I'm looking into getting some help for my allergies and wanting to know if anyone has experience with getting immunotherapy for them.
Does it work? What was involved in your therapy?
Also how much does it cost as a guide as I have no idea yet.
Allergy Immunotherapy Has Anyone Done It? Cost?
boostpak on 23/11/2020 - 10:09
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How long do you have to wait after injection? Injections every single week for a year?
Suppose to wait 30 min but i usually jetted after 10-15 min.
My partner has had it done for a few years. Yes it's a pain but one of the best things he's done - really helped with his allergies. After a while it's once a month.
How long do you have to do it once every week for, then when does it become once a month. Can you provide a timeline of some sort? Thank you!!!
Is this respiratory or skin or something else? I did this a long time back (not in Australia) and it didn't work for skin allergies.
it's both respiratory and skin. Hayfever (mostly all year, gets worse during spring), asthma at times and occassional rash.
I did a version many years ago which was drops you put under your tongue, and they where essential where a concentrated form of the allergen. Cost an absolute fortune, the doctors bedside manner was appalling, no rebate from medicare or private health and after a year and a half I gave up as it did nothing. I have always wanted to go back and try the injections as I have had work colleagues have success with it.
I wonder if the drops that Wickz did years ago is cheaper now and maybe a GP is able to administer or provide it.
I did it many years ago with an Immunologist, back then i think it was $500?ish.
The results were inconclusive. I just carry an epipen around these days incase my throat closes up.
I've also done one at the GP last year for $120ish - not worth it, the scale/test was even smaller than the Immunologist's test.
I guess if you have a common allergy it will be ok.
Sounds like you are referring to just the test where they tell u what u are allergic to? Immunotherapy involves giving u doses of allergen over time to build up immunity.
I did it for hayfever
First time was a seasonal so a jab every wk for 12 wks to protect against upcoming season only.
Then tried the permanent one which starts at weekly jabs then fortnightly and monthly. Like most here I ended up giving up before true immunity as the hassle was too big.
It's great if u are close and convenient to gp. The nurse did my injections after first one so no charge for consult.Need to see allergist specialist first to ID your triggers then they order the mix from France. Allergist is pricey like any specialist.
It worked great for me. Seasonal hayfever was managed with just a regular OTC antihistamine that yr.
I have been putting off doing this for house dust mites (that trigger asthma) and cats/dogs FOR YEARS and would be really keen to hear of the experience of anyone who has gone through with immunology for any of these!
I'm going through the treatment (for grass seeds and dog hair) at the moment and so far so good. Allergen level in Canberra has been high in the last few days but that didn't affect me at all.
The treatment involves a monthly injection over 2 years. I went to a respiratory specialist in Sydney and he ordered an 8-month supply for me at a time, then I took it to my GP for injection every month. The 8-month supply for 2 allergies costs almost $600, plus about $120 fee (after Medicare rebate) to see him and get tested for the progress. So the total cost would be 3x($600+$120) = ~$2100 over 2 years. I think the cost is totally worth it if it works because I'm spending an average of $50 per month for different types of nasal spray anyway.
The doctor told me that the medication is extremely sensitive to the cold. Being exposed to a low temperature (below 4oC), even for just a second, would be enough to make it ineffective so I have to be very careful with storing it.
Did it for a couple of years for dustmites and cats. It was helping but eventually had to stop when the amazing experienced top class doctor retired and a young moron started there who spent most of his time video chatting with his friends overseas while the waiting room exceeded capacity. The wait used to be 15 minutes and became 4 hours later.
Did it at the Royal Brissy hospital.I have hayfever all year round and have just started putting a tiny bit of a special allergy honey under my tongue morning and night and can’t believe how well it has worked. Am in Melbourne where we have had the worst allergy days and I had no symptoms!
what allergy honey?? can you elaborate
Check out BeeRescue.com.au for hayfever honey
I think I spent $120 every 2 or 3 months. Had to go to nurse at GP's clinic every week and wait after the injection to see if there was an adverse reaction. It was a headache.
After 6 months I gave up. YOu need to do it for at least a year to see a difference. It does work, though!