Strange reactions to allergy shots... So frustrated I just want to scream...

By ohsoallergic Thursday, May 29, 2008

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I continued to tell the allergy shot nurse about all the symptoms, and the doctor eventually stopped coming in to talk to me altogether. I think they all thought I was crazy, or making it all up. Finally, sick of being blown off, I had my husband take a picture of the welts on my arms after the shots. When I showed the picture to the allergy nurse, she was genuinely surprised at seeing the welts, even though I had been telling her about it for months!! At that point, after 10 months of misery, I decided that it was foolish of me to continue putting my life in this doctor's hands every week when he clearly wasn't taking me seriously, so I just stopped going in.

Now, 8 months after my last allergy shot, I still have the symptoms. Only now, I'm not really sure what's causing it. I don't feel like I have the flu anymore, but that's the only thing that has gone away. Sometimes my throat and tongue will swell up for no apparent reason. I am noticing a pattern of swelling with Advil and sometimes with caffeine. But sometimes there is no cause I can figure out. I would love to go get another Kenalog shot to make all this calm down, but I don't want to talk to that doctor and risk having him look at me the way he did before (that "yeah, ok, whatever" look he was so good at). At this point, I have just about resigned myself to living like this... never leave the house without my benadryl... my Epi-pen... and my inhaler (oh, yeah, did I mention I have had asthma since age 2?) I still click when I talk, I still always feel like I need to burp. And as a bonus, now I seem to have developed an allergy to sunlight! Sometimes when I'm out in the sun without sunscreen for just a few minutes, I get hives where the sun hits my skin! Unreal! Have you ever heard of someone getting this much worse after starting allergy shots? I am so tired of feeling like this all the time, but I don't know what to do. Maybe my GP was right. Maybe I am crazy- I don't know. Anybody have any ideas, input, anything? Even knowing there is one person out there who has had a similar experience would help... I feel totally alone in this.

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Comments (24) | Add comment

Anonymous

6/10/08 2:24pm

It sounds to me like you have severe allergic reactions and your doctor is not qualified to be administering the shots. The throat tightness and tongue swelling are very serious side effects that need to be monitored and could be life-threatening. I would consider traveling to another city to see another doctor.

ohsoallergic

6/10/08 3:06pm

Thank you for your comment, I have been considering doing just that, but gas has sure gotten expensive. I've been taking benadryl when the swelling gets bad enough to bother me, but I haven't had to use the Epi-pen yet. I have NO desire to start getting the allergy shots again, but an allergist would probably be the way to go instead of another GP, right? Wonder if I can do that without a referral from my GP...

Anonymous

6/10/08 4:03pm

Usually you need to get a referral to see an allergist. I have been getting allergy shots for 5 years now. After I started getting the shots I did notice that I had some joint pain and fatigue right after getting the shots and I let the nurse know about it, but she said that it was not in any way related to the shots. Now five years later, I decided to do a search on the internet to see if there was any relation between the allergy shots and joint pain and sure enough it has been reported and is actually an allergic reaction. Needless to say that I am now considering stopping the shots altogether.

The red welts and itching are normal in the beginning, however to a certain extent. I am super allergic to everything under the sun, but the largest welt that I ever got on my arm was probably only 2-3 inches in diameter. I never experienced the throat tightness or swelling in my mouth. Like I said those are severe reactions and need to be treated by a qualified physician. Through the allergist, we are supposed to sit in the lobby for at least 15 minutes after receiving the shot so that the nurse can check for reactions. For me, most of my reactions didn't show up until after I had left the office so I would have to call the next day to report them. They have specific instructions on their message that if they are severe reactions, you need to go to the ER immediately, which is why I am surprised that your GP doesn't seem to offer appropriate treatment.

I hope that you get the help that you need. After 5 years of shots I no longer need to take pills everyday, but after yesterdays shots I don't think that I can handle the joint pain anymore...

Audrey

4/18/12 2:44pm

Wow that is super weird you mentioned joint pain! I've been getting my shots for a few months now and every time after the shot I experience joint pains in my hands and wrists. I really feel like these shots are making it worse for me now especially with it being pollon season. I had 2 reactions after my shots where they gave me some liquid antihistamine and felt better, but now just after the last shot I had a huge hard lump showed up under my skin, it's also red and very itchy. I really hope when I talk to the allergist tomorrow he will have a cure. I can't even eat any food without some reaction, it's like as soon as I started these shots my allergies have overreacted.

massue

6/11/08 10:22am

I really feel for you, reacting like you are to these allergy shots. You know, this is a very specialized field. I would not want to rely on a GP, especially with the reactions you have had, and his attitude with blowing off the reactions. I drive 2 1/2 hours to get to my allergist, but he works WITH my GP and for the allergy shots, I drive 25 miles, one way. The only other place here locally to get the shots, is with a PA at our local clinic. I don't like him so figure I would rather drive 50 miles twice a week than deal with him.

