get rid of allergies

Hives? Really? How lovely and interesting…! Could I have them all over my entire body please? Why, thank you! :)

Since I’m still exhibiting symptoms, doctor thought we’d try a shot every two weeks instead of every four. Twice a month is still way better than eight shots a month (I’m telling myself)!

Yay! After several months of getting two allergy shots per week, I am now officially in ‘maintenance’ mode. I have reached my maximum dosage and now the schedule is essentially one needle every four weeks. Won’t really know until spring if this investment of time and energy has been worth it, but I’m hopeful!

For the first time, this week I think I’m experiencing some improvement! Was beginning to think that this treatment wouldn’t help much at all. ...So, here’s hopin’!

With respect to the allergy shots, I am now done one third of the ‘ramping up’ process (increasing the dose). So far so good. I’m glad my doctor suggested to speed up this process.

After some thought (and helpful advice from 43things friends – thanks!), I agreed to bring a prescription to the pharmacy so they could order allergy serum (takes about six weeks).

I picked up the serum in mid-September and brought it to my doctor’s office. I was to get one shot a week to ramp up the dosage but my doctor thought it would be better to get the ‘ramping up’ part over quickly (and I agreed). So I am getting two allergy shots a week. I have completed my first week. So far so good – no major reactions.

Nasal spray seems to help a bit. Prescription-strength anti-histamine is good. Eyedrops don’t seem to make any difference at all (haven’t used them very long though).

Follow-up appointment with doctor re: allergy shots soon. So I am researching pros and cons of those. If anyone has any feedback on allergy shots, let me know!

Drugs! Drugs! Trying out eye drops (blink blink) and a nasal spray (yum!)

Meet allergist and get tested. (Yup, confirmed I have allergies – surprise!!)

In preparation for appointment with allergist, go off anti-histamines. sniffhonksniffsnort :)