Allergy shots - Who's had them?

MoonMama wrote: With all of Braedin's allergy issues(he's going to his ped tomorrow BTW) I totally forgot to post about this. Poor little man gets his allergies from me and mine are BAD.

Anyway my doctor wants me to start getting a weekly allergy shot, she thinks it will help a great deal, I have allergy problems 24/7 it seems like. I take benadryl on top of my daily allergy med almost everyday. My first one is tomorrow and I am FREAKED out! I hate needles HATE them they scare the beejeepers out of me! Are they like getting any other shot? What can I expect? TIA

stella6979 replied: It's nothin' but a quick poke to the upper arm. I bet you barely feel it.

luvbug00 replied: Mya has gotten them for just over a year now. the testing is the worst part and the rest is easy as pie! you'll be fine

coasterqueen replied: I've gotten them for 6+ years now. I should be done, but I happened to see the crappiest allergy doc in our area so now I'm starting all over again with a new doc.

Anyways, when I was doing them you get one to two shots per week, basically you can go ever other day for 26 shots. If I remember, then you go to maintenance which is about every 28 days. In the beginning the 1st level was pretty painful for me because I bruise easily and so they had a hard time finding places on my arm that were not very sore. But now it's not bad being in maintenance.

They are just like getting a regular shot, but it's in the upper arm. Depending on what is in your serum, the shot could sting or burn. Mine do every time, unfortunately.

Honestly I got so used to them it didn't seem to phase me after a while. I was very scared of them before. The only thing that bothers me now is when Megan wants to be held and she grabs that part of my arm. OUCH!

GL! I won't lie to you. For me it was sore at first, but after awhile it's not bad.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Never had them. But just wanted to send you !

My2Beauties replied: My DH gets them everyw eek, he had to get them twice a week at first and then after I think 6 weeks or maybe 8 weeks I don't know, he went down to once a week and he said they dont' hurt at all, but DH isn't afraid of shots like I am.

msoulz replied: My brother had them as a child because he had horrible asthma and they helped him tremendously. I don't think he was bothered by asthma at all as an adult.

I had them three separate times as an adult with three separate doctors and they did nothing for me. The last time I went through it because my mother had found an allergist who helped her a lot. But 2 years of pokes did me no good, at least as far as I can tell.

So the jury is hung for me. But on the plus side if I ever did fear needles I certainly no longer do!

jcc64 replied: For those who've had them, do you think they helped significantly? I'm pushing dh to get them- he has animal allergies, but I can't part with my dogs. Would they help?

MoonMama replied:

Why did I post this I am even more freaked out now! I no I am a big baby and tomorrow I will probably post that is was nothing....But right now!

Thanks everyone I really do appreciate the insight even if it doesn't seem like it.

coasterqueen replied:
I'm sorry. I hesitated posting, but I wanted to give you the truth. Don't be scared, really. I promise you after a few times it won't even phase you. Really. That I'm honest about. If you do bruise easily try using Arnica between shots. You don't have to do two a week, too. You can do one shot a week. You'll feel like an old pro at it after a few weeks.


Jeanne - IF you get a good doctor, yes they do work. I stuck with this one doc for 6 years (because I was too lazy to go elsewhere) and although it did help my allergies some - this doc I have now is doing a much better job of it. I think I'll always deal with allergies, but they are a lot lot less now.

stella6979 replied:
I was getting them for a while (about 3 months) and I did notice a difference. A friend of mine has a cat (which I'm highly allergic too) and I'm telling you, there was something about that dang cat. I'd start sneezing as soon as I walked in the door. After getting the shots, I'd still get a tad stuffy, but nothing compared to what it was like before. I was younger when I started getting them and eventually got sick of going, but I'll probably start them again soon. I'm allergic to EVERYTHING so whatever will help, I'm willing to do.

luvmykids replied:
I've never needed them but my BF has and they helped tremendously. She had such bad allergies that she couldn't have carpet or rugs in her home b/c she was so allergic to the fibers, within minutes she couldn't even open her eyes b/c they were tearing so badly. It was terrible...even affected where she could work. Now she's fine, can even pet dogs, ride horses, dig in the garden. It did take awhile to find the right combinations but she has her life back now

MoonMama replied:
Oh Karen girl nothing to be sorry for at all. You didn't freak me out more by any means. And I really appreciate you being honest with me. Thank you

gr33n3y3z replied:
How did you do?
My allergies are very bad also for 4 years I got 2 shots one each arm once a week and it was the best thing I ever did
But then I had to go on other meds and I stopped now its a battle with allergies non stop

gr33n3y3z replied:
I say the shots were great for me I felt better and had more energy no dark circles under my eyes less sinus headaches,sore throats,colds The shots were the best

Insanemomof3 replied: Thanks for reminding me of this...I am due for mine. I have tons of allergies and asthma so I need to get mine but I keep forgetting about it. LOL

ETA: I read it wrong, I don't get ALLERGY shots lol. I get flu shots every year because of this. LOL I am dumb and still tired.