Allergy Immunotherapy ???

[c3]

Has anyone ever undergone allergy immunotherapy?

I've just been tested a 4+ (max) for nearly every tree, weed, and of course, my kids cat. No wonder I haven't been able to see clearly for a few years :)

The last few years I've had more sinus infections and eye problems than you can imagine, but I don't like taking any of the drugs available. Some of the injections I can't take due to having signed up with USADA/WADA.

Any insight on how these shots might effect your archery game and or general health would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete

[rabbitz]

Some of the injections I can't take due to having signed up with USADA/WADA.



I was under the impression that WADA allowed therapeutic dispensation for prescribed therapeutic use of medicines...

Rabz

[Warlocke]

When I was competing with IOC Drug testing, I got a clearance from my Doctor for allergy medication and presented it to the Federation for reference.

These have to be updated every year.

[Tamaillin]

Yes.

I've suffered over the years with an endless headcold, and could never go anywhere without a travel packs of tissues in each pocket and an asthma inhaler.
I started getting treatment 9 months ago. It is working very well for me and it has certainly made an improvement to my quality of life.

I'm allergic to house dust mite 3+, and some other things incl cats, horses and some pollens. I'm only getting treatment for the dustmite because I don't come into regular contact with the others.

For those who haven't heard of it. The way it works is that the body is gradually de-sensitised to whatever you alllergic to by injecting a small (but increasing) quantity of whatever you are allergic to.

For the first 26 weeks, I was getting a weekly shot of a containing an ever increasing quantity/strength of dustmite particles.
I'm now on my last bottle of serum and I only get a shot every 2 weeks. In about 2 months I'll be finished the course and will be clear for 5 years.

The upside:
No sniffles, no runny nose. Clear eyes and no headcolds. No asthma wheezes.
The biggest difference for me is not having to carry a pocketful of tissues around.
My other half loves it cos there are no more tissues to get shredded in the washing machine.

The downsides:
The shots use a really small insulin needle and don't hurt if the doctor is any good.
You will get an itchy arm/welt where you've had the shot. Its a minor inconvenience.
Cost - I go to a bulk billing doctor her in Australia (not sure where you are) which means I don;t pay for my shots. I do have to pay for the serum, but I can claim 50% of that back on health ins.

9 months in and I've almost forgotten what it used to be like. Kleenex have noticed a sharp drop in their sales profits & I don't even know where my asthma inhaler is, as I haven't needed it for months !!!
I guess it works well for me and I wish you all the best whatever you decide.

As far as drug testing goes. I believe that all I get is a solution of saline and dustmite so I'd be surpised if there is any control issues here. You'll need to speak to your therapist about this though.

Good luck
T

PS - I do have one allergy which I haven't been able to deal with. My arrows are allergic to the gold bit in the centre of the target. Nothing I do seems to help with this.

[Mike13]

Isn't the small needle an upside? You have to try pretty hard to make those things hurt.

[Marcus]

I have the same dust allergy you do Tamaillin and it has improved greatly since getting a cat 10 years ago. It was a condition of my now wife moving in with me. The first 3 months were tough but the cat now sits on my shoulders and lap and I have no adverse effects from her. I still have the allergy but it's generally pretty good.
Asthma went away as well while I was playing heaps of basketball, but returned a few weeks ago when I got really sick. This week has been rather bad.