allergy testing? Coping w/ no antihistamines?

[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.

[Becky]

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

Really? (The fascinating reading part, I mean. I just feel like a giant whiner at the moment!)

[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.

[Becky]

I had my testing yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They did the surface pricks, and then the shots below the skin. Evidently, I'm allergic to cats, dogs, dust mites, molds, trees, grasses, weeds, and maybe a few others that I can't remember. No great surprise by any of them.

The nurse who took care of me was so sweet, and I like the doctor too. I can see why so many people recommended him to me. He wants me to experiment a little with my medications (stop this one, add this one, see what happens) and see if I can find a minimum combination that controls my symptoms before I see him again in May. He did give me a script for Flonase, to try as part of the experimenting. I like docs who are comfortable with the whole self-management idea.

He did suggest allergy shots, but told me to take my time in making a decision because it's a big commitment. 3-6 months to ramp up to a maintenance dose, and then shots every 2-4 weeks for the next 3-5 years. Any input from those who've done this? I like the idea that this is a tried-and-true treatment that's been done for years and doesn't involve drugs, but it's a big commitment. The practice isn't far from my home, but it's in an area of town that I don't get to often, and I can't really bike there in time for the clinic to be open. Giving my own shots isn't an option- I asked.

Then there's the environmental changes. I'm not giving up my pets (nor did he ask me to). I'm not sure that I can run the air conditioning half the summer, and I hate the idea of not line-drying my laundry during the summer or not going for early morning bike rides. Truthfully, the environmental/lifestyle changes are giving me more angst than the med/shots decisions.

Thanks for reading my verbose ramblings. I welcome any input that those who've been down this path can provide!