Negative Blood Tests

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just1primate

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Ok,

I had blood work a few weeks ago that "supposedly" tested for ALL the major allergens as well as a bunch I never heard of. All came back
 
Two things:

1) It could be sinusitis rather than allergies. Symptoms tend to be the same. MeRAB are pretty much the same but a sinus rinse should help and poaaibly get you off the antihistamines....if it is this.

2) The blood test for environmental allergies is typically not the gold standard for them and can show negative results - particularly when the allergy is slight. The skin scratch test is more sensitive to this most of the time. Granted, it's a pain to do and the side effects aren't fun....
 
I DO have chronic sinus issues. BUT, I tend to get MUCH worse this time of year, say Deceraber thru April in Florida. It happens every year in the 15 I have been here and never happened before moving here. In my heart I know its seasonal allergies, possibly enhanced by chronic sinus issues. but its a chicken or the egg scenario here...
 
Depending on where you are in FL, it still could be sinusitis. Most places, these times of the year are the ones that are allergy free (except for indoor ones like dust mites) because nothing much is growing - at least with pollens. My sinusitis is terrible in the winter because of having to have the heat on....drives my sinuses crazy! Hate the heat being on.

I'd certainly try a saline spray or rinse and see it that helps. I'd try an antihistamine that doesn't make oyu tired or drowsy...benedryl is the PM in Tylenol PM. So something like claritin or zyrtec would be good to try. If either handles it, then great.
Good luck on sorting this out.
 
I have the med situation under control at the moment, my main question was just the accuracy of the blood tests. Claritin, Zyrtec or the like make me an anxious mess, even the ones without the "D". Benedryl seems to be the only one that half works without that anxiety side-effect. And currently where I am in Florida the pollen counts are off the charts high 12+ out of 12. So I know its in the air.
 
Well, the only other options is allergy injections but without a positive test showing exactly what you are allergic to and how severe it is, you can't get them as there is no way for them to mix the serum. Was there a partinbular reason you did the blood test rather than the skin test?
 
Ah, so you didn't go to an allergist? I'd do that...honest...I've had allergies all my life (I'm 64). Had the testing 3 times. I;ve seen them all. There are a lot of good PCP but they don't do skin testing so that's why the blood test. Good luck!
 
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