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| Has anyone done allergy shots? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 12 2009, 01:09 PM (431 Views) | |
| kady05 | Mar 12 2009, 01:09 PM Post #1 |
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I think I've mentioned this before here, but my boyfriend of over 4yrs. has pretty bad allergies. He's never been tested, so we're not sure exactly what he's allergic to, but we do know one thing is definitely cats. He also will break out into hives if he cuts the grass, so I think that's one too. Anyway, I pretty much dragged him to the allergist last year, who put him on Singulair & he also takes an OTC decongestant (it has Loratidine in it, I think). He has an inhaler as well, because he does sometimes get that 'throat closing' feeling on bad days.. this doesn't happen often. So, I have 4 cats in the house. Plus 2 dogs & 3 rats. I don't think my dogs bother him, because if we hang out downstairs (dogs aren't allowed upstairs), he's typically fine. It's when we're in my room (where the cats hangout) where he'll start getting itchy and whatnot some days. He's in Japan right now, and hasn't had to take any of his meds. since he's been there, which is great. However, I know when he gets home it's going to be the start of pollen season and I know he's going to have to go back on meds. The allergist told him he should get allergy shots. I've told him the same. But he's being so close minded about it and it makes me want to strangle him We're planning on moving in together hopefully by November of this year, and my 3 cats WILL be coming with me. I'm fully prepared to make some changes, like not allowing them where we sleep, etc., but they aren't going anywhere. I already vacuum a lot, so that won't be an issue, and I'm hoping to be able to find a house with hardwood (or whatever) floors so the hair/dander doesn't sink into carpet. His excuse for not wanting them now is that he will possibly be in and out of the state due to his job. So he asked how that would work if he had to leave in the process. I didn't know the answer, and thought I'd ask here. It's really frustrating me, because I feel bad that his allergies get so bad sometimes, but then again, he's not doing all of what the Dr. told him to do. I've done everything possible (other than getting rid of my cats and not letting them in my room) to help him, including buying a $400 Alen air purifier. I'm going to call the allergist when he's closer to coming home (April 6th), because he needs a refill on his inhaler, so I can ask him then, but in the meantime I'd love to hear peoples experiences with getting allergy shots. |
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| OpticalIllusion | Mar 12 2009, 02:42 PM Post #2 |
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I dont know anything about allergy shots, but wanted to share some other information. My SO is allergic to cats. When we lived with my parents (briefly) he was constantly sneezing from the cats and dogs. Where we live now is a much smaller space, however we (haha ok really I) keep it very clean. I wash two of my cats regularly, and the third who wont let me bathe her gets a damp wash cloth bathe. I vacuum every other day. He very very rarely gets allergy attacks now. The two long haired cats dont bother him, but the short one does sometimes. I think the dander is closer to the end of her hair so it bothers him more. |
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| ImJumpin | Mar 12 2009, 03:07 PM Post #3 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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The dosing on allergy shots changes over time. If you miss a shot over a certain time window, they will have to start the sequence from scratch. Testing is not too bad. Does he not like needles? Kinda sounds like that could be a reason he is so adverse to the testing and to the shots. So he travels a lot-- how much is alot? Like is he gone a week and then back for a few days before leaving or is it a situation where he is gone for months at a time? The former would work, the later would not. |
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| kady05 | Mar 12 2009, 03:26 PM Post #4 |
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Ok, gotcha. Hmm.. He doesn't like getting his blood drawn, but he's fine with getting shots. So I don't think that's the main reason.. I think it's more of a 'I don't want to commit to something that could be a 2yr. process' kind of thing. Plus, he thinks they won't do anything. I know for some people they don't totally cure them, but I've never heard of a person not getting SOME relief from getting shots. Right now he's gone for 2 months. If he stays in the country, they're usually not gone for more than 2wks. at a time. I know he has a valid point with the traveling thing, which is why I was trying to see if it could work. The thing with his company is that he never really knows when he'll be traveling. So, he could stay here for a full year, then leave for 2wks. Or, he could be gone for 2 months, come home for a month, then leave again. He works for a government contracter, so it all depends on what's going on with the ships. I know in the beginning of getting shots, you go once a week, then you gradually go less often. I guess I (er.. we) need to talk to the allergist when he gets home. As far as bathing the kitties, I do that, but not as often as I should. I do the Ragdolls typically once every 2 months, and the other cats I try to do 2-3 times a year. I'm not sure which one of mine bothers him the most; I have the 2 Ragdolls, and then Sneak, who is a DLH, and Toby, who is a DSH. |
