Allergy Testing

Leelee · Jul 11th, 2008, 07:58 AM

Last spring and summer I developed what I thought was allergies. Pounding eyes, extreme exhaustion, stuffy nose, etc. for months on end. By about November the symptoms had faded away. This spring it started up again and as the months go by I am really suffering.

I've been taking Claritin-D, but it only helps somewhat. Last summer I went to the doctor who said I didn't have allergies or anything really wrong with me.

So, rather than go back to her (my primary care doctor) I thought about going to an allergist.

Can I just make an appointment with one or do I need a doctor to refer me? My insurance pays wherever I go, so that part won't matter. Also, will they do testing? I suspect I'm allergic to pollen, but maybe it's something else and I'd like to know.

Any advice? Experience with an allergist? TIA!

CivicGirl · Jul 11th, 2008, 10:47 AM

I believe your insurance would be able to tell you if you need a doctor's referral in order to go to a specialist.

Doctors will do testing, but once again check with your insurance if you're not sure if it's covered. Years ago when I went to an allergist, he turned over my forearm and pricked different needles with onto my arm (imagine a 3x10 grid or something to that effect) to see if any of develop pus. It turned out I'm allergic to dust

I hope you feel better!

i<3bags · Jul 11th, 2008, 11:10 AM

^^ What CivicGirl said. I believe my allergist has 36 things he tests for and therefore, you get "pricked" 36 times. It's not bad- just takes a while.

Vegas Long Legs · Jul 11th, 2008, 12:13 PM

It might vary where you live on how many times you are poked. Cause each area of the country will have different plant & enviroment issues.
Don't let this scare you Leelee. Testing is really not that big of deal.

emxowm · Jul 11th, 2008, 04:45 PM

I went through all the test when I wasn younger (15-20 years ago), but I don't think it has changed that much. They made a grid on my back and put a drops of maybe 80 different allergens back there. They took a little pin and pricked each drop and if it got red and puffy, I was allergic to it. The pricks didn't hurt, but I remember it being really itchy (since I was allergic to a lot of different things). The ones that weren't clear, they tested on my arms but injecting a tiny bit under a layer or two of skin. Again, it didn't really hurt. I ended up getting allergy shots for 4 years. I used to get really sick every spring, and the shots have made a huge difference in my quality of life. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

madamefifi · Jul 12th, 2008, 04:32 AM

It certainly sounds like you have allergies to me! I highly recommend making an appt with an allergist or an ENT doctor. I let my allergy symptoms go untreated for almost two years and by the time I saw a doc I had developed chronic inflammation and polyps in my turbinates and I ended up having surgery. Allergy testing is not that bad. Why feel like crap any longer than you have to? Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Leelee · Jul 12th, 2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madamefifi

It certainly sounds like you have allergies to me! I highly recommend making an appt with an allergist or an ENT doctor. I let my allergy symptoms go untreated for almost two years and by the time I saw a doc I had developed chronic inflammation and polyps in my turbinates and I ended up having surgery. Allergy testing is not that bad. Why feel like crap any longer than you have to? Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks to everyone for their replies! I really didn't know anything about allergy testing so I have been helped a lot by your posts.

madamfifi, that is horrible! I am so sorry that happened to you. May I ask what you are allergic to and if the surgery corrected the problem?

I tried to call an allergy specialist yesterday for an appointment, but the office had closed for the day. I'll try again Monday.

twin53 · Jul 13th, 2008, 09:31 PM

my youngest son had what seemed to be a constant cold and i finally took him to my ENT... it was seasonal allergies which in atlanta are pretty much year round. he is on nasocort or nasonex rx all year round now. difference is like night and day! we've been here since he was 6 but never had symptons til he was 14 y/o. hope you find the cause and then some relief!

PinkSuadeSoho · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:55 PM

I've been tested through the naturopath, quite fascinating.

Leelee · Jul 17th, 2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkSuadeSoho

I've been tested through the naturopath, quite fascinating.

What is a naturopath? I've never heard of one before. What were you allergic to?

I made an appointment with an allergy specialist, but he can't see me until Aug. 6.

bunnymasseuse · Jul 18th, 2008, 11:09 PM

I have allergies,and made sure to get the full allergy bat test to know what I'm allergic to.