I had Kenalog injection in May 2007. Within two days I was running fever, chilling, aching, visual problems, and totally out of it, and took a month to get over it. Researched and learned others had same reaction. It's something they use as a preservative in the Kenalog solution. Which makes me very cautious about anything injectable now. I think it set me up for the response I had in September to Plum I had eaten that was undoubtably treated with some sort of preservative or insecticide. I have been tested at Allergist office but chemical testing would need to be done in Denver. I haven't pushed for that. Singulair, Zyrtec, Nasonex is what they put me on.

After seven months, found the Zyrtec is why I was sleeping 10 to 12 hours every night, but I also was fuzzy and sleepy all day and lacked motivation and focus. GP took me off Zyrtec and put me back on Allegra, which I must take in a.m. as I can't sleep if I take it at night. It's all a matter of how you feel when you take whatever they think you need. If the reaction is worse than the allergy symptoms then why bother?

My allergies symptoms were much worse when I recently went to MO/IA where pollens I react to are much worse. I started taking Benadryl at night. I feel like a walking medicine cabinet but I am feeling much better than I have for years and years! I find when I am outside very much, the allergy symptoms are worse. I'm still doing the allergy shots and will not stop until I either get relief or get very sick from them. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

James Thompson, MD, Health Pro

6/13/08 12:33pm

Hi Ohsoallergic,

I am a board certified allergist out of Chicago and nearby suburbs. It is very unfortunate your experience with allergy shots was so complicated. I think it is very important to have allergy shots supervised by a board certified allergist. Allergy shots may be life-threatening when a severe reaction occurs. It is therefore important to get allergy care from skilled providers.

Accredited allergy training focuses on the importance of a detailed history and physical exam. The history and physical exam findings allow the allergist to properly interpret allergy skin test (or blood test) results.

In addition allergists are trained on:

-How to initiate allergy shots (important decisions must be made on dose and concentration as well as what allergens to use)

-How to increase the doses (with consideration of quantity to be given each time in addition to interval of time in between shots)

-How to monitor progress and make adjustments if there are problems

-How to prevent the progression or recurrence of local or systemic reactions

-How to approach high risk situations that may arise (for example: addressing new drugs ordered by another doctor that may increase the risk of a severe allergic reaction; considering other medical problems that may impact allergy shots; advising what to do if pregnancy occurs)

-How to decide whether allergy shots should be stopped when of the risk of injury out-weighs the potential benefit.

A minimum of two years is required to qualify for board certification in allergy and immunology. A board certification exam must be passed in order to achieve certified status.

I advise you to get a full evaluation from a board certified allergist. You can locate one from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website. It will be worth the money spent on gas. Good health and avoidance of potentially fatal reactions are invaluable.

Many allergists will allow infrequent visits to their office by sending extracts to the primary doctor's office (with explicit instructions on how to proceed with shots). The allergist supervises any adjustments that may be required as allergy shots are given. We send hundreds of vials to doctors in Illinois and surrounding states that are more conveniently located (their offices are closer to the patient) for giving weekly to monthly allergy shots.

If you are in an HMO or similar insurance entity you will require a referral. Otherwise you may be able to go to a specialist without a referral. Call your insurance provider to clarify whether a referral is needed.

You may also have oral allergy syndrome and chronic urticaria and angioedema which are discussed on this web site (click on the hyperlinks).

You really need to see a qualified allergy specialist ASAP.

I hope it all works out for you,

J. Thompson, MD

ohsoallergic

6/13/08 8:09pm

Thank you so much, Dr. Thompson, for your advice. It's very nice to be taken seriously by a doctor about this. I will check out those links right away and hopefully find an allergist within a few hours driving distance. Maybe he can help me out with my rosy cheek problem too... I've had that for years (very embarrassing) and always wondered if it was allergy related, but my GP didn't have a clue. I just really appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

And thank you to everyone else who has posted their stories here. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences, but it does help to hear that I'm not alone.

nat3

10/ 1/08 5:39pm

I received one round of shots and got a flu like response starting with facial pain like you'd get with a sinus infection followed by 5 days of illness that reminded me of being on interferon. In that I have radio interviews coming up for a book I wrote I'm going to put off starting the next "diluted" round. Have you treated patients who got this sort of serum sickness response to allergy shots?