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| stephjm | Mar 12 2009, 03:43 PM Post #5 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I got shots for over 10 years. That was way longer than most people, but I have really bad allergies. He will have to commit to the course of treatment, otherwise he'll have to start all over again. So if he travels a lot it might not work. However, I've been off shots now for over 3 years. Though I still have to take some meds, I can honestly say the shots made me 90% better. I had chronic sinus infections, sick all the time, you name it. Now I will still get some hay fever symptoms but it's so much better and I only get sinus infections maybe once or twice a year. That doesn't sound so great normally but for me it's a huge improvement. |
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| kady05 | Mar 12 2009, 03:48 PM Post #6 |
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Oh lord, I'm not going to tell him 10 years! I'll stick with the 2-3yrs. the allergist said haha.Yeah he gets all kinds of sinus issues. He smokes too, which I'm sure doesn't help. Any improvement would be better than nothing! |
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| stephjm | Mar 12 2009, 05:18 PM Post #7 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Part of the reason I went so long with the shots is that halfway through I got pregnant and had a baby, and my allergies changed (plus I developed asthma). So I had to be re-tested and start shots all over again. 10 years is way outside the normal range. But I can't imagine how I'd feel now if I didn't have them!Yes, quitting smoking would probably help too, but as you know, he has to want to do that. It's probably harder than getting the shots. |
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| kady05 | Mar 13 2009, 04:16 AM Post #8 |
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Oh I see, that would suck! He's quit like.. 4 or 5 times throughout our relationship He's only ever done it because I complain about it, so yeah, he'll definitely have to WANT to quit. He just started working out, and he's running as well. I told him he was probably going to want to quit soon if he kept that up. Luckily, he smokes like 1/2-3/4 a pack a day, so he's not a chain smoker or anything. I hate cigarettes!
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| Bearhunter | Mar 13 2009, 06:34 AM Post #9 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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I had allergy shots as a kid (allergic to horses and cats much more so.) It is a VERY slow process and I went 2 times a week at the beginning and did not see much of a difference for a long time, though eventually it helped. I think it depends how bad the allergy is. I outgrew my horse allergy for the most part but never my cat allergy.
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| kady05 | Mar 13 2009, 10:02 AM Post #10 |
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I wish his mom had done it when he was younger! She said she was afraid how he'd react, so she decided not to.. He has definitely built up some resistance to the cats after 4yrs. of being around them, but they are still his main trigger. He's allergic to something at the barn too, because everytime he comes out he gets all sneezy/itchy after awhile. I suppose if I ever bring Clyde home he won't be helping out much haha! |
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| equest | Mar 13 2009, 11:03 AM Post #11 |
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Schooling
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I gave myself the shots for 2 years before my allergies /chronic sinus problems improved. If you're not squeamish, you should give them to yourself as it is much more convenient. |
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| kady05 | Mar 13 2009, 11:21 AM Post #12 |
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Oh really? So how exactly did that work? I was thinking that this could be a possibility, as we have given our dog allergy shots ourselves before (I know, he's not a dog, but still ).I think I could give him the shots, I'm not squeamish or anything. Guess this should be another question when I call the allergist! |
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| ImJumpin | Mar 13 2009, 11:42 AM Post #13 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I really am not sure what doctor let you give yourself the shots. This is NOT standard practice. With allergy shots, you run the risk of having a reaction and going into anaphylactic shock. When you get them, you have to wait in the doctor's office for 20-30 minutes afterwards to be sure you don't have a reaction-- every time you get the shot. |
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| kady05 | Mar 13 2009, 12:32 PM Post #14 |
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Yeah they told us that when we first went to the office (that you had to wait 15-20min. afterwards to make sure there was no reaction), I forgot about that. Hmm. |
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I'll stick with the 2-3yrs. the allergist said haha.
He's only ever done it because I complain about it, so yeah, he'll definitely have to WANT to quit. He just started working out, and he's running as well. I told him he was probably going to want to quit soon if he kept that up. Luckily, he smokes like 1/2-3/4 a pack a day, so he's not a chain smoker or anything. I hate cigarettes!
and cats much more so.) It is a VERY slow process and I went 2 times a week at the beginning and did not see much of a difference for a long time, though eventually it helped. I think it depends how bad the allergy is. I outgrew my horse allergy for the most part but never my cat allergy.
9:50 AM Jul 13