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Asthma and Allergy (Expert Forum)
Delayed systemic reactions after shots..
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This forum is for questions and support regarding: Allergies, Asthma, Chronic Cough, Sinusitis, and other Respiratory Disorders.
Delayed systemic reactions after shots..
by ccl, Nov 16, 2007 10:34PM
Hi there,
I have written before about my reactions to starting allergy shots. I get 4 shots once a week. I am allergic to all the pollens I was tested for, as well as dog, cat and dustmite. The only thing I didn't test positive to was mold, but I reacted pretty severely to all the other pollens.
When I first started my shots, I got immediate sinus swelling and post nasal drip within seconds, along with some lightheadedness. I did see the allergist as you suggested. He wondered if I could be having vasovagal response to the injections since he said they were so very dilute. He advised me to take Zyxol (sp?) antihistamine 2hrs before shots. Well, that seemed to work for a several weeks. But the last two shots I had produced a different problem. I do not have an immediate reaction anymore. I am fine when I leave the office. But within an hour or so, I feel soo tired and slightly nauseous and I have to go to sleep. Then, the rest of the night, my ears and sinuses are stuffy, and I feel "blah", like I am coming down with something (muscles are fatigued, etc) When it happened the first time last week, I chalked it up to fighting off some virus. But it happened again today, the same way. The nurse did keep my dose the same, and also wonders about this since everyone keeps saying I am on such a diluted dose (I am almost 2 months into the shots, getting them once a week). I am really scared that I will have to stop the shots... nothing else works and my allergies were getting worse and worse. Last year I had a Kenalog shot that screwed up my whole body (but the allergies were gone!). Do you think I will have to stop the shots? If so, what can I do for treatment? I am so scared that I am out of options here. My seasonal allergies are SEVERE! Help!
I have written before about my reactions to starting allergy shots. I get 4 shots once a week. I am allergic to all the pollens I was tested for, as well as dog, cat and dustmite. The only thing I didn't test positive to was mold, but I reacted pretty severely to all the other pollens.
When I first started my shots, I got immediate sinus swelling and post nasal drip within seconds, along with some lightheadedness. I did see the allergist as you suggested. He wondered if I could be having vasovagal response to the injections since he said they were so very dilute. He advised me to take Zyxol (sp?) antihistamine 2hrs before shots. Well, that seemed to work for a several weeks. But the last two shots I had produced a different problem. I do not have an immediate reaction anymore. I am fine when I leave the office. But within an hour or so, I feel soo tired and slightly nauseous and I have to go to sleep. Then, the rest of the night, my ears and sinuses are stuffy, and I feel "blah", like I am coming down with something (muscles are fatigued, etc) When it happened the first time last week, I chalked it up to fighting off some virus. But it happened again today, the same way. The nurse did keep my dose the same, and also wonders about this since everyone keeps saying I am on such a diluted dose (I am almost 2 months into the shots, getting them once a week). I am really scared that I will have to stop the shots... nothing else works and my allergies were getting worse and worse. Last year I had a Kenalog shot that screwed up my whole body (but the allergies were gone!). Do you think I will have to stop the shots? If so, what can I do for treatment? I am so scared that I am out of options here. My seasonal allergies are SEVERE! Help!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Nov 21, 2007 05:09PM
, Nov 21, 2007 05:09PM
There are 2 types of reactions that occur with allergy injections. The first is an immediate reaction and can be on the skin, swelling of the respiratory tract, eyes itching, swelling etc. The second type of reaction usually starts hours after the injection and can be similar to the above or somewhat different. It appears you have now experienced both.
People have experienced allergic reactions to injections on their very first injection with very dilute material. It is not common, but does occur. It has happened to you. Obviously, you respond to steroids. It may be that you will do very well with inhaled nasal steroids throughout the pollen seasons. As to stopping the injections, this is a decision between you and your doctor. You have to decide is the risk of having these uncomfortable reactions greater than the discomfort you experience during the seasons. At the current state, if you are experiencing reactions with these injections, it is going to take you a very long time to get to a point where the injections provide you the relief you are seeking.
Not an easy decision.
People have experienced allergic reactions to injections on their very first injection with very dilute material. It is not common, but does occur. It has happened to you. Obviously, you respond to steroids. It may be that you will do very well with inhaled nasal steroids throughout the pollen seasons. As to stopping the injections, this is a decision between you and your doctor. You have to decide is the risk of having these uncomfortable reactions greater than the discomfort you experience during the seasons. At the current state, if you are experiencing reactions with these injections, it is going to take you a very long time to get to a point where the injections provide you the relief you are seeking.
Not an easy decision.
Member Comments (2)
by ccl, Nov 17, 2007 07:49PM
UPDATE:...The next day after the above happened (today), I started feeling worse as the day went on. BY 1pm, I was having completely swollen sinuses and my larynx felt like it was closing. I also lost my voice and had a lots of mucous. This was even after taking a Xyzal in the morning. At about 2:30pm, things got really bad and my toungue started to tingle and my lips puffed up and my ears were ringing. I took a benedryl and tried to call my allergist. Couldn't get in touch immediately, so went to ER. By that time, the benedryl was making me feel better. ER wanted to give me a Kenalog shot, but I asked instead if I could have pills due to Kenalog shot side effects. So I took 20mg of Prednisone and am to take it 4x day for 2 days, along with benedryl and Xyzal. Obviously I don't want anymore shots and will have to see the dr. about it. How long do these reactions go on? My lips are still a little puffy and itchy and my voice is messed up.