I'm allergic to 3 trees, mold, mildew, dust, feathers, mild to cats including the 10 drugs I'm already allergic to. I've found knowing what my triggers are helps me avoid them. I've been on Singular for a while with nose spray when it gets to it's worst.

Leelee · Aug 11th, 2008, 08:20 AM

I went to the allergist last week and he tested me for 55 different things including pollen, ragweed, mold, grasses, etc. and nothing showed up. I'm going back in two weeks for more tests.

In the meantime I'm still miserable and starting to get a little scared since my head feels like it will explode and I have trouble breathing. Plus I feel dizzy.

Is it possible I could really be allergic to pollen or something else and not have it show up on the tests?

IntlSet · Aug 12th, 2008, 04:01 PM

^^^^
Leelee, were you tested for any animal hair, like dogs, cats, etc., or animal dander?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my two cats but found out I'm allergic to cats. I get shots for it now and feel a lot better.

Leelee · Aug 12th, 2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntlSet

^^^^
Leelee, were you tested for any animal hair, like dogs, cats, etc., or animal dander?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my two cats but found out I'm allergic to cats. I get shots for it now and feel a lot better.

I don't know, but I don't think so. I think he only tested for outdoor vegetation stuff. It's my understanding that the next set of tests will be for food allergies and then the following and final week will be for other things, hopefully pets.

I do have three dogs and four cats and I suppose I could have developed allergies sometime along the way.

May I ask what your symptoms were? I'm glad you were able to find a solution to your allergies!

EmmaLee83 · Aug 12th, 2008, 08:01 PM

I too suffer from horrible allergies and had the testing done when I was younger, it is really nothing to fear. I got allergy shots for a few years (I am mostly allergic to cats) but I wound up in the ER twice from the cat serum (broke out in body welts, throat closed up...) so I stopped the shots

But actually the shots did help quite a bit.

But I will say Claritin-D isn't great to take on a daily basis if you are taking the pseudoephedrine kind (the one you have to buy behind the pharmacy). It isn't very good for your heart as it speeds up your heart rate and raises blood pressure. For me personally, after taking it pretty consistently for a year, it also wound up drying and breaking my hair off in chunks as it dries up all of your bodily secretions. I also completely lost my appetite on it which was nice to lose 15 pounds but I swear I will never use that stuff again, I constantly felt drugged up. But if you are taking the substitute for the sudafed (can't think of the name of the drug) that seems pretty safe.

Jul 11th, 2008, 07:58 AM	#1
Leelee Up On My Toes! Location: Highland, Maryland	Allergy Testing Last spring and summer I developed what I thought was allergies. Pounding eyes, extreme exhaustion, stuffy nose, etc. for months on end. By about November the symptoms had faded away. This spring it started up again and as the months go by I am really suffering. I've been taking Claritin-D, but it only helps somewhat. Last summer I went to the doctor who said I didn't have allergies or anything really wrong with me. So, rather than go back to her (my primary care doctor) I thought about going to an allergist. Can I just make an appointment with one or do I need a doctor to refer me? My insurance pays wherever I go, so that part won't matter. Also, will they do testing? I suspect I'm allergic to pollen, but maybe it's something else and I'd like to know. Any advice? Experience with an allergist? TIA!

Jul 11th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Vegas Long Legs Member Location: Las Vegas	It might vary where you live on how many times you are poked. Cause each area of the country will have different plant & enviroment issues. Don't let this scare you Leelee. Testing is really not that big of deal. __________________ Planning next voyage! Oct/Nov '08

Jul 12th, 2008, 04:32 AM	#6
madamefifi cat hoarder Location: virginia	It certainly sounds like you have allergies to me! I highly recommend making an appt with an allergist or an ENT doctor. I let my allergy symptoms go untreated for almost two years and by the time I saw a doc I had developed chronic inflammation and polyps in my turbinates and I ended up having surgery. Allergy testing is not that bad. Why feel like crap any longer than you have to? Good luck and let us know how it goes. __________________ Some people are proud, and some have their doubts.