James Thompson, MD, Health Pro

10/ 6/08 11:00am

Hi Nat3,

I have not had this experience with my patients. Serum sickness like reactions are very uncommon in the setting of allergy shots. I don't know if reducing the dose will be effective if in fact the reaction is immunologic. Your experience is very unusual. Let me know how it goes. I cannot comment any further, not knowing the details of your allergy and medical history, specific shot doses and extract selection etc. I assume you are under the care of a board certified allergist (if not, find one).

Good Luck!

J. Thompson, MD

a concerned parent

11/ 5/08 4:38pm

You are not alone. My daughter had similar complaints after pollen allergy shots. She took them for about 2 years and always ended up with a hard, hot solid bump at the site of the injection for several days after the shots. She also complained of joint pain, swelling, and tiredness. As she was an athlete, it took a while before she could definitively say it was the shots and not her activities, and she finally stopped the shots. My husband sometimes wonders if the shots sensitized her to more things or if they helped stop them from getting worse. She has since tested very allergic to all fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and tree nuts. You may still be feeling sick because you are also allergic to related allergens hidden in your food that you don't realize are there (look at all the food groups associated with birch, ragweed, grass, mugwort). Our daughter has always complained about a lot of different foods, but I thought it was just being a picky eater. It depends on how the food is cooked as to when the allergens in the food get destroyed(e.g., celery is bad no matter how cooked, onions vary). I now realize the symptoms are not just swelling, itchy throat, trouble breathing, flushed skin,coughing, but could also be stomach upsets, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and general queasiness. It is important to get a good allergist. Our daughter is away at college now in a small town with no board certified allergists so she sincerely empathizes with you. Luckiy, her allergist at home responds to e-mails and she schedules appointments with him when she is home during breaks. We are still discovering new things every day. Hope you find the source of your problem. Good Luck.

greeneyes

1/ 5/09 10:32pm

I took my 4th shot and the next day I had a weird reaction, I felt as if I took the thing I was the worst at being allergic which was a cat and I felt as if I rubbed a cat all over my face my eyes were swollen shut and itching, the back of my throat was itching bad and I sneezed and sneezed, and my face swelled up and I could not get my jewelry on. Then I got a really bad sinus infection and had to go to the doctor, that was 2 weeks ago and I am still sort of miserable. So I opt not to take the shots for awhile.

Anonymous

1/15/09 10:02pm

It sounds as though you may a other problems in addition to allergies. Sun sensitivity and rosy cheeks are symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or "lupus") which is an autoimmune disease in which your body is allergic to itself. In addition to being evaluated by a board certified allergist, you also need to be evaluated by a board certified rheumatologist. There are a number of tests that can be done to diagnose lupus, but even if your labwork all comes back negative, you may still have the disease.

There are a whole host of autoimmune diseases, so if you do not have lupus, you may have a related illness.

I have had a lifelong struggle with severe allergies and other symptoms. My new allergist recently referred me to a rheumatologist who began treating me for lupus. I have had lupus symptoms since age 11, but my labwork always came back negative, so the doctors would just blow off my case. Now it seems that many people with lupus have negative labwork. So find a doctor who will treat your symptoms, not your test results.

Lupus can manifest with a number of symptoms that come and go because the disease tends to have flareups then go into remission for awhile. Do some online searching at www.webmd.com and other reputable websites, including the one for the Lupus Foundation.

Good luck! I hope you get some answers and some relief!

Michelle McDowell

1/23/09 10:32pm

I had shots as a kid, but my asthma and allergies got out of control again last year when we got a cat. I never was allergic to cats that I know of. My mom and sister always were, but not me. Now, I break out in hives every time I brush against a cat. Today, I got my allergy shots (I get two; one for cats, one for pretty much everything else you can think of) and my left arm is swollen, red, hot and hard to the touch. It's itchy and uncomfortable, but none of these things are nearly as annoying as my TONGUE! My tongue is too big for my mouth! This is not the first time I've had this allergic reaction, but it's the first time I've had it to the shots. I don't know if they gave me the wrong dose, or if playing volleyball tonight (strenuous exercise can supposedly bring about a reaction) that made these things happen, but I hope I never experience this again. I sound like Sylvester the Putty Tat!! I'm hoping this was just a reaction to playing volleyball after the shots, but I'm definitely telling my doctor about this tomorrow morning so they document it and make sure I get a smaller dose next time. I feel for you if you have gone through this more than once. The tongue thing is super annoying!! Good luck to you.

nat30

2/ 6/09 7:23pm

I was the above poster Nat3 but had to create a new account. I had CFS for many many years and have now overcome that and written a book how to recover from fatigue.

