allergy testing? Coping w/ no antihistamines?

[Becky]

Thanks ladies! This is good info!

I am currently on Singulair, and that's keeping the wheezing down. Not doing much for the faucet nose, and itchy eyes and skin. Strangely enough, I'm feeling better now that I'm at work. I can only assume that I need to do a better job of cleaning the house!

I've been keeping notes like crazy these past few weeks about what seems to bother me, and they did send me a detailed form to complete. They failed to mention that whole "no showering for 24 hours before we reinspect you" thing....but I assumed that the night after the test would be awful. Good thing I kept my calendar clear for the day after. How long after testing before I can go back on an antihistamine?

Oak Leaf, how often do they re-do the testing (e.g., how many more times do I have to go through this )? Good info about self-administering shots. I'm hopeful that they'll let me do that- I'll make sure to ask.

I'm actually looking forward to having some answers about what triggers my symptoms and formulating a comprehensive plan of attack.

[OakLeaf]

I usually get re-tested every 2-4 years. Just whenever it doesn't seem like my shots are controlling my symptoms the way they should. Supposedly some people will reach a point where they can be on shots for about 2 years and then have 2 years where they don't need shots, but it's never worked that way for me. I think there was ONE allergen I didn't react to on my last test that I had reacted to before. But my level of sensitivity to different things definitely varies over the years, and that's why I get re-tested.

You can go back on your antihistamines as soon as they've checked your wheals for a delayed reaction.

+1 on changing my life!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Becky - all the best with the testing and trust you get some relief asap once done.
I haven't had testing done for years (I think I was about 11 or 12???) but my hayfever is always predictable and for years I ingested antihistimine tablets.

I did try a course of injections in the arm one year, and I also tried homeopathic alternatives - injections in the back and cream to rub on the face.

When pregnant I asked for a topical alternative and got eyedrops and nosesprays which occasionally needed "topping up" with tablets.

However, at 43years, I can safely say that I am "growing out of it". This season I have not needed to take any tablets, I have not had what I term as a "bad day" (where I don't venture outside at all). I am using nosespray and eyedrops, but I would say my biggest 'defence' against hayfever is sunglasses - I wear them all the time if outside - even if driving in the evening I wear non-dark glasses. Within about 15mins of not wearing my sunnies, I have itchy eyes and my nose is beginning to run.

Some days I forget to take my spray/drops, but wearing my sunnies all day means I have very little hayfever effects.

All the best... and to all of you with seasonal allergies, may you grow out of it soon

[msincredible]

Flonase is a good option for nasal allergies and won't interfere with the tests.

I've been on allergy shots (immunotolerance) for a few years now, and they have made an amazing difference in my quality of life.

I am allergic to pretty much every kind of pollen around (tree, grass, and weed), dust and dustmites, mold, as well as various other odds and ends. I used to have a constantly stuffed and/or runny nose, couldn't go anywhere without a big wad of kleenex, and had no sense of smell. It was like permanently living with a headcold, even when taking antihistamines all the time (and I hated having side effects from them). I used to get sinus infections all the time (really sucks when you are allergic to the most common antibiotics that they want to give you too).

After being on the shots and getting up to the maintenance dose, I no longer need any allergy medication at all, I hardly ever even need to blow my nose. It's great.

[tulip]

Do you have carpet in your house? I suffered from really bad allergies for many years (in different apartments, but all with carpets, being apartments), and then I moved into a house with all hardwood floors, and my allergies went away. Amazing!

I hope you get relief soon.

[Eden]

relatively mild allergies here - I only really react badly to tree pollen so I only have severe symptoms for a few months, though I am positive for a few other things (cats - I have two..., dust mites, grass pollen)

I had allergy testing for the first time two years ago. They started with the most common allergens doing pin pricks on my arm, then went to a few other less common things on my back. I think I only had to wait a half hour or so to have the test read. The hardest thing to do was to not scratch the positive ones.... (they rubbed a topical antihistamine all over me when they were finished)

[Becky]

Do you have carpet in your house? I suffered from really bad allergies for many years (in different apartments, but all with carpets, being apartments), and then I moved into a house with all hardwood floors, and my allergies went away. Amazing!

I hope you get relief soon.

Hardwood, with area rugs. Much better than our old apartment with wall to wall carpeting!

Strangely enough, the nasal symptoms have quieted down somewhat since yesterday morning. At the moment, it's the itchy skin and eyes that are making me crazy. Weird....itchies aren't one of my normal symptoms....

I slapped on an N95 dust mask last night, and vacuumed and mopped a bunch, as well as washed a bunch of pet laundry in hot water. DH was quite amused when I sent him a picture of me in my stylish mask

Thanks for all of the well-wishes, ladies! Just 24 hours to go!

[Biciclista]

This makes for fascinating reading. keep us posted, and good luck.

[OakLeaf]

I slapped on an N95 dust mask last night, and vacuumed and mopped a bunch, as well as washed a bunch of pet laundry in hot water. DH was quite amused when I sent him a picture of me in my stylish mask

They look extra nice with sunglasses, orange earplugs and a straw hat for mowing the lawn in ragweed season.