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#9
PinkSuadeSoho Live the Life U Love Location: British Properties,Beautiful By Nature! Spectacular by SIGHT! :)	I've been tested through the naturopath, quite fascinating. __________________ Close your eyes to the faults of others What is needed is less: less greed, less fear, less hatred, less prejudice Nothing can make your life more beautiful than perpetual kindness

Jul 18th, 2008, 11:09 PM	#11
bunnymasseuse Rescuer of Rabbits	I have allergies,and made sure to get the full allergy bat test to know what I'm allergic to. I'm allergic to 3 trees, mold, mildew, dust, feathers, mild to cats including the 10 drugs I'm already allergic to. I've found knowing what my triggers are helps me avoid them. I've been on Singular for a while with nose spray when it gets to it's worst. __________________ -------(\(\---------- -------(-.-)--------- ------( (")(")------- Come see my semi-current Collection! Looking for the following: 40946, 11481, 40885, 11420, 11419, 40887, 90052, 40708, 40826, 40706, 40674

Jul 11th, 2008, 10:47 AM	#2
CivicGirl wahoowa	I believe your insurance would be able to tell you if you need a doctor's referral in order to go to a specialist. Doctors will do testing, but once again check with your insurance if you're not sure if it's covered. Years ago when I went to an allergist, he turned over my forearm and pricked different needles with onto my arm (imagine a 3x10 grid or something to that effect) to see if any of develop pus. It turned out I'm allergic to dust I hope you feel better!

Jul 11th, 2008, 11:10 AM	#3
i<3bags Member	^^ What CivicGirl said. I believe my allergist has 36 things he tests for and therefore, you get "pricked" 36 times. It's not bad- just takes a while.

Jul 11th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#5
emxowm Member Location: Red Sox Nation	I went through all the test when I wasn younger (15-20 years ago), but I don't think it has changed that much. They made a grid on my back and put a drops of maybe 80 different allergens back there. They took a little pin and pricked each drop and if it got red and puffy, I was allergic to it. The pricks didn't hurt, but I remember it being really itchy (since I was allergic to a lot of different things). The ones that weren't clear, they tested on my arms but injecting a tiny bit under a layer or two of skin. Again, it didn't really hurt. I ended up getting allergy shots for 4 years. I used to get really sick every spring, and the shots have made a huge difference in my quality of life. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Jul 13th, 2008, 09:31 PM	#8
twin53 Member Location: Georgia	my youngest son had what seemed to be a constant cold and i finally took him to my ENT... it was seasonal allergies which in atlanta are pretty much year round. he is on nasocort or nasonex rx all year round now. difference is like night and day! we've been here since he was 6 but never had symptons til he was 14 y/o. hope you find the cause and then some relief!

Aug 11th, 2008, 08:20 AM	#12
Leelee Up On My Toes! Location: Highland, Maryland	I went to the allergist last week and he tested me for 55 different things including pollen, ragweed, mold, grasses, etc. and nothing showed up. I'm going back in two weeks for more tests. In the meantime I'm still miserable and starting to get a little scared since my head feels like it will explode and I have trouble breathing. Plus I feel dizzy. Is it possible I could really be allergic to pollen or something else and not have it show up on the tests?

Aug 12th, 2008, 04:01 PM	#13
IntlSet Bonjour! Location: Chicago	^^^^ Leelee, were you tested for any animal hair, like dogs, cats, etc., or animal dander? I LOVE LOVE LOVE my two cats but found out I'm allergic to cats. I get shots for it now and feel a lot better. __________________ http://drinkmorechampagne.wordpress.com/

Aug 12th, 2008, 08:01 PM	#15
EmmaLee83 Member	I too suffer from horrible allergies and had the testing done when I was younger, it is really nothing to fear. I got allergy shots for a few years (I am mostly allergic to cats) but I wound up in the ER twice from the cat serum (broke out in body welts, throat closed up...) so I stopped the shots But actually the shots did help quite a bit. But I will say Claritin-D isn't great to take on a daily basis if you are taking the pseudoephedrine kind (the one you have to buy behind the pharmacy). It isn't very good for your heart as it speeds up your heart rate and raises blood pressure. For me personally, after taking it pretty consistently for a year, it also wound up drying and breaking my hair off in chunks as it dries up all of your bodily secretions. I also completely lost my appetite on it which was nice to lose 15 pounds but I swear I will never use that stuff again, I constantly felt drugged up. But if you are taking the substitute for the sudafed (can't think of the name of the drug) that seems pretty safe.