Allergy Shots?

[ibcdbwc]

I know this has been discussed before but I'd like more current opinion?

 

We have been gluten free (had antibodies to gluten in large numbers) and dairy free (red ears and cheeks) since March, with very significant improvement in overall health and thus many less flares (and no major flares). However, November/December (and usually March/April) are always our worst months due to viruses and allergies (dust mites very positive but probably others that didn't show up).

 

Currently DS is sick and this is the first major flare we've had since March. Living with PTSD myself I have been waiting for this ugly head to return. Well here it is.

 

His nasal turbinates are huge and pale and suspect for allergy component. This happened same time last year. His IgE was significantly elevated. All his PANS symptoms are back.

 

He is on antibiotics for probable sinus infection.

 

He responds negatively to all antihistamines! Seemingly they hype him up. We've done all the household anti- dus mite measures.

 

How have your kids responded to allergy shots?

[4Nikki]

I've been afraid of getting DD an allergy shot because she has overall been doing better handling her symptoms. First, I have no clue, but I just fear that its a bad idea giving a kid a shot to send the immune system pumping antibodies when it's been the system that attacks her body. Like I said, I have no real clue. Its want to say it feels like my intitution at work, but my brain tells me, its my fear. Then again, we have had some success giving dd stimulants with ibprophen when she has ADHD symptoms and Doc says we think that might be counter intitutive but when you understand it, it makes sense.

 

I was thinking it might be a good idea to get a really goods air purifier. I know my own allergies flare up with more stuff in the air. I just have to put away a little more budget for picking one up.

[jtp]

I had allergy shots as child and they helped me tremendously. My DS(with PANS) is currently getting allergy shots and he is doing much better. The shots have not increased his PANS symptoms at all. He would develop sinus infections from allergens. So far since the shots have kicked in he hasn't had any sinus issues... I also tried the air purifier, washed linens each week. Vacuumed more often. Nothing worked as well as these shots. But he's on his second year and it takes a while to kick in.

 

Everyone is unique so you may not have the same results as us. But we are happy with the outcome.

[nicklemama]

My DS has allergies, particularly bad to dust/mites. His allergist has wanted him to have allergy shots for two years. I have resisted, for fear of flaring things up again. It has really helped to treat him with Claritin year around. He no longer gets sinus infections from allergies. That was a major point of exacerbation of PANS for my son. Have you tried all the antihistamines? There is also an old one that few allergists think of anymore and it also works for anxiety. I can't recall its name right this minute. I'm betting some one on here can. I use Flonase at the first indication of a sniffle. That helps keep things open and flowing in the nose, too.

 

My friends son, nonPANS, has completed his allergy shots after something like three years. He had severe allergies and could not come into our home due to our cats. He couldn't go to their cabin in the woods due to pollen and mold allergies. Now, he can go anywhere and do anything without a major asthma attack.

[911RN]

I am a big believer in allergy shots. It was a life changer for my DS17. Must be committed.Cannot do allergy shots half azzed. My son had to take them for nearly 5 years. He tested with moderate to severe reaction to nearly every environmental allergen tests except NO foods. He is good now and seldom has allergy sxs. Seldom sick. If your child still has adenoids- I would suggest that thse be looked at.

 

My son had panoramic xray for teeth and it resulted as a "tumor" in posterior throat. I was freaked out until we went to ENT and was told the tumor was a gigantic pile of adenoidal tissue caused by his allergies!! His adenoids were growing upward towards/into sinus cavity causing blockage. His tonsils were fine- they left those but after getting adenoids out--he was much improved. The ENT had both hands open, held together, when he came out of the OR and said he had just taken out "2 handful piles" of tissue--most he had ever seen in a child. We had no clue until the panaoramic xray despite him being under regular care of peds and allergy specialist at the time.

[ibcdbwc]

Thank you everyone. I have resisted the shots for some of the reasons you mention. Fear of stressing the immune system and fear of rocking the boat. But I think its time to look again. It is every year and he gets so run down. Sinus infections are the culprit - and then PANS flares on top of things just send us into a tail spin from Nov. to April. Maybe, like with everything else, if you start low and go slow it will actually help long term.

 

Interesting 911rn, ENT mentioned surgery for us last year but I think he was referring to turbinate reduction. I need to dig deeper. I know we'd be so much better off with PANS if I could get his sinus/allergy under control.

[911RN]

Thank you everyone. I have resisted the shots for some of the reasons you mention. Fear of stressing the immune system and fear of rocking the boat. But I think its time to look again. It is every year and he gets so run down. Sinus infections are the culprit - and then PANS flares on top of things just send us into a tail spin from Nov. to April. Maybe, like with everything else, if you start low and go slow it will actually help long term.

 

Interesting 911rn, ENT mentioned surgery for us last year but I think he was referring to turbinate reduction. I need to dig deeper. I know we'd be so much better off with PANS if I could get his sinus/allergy under control.

My son had chronic sinus infections until he had allergy shots...after 5 years of shots...he hasn't had one since.

[momslove]

Sublingual allergy drops are another option for treating allergies.

[Broo100]

What a timely post! My son just started getting those three weeks ago. His seasonal allergies were triggering his pandas. He tested extremely allergic to several pollen and weeds allergens. He has not had any adverse reactions to the shots. I will let you know how things look in the spring but so far so good