Question:
I'm a 30 yr old male and I've lived with my seasonal pollen allergies
all my life. I used to take shots when I was a small boy but not in the
last 20 yrs. For some reason my seasonal allergies this year are MUCH
worse than normal. I'm considering going back to allgery shots. Should I?
When should I Start?
What should I expect?
Any side effects?
Will it only lessen my allergies come summer time?
Answer:
All depends on what type of shots... steroids or desensitisation
ones? Where are you in the US or the UK? Pollen levels in the UK have never
been as high as they were a couple of weeks ago. Some bad sufferring
going on in my house!
Depends on how badly you get it and what other remedies you've tried.
Steroids are a bit of a unknown in terms of long term risks. Depends again on which. From what I know the desensitisation ones
have to start around October before the season and go on for 18 months
for the full treatment. From steroids then maybe - check with your doctor. From
desensitisation then generally no BUT you may get a massive allergic
reaction - which is why they do them in hospital. Easy to fix if
you've access to the right drugs but can be fatal on the street. Depends. Steroid ones may do - see other posts from people in this
group. Desensitisation ones should "cure" you. Anything from 'no effect' to a dramatic reduction in symptoms. It can
take up to a year before you can tell if it is, or is not working. Usually minor. But there is always the risk of a severe reaction.
This is why the doctor will want to observe you for a while after you
get each shot. Only you can decide that, in consultation with your doctor. Absent
any contraindications, it certainly can't hurt to try. Once again, consult with your doctor. You may have some temporary allergy symptoms from the shots. It
generally takes several months for the shots to have effect. Many. All the way from slight swelling at the site of injection to
full-blown anaphylactic shock. It will only lessen your allergies to the allergens with which you are
treated when those allergens are present. If your allergies are
strictly seasonal, then it will only work during that season; although
you will need to take the shots year-round. Usually minor. But there is always the risk of a severe reaction.
This is why the doctor will want to observe you for a while after you
get each shot. Might I add that after five or six weeks, once you reach full serum level
and if you are exhibiting no severe allergic reactions to the shots, you may
be allowed to give yourself the shots at home. If so, you most likely will
be given an epinephrine injector to have handy in the event you should ever
experience severe reaction.