The deal with my allergy shots....I found...is that my immune system reaction is exagerated so that's why I got so sick. I ended up starting and stopping twice and my immunologist said to wait 2 months to start again.

I contacted a CFS expert (also immunologist) to get her advice to pass on to my allergist. I'd seen her quoted on line but it was an old quote. She told me this (thought I would share this with you Dr. T so you can also use the info)

"I have about 20% of my CFS patients on allergy immunotherapy, but have found I have to start very very slowly 1:1,000,000 starting vial, after first testing to be certain they do not react to the diluent (which has some trace phenol). I advance by 0.05cc weekly as tolerated (about 10 shots per vial) = so it takes a full year to get to full strength. If a person can get to the clinic twice a week for shots it can go a bit faster, but when I get to the 1:10,000 to 1:1000 range I often find I have to repeat doses for several weeks, waiting for the down regulating cells to kick in.

Your allergist is also an immunologist, so he or she will get this. The T reg cells and the cytotoxic T cells which are involved in down regulating the IgE producing B cells are not as functional as they are in normal controls. They do work, but at half speed.

I wish I could point to a terrific placebo control study and say "see here! " My group has published studies on poor cytotoxic T cell function, cytokine Th2 shift, etc, but we have not published the allergy experience. So I can only speak from my experience. Several thousand patients worth of experience, though!

I hope you can work through the allergy wall (that's a 1:10,000 dilution to you!) In the end it is worth it."

So I should be starting up again sometime soon and I'll let you know how it goes. I've literally tried everything in the book and my diet is pristine (no chemicals or processed foods) and I don't have ANY bad habits. I've been tested for food allergies and I also did an elimination diet last year for 6 months, no wheat, dairy, corn, or peanuts. If I had to sit in the dark in a yoga position and eat gravel for months I would do it!!!!!! I've tried everything to get well and I really want this to work because it's my last shot...pun intended!!!!

Anonymous

6/13/09 10:24pm

Sounds like the shots triggered an autoimmune response. Many Lupus patients get rashes when they are in the sun for even a minute. Maybe you should see a rheumatologist.

jsee1218

7/15/09 7:13pm

I have been getting allergy shots for over a year now (I'm allergic to every grass, tree, and weed in my area) and I've encountered some strange reactions that we seem to share. I've had joint pain (sometimes very severe), fatigue, and itchiness in my armpits and my groin area. My latest experience happened just this week. On Monday I got my allergy shots as per usual, and by Tuesday afternoon my arms were covered in red, itchy bumps that spread quickly. I went in to see my allergist today and he said there was no way it was related to my allergy shots. He said it could be anything from chicken pox (I've already had this, and been vaccinated against it) to poison ivy to bug bites. He prescribed me a steroid cream, but I just didn't feel right so I made an appointment with my PCP (primary care physician). My PCP said that it was definitely an allergic reaction to something and after I told him about the other incidents he suggested that perhaps it is serum sickness. He prescribed me a very powerful antihistimine (which is working wonderfully, thank God!) and suggested that if things weren't better by tomorrow, I should come by and get a shot of Cortisone. I find it very disturbing that my PCP is more concerned about my allergic reaction than my Allergist is!!! He was also concerned about the method of treatment. Instead of slathering cream all over my arms and thus becoming a sticky mess, he made sure to give me pills. I will be having a long, long discussion with my allergist next Monday (my 6 month checkup appointment) about serum sickness and my reactions to these shots. If he doesn't give me satisfactory answers, I'll be taking my business elsewhere!

Remember everyone, you are not forced to see just one person. If you're not happy with your treatment, find someone you are happy with. It may cost more, but your health is so much more important than money. Since allergy shots can become extremely dangerous, you want someone who will take you seriously and who is concerned about your symptoms, not someone who dismisses them as bug bites!

