allergy shots

any of you all experience a reduction in asthma symptoms form allergy shots?

[Tammy2009]

I had asthma symptoms go down to almost nothing after 3 months of allergy shots but now 6 months into them, it's worse than ever :(

[sangrona]

interesting....why do you think that is? could it be the weather or increased allergen dosage in the shots?

[Tammy2009]

I believe the increase in symptoms has something to do with an untested mold allergy.  I was tested for common indoor and outdoor molds but obviously there are too many to test for all of them.  My symptoms were horrible from July on, but I could explain them all until end of september due to high dust mite exposure.  I also was having increased asthma/allergy symptoms during and after my fungal biology labs, which of course we were dealing with molds.  

Now I have no allergy symptoms (until this last week but I know why) for the last while and I've hit two new personal best peak flow readings.  I was fine until this last week or so when my brother was moving out of the basement so mountains of dust and **** were everywhere (when we finally got enough out to vacuum, we had to stop and empty the vacuum canister twice because it was so full!).  So even though I have been using my inhaler a bit for chest tightness that comes on faster than normal, my peak flow readings have been amazing.  

So hopefully it is just mold allergy that will bug me for a month or so every year (have to see next fall).  I'm not even washing the cats anymore (the other allergy besides dust mites) and my eyes barely go red if I kiss and pet them.  Before I was going bright red, eyes swell, sneeze and sometimes asthma would kick in (however, I always have a 10 times worse lung reaction to dust exposure).  

[sangrona]

thanks so much for info. my allergy test should i have mold allergies also as well as most of the weeds and dust around here. i also had reactions to dogs and especially cats. but the mold ones seem to bother me more than anything else. i got a peak flow meter and it's been hitting between 350-450. im assuming that's good. my doctor hasnt really explained it to me yet. im going twice a week for the shots so im looking forward to feeling an improvement with my symptoms. have a great day tammy....

[sangrona]

anyone have any suggestions for having breathing probs when youre in dry either cold or hot air? thanks and happy holiday all.

[Victoireh]

My daughter takes allergy shots every week and it reduced her allergies and asthma symptoms substantially. However, I think that now she has also outgrown much of her asthma. She has been taking the shots for 5 years, as her system is a little bit stubborn, but well worth it, as it is hard to get teenagers to take their meds.

As for the airways reacting to cold/dry air, generally is not considered a problem as it should clear up fairly quickly on it's own when entering warm indoor air again. If it doesn't settle down quickly and you require your quick relief inhaler, then it probably is a sign that your asthma isn't in control and you should see your doctor. Taking your quick relief inhaler more then 2 to 3 times per week, outside of exercise, is also an indicator of a lack of asthma control.