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allergy testing
Jul. 13th, 2012 05:52 pmI did it. I got fed up with the shooting scary drugs up my nose very day (legal, thank you!) and went to an allergist. Today I got poked in the arm.
When I did this 10 years ago, I was allergic to dust mites and some plant I'd never heard of. They told me to rearrange my bedding a bit and to take Claritin. The problem promptly got better.
Today? Today I'm VERY allergic to cedar and dust mites. allergic to mold, many grass and weed pollens (including the oak trees in our yard), and somewhat allergic to a long list of other things. The way Texas seasons works, the allergist declared that I would have the same symptoms year-round. *fake Yay*
They told me that there is pretty much no humanly possible way to avoid all of these things that I am allergic to. They told me my allergy shot (time consuming, painful, but probably covered by insurance) or drop (less time consuming, not painful, totally not covered by insurance at all) options.
But I found the very helpful clear description of my drug options enticing. I'm going the drug route for the moment. I REALLY liked the way the doc laid out my options -- which ones do the same tasks if I don't like my current daily nasal spray, which ones can be taken together, which ones can be done once or twice a year. Turns out that what I am doing (not explained by my GP, who prescribed it) can be done longterm with no harm. Further, he gave me testers of something I can do "as needed." I REALLY like the idea of "as needed" additional drugs that should not interfere with my sleep.
It could be the fact that I feel good this week. I do feel now like I have more options. And the door is very much open for me to get totally fed up with my allergies and go the shots/drops route.
When I did this 10 years ago, I was allergic to dust mites and some plant I'd never heard of. They told me to rearrange my bedding a bit and to take Claritin. The problem promptly got better.
Today? Today I'm VERY allergic to cedar and dust mites. allergic to mold, many grass and weed pollens (including the oak trees in our yard), and somewhat allergic to a long list of other things. The way Texas seasons works, the allergist declared that I would have the same symptoms year-round. *fake Yay*
They told me that there is pretty much no humanly possible way to avoid all of these things that I am allergic to. They told me my allergy shot (time consuming, painful, but probably covered by insurance) or drop (less time consuming, not painful, totally not covered by insurance at all) options.
But I found the very helpful clear description of my drug options enticing. I'm going the drug route for the moment. I REALLY liked the way the doc laid out my options -- which ones do the same tasks if I don't like my current daily nasal spray, which ones can be taken together, which ones can be done once or twice a year. Turns out that what I am doing (not explained by my GP, who prescribed it) can be done longterm with no harm. Further, he gave me testers of something I can do "as needed." I REALLY like the idea of "as needed" additional drugs that should not interfere with my sleep.
It could be the fact that I feel good this week. I do feel now like I have more options. And the door is very much open for me to get totally fed up with my allergies and go the shots/drops route.
