Allergy shots
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive January 2008:
Allergy shots
I took youngest ds(age 7) to the allergist today. She really wants us to consider allergy shots. Unfortunately, when he was allergy tested this past summer, we found he is allergic to a lot of things....molds, cedar, cats, dogs, just to name a few. His doctor changed his medication, and he did fine this summer, but now that we have hit his bad time, he is struggling, and this is with him taking several medications. The bad thing is that his high allergy times are fall, winter and spring, so almost year around. He also has asthma and reflux, which are effected by his allergies.
The way his allergist does the shots is you stay one full day at the clinic and get 18-21 shots!! Then, you get 2 shots twice a week for 8 weeks, then you get just 2 shots once a month. He would see results from the shots within 3-4 months. About 95% of patients are able to stop taking medication once the shots kick in. Ds is on 3 medications regularly(for allergies, asthma, and reflux), and when his allergies are bad, he takes 5 daily!! Also, his allergies are the triggers for his asthma and reflux. So, this could greatly effect how he feels, and the amount of medication he is taking.
So, dh and I are strongly considering doing the shots. I am going back in April, and we will make a decision then, so we can schedule it for this summer.
Has anyone gone through this with their kids? Ds of course freaked out on the way home. He was crying in the car about getting all those shots. But, after dh and I talked to him about why it would be good for him, he started to calm down. Now, he is negotiated "prizes" for getting all the shots.
Hugs, Debbie. I can only tell you what we've had success with with Randy who also has reflux and allergies. He is doing Nasonex 2 sprays in each nostril, Singulair once a day and Xopenex inhaler twice a day in addition to his regular Prevacid.
We've had great results with this regimen without having to resort to shots.
As far as helping him be brave for shots, I have no advice, just hugs and prayers.
Randy just had a mole removed ( big nasty burning shot) and routine bloodwork done. He was really brave, but we didn't really do anything to help him. He was just brave on his own.
I wish you the best.
Ame
Ame, I am glad Randy is doing so well.
Josh is currently on Aciphex(just like Prevacid), Singulair, and Extendryl Jr. Tablets. He also uses Astelyn nasal spray, and Asmanex(inhaler) as needed. But, he has had to use the Nasal spray and inhaler constantly since October. I just think it is so many medications for a 7 yr. old. He is also having some problems, even with all the meds.
He informed me at bedtime, that he has been thinking that he will take all the shots if I get him a new Star Wars Legos set! I will say he is such a trooper. When I told him the shots would make him feel better, and he may not have to take all the meds. He said he is pretty sure he can do it.
I'm sorry you guys have to go through this! And I thought the blood tests were bad enough! All those shots had me pale just thinking about them!
Connor is on Singulair once a day and we just took him off the Pulmicort because I thought it was time.
There will be a time when there will be one shot for allergies and they will be nonexistent...I can't wait! Good luck and let us know how it goes. I would also recommend an allergy board to ask around to see how other mothers are doing with shots for their kids. Sounds like the Legos set will be worth it!!! :-)
Debbie, sorry to hear your DS is having so many problems with allergies. I knew someone in the past whose child was allergic to practically everything, went through the shots series, and did really well after that. I think if I were in your shoes, I'd seriously consider it too.
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