Itchy in az

2/26/12 11:06pm

I too have had very similar symptoms including flu like symptoms, whole body itching, chills, weight loss, sweaty palms and random body and joint pain for the last several months. This seems to have started after initation of allergy shots about 3 months ago. I had a complete physical with complete blood analysis with my general practioner. This was at my request after all my crazy symptoms. After looking back at the last three months, and looking at my symptoms and days of allergy injections, I am pretty confident that the allergy shots are related to my symptoms. I will discuss this with my GP and allergist and for now discontinue the shots. If you have been told these symptoms can't occur from allergy shots, your physician may be wrong.

7/21/09 11:28pm

I feel so bad for you, and I think your doctor is HIGHLY irresponsible. Allergy treatment is nothing to take lightly; especially when you are treating a highly allergic individual. I think you need to get treatment from a BOARD CERTIFIED Allergist.

I am having similar problems, except they believe me, since I have had two anaphylactic reactions while receiving shots. I have numerous severe allergies including several food allergies. I am forced to drive a 5 hour round trip every week for 2 shots because there is nobody in my area who is willing to give me shots due to my high risk. I don't even get a shot from all of my vials each week because I have 4 vials and a limit of 2 shots per visit. To make matters worse, they shoved me WAY back on my venom and will only give me 1/2 a dose. I was told by 2 board certified allergists that if I should get stung by a bee, I will likely not survive. I work in paleontology and am in the field most of the summer. It all has been very discouraging.

My whole ordeal began last December when my asthma just went bonkers over the holidays. I was really sick, and we were 1,600 miles from home! My GP sent me to the University Hospital for testing. I had an anaphylactic reaction during testing--they think it was from the bee. The skin test for bee is only 1/1000 of a bee sting.

Anyway, the symptoms you have described are nearly identical to mine. It takes a whole day to get my shots, and I am in bed for most of the following day with flu symptoms and SEVERE joint pain. I lose two days every week to allergy treatment. Turns out, my joint problems from the past 5 years have been caused by allergies--who knew???

I can totally relate to your situation. I am also concerned for your safety; it imperative that you avoid any medical personnel who does not listen to you or take you seriously. It could be fatal.

I would really like to talk with you more--just for the mutual support and validation. Not sure how to pull that off.

Mom & son allergies

11/19/09 10:50pm

I am so happy to have found this blog. My son & I have allergey shots weekly, & I just can't get to the maintenance point. After my shot last night, I had my typical local reaction at the injection sites. Unfortunately, whichever arm the ragweed is injected in, I now have swelling that spreads over the next 24 to 48 hrs a span of 6 to 8 inches. The swelling almost always stops at my elbow. I also have diarrea, stiff joints, scratchy throat, & feel like I'm coming down with the flu. By next week when I go in for my next shot, I'll just start feeling better. The thing is, I don't know what's worse. This or my typical allergies which includes all of the above & canker sores & lesions throughout my sinus cavities! As well as severe sinus infections every fall (& sometimes spring). I've had 2 surgeries on my sinuses which have helped. I'm only 35 & feel like I've had such a lifetime of illness. Of our 2 children, our oldest is already showing signs of being just like me & I just can't bear to see him suffer as I have. Do I stick out the allergy shots with him as he doesn't react as badly as me (but he does have local reactions & headaches every week); or do we stop shots for safety & see what other options exist over time? We both take generic of zyrtec daily too...

