Allergy question?

Question:

I have been seeing an allergist since 3/06. I have allergies to some dust and a few tree pollens causing seasonal allergic rhinitis. I am taking singulair, allegra, and astelin. I was getting injections twice a week but have stopped those on my own. Paying $50/week in copays is a bit excessive. I have done fine for the past month with meds alone. Have I built up an immunity or is it just because the meds are working and allergy season is over? The allergist still seems to insist I try to get the injections. Why do I need them if I'm taking allergy meds? Has anyone else done these injections? Do they work or is it a scam to get money? I live in CT by the way. This is supposedly the worst year ever here for allergies. Thanks for your help with this.

Answers:
The injections, the theory that in order to build immunity you must be repeatedly exposed to the allergen, is a favorite of the medical community. My daughter and my mother have had the shots. I suppose it helped to a degree with their allergies but both kept taking allergy meds so as you say, which was it, the shots or the meds, that helped?

I have never taken the shots even though I am violently allergic to mold. I just try to stay out of mold as much as possible and take a daily OTC 24 hour allergy med every day. My theory (and I am an RN) is to strengthen your own immune system to be able to handle allergens better.

Do this by eating a good diet of mostly fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans-soy products. Exercise regularly 5 days a week for 1 hour, brisk walking is good. Get enough sleep. And I take a few herbs such as Neem and Eleuthero to boost my immunity. It works pretty well for me.

I live on The Mississippi Gulf Coast and we have an outbreak of black mold from Katrina. I have handled it better than I expected I would.

Good luck and I hope you find your own way to deal with your allergies.

Other Answers:
and how much do all the scripts cost? sure seems repetitive to me... but what do i know? i just take zyrtec d... and theres a lot of times when nothing works. i usually just go with a decongestant so i can at least breathe.

I can't answer your question, as I don't have seasonal allergies. I just wanted to alert you to something I read linking allergies to hyperinsulinemia (high insulin) cause high insulin can lead to over production of other body chemicals, like histamins, that increase ones reaction to allergens.

You may want to discuss getting your insulin tested with your doctor.

For more info on blood sugar imbalances, there is basic information available on www.hufa.org.

The injections work best because your body learns to stop reacting to the allergens. It has been 22 years since my daughter needed a series for birch, alder, dust, grass, plantain, and mold.

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