Have you had allergy shots?

Very sick after allergy shots - Is this normal?

• I've had allergy shots about 5 times now and every time something has happened afterward. It started out being somewhat mild and has gotten worse every week I get them as the dose increases. Two times ago I was very sick in bed with what seemed like a MAJOR flare up of all of my allergy problems such as: sore throat, weakness, fatigue, plugged up / pressure on ears, mucus, foggy minded. It was very bad but then last week I got allergy shots again hoping that all would go ok. Well, it didn't, and it was MUCH worse!! I was so sick that I thought I was going to have to go to the emergency room. My ears were (and still are) very plugged up, painful, with so much pressure on them. I tried afrin and that didn't help at all. I am so weak that I get out of breath just by barely even walking. The first 2 days after the allergy shots I was in bed unable to get up. I went to the Dr and he didn't know what was wrong so I was sent home with no help. Is it normal for people to get so sick after allergy shots? I don't think I can get myself to take them again after everything that has happened. I am barely getting by.

• Answer:

  First, I have to assume that the shots you are referring to are desensitisation shots. It is not 'normal' to have such a flare up due to these shots. How does the injection area look 30min after you've gotten the shot? If it's more than 3cm across and hot and red, the Dr. should have given you an antihistamine to counteract the reaction and stepped down the dosage of the shots. The whole idea of getting the shots is to gradually build up resistance to the allergen without causing a reaction. Hopefully it is an allergist that is administering your shots. If so, you need to see this doctor again and relay to him in depth about your reactions. He will be able to give you a better medication to counteract the reaction and step down the dosage of the shots until you don't have such issues. When you have reactions like those you've had lately, you may need steriods to counteract them. If the doctor giving you the shots doesn't know how to treat your reactions, then you definitely need to find a new doctor. When treating allergies, it's very important to see an allergist or immunologist. These doctors specialize in allergic reactions and will know how to deal with them the best way. I've been down the allergy road for 40 years now, and am allergic to over 100 environmental elements. My reactions can also be very severe, but all the treatments have helped. You'll never completely get rid of the allergies, but you can get better.