Answer 4

The shots don't hurt. They aren't a fool proof cure for everyone though. I took them for a few years and even took meds/steroids. I know what you mean about the meds drying you out. After 33 years of severe allergies (trees, grass, pollen) the allergies just stopped. Who knows why... but do whatever you can to get relief. Allergies miserable and anything is worth a try. Cheers!

Answer 5

Follow the recommendations of your allergist and try the shots. They do help. It is best to start shot treatment after the allergy season is over because the shots expose you to what you are allergic to, and during the allergy season you are already being exposed but in an uncontrollable amount. Best to get the shots while you have insurance - you never know what the future will bring.

Answer 6

I am allergic to everything. From cockroaches to every kind of grass. The worst for me is dustmites and their poo. I have tried EVERY type of allergy medicine there is, and none of it has helped. I started allergy shots two weeks ago, one in each arm twice a week for 8 months then i go weekly for the next 3-5 years. If it makes my life easier, then I'm all for it. you have to think long nad hard about the outcome you want, and what you will think will happen before you start getting the shots and talk very in depth with your allergist.

Answer 7

I took allergy shots as a kid--one shot a week for 12 years, age 4-16. Yes, it was a very long time, but it did help me. I had very severe sinus allergies. I was constantly sick as a baby, and now my only severe allergy is to freshly cut grass. Like you, my allergies were to a mix of plants, and I had taken so many over the counter allergy medicines that my body actually became immune to one of them. It did help me a lot to have the shots, although it was a hassle to go to the doctor all the time for them, and it got pretty expensive--I had two skin allergy tests, sinus xrays, multiple blood allergy tests, plus we had to buy the medicine and I think we had a very small copay for each shot. But the whole point of the shots is to build up your immunity to whatever it is that causes your allergy so your body won't react to it anymore, and it did exactly that for me.

Answer 8

I would get a second opinion first. There are a lot of new anti-histamines that have much less side-effects. There are nasal sprays with small amounts of steriods in them, as well as actual steroid injections. Our old doc used to give a shot of a cortisone preparation in the spring to everyone with allergies and few needed pills. Try the easy allergy fixes as well- shower at night before bed to wash out the pollen from your hair, put clean sheets on your bed regularly, use basic Ivory soap, etc,etc.

Answer 9

I take allergy shots once a week, and since i take them I am much much better, it really works. Last summer my eyes were red all the time, my nose was running constantly, even at night I had to wear sunglasses sometimes, the irritation was soooo bad. It started working after about 2 months.

Answer 10

thats a great idea im doing the same thing. it does take a lot of time out of ur week having to wait the 20 minutes after to see if u have a reaction but its worth it. but u have to remember that it could be longer than 3 years and u could have to get a shot once a month for life but i think its the best choice. no more pills! yea.