Has anyone tried allergy immunotherapy?

Floxxie

My hayfever is horrendous and my doctor suggested seeing an immunologist but said because there was a waiting list of years, to go private. I don't have the funds at present but hoping in the next year or two I shall do.
I take antihistamines, nasal spray and eye drops .

Ben84

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

It's all caused by a bacteria! Wait for the discovery and elimination of the cause is my advice.

The cause of allergies is I think not known for certain yet. There may even be multiple causes. From what I can tell however, I'm not unusual. Like many people with allergies I was in an incubator for a few weeks after I was born, which has now been linked to allergies. The theory seems to be that it's an important time for the development of the immune system, and being in a super-clean environment means it doesn't first encounter things like dust mites until later, and that may make it respond differently. Modern medical care definitely saved my life, but it seems likely it also gave me allergies.

Ben84

Floxxie wrote: »

My hayfever is horrendous and my doctor suggested seeing an immunologist but said because there was a waiting list of years, to go private. I don't have the funds at present but hoping in the next year or two I shall do.
I take antihistamines, nasal spray and eye drops .

It can be expensive. I've been quoted £250 just for the consultation to get started.

A.Penny.Saved

Ben84 wrote: »

The cause of allergies is I think not known for certain yet.

Not for many years unless I prove it myself. It will not be found by anyone for many years I predict. I known precisely where the infection attacks and how it works. How it causes so many illnesses and how it all links together.

There may even be multiple causes. From what I can tell however, I'm not unusual. Like many people with allergies I was in an incubator for a few weeks after I was born, which has now been linked to allergies. The theory seems to be that it's an important time for the development of the immune system, and being in a super-clean environment means it doesn't first encounter things like dust mites until later, and that may make it respond differently. Modern medical care definitely saved my life, but it seems likely it also gave me allergies.

I have had tests for common allergens. Dust mites, pollen, all the foods that I had eaten. All positive.

Trust me on this, it's a bacteria that causes it all. Remember where you first read this.

FBaby

but my experience is that allergy medicines consistently stop working.

I imagine you've tried different types? I say that because the only one that works for me long term is Cetizerine Hydrochloride. Loratidine (and the others) does exactly what you describe, ie works for a few days and then don't seem to make any difference.

Thanks for the type about dry eye. I wish I'd looked into it before. Unfortunately, I've seen a ophtalmologist about it and he said the dryness was quite severe and couldn't be reversed. It's been better in the last couple of years though, and with new daily contacts on the market, I can even wear them again once in a whilst. It does however mean that I could not have laser surgery as I'd hope as they don't treat severe dry eye due to higher risk of infection after surgery.

Ben84

Just a quick update, and to thank everyone who has posted here. Been a while since I've been on here actually, but I haven't forgotten about the nasal spray idea. My Dr appointment finally came around today, and I now have a new steroid nasal spray, which I have tried already. It's going to take a little while to see if it does anything, but I'm glad to say that it's not uncomfortable to use, because some nasal sprays can be bad tasting for a long time, and make you sneeze even more, which kind of defeats their purpose. So, it's already off to a good start. However, time will tell.

Now I did also try the Cetizerine Hydrochloride longer term after reading your post FBaby (sorry I didn't reply back then), and you seem to be right, the effects didn't wear off. However, it did make me incredibly thirsty, which is something most the antihistamines seem to do to me. The thirstiness got a bit too much, well it was bothering me more than the allergies, so I had to abandon that in the end. But that's ok, I still have antihistamines if I need them for when I know I'm going somewhere very dusty. Occasional use doesn't seem to be a problem.

Ben84

In case anyone reads this in the future and wonders how it went - the nasal spray works. No more sneezing. No more runny nose either. That's all completely gone. Generally, my nose varies from completely clear to quite clear now. Tends to be better when I'm outside, and get a bit blocked when I'm inside. I can handle dusty items without a dramatic response now, but overall do still benefit from some dust avoidance. What I can tolerate is much higher now however, so not such a big issue day to day. I'm still cleaning the house well, but not like I used to, and so far nothing bad has happened. I will discuss the remaining restriction in my nose with my GP when I return, maybe there's another spray that might suit better, but whatever happens, the situation now is massively better with this spray, so I finally have at least one good option.

Anyway, I'm really glad I posted now, and thankful for the advice I got.

FBaby

HI Ben, thanks for coming to update on your situation. I have to say that it is quite uncanny how similar it is to my experience! We both went through exactly the same journey of considering immunotherapy out of frustration, and ended up with being able to cope with the same treatment of steroids nose spray.

Like you, I still have days when my nose is still a bit blocked, and that is usually when it is very windy for a number of days. I adjusted the spray accordingly, ie. I can go with only one puff every two days (sometimes even 3), to 1 puff every day, and if it does get really bad, the occasional two puffs.

In terms of spray, I had one prescribed (Mometasone Fuoate) but when I went to get it, the pharmacist said that there was a similar one over the counter (Beclometasone - brand name Beconase). The first time, I was reluctant to switch as too worried that if it didn't work, I would have to go through weeks of the first one kicking in again, but then I ran out, couldn't get to the surgery, and when I was at Tesco, I decided to give it a try. It works! It is also slightly cheaper as although Beconase is £10 or so, you get an extra 40 sprays (180 rather than 140).

If you can get away with it without the antihistamine, that's even better. Interesting the increase in thirst, more like very annoying! Strangely, I am the opposite, rarely feel thirsty, which can be a problem as I do intensive exercise and unfortunately, regularly get the dehydration headache because I forget to drink enough before/afterwards. I don't think it is related to the drugs though as I never drank much as a kid either.

What did your GP told you about long term use of the spray? I have been on them for 2 years now and last time I saw mine, about three months ago, he said it was fine. Asking because the leaflet that comes with Beconase says that it shouldn't been taken for more than 3 months, but I expect that's because it's over the counter and they need to protect themselves. My GP did reassure me that the steroids in this form didn't pass into the bloodstream so didn't cause long term problems, and the research I did myself also showed that evidence showed no long term effect. I'm still cautious as I've seen the outcome of long term use of steroids in a family member and it isn't nice.

Anyway, glad the sprays are helping you too as I know how horrendous it is to live with the symptoms of dustmite allergy.