Alan E Gorenberg MD Inc

Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology

Patient Education Guide

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IMMUNOTHERAPY…

 

Do you have allergies?

 

                 If you have allergies—out of the ordinary sensitivity to substances that don’t bother most people—or asthma that gets worse from allergic “triggers,” you may wonder whether allergy shots (also called immunotherapy) might help you.  The following guide will introduce you to some of the basics involved in this kind of treatment.

 

What is immunotherapy?

 

Think of immunotherapy as a “vaccination” against allergies.  However, unlike a single shot you might get for tetanus or the flu, immunotherapy involves giving you steady, increasing amounts of the substances that cause your allergies.  The whole idea of treating you with the very things that make you miserable may seem a bit odd, but, in many cases, it works.

 

 

How does it work?

 

Doctors think that receiving regular amounts of the substances that cause your allergies actually makes you less sensitive to them.  In other words, allergy shots seem to build up your resistance to the things that cause your symptoms, so the next time you run into them, they give you less trouble.

 

 

What’s involved in immunotherapy?

 

First, your doctor will run a number of tests to pinpoint the substances that cause your allergies.  The results of these tests will help your doctor decide whether immunotherapy might help you.

Immunotherapy has been used for over 70 years, and doctors have learned that it works better against some substances than others.  As a general rule, immunotherapy tends to be most effective against triggers that you breathe, such as pollens, house dust, molds, and animal dander.

Generally, allergy shots are given year round.  Occasionally, however, shots are given just for the 6 months before and allergy season.

At first, you will receive allergy shots once or twice a week.  Treatment starts with a tiny amount of the substance that bothers you.  Over 4 to 6 months, your doctor will gradually increase the amount in each shot until it reaches a level that can really help you.  The reason your doctor starts with a small amount is because you may develop a severe reaction to an allergy shot before your resistance builds up.

If immunotherapy helps you, your doctor will usually continue it for several years.  After the first 6 months, you may need a shot only once every 2 weeks.  In some cases, if your symptoms return after allergy shots are stopped, it may make sense for you to start getting them again.  Fortunately, most people don’t need to continue getting their shots indefinitely.

 

 

When will my symptoms get better?

 

Most people begin to notice improvements in their symptoms after they have had allergy shots for 6 months of longer.  Be patient-it takes time to get results.

Be sure never to miss an appointment for your shots.  Otherwise, the doses cannot be increased safely and you are less likely to benefit.  In addition, tell your doctor whether you think the shots are helping you and about any bad reactions you get from them.  For example, some people develop a sore, swollen arm: wheezing; or an outbreak of hives after they return home from receiving an allergy shot.  Reactions like these don’t necessarily mean allergy shots should be stopped, but your doctor may need to make an adjustment in the amount of each shot.

It is possible to have a sudden, sever allergic reaction with life-threatening breathing difficulties or falling blood pressure.  If this happens, you will require immediate treatment.  For this reason, you should wait in your doctor’s office for 30 minutes after a shot.

Also, keep in mind that some people do not benefit from immunotherapy.  The only way to tell is to try it.

 

 

How much does it cost to have immunotherapy?

 

This depends on several factors, including the type of allergy shots you receive.  Feel free to ask your doctor how much immunotherapy will cost you per week and per year. Also, you may want to contact your medical insurance carrier and ask about the amount of reimbursement you may receive for immunotherapy.

 

 

What can I expect from immunotherapy?

 

If immunotherapy is successful, you will probably have fewer reactions and less sever reactions, to the substances that cause your allergies or asthma to flare up.  Allergy shots are not a care, but they can improve your quality of life.  And you may find that you need less medicine than before to control you allergies or asthma.