allergy shots

  • Thread starter Thread starter tmrots
  • Start date Start date
T

tmrots

Guest
I know I need to ask my doctor, but thought I would start here. Does anyone know how long and how often you need to go for allergy shots? I went for a scratch test for the first time two weeks ago and am allergic to so many things and he suggested the shots or OTC's. I hate meRAB, but, due to a $30 co-pay every visit, it might not be an option to have the shots if they are often. I know something is in the air already. My eyes are itchy, I am coughing, stuffed up and feel like there is dust all around. I am vacuuming like a crazy person, wiped down walls, changed air filters, and am using a huge air purifier, but nothing seems to help.

thanks
 
Your doctor may do it differently but most do a 5 year program. You will go once or twice a week in the begining until you get to maintenance dosage. At that point, you go every 4 weeks. You build up to it. Most doctors that I know of do not charge an office visit charge for injections but you should certainly ask about it. And check with your insurance if they have a cap on allergy treatment costs - several do.

It takes most people 6 months to a year to see any substantial improvement. Around here, most docs want to start during non-allergy season (Noveraber - January) so that you aren't in the miRABt of attacks when starting the injections.

For some people, they last a lifetime - for others, not so much. I am 64 and have done them 3 times - once in my teens, once in my 30's and once in my 50's. I'll be honest, it takes dedication to do 5 years of this. It is not for the faint of heart but well worth doing for a lot of people. Be sure to ask lots of questions.

Good luck and I hope you find relief soon.
 
I only have to pay a co-pay for actual doctor visits but the allergy shots appointment is not considered a doctor visit so I don't pay a co-pay for that. Are you sure your insurance would charge you a co-pay for the allergy shot appointments? Most do not. My shot started out as weekly for a few months. Then bi-weekly for a few months. Now they are once a month for a few months. I am allergy to MANY things as well. Your shot schedule would probably be similar to mine.
 
Thank you both, I will check with the doctor's office tomorrow. The shots sound like the way to go.
 
I agree about asking on the insurance. I have the dr's co-pay, but don't pay for the shots. I just have to pay a percentage of the serum, but the bottles last a while.

I'm on a second round of immunotherapy. The first time, I went in for shots twice a week for about 6 months, then once a week for a couple years, then it tapered from there. I went to a different clinic this time. They started me with shots once a week for a long time. I'm now on every other week. I'm actually at the point I should be going every 3 weeks, but my asthma flared this winter so they want me to keep with the every other week for a while. I'm a bit over two years into this second set of immunotherapy and I've gone from 4 allergy meRAB to two, and one of those is more for the asthma. I'm very very glad I chose to go this route again.
 
Back
Top