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Sneezing in North Carolina

This spring, for the first time in a while, I have had severe allergies, bad enough to go see an allergist. He ordered a blood test and put me on Allegra and AllegraD until the results came back. Unfortunately, the results showed that I had a severe allergy to trees and weeds which would require shots. I did not realize how expensive the shots were, which were required for 17 weeks until maintenance, and I opted not to take them.

So now we are looking for other solutions to my problem. My allergist would like for me to continue with Allegra and AllegraD and he also would like for me to go on two nose sprays, Astelin and Rhinocort. These require two doses twice a day each.

I would like to know what you think of this form of treatment. Please do not give out my address to anyone.

Thank you,

Sneezing in NC,
Jim

Dear Jim,

Thanks for asking about your allergy treatments.

Allergy injections are the only form of therapy that can actually bring the immune system back towards normal. All the allergy meds are able to do is to clean up the mess so to speak and reduce the allergy sufferers symptoms.

Antihistamines do a very good job of alleviating the itching and sneezing complaints, but they do not get at the cause of the problem.

Allergy injections often take up to 50 weeks to reach a "maintenance " dose, so when you mention that it may only require 17 weeks , it may not be as bad as you think. Allergy injections are required in about 20% of the allergic patients we see in our Kagen Allergy Clinics.

Allegra and Allegra-D can help control your suffering, and the nasal sprays will reduce the amount of inflammation in the nose and sinus regions.

These medications only work if you remember to take them!

I hope this info helps you.Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com