Rush immunotherapy Question

[proud_mom]

Allergy shots have changed my life, mostly in positive ways.  I feel better, I can keep my wonderful dog, etc.  The only down side is GETTING the shots every week.  With three kids, gas prices what they are, etc., the thought of rush immunotherapy is very appealing.  Additionally,  my upcoming and much anticipated trip to Europe (1 month) will cause a loss of ground in my treatment.  I am very interested in having Rush immunotherapy, but I have a few questions:

1.  Does it work for all types of allergies?  I am allergic to everything (grass, trees, weeds, dust, mold, pollen, our dog, etc.).

2.  I had one reaction to my shots (I take three each time) about a year ago.  About 30 minutes after receiving my shots I started feeling that I needed to clear my throat, then I started itching on my head, on my arms, trunk, etc.  By the time I got home I was covered in hives.  My doctor freaked out when I called him and wanted me to call 911, but I was breathing fine by then and everything resolved without treatment.  I now carry an epi pen with me at all times, but I have never had to use it and have not had another reaction of any kind.  Would that preclude me from receiving Rush immunotherapy?

3.  How do I go about finding a doctor who provides this treatment?  I live in St. Louis, Missouri.

4.  Anything else I should know?

Thanks for you help!
Theresa

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

How are you?

Rush immunotherapy is a way of administering immunotherapy in a short period of time. Patients receive numerous shots in one day over a period of several days. This can shorten their build up from a period of many months to potentially a few weeks.

This generally does not work with pollen allergies or pet allergies. It mostly works with allergies to stinging insects and venoms. There is a chance of an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that involves a whole body allergic reaction. Rush immunotherapy raises the chance of having a reaction to the shots. Patients that go through rush immunotherapy treatment schedules can have reactions about a third of the time.

Sometimes when the doctors administer a medication before someone undergoes a rush immunotherapy treatment, they may have a lower chance for reaction.

http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=14703

So pls consult an immunologist/allergist before going in for rush immunotherapy and discuss the other possibilities with him.

Take care and God bless. And do keep us posted.