Anaphylaxis to allergy shot

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jennybyc

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I think this is my 5th series of allergy shots and I've always had to stop the shots of dust mites as my arm swells so much. Then 4 weeks ago my eyes got all itchy the same night but it was so many hours after, I assumed that maybe I had gotten a little too much ragweed pollen outside that day. My arm did swell more than usual but I didn't connect the eyes to the shot. But the following week they reduced the dose just because of the swelling. Did fine. then 2 weeks ago, the same thing happened with my eyes and this time I recognized that it was the shot causing the eye problems and reported it along with the increased swelling in my arm again.

So last week, they reduced the shot again but his time was different. Within 5 minutes, my eyes began to sting. Another 5 minutes and they started to itch. Another 5 and the itching went up my forehead and I reported it to the nurses(the office was FULL of kiRAB)despite having to barge in on another person getting shots. The sat me down and took my pulse and BP. Pulse was over 100 and BP was way down....I was in anaphylactic shock.

So they shot me full of Epi and gave me Benedryl and Zyrtec and kept me there for an hour+. Then I went home....only to have the reaction start up after about 4 hours. Arm started to swell, pulse went up but my BP didn't fall as much as it had earlier so I watched it and took more Zyrtec and Benedryl. But by morning, my face was all swollen and I had trouble breathing. Back to allergist....inhalers started again, more Benedryl and Zyrtec.....I am still wheezing 6 days later. Still itch too.

I'm due for more shots tomorrow but I doubt I'll get any.

I've never had an anaphylactic reaction to an allergy shot before and I hope I don't ever have one again! But now I know I can.

Please be aware that these shots can be dangerous and never leave before you should.

hugs to all................Jenny
 
I've never had a reactions to my shots but I did have to have an epi and benadryl to stop my testing 5 minutes in. Maybe they could dilute your serum even more?
 
Do you take an antihistamine before you go - morning of the shots? I would certainly recommend that you do. I always did.
 
On Zytrec....10mgs./day. Ended up taking 20mgs of Zyrtec, 100 mgs of Benedryl and the Epi and I still continued to react. Allergic to steroiRAB and just about every asthma drug out there...I get a new one and I'm allergic to it by the time I've finished the inhaler. Trying Zopenex right now. About 6-8 puRAB in and so far so good. I got 20 out of Advair.

Now they have told me to always bring my Epi-pens to my shot appointment.

Sheeeesh!

I fought the dust mites and they fought back.

thanks...........Jenny
 
This week's shot went better with the Zyrtec that I take regularly this time of the year, and an extra 25mgs of Benedryl and 150mgs of Zantac. Still got itchy and felt rather weird and anxious(also signs of anaphylaxis) so next week I think I'll up it to 50mgs of Benedryl and 300 of Zantac. The stomach cramps were back.

Everyone does know that you have 2 forms of histamine...H1 and H2 and H2 is what causes heartburn and other stomach problems. Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac are H2 blockers(antihistamines) and should be taken along with drugs like Benedryl in the case of an allergic reaction.

I've found that taking both really makes a big difference.

thanks all...........Jenny
 
My allergist's office policy is that everyone getting allergy shots carry an epi-pen on shot days, even people who are not at particular risk of anaphylaxis.

Glad the stronger pre-treatment worked for you!
 
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