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I'm back from an obnoxious two hours spent at the ENT / Allergy clinic. After many pricks on my arm to test for allergies, they discovered... I'm allergic to cats! (Duh!) Actually, my cat allergy is apparently so bad that the allergy specialist called it "impressive." More than once. It seems that even though I'm not around cats, the residuals are still enough to set off a mild reaction. Also, that seems to be the reason I can't smell, because it's inflaming my nostrils.
They prescribed nose spray they want me to use for two months at least. They tend not to prescribe allergy shots for cat allergies because there is some risk of side effects. There's a new treatment out (for about 4-5 months) called Anti-IGE, marketed under the name Xolair, which is a self-administered injection taken every two weeks, and is very, very effective. it stops IGEs, which cause all allergies, so if you take this, you're pretty much allergy free. The downside, other than I'd have to give myself needles every 2 weeks, is that it's $20,000 a year. So that's out. The doctor thinks it'll come down in price in the future, so it may be something to consider in years ahead.
They have also said that they can burn through some of the inflamation and fix my deviated septum by surgery. Also something I'm not thrilled with right now.
So for now, it's back to the daily grind of nose-spray, Reactine, etc. My arm itches. But at least now maybe my GP will believe me when I say that I'm REALLY allergic to cats. It's scientifically tested.
They prescribed nose spray they want me to use for two months at least. They tend not to prescribe allergy shots for cat allergies because there is some risk of side effects. There's a new treatment out (for about 4-5 months) called Anti-IGE, marketed under the name Xolair, which is a self-administered injection taken every two weeks, and is very, very effective. it stops IGEs, which cause all allergies, so if you take this, you're pretty much allergy free. The downside, other than I'd have to give myself needles every 2 weeks, is that it's $20,000 a year. So that's out. The doctor thinks it'll come down in price in the future, so it may be something to consider in years ahead.
They have also said that they can burn through some of the inflamation and fix my deviated septum by surgery. Also something I'm not thrilled with right now.
So for now, it's back to the daily grind of nose-spray, Reactine, etc. My arm itches. But at least now maybe my GP will believe me when I say that I'm REALLY allergic to cats. It's scientifically tested.
