Is this an allergic reaction? What should I do?

[Anonymous]

I've never had more than minor allergies before (dust, cats). About a year ago, I had some testing and have just about every environmental allergy known to man. So, I started allergy shots and have been at "maintenance" since about January.

Today I had my shots (2). About 2 hours after, I was itching all over. It was worst in my arms and hands. Palms were pink and I felt heat in the arms and hands. My one arm was swollen and hot at the site of the shot (no that unusual but the size was larger). I had some chest/throat itchiness and discomfort. Didn't get past that.

That was a reaction right? But, a) why did it happen so long after the shot? b) Why is this just starting to happen after 1.5 years? c) Can this get worse? and d) What do I do about it? Call my dr. tomorrow? (I get my shots at work by a nurse practitioner).

[Anonymous]

You can have a reaction to any shot. Far more common with shots early on, but they can happen anytime.

You should have taken Benadryl as soon as it started. I take advil before and after my shots to help with reactions. I take benadryl if a reaction starts.

Definitely mention it to your NP. Based on my experience, they will lower your maintenance dose, then slowly increase it again.

[Anonymous]

If you only had a few minor allergies, why did you get tested? And why take shots for something minor? That doctor is making car payments thanks to your shots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you only had a few minor allergies, why did you get tested? And why take shots for something minor? That doctor is making car payments thanks to your shots.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you only had a few minor allergies, why did you get tested? And why take shots for something minor? That doctor is making car payments thanks to your shots.

+1

I did have minor allergies. Then started having complications with asthma, many bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia. After many, many trips to the doctor I was referred for further allergy testing to rule them in/out. Nearly all of the tests were positive (grass, weeds, trees, mold, dust, dogs, cats, feathers, etc.) That's why I'm taking the shots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you only had a few minor allergies, why did you get tested? And why take shots for something minor? That doctor is making car payments thanks to your shots.

+1

I did have minor allergies. Then started having complications with asthma, many bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia. After many, many trips to the doctor I was referred for further allergy testing to rule them in/out. Nearly all of the tests were positive (grass, weeds, trees, mold, dust, dogs, cats, feathers, etc.) That's why I'm taking the shots.

I'm positive for all of those things. I take Allegra and/or Zyrtec. Flonase helps with congestion.

[Anonymous]

Beyond letting the NP who administers the shot, I would let the allergist who formulated the shots know. The allergist may need to advise the NP if and how much to back down on the next shot and/or if you need premedication before your shots.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, so my work has said I can no longer get shots there. They will not administer them to me in light of the reaction. Man, it was so cheap and convenient that this really sucks.

I have an appt. for the dr. (they wanted me to come in today but I couldn't make the time at work). They agree that it was an allergic reaction.

I just don't understand why this is happening now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never had more than minor allergies before (dust, cats). About a year ago, I had some testing and have just about every environmental allergy known to man. So, I started allergy shots and have been at "maintenance" since about January.

Today I had my shots (2). About 2 hours after, I was itching all over. It was worst in my arms and hands. Palms were pink and I felt heat in the arms and hands. My one arm was swollen and hot at the site of the shot (no that unusual but the size was larger). I had some chest/throat itchiness and discomfort. Didn't get past that.

That was a reaction right? But, a) why did it happen so long after the shot? b) Why is this just starting to happen after 1.5 years? c) Can this get worse? and d) What do I do about it? Call my dr. tomorrow? (I get my shots at work by a nurse practitioner).

My son has shots and we were told that a swollen/hot arm is a sign of a local reaction, and an indication that you could have a systemic reaction if you continue without backtracking. They said that most of the time when someone has a systemic reaction like you describe it's after they ignore a local reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never had more than minor allergies before (dust, cats). About a year ago, I had some testing and have just about every environmental allergy known to man. So, I started allergy shots and have been at "maintenance" since about January.

Today I had my shots (2). About 2 hours after, I was itching all over. It was worst in my arms and hands. Palms were pink and I felt heat in the arms and hands. My one arm was swollen and hot at the site of the shot (no that unusual but the size was larger). I had some chest/throat itchiness and discomfort. Didn't get past that.

That was a reaction right? But, a) why did it happen so long after the shot? b) Why is this just starting to happen after 1.5 years? c) Can this get worse? and d) What do I do about it? Call my dr. tomorrow? (I get my shots at work by a nurse practitioner).

My son has shots and we were told that a swollen/hot arm is a sign of a local reaction, and an indication that you could have a systemic reaction if you continue without backtracking. They said that most of the time when someone has a systemic reaction like you describe it's after they ignore a local reaction.

Fair except I didn't ignore the local reactions. They were visible immediately and viewed by the dr's office (where I had shots initially) and then the nurse practitioner (at work). Neither office thought the local reactions were problematic. It's neither here nor there, I guess, as I am where I am with this.

[Anonymous]

This happened to my son's classmate. She has multiple allergies including food allergies and carries an epipen. She also got seasonal allergy shots for years. She had two anaphylactic reactions to allergy shots and had to be give the epipen twice. She can no longer take shots.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP. Maybe try a natural approach? Only because the shots are no good, and I'm not sure you want to use year-round pills and nasal spray. If your allergies are the worst in the spring and summer, maybe take medicine then like Claritin or Zyrtec, and the rest of the year you could use Allium Cepa from Boiron (whole foods). If you start to have throat symptoms or chest congestion, take Echinacea and Goldenseal vitamins for a few days. I would also recommend getting an inhaler.

[Anonymous]

Chest and throat itchiness would have been cause for panic for me. I once had a whole body allergic reaction and made my husband drive me to the emergency room. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Do you see an allergist that you like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chest and throat itchiness would have been cause for panic for me. I once had a whole body allergic reaction and made my husband drive me to the emergency room. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Do you see an allergist that you like?

I did start to feel very anxious but once I took an antihistamine, and I knew I had the epipen, I was able to calm down. I do see a doctor I like at Allergy and Asthma Specialists of Greater Washington Area. Their docs/nurses are great, convenient hours, and they took my concern (raised here) seriously. they wanted me to come in ASAP to address (but work wouldn't permit that and so I'm off shots until I can get in to see them next week).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, so my work has said I can no longer get shots there. They will not administer them to me in light of the reaction. Man, it was so cheap and convenient that this really sucks.

I have an appt. for the dr. (they wanted me to come in today but I couldn't make the time at work). They agree that it was an allergic reaction.

I just don't understand why this is happening now.

How is it your work can dictate where you receive medical treatment if it's within the scope of your insurance policy? (Or not if you pay out of pocket)