9 months of allergy shots

[William53]

Well, nothing is ever certain but I think I'm realizing benefits from allergy shots. I have MGD, blepharitis, asthma & allergies. Last summer an ophthalmological specialist asked if I had ever thought about whether my conditions were potentially just different dimensions of the some larger immune system issue. He suggested that I was treating symptoms but maybe there was an opportunity to treat causes.

So I went to an allergist last summer where tests identified strong allergic reactions to dust mites and cat dander. He developed a serum and I started last September getting shots to build immunities to these two triggers. Our live-in cats also then became outside cats. Two shots a week at steadily increasing doses for about 8 months and now one shot a week at "maintenance level." By July 2008 I'll be getting shots every other week at the same level.

For many of us on this forum, identifying what causes what is complex. But, with very little change in my meds, diet, work life (my head buried in a computer screen or traveling):

~ my breathing is better; I use albuterol once or twice a month vs daily a year ago
~ my eyes are generally less inflamed; the little things that would drive me crazy last year like wind, dust, changing light patterns just aren't affecting me

I can't describe myself cured. My eyes still often look like sh*t, bloodshot and glassy. Shoveling snow in sub-zero temps still got me looking for my albuterol inhaler a couple of months ago. But generally comparing this June with last June I can see some improvement and I think, but will probably never know with certainty, that allergy shots are making a diiference. My wife claims I'm as grouchy as ever but, hey, one step at a time. ;-}

Best,

[Lucy]

Wm53, allergy shots are a tough call when trying to determine success! I know because I took allergy shots for about 30 years and stopped two years ago because of more pressing health issues. (The shots had nothing to do with dry eyes.)

If you "think" you're being helped, you probably are. You said your breathing is better and that's important. You've already gone through the worst times of allergy shots. That's the testing and the build-up! By next month, you'll be down to shots every other week and that's not a bad schedule.

Most people get annoyed and don't ever follow through nearly long enough to get the benefit. I wish you continued success. Lucy

P.S. My husband didn't say I was either "more or less grouchy" after I stopped the shots. :-)