EpiPen, Polyps, Eye Issues, Oh My!




Two years into receiving shots at my Ear, Nose and Throat specialist’s allergy department, I was asked to wait half an hour after getting my injections. Prior to this, patients only waited ten minutes, then were checked for reactions before cleared by the technician and released. Talk amongst the patients was that someone had a delayed, serious reaction after leaving.

I had been looking forward to this, my third year of shots, because I’d only have to go once a month. But just as the year began, the rules changed. Patients now receive their shots every two weeks throughout the third year, as well as their second year.

During my last visit, the technician sent an electronic script to my pharmacy. I’m required to have an Epi-Pen , or not receive my shots. I never used or needed an EpiPen. Is this becoming state mandated? The rules had changed again.

Attributing my dry, itchy eyes to allergies, I asked my doctor why I still had these symptoms after years of allergy shots. My ENT explained this could be unrelated to allergies and that I’d need to go to a specific eye specialist to rule out a possible eye condition. I wear glasses, but an eye issue?

My ENT found a polyp forming when he examined the inside of my nose and sinuses. There’s always risks when accepting medical help, and I’m sure I signed paperwork that stated possible polyps. While I’m grateful to receive allergy shots to see if they improve my health, I’m concerned that I may have exchanged familiar problems for a new one.

I feel bad for me, but mostly for my insurance company, which has paid for the bulk of my care. There’s no guarantee that by the end of this year, I’ll be reaction-free from the environmental and pet allergies that have compromised my life. I’ll require an additional 6 months of shots if I still have reactions. Then what?

CONVERSATION

9 comments:

  1. More shots of course. Bottoms up :)

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  2. Great post, Dawn. My daughter is getting shots just like you and her doctor did not require her getting an Epipen. If he refuses to continue your shots, I'll refer you to a doctor who will.

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    1. Thanks, Marie. Hope your daughter has success with her immunotherapy. And thank you for this information. That's why I posted this.

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  3. Wow, Dawn! I had no idea. As you say, you relieve one thing and another crops up. It’s a good thing you have all that insurance to help pay for all of it. I'm praying for you, my dear. Good luck with everything.

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  4. When I received allergy shots I had to wait 20 minutes afterwards so the nurse could check for "a reaction." This got me wondering: were they looking for symptoms such as congestion, watery eyes or sneezing? Weren't these the same maladies that led me to start getting the shots in the first place?

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  5. They were looking for too much swelling at the injection sight, your throat closing, tongue swelling, hives, etc. Anything life threatening. Also, they can adjust the stuff they inject if it's too much for the body to handle at that time. Thank you for your comment. Hope all goes well with your allergies.

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