Jim's Allergy Shot Log

An Attempt to Describe/Log my Notes and Experiences with Allergy Shots

(DISCLAIMER: These are my notes only; I'M NOT A DOCTOR!!!! Consult with your own physician and make your own decisions regarding allergy shots!)

First, my notes from the initial call with my doctor (Note: these are in short-hand):

• Allergy shots are for people with year-round allergies, people for whom medications don't work (or don't work long-term because of side-effects)
• Allergy shots are for people who want to prevent other long-term things from happening, i.e. nose problems can lead to long-term stuffiness and/or asthma. Shots can reduce the risk of asthma or other problems by up to 50%.
• Allergy shots are an injection of the thing(s) you're allergic to (note: the first step is to have tests done to determine what you're allergic to--I had already had this done by this point).
• On a regular schedule, come in weekly to get the shot, then wait 30 minutes in case of a reaction. "Maintenance dose" should be reached in 8 months, people start to feel better in 6 months.
• On a "cluster" schedule, the first three visits are 3 shots each (shot, wait 30 minutes, shot, wait 30 minutes, shot, wait 30 minutes). The next three visits are two shots each. From the 7th appointment on, each appointment is one shot each with a 30 minute wait after. The 30 minute waiting period is a requirement; if you leave early, they can decide to stop the shots!
• On the cluster schedule, 18 weeks of shots are covered in the first three weeks with 12 shots in the next three weeks. Maintenance dose should be reached in 4 months, should see improvement in 3 months.
• 80% of people see some improvement; some patients come off all medication.
• Take one visit at a time; everyone has a certain limit. Can switch from the cluster schedule to the regular schedule if you start seeing reactions.
• After 18 months, you just have to go in monthly for a booster shot to keep the antibodies high.
• Five years is considered the end of therapy but some patients choose to keep going.

And now, here is my log with a lot of boring data (if the cells look blank, just refresh the page):