fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (06/12/84)
After suffering with allergies to tree, grass, and weed pollen, common
house dust, animals, and God knows what else, for the last 30 years
or so, I've finally decided to get a series of desensitization shots.
The Doc' said the treatment takes a while before it's effective, and
that I'd have to do it for a few years to get the maximum benefit.
Anybody else out there gone through this? I'd like to know how
effective the treatment has been, and what the early stages of treatment
are like. I am so badly allergic to some grass pollens that I'm afraid
the cure might be worse than the affliction. We all know antihistamines
suck, so I'm tired of treating it that way. However, the idea of having
the very stuff that makes my eyes puff up shot into my bloodstream
leaves me a little anxious.
--
Bob Fishell
ihnp4!ihu1g!fishsebb@pyuxss.UUCP (S Badian) (06/12/84)
I have gone through testing and shots on two separate occasions. The first time was in college. The testing was extensive and I got 2 shots every week or two for dusts, pollens, dogs, and cats. I stopped getting the shots because I graduated and was moving around too much to find another allergist. This winter I found another allergist and he did the testing again and now I am getting shots for just ragweed pollen. You should find a real allergist to do the testing and shots. It's worth the money and the pain. The testing usually involves the injection of an extremely small amount of allergen under the skin. The dosage is increased until a reaction of a certain severity is obtained. The reaction is not great, just a small bump. Once the allergist determines your sensitivity to the allergens, you can start getting shots. Some people have had reactions, even severe ones, from shots. But allergists are very careful. You have to sit in the office 15 min. after your shot so if you do have a severe reaction they can treat you. The shots start out as being teeny-tiny amounts of allergens, and the concentration is slowly increased. That is why relief isn't immediate and why you must always get the shots. The first time I had the shots I did find they helped, especially the cat, dog, and ragweed. I'm no longer getting the cat and dog because I can avoid them. If you are very allergic to all manner of things you should probably get the testing and the shots. But, find an allergist first. Find one that will do the interdermal testing because it is currently the most reliable form of testing. Shots don't work for everyone, but they help an awful lot of allergy sufferers. I speak from experience. Hope you find this helpful and if you have any more questions, just ask. Sharon Badian
abc@brl-tgr.ARPA (Brint Cooper ) (06/13/84)
My wife has been taking those shots for years. They probably became effective after a few months, but it's hard to tell because we also air-conditioned and filtered the house to improve her sleeping environ- ment. She's been taking shots for about 12 years (probably really doesn'T have to any more but has a conservative allergist from Hopkins). Before treatment, her allergy attacks were so bad they took her into asthma. Now, she barely notices pollen, even on extremely high count days. Caution: You should have adrenalin available when you receive your shots. Occasionally, one will get a severe reaction from the shot itself (called anaphylactic shock) which the adrenalin counteracts. This has never happened to my wife, however. We say, go for it! It will improve your life quality immensely!
twh@mb2c.UUCP (Tim Hitchcock) (06/13/84)
Have you tried fasting ? I've read a few books on the subject. Fasting allegedly helps the allergic condition. I have fasted, and felt better in many ways after doing so, but I have not had a problem with allergies. Get a book called "The Miracle of Fasting" written by Paul Bragg. It's a paperback, nice and easy reading. Timothy Hitchcock Michigan Bell (313) 424-1027 epsilon!mb2c!twh Remember . . . distilled water . . . NOT spring . . .
hansen@pegasus.UUCP (Sonya D. Hansen) (06/14/84)
I echo everything that Sharon Badian said about finding an allergist, type of testing, shot reactions, etc. She neglected one thing... be sure that you go to a REAL allergist, i.e. someone with "allergist" right after the M.D. on the sign. (There are a lot of quacks around who will tap the bottom of your foot to see if you're allergic to something, and other wierd things.) I've been treated succesfully for the last 19 years of my life for my extensive allergies. I'm one of those people who 100 years ago would have been a basket case for the few SHORT years of my life; now I'm 99.9% normal with a normal life expectancy thanks to modern medical technology. :-) Sonya Hansen
kal@trsvax.UUCP (07/03/84)
#R:ihu1g:-45100:trsvax:38100001:000:447 trsvax!kal Jul 2 16:39:00 1984 Try water soluble Vitamin A to relieve allergies and sinus problems. It is very important that you use the water soluble variety because you can get sick from excessive amounts of Vitamins A and D. Both are fat soluble in their natural state and are stored in the body. As for other vitamins, you must gradually build up to megadoses of Vitamins C and E. Vitamin C is water soluble, so what your body doesn't use it gets rid of. Kathy
abc@brl-tgr.ARPA (Brint Cooper ) (07/10/84)
I take it you can cite references in medical or scientific literature to support your assertions that the way to treat allergy is to poison yourself with vitamins?