Immunotherapy - does it work, really?


Question:
On pollen allergy. I have been getting this treatment since 3 years now. They say, after 3-5 years your symptoms will be reduced and start feeling better and "immune" in the pollen season, as well!

Did it work for you?
I would like to hear success stories.
And also non-success ones, if there is none with positive outcome (hopefully there is!).

Answers:
Immunotherapy (IT for short) works by altering how your immune system responds to benign substances like pollen, animal dander, dust mite, insect venom, etc. Much like you would train a puppy that it's ok to chew on a bone but not your tennis shoe, IT basically retrains the immune system so it will not over react to non-infectious substances.

On a molecular level, IT works to reduce the precentage of IgE (the class of antibody responsible for allergies) and increase the amount of IgG (the class of antibodies that are designed for the infection-fighting response).

There are hundreds of published studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of IT both at the clinical level (double blind placebo controlled clinical studies in humans) as well as at the molecular level (experimental results that show specific changes in the immune system).

It should be noted that every person's immune system is quite different so IT given for one person may not provide the same benefit when given the same way for another person. Your doctor should keep abreast of recent advances to ensure that the immunotherapy he is prescribing is aggresive enough to produce an effect but careful enough to not induce any serious allergic reactions.that's why each patient goes through a buildup phase.

In short, IT works, it's been shown time and again, but we are still learning how to deliver this type of therapy effectively and safely.

Other Answers:
I don't think so that the immune therapy really work in treating pollen allergy.Firstly,I know by my own experience,because I am experiencing a bunch of problems seen as symptoms fro caughing to suffocation,especially in the pollen seasons.What "immunotherapy" you are on.?Well..using some antihystamines,sticking to soem diet and controlling the severe symptoms with homeopathy( as a combination) give satisfying results..See a homeopat and consult about that treatment,there are many side effects concering immunotherapy..Wish you good luck!
you can go to lab & test your blood IGE before & after that ,if it decrease then it works ,otherwise not.
maybe, Ive heard that it works after four years. good luck
It works for most. You could have new allergies. See an ENT(Ear Nose and Throat M.D.) If you have I hope this link helps http://nejat.net/Immunotherapy.htm
Source(s):
http://nejat.net/Immunotherapy.htm


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