Question:
I started taking allergy shots 3 weeks ago. I am having one every week.
I am taking these because of repeated bouts with what feels like a sinus
infection and ear pain and ears that pop and plug up all the time. My
question is can allergies do all this and now after my third shot I feel
worse than ever. My left ear is constantly plugged and has pain in it and
the pressure across my nose and sinuses is really bad. Can shots make you
worse? I take Claritin and lately I have been taking a deconsgant, but I
am not suppose to, and I use a nasal spray. I would be interested in hearing
from anyone that has had shots and if you had a difficult time at the
beginning.
Answer:
I have been recieving injections for a long time. Although I have not had
the severity of the symptoms you describe, sometimes my shots do make me
more congested and I did have some problems when I first started getting
shots.
I also have heard of other people though who react more strongly to their
injections. You should check with your allergist to make sure that you are
not reacting to the injections. Why do you say that you are not supposed to
take Claritin? As far as I know, it is a good idea to stay on
antihistamines, especially if you are reacting to your injections. In fact,
you might want to try a different antihistamine to see what works best.It is important to note that allergy shots do not work for everyone and
that some have allergic reactions to the shots. Consult your doctor
before proceeding further. Or get a second opinion. Everyone will have allergic reactions to allergy shots if the dosage is
too high. After all, the material being injected is that to which the
patient is allergic; it would make little sense to inject material that
is not involved in the allergic problem in the first place. The doctor
wants to know, at the time of each injection, what reaction there might
have been to the previous shot. If symptoms became worse it is evidence
that the correct material is being used. The dosage will be lowered, and
the rate of increase will be slowed. I just had my 7th weekly allergy shot today. I am undergoing them because of
chronic sinusitis due to allergies. I was having some reactions to them,
plus the dog (the worst allergy) is inside more causing my overall allergen
load to be rather high. I am also allergic to mold and having a reaction to
that. The dosage was slowed down and instead of injecting all of the serum
into one arm, the mold was split off. I now have a shot in each arm. I was
still having some reaction to the mold. The injection site gets a small
wheal, about the size of a nickel and turns red, it also is rather itchy. I,
too, am experiencing the increase of symptoms like congestion, and sinus
pain/pressure. It is now starting to subside; somewhat. Today the mold
injection had extra saline added to it, to see if the site reaction would be
less. And it seems to be. There is no redness, only itchiness. I would discuss your concerns with the nurse who does the injections or the
doctor. I am asked each week how the last shot was. If there was 'any'
reaction, this being sneezing, itching, watery eyes, congestion, etc. I did
have a sinus infection a few weeks ago, but then I normally have one each
year in October anyway. So the fact that it was in Nov, I see as a good
thing. I was told I might feel worse for a bit, especially if what I am
allergic to is in 'season' or I am overly exposed. That is why the dosage
and rate of increase on the mold has been slowed for now. Talk to your
allergist or the nurse.
