Allergy Testing

**Libby** · 04-24-2007, 07:21 PM

Becuase I have been constantly sick since January and my latest bit is having this dry cough, sometimes hacking attacks with a severe post nasal drip afterwards my doctor has suggested I go see an 'allergist' to see what could be causing the cough. (I now have a bruised rib on the right hand side from coughing so much. Moving, breathing, laughing, coughing and sneezing really has me doubled over in pain - forget driving!)

I have had chest xrays done, tons of cough syrup and tablets....theres only one thing left to do - get my allergies tested to see exactly WHAT I am allergic to.

My boss at work suggested I go see a 'naturopath' to diagnose my allergies vs the traditional painful time consuming multi pin prick test done by the doctors. She said the naturopath ONLY needs a few drops of blood vs being poked on your back several times and then 'contaminated' with allergens.

Im not sure how this whole crazy thing works. Has anyone had allergy tests done? Anyone ever seen a naturopath? Whats the real difference? Are they both just as effective?

**Radish4ever** · 04-24-2007, 08:11 PM

I've never been to a naturopath but I did get allergy testing done after having symptoms like yours for over 6 months (and almost losing my job bc I wasn't there much due to feeling sick all the time!)

Turns out I was allergic to corn, soy, wheat, tomatoes, onions, cockroaches (found in A LOT of our processed foods, unfortunately!), mold, and dustmites

I did injections for a year and a half and drastically changed my diet but now I'm good as new, no diet restrictions and no shots

I didn't stop for any reason except I couldn't afford shots anymore

**Luv2BeFrugal1** · 04-25-2007, 12:29 AM

I tried the regular M.D. approach for a while...did the testing, too. Ended up having OVER 40 allergies! Their solution was to leave me on 2 inhalers, nose spray, and giving myself shots everyday as I had attacks (the worst day I had to give myself 15 shots...no, I'm not exaggerating...it was horrible).

I ended up going to a chiropractor that did NAET testing and treatment.
http://www.naet.com/

I'm prescription AND allergy free!

I had never been exposed to natural medicine, muscle testing, etc. It seemed hokey to me at first.

But, the most important thing...IT WORKED!!

**Libby** · 04-26-2007, 11:59 PM

Wow thanks for the link - its very useful info and theres a few doctors/'wellness clinics' not too far from me. I will have to research this further....can you tell me if it was very costly to have the NEAT treatments? I know - theres no monetary value on health but I can sure try to buget right?!

**banana** · 04-27-2007, 05:46 AM

My son just completed 3 series of allergy shots. We found that he is allergic to almost everything outside. He gets 2 shots a week. I am very happy with the allergist that we go to.

**Mamaw** · 04-27-2007, 07:51 PM

Allergy testing is not really painful. I am a big coward when it comes to any medical procedures but this is just a series of little pin pricks. They really do not hurt at all. I found I am alergic to dust and mold. It makes it hard when outdoors due to dust and mold in the soil and air. Then inside it is hard because I am "not" the best housekeeper in the world. Get tested and get some help. You will feel much better and life will greatly improve.

**Libby** · 05-10-2007, 08:05 PM

Ok, my referral is in from my family doctor to the allergist. I will go mid June.

Im SOOO not excited to be pricked by 30 needles/arm.

When I found out I basically freaked but I think its time I actually found out what Im allergic too - officially.

Lord give me strength to not

the doctor for putting pin pricks in me. I think the only reason why Im going is b/c my curosity has been peaked.

Now, can someone please tell me literally what do they do?? Im so scared!

**Edna_E** · 05-10-2007, 08:13 PM

I've had testing. It's not too bad, basically the dab your back with lot of little spots of stuff to see if you react to any. In my case I reacted to ALL of the native southwest grasses (GREAT fun in a rainy year!) so extremely that when the nurse came in to check on me she gasped. Well, considering that I'd ended up in the ER unable to breathe, I knew to expect something...

Anyway, I hope you can get some answers, and some relief. My mom swears by Mullein Extract - does something to keep it running out your nose instead of going into your chest??? Mine doesn't make stuff, I just swell up, and sometimes swell closed.

**Libby** · 05-17-2007, 07:27 PM

Hrm...now Im wondering...is it dabs of stuff or pin pricks? On your back or your arms? Im getting worried.

I just got a call today at work - Im on a cancellation list and there was one this afternoon. I got bumped up to next Wed until then I cant take any antihistamines

Man this will NOT be a fun week, I will be hacking my lungs out like crazy and oozing snot

Gee aint I so nice to paint such a lovely mental picture for y'all?

Until next Wed, I wont know what Im truly allergic to.

Oh yeah, do you get the results right away - like after your test?

**Neeley** · 05-17-2007, 07:34 PM

DS had the series of test done a year ago. His was 28 (or maybe 25) little pricks on his back. He never flinched and said he barely felt it. The worst part was the waiting the twenty or so minutes (I forgot how long you have to wait) after they prick you to see what, if anything is going to cause a reaction. Keeping a ten year old laying on his belly was not fun.

Good luck, I hope it won't be as bad as you are expecting.

Oh yea, we got his results right then.

**Radish4ever** · 05-17-2007, 07:52 PM

results are immediate - good luck!

**Libby** · 05-17-2007, 08:05 PM

Oh one more question - do they poke you one by one and wait or do they poke you and test you all at once? I was told I'd need to be there for about 2-3 hours

I am SOOOO not a fan of ANY needles

**cheriede** · 05-17-2007, 09:00 PM

My DD, who was 6 years old at the time, had allergy testing about 1 1/2 years ago. They tested her for 26 different things and there were about 3 panels with 8 needles and 1 panels that had 2 needles. They simply placed 4 panels on her back to prick her skin. It was pretty rough on my daughter, but she was only 6 at the time. Out of that panel of 26, she was allergic to 23 of those things. She did cry while they were pricking her skin and continued to cry afterwards. I think a lot of her reaction was her age and she is tends to be a drama queen anyways. I don't doubt that it was pretty uncomfotable for her. She continued to cry afterward because her back was itching like crazy and the only thing that I could do was blow on her back. Anyways, good luck with your testing!