Allergy shots for a severe allergy (my throat, skin, heart, eyes)

[Va-Cat]

So....for the second time this year....I've just spend the day in the E/R due to a wasp sting. I'm not just allergic, I go right to the anaphylaxis/trachea-closes-if-not-treated stage.

5 hours later after 3 wide open IV's and multiple doses of Solu-Medrol, Benedryl, Albuterol and Epinephrin, the reaction was finally controlled. I, however, look like I've been in a war....and lost.

I have an Epi-pen and did use it right after being stung. That has always slowed the reaction down long enough for the medics to get to me. I'm worried that one day I might be stung and be more than 10 minutes from medical assistance. I'd be in serious trouble then.

Has anyone had any luck at reducing the severity of a allergy reaction when dealing with a life-threatening allergy? I've heard of allergy shots but have also been told that they sometimes can make the reaction worse!

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

My son got systemic hives after a wasp sting. He had the allergy shot treatment for about 2 yrs and he has been fine since. They start off at maybe 1,000,000:1 mixture and slowly give you stronger doses


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[laidbackhippie]

Originally Posted by Va-Cat

So....for the second time this year....I've just spend the day in the E/R due to a wasp sting. I'm not just allergic, I go right to the anaphylaxis/trachea-closes-if-not-treated stage.

5 hours later after 3 wide open IV's and multiple doses of Solu-Medrol, Benedryl, Albuterol and Epinephrin, the reaction was finally controlled. I, however, look like I've been in a war....and lost.

I have an Epi-pen and did use it right after being stung. That has always slowed the reaction down long enough for the medics to get to me. I'm worried that one day I might be stung and be more than 10 minutes from medical assistance. I'd be in serious trouble then.

Has anyone had any luck at reducing the severity of a allergy reaction when dealing with a life-threatening allergy? I've heard of allergy shots but have also been told that they sometimes can make the reaction worse!

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Zinc supplements


Does Zinc Help With Allergies? | LIVESTRONG.COM

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

My son got systemic hives after a wasp sting. He had the allergy shot treatment for about 2 yrs and he has been fine since. They start off at maybe 1,000,000:1 mixture and slowly give you stronger doses


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Thanks Belle. Has he been stung since? How were they able to gage the effectiveness of the shots?

I spoke with an allergist today and have an appointment with him on Friday.

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by laidbackhippie

Zinc supplements


Does Zinc Help With Allergies? | LIVESTRONG.COM

Thanks for responding but I think you don't quite understand what I'm saying here. This isn't hay fever. I don't get a runny nose and watery eyes - my reaction to stings has gone way beyond that. My face and lips balloon and my throat starts to swell shut. In other words, I find myself unable move air in and out of my lungs. If I can't get to a hospital when I'm stung, I would probably die.

Besides, zinc has also been noted as having some very nasty side effects due to varying absorption rates. It is also contrainicated with certain vital heart medications. I appreciate the response but think I'll pass on the zinc.

[laidbackhippie]

Bees stings or pollen. A hystamine is a hystamine.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by laidbackhippie

Bees stings or pollen. A hystamine is a hystamine.

Or a histamine is a histamine,

And NO zinc supplements will NOT aid in preventing LIFE THREATENING ANAPHYLAXIS WHICH IS WHAT THE OP IS TALKING ABOUT.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by Va-Cat

So....for the second time this year....I've just spend the day in the E/R due to a wasp sting. I'm not just allergic, I go right to the anaphylaxis/trachea-closes-if-not-treated stage.

5 hours later after 3 wide open IV's and multiple doses of Solu-Medrol, Benedryl, Albuterol and Epinephrin, the reaction was finally controlled. I, however, look like I've been in a war....and lost.

I have an Epi-pen and did use it right after being stung. That has always slowed the reaction down long enough for the medics to get to me. I'm worried that one day I might be stung and be more than 10 minutes from medical assistance. I'd be in serious trouble then.

Has anyone had any luck at reducing the severity of a allergy reaction when dealing with a life-threatening allergy? I've heard of allergy shots but have also been told that they sometimes can make the reaction worse!

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

VA Cat

I have the same condition, only found out a couple of years ago when I got a wasp sting and had to take a nice ambulance ride to the ED for the same treatment you describe.

I have been getting allergy shots ever since. Started at once a week, 2 years later I am at every 6 weeks for injections.

I have been stung once since starting the immunotherapy and had nothing more than a local reaction to the sting. My leg swelled up but no hives, no anaphylactic reaction, didn't even have to use my Epi Pen.

I would definitely recommend you see a local allergist and discuss this, it can be a life saver.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by Va-Cat

Thanks Belle. Has he been stung since? How were they able to gage the effectiveness of the shots?

I spoke with an allergist today and have an appointment with him on Friday.

He did get stung a few years later and had a welt but that was it. They keep giving you the lowest dose until it no longer makes your skin red. Then you get the next higher dose until you tolerate it, etc. They make you wait for 30 min as I remember to be sure you don't have a reaction.

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[DewDropInn]

Va-Cat: Do you have a good allergist? I get the same reactions from bee stings but my allergist advised against the shots for this particular problem. (For reasons specific to my own allergies.)

However... I did get shots for years and years for other things. Yes. They start out with a small dose and increase it as time goes on. And they do have you sit and wait after you get the shot.

If you have a good allergist he/she can do the skin tests and discuss this with you. Good luck. The "been in a war" sounds familiar. I feel for you. Hang tough!