the gf is going to drive me nuts if she doesn't hurry up and see an allergist and look into allergy shots, so i thought i'd come here first and see if:

1.) any of you have had or are currently getting allergy shots, and is it working out for you and
2.) what are some local allergists or allergy clinics around here, and do you like them

since i can't install a HEPA filtration system, this is just gonna have to do for now

7/23/2008 2:08:22 PM

1)

They work like a dream. I never finished my however-many-year cycle (I came to college and lost the vials I was supposed to transfer to student health, then just had trouble keeping appts.)

But I had such bad seasonal allergies in HS that playing outfield for the baseball team was almost an impossibility until I quit having to sneeze every fucking 15 seconds. If you do it right, they're 100% the best option IMO.

Shot-wise, they aren't bad at all. It is a pain in the ass having to do an appointment EVERY week until you get up to a maintenance-level of dosage (once a month). But eventually, you're good to go. My mom and brother are pretty much as "cured" as cured can be ... they keep medicine around for attacks, but they are infrequent and not very strong.

But after I got off Allergy shots...
I typically rock prescription Allegra and Nasacort AQ nose spray on an as-needed basis ... will I be around cats, is it spring/fall? Take two pills a day. Otherwise, whatever. Allergies can mature, and you can grow out of them, said my allergist. And I've been kind of lucky to have this happen on a mild basis.

7/23/2008 2:15:44 PM

1.) I got them, if you have really bad allergies and the cash/insurance for it then I'd suggest giving them a go. The first 6 months you start the shots you will be MISERABLE, they basically take everything you're allergic to and shove it in high doses into your body. It should taper off after a while though, though I had flare ups.

Also - any good allergist will tell you that they don't work for everyone. It's a hit or miss thing, and you will likely still need allergy medicine even when you're on maintenance or completely off of them. I don't know anyone local, but good luck.

7/23/2008 2:23:01 PM

Also, worth mentioning, having bad allergies requires lifestyle manipulation. An allergist will tell you this, but since this might be weeks off...

Get a mattress cover, ditch the down pillows/comforter, buy a 80$ air filter to run at night. Wear shades, wash your clothes always after you wear em once and maybe even shower 2x a day. Run early or late in the day, etc etc. Dust often, wear a mask while doing so...

Not that I do all these, but just thinking about what allergies are and modifying behavior/indoor environment can help a lot. My mom does most of that stuff and my parents' house is where I breathe the easiest.

Before it was OTC I took Claritin and it worked equally as good as Allegra for me. So there's another temporary fix.

What is/does she think she's allergic to?

7/23/2008 2:30:32 PM

Claritin doesn't do crap for me and I have a year's supply of the quick dissolve tabs.

Zyrtec and sudafed combined seem to work as well as Allegra for me. At least I'm trying to convince myself of that since my insurance won't cover Allegra anymore.

7/23/2008 2:40:08 PM

Allegra D is the bomb

7/23/2008 3:01:35 PM

My allergist and my ENT told me that Claritin has been shown to only be effective in about 10% of the population. Allegra D worked for me for a long time. Lately, Astellin and Nasonex nasal sprays have been the best combo. I actually have deviated septum and turbinate reduction surgery this Friday which should do a lot to alleviate the problems I have. These problems magnified the effects from allergies.

7/23/2008 11:18:55 PM

In answer to number two... Well, I was at my doctor in June and got a prescription for nasonex (which is a godsend on a bad day) and I asked her for some referrals for some local allergy places (because I'm going to get an allergy test done to finally have a list of what I should avoid). These are probably more Cary-centric places (that's where my doc is) but here ya go:

NC Allergy & Asthma: 919-781-1997

Triangle Asthma: 919-851-2223

Allergy, Asthma & Sinus: 919-859-5966

I don't know where they are, you'll have to google that part, lol.

7/23/2008 11:31:48 PM

http://www.omnimedicalsearch.com/allergy_asthma_clinics/north_carolina.html

Here is a pretty good site. UNC Hospital does a good job. I have been on allergy shots for about 6 years and they really help. You just have to remember to get them. Try and find a place that doesn't make you wait when you are on maintenance shots so it is quick and easy. Some places make you wait 20 minutes and can be a real pain.

There are a lot of lifestyle changes that can help. Bedding is a big one, I have found. Washing it once a week helps. And not using anything with feathers. I tried a filter system in the room and didn't notice that much difference.

Hope this helps!

7/24/2008 12:12:07 AM