Hive Madness

4/24/10 1:48am

I totally understand everything that you're going through. I too am allergic to everything environmental, trees, grass, weeds, pollen, as well as cats, dogs, and other small animals, AND wheat, cow dairy, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. My food allergies actually weren't diagnosed until May 2009, and it's important to note that I had never had an allergic reaction to any of the foods that I am allergic to. I would eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch every day of my childhood and never had any reaction. So I began allergy shots at the beginning of June 2009 after having been miserable from environmental allergies for most of my life. Everything seemed to be ok with my treatment, no side effects or anything, UNTIL the middle of January 2010. Mind you, because I had never had a reaction to any of my food allergies, EVER, I continued to eat dairy, soy, and wheat, though not as often, (I decided to avoid nuts completely because of their very high association with anaphylactic shock). Yet in mid-January, when I began my second to highest dosage of antigens, my hands began to itch severly, though they showed no signs of redness or swelling. About two weeks later, on my third shot of the vial, and after having started to break out in hives on a daily basis (mostly relegated to my hands and feet), I experienced anaphyactic shock later that evening. I went to see a GP at our student health the next day (I moved to IL in September 09 to start graduate school) and she was terrified. She ordered me to stop the shots immediately and then referred to a local allergist for further consultation. Over the course of the next several weeks, the hives began to spread and grew much much larger. I had blood testing done and tested positive in the ANA screen choice test twice, though after seeing a rheumatologist, they didn't find any further abnormalities. My allergist back home, who is very well respected, swears that the shots haven't done anything to me and wants me to continue to taking them. Yet the hives still haven't gone away, and have now spread to most of my body, as well as too my face! But here's the real kicker. I decided to cut wheat, soy and dairy out of my diet, just to see if the hives would go away, and although they haven't completely disappeared, they have subsided substantially. I actually think that I am now reacting to foods that I was never allergic to before, like corn and chocolate, and possibly shell-fish, and I really want to believe that the allergy shots are doing this to me. The antigens are made to strenthen the immune system, and I believe that my immune system has become ultra sensitive because of the shots and now reacts by causing hives whenever it senses that something is trying to attack it, in a MAJOR way. I'm so upset because I don't feel like any of the doctors that I've seen have really given this a thought; it's almost like I'm a case in point of what can go wrong with this sort of therapy and they're afraid to admit that. Now I'm afraid that my entire life is going to have to change because I have to be uber-careful with what I eat, and could possibly develop further allergies to things I've never had problems with before. I don't want to hear some sorry excuse from another doctor, saying "Oh, you can develop allergies at any point in life..." to which I refute, why now? Why at 25 when I've never had a problem ever before? Why all of these reaction to everything at once? And why when I'm on the shots? On Jan. 27th I ate a piece of bread and was fine. On Jan. 28th, I was experiencing anaphylaxis. And the hives are always within a day or two of my injection. I'm think I may stop the shots for a month or two and see if anything improves. I know that there is answer out there for all of us suffering from these strange reactions, there has to be!

From NYC

4/30/10 9:34pm

OMG that's scary. i just got the result of my tests back today. the doc told me that i have a severe allergy to dog dander and minor allergies to dust, egg white, peanut, chicken. he recommends me to start taking the weekly shot that a few of you mentioned. the conversation went like "you need take the shot" and i said "ok so do i need to take it every year now?" he said "actaully every week for a couple years from now" and i was "..." then like 3 secs after i said "what?" i wasn't sure if he was dead serious so i checked online '"shot every week" "allergy"' and here i am... he was serious. so yeah after reading all these comments i sure won't take the weekly shot... i believe it will do nothing! this is so messed up! i hate you allergy!

Rebecca

12/14/11 7:01am

Have you seen an allergist? The GP is likely not going to be able to figure this out. See an allergist at least for your new symptoms and they can test to see all what you might be allergic to now. They may need to refer you to another specialist if symptoms persist but your GP sounds like an idiot and a liability and I would recommend finding a new one even if it means having to travel a little further.

Alley

3/ 8/12 7:38am

Hello,

I was searching the internet because of fears I have about my allergy immunizations. I had allergy shots for 4 years which completely relieved what felt like 98% of my allergy symptoms; however, upon having a baby, they came back full force and much worse. That doctor sounds completely incapable of administering shots. I would report him to whomever you possibly can. No doctor should ever laugh at a patient EVEN if they were a hypocondriac. Also, no doctor should EVER ignore symptoms. I have had to had an epi shot twice at the allergists for less severe symptoms than you posed and the majority of your systems are "typical" server allergy symptoms (welts/hives, swelling, throught tightness). I would immediately look into taking zyrtec, claritin, or allergra. Since you know you are allergic and these are now over-the-counter, these can help with the allergy symptoms over a longer period than benadryl. Most people I know take claritin because it does not make them drowsy like zyrtec. Hopefully you have gone to an allergist since your post, but if not, I hope you do so immediately. Having no medical background, I would guess that maybe your immune system is just having a meltdown so it is now acting more severely to your typical daily allergys. Or perhaps there is something more servere going on with your immune system. Either way, please seek treatment :)

feel your pain

5/ 9/12 4:21pm

I only read the last few posts but please, please go to a different doctor! I did this when I was in high school and the shots help with outdoor things such as grass and trees and ragweed. Food allergies can not be treated. You have to avoid the foods. I am now allergic to oranges and for the firts 14 years of my life I wasn't. My allergy to oranges sounds exactly like what your describing when you eat/touch certian foods. This will kill you if you do not find out what is causing it. I got to the point that taking 2 benydrl did not help me. This was a while they were trying to figure out what I was allergic to. Anyway, Please go see a specialist.

Strange reactions to allergy shots... So frustrated I just want to scream...

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