Sick of SICK!

[AllyOops!]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Well, I broke down and went to the Dr on Friday. My upper respitory sucks. Or, rather, doesn't suck much. They put me on a breathing machine for a bit which didn't do much, perscribed anitbiotics and an inhailer and are getting me a referral for a allergist. Whoo hoo! Needles!

Aww, I promise it's not so bad. I went through 5 years of allergy shots as a child. I had horrid allergies, hay fever and was born with asthma (which I outgrew). I would have some wonky allergy attacks!

It's been many, many years, but if I recall correctly..

I began with 2 injections a week. Eventually you're weened to once a week, once every other week and so forth. You are injected with various, mild allergens, in order to boost your immune system. After the shot, your arm immediately begins to swell, leaving you with a nice, hot "goose egg" on your arm. I would have to wait 20 minutes, have the lump checked, and then free to go! The lump begins to cool and deflate within the hour.

It's not as bad as it sounds. In fact, while I still suffer miserably with sinuses, I can enjoy going outside and traveling. I can go through Spring without dying. Best of all? I can have pets! As a child, I could never be around kitty cats. I would even have trouble with some (gasp!) puppy dogs. After shots? Bring on the kitties and puppies! I still will occasionally have a little trouble around new animals, but I adjust quickly, THANK GOD! I couldn't live a life without animal friends. I was able to have my late beloved & darling fluffy kitty cat, Truffles, when I was in my teens and twenties, and of course my late beloved & angelic snow pea labbies, Doc & Sam. It would kill me to never be able to snuggle with a sweet, fuzzy baby.

And, you'll be a needle pro. You'll never fear 'em again.

I'm not sure if allergy shots was what you meant by your post, but I thought I'd offer the advice just in case!