Re: IgE Levels & Biggest Allergen

April 12, 2008

The standards for using Xolair is IgE that is greater than 30 and less then 700.

I have heard of some people taking it with IgE above 700 if their case is severe

enough. Before I started taking Xolair I used to endure incredible itching

whenever I'd hop in bed at night so I guess that could be considered a skin

allergy. Xolair has completely solved this problem. With asthma and an IgE of

254 - 345 you are a perfect candidate for Xolair. Many people have seen a large

improvement in with sinus problems so it treats a lot of other allergic

conditions that it's not intended to treat. Hopefully some day it will be a tad

more affordable. It will probably have to go off patent for that to happen.

Only 15 more years

billybaroo1958 <cajjz109@...> wrote: This

is just for my own edification, so nobody needs to answer if

they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

I know I have had the former since birth. It, however, has been very

well controlled through minimal inhaled corticosteroids since about

1990. The EE may have been around for more years than I know, but I

have only had problems with it in the last two years. Nonetheless,

except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I haven't visited a

hospital for either in any crisis situation since I was about 15. I am

now 49.

The question is: what are you IgE levels and what is the largest IgE

level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started at about 254 when I

was first tested about two years ago and is now about 345 (prior to

Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by far is wheat and

gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both for over a year.

The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but primarlily with

skin allergies, which is not typical.

__________________________________________________

April 12, 2008

Thanks, what I meant to say with this though is when

one had their IgE levels tested did one also have

individual alergens tested via RAST or Immunocap? I to

had skin allergies, but all the time, and it really

got bad for some reason two years ago.

--- McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote:

> The standards for using Xolair is IgE that is

> greater than 30 and less then 700. I have heard of

> some people taking it with IgE above 700 if their

> case is severe enough. Before I started taking

> Xolair I used to endure incredible itching whenever

> I'd hop in bed at night so I guess that could be

> considered a skin allergy. Xolair has completely

> solved this problem. With asthma and an IgE of 254

> - 345 you are a perfect candidate for Xolair. Many

> people have seen a large improvement in with sinus

> problems so it treats a lot of other allergic

> conditions that it's not intended to treat.

> Hopefully some day it will be a tad more affordable.

> It will probably have to go off patent for that to

> happen. Only 15 more years

>

> billybaroo1958 <cajjz109@...> wrote:

> This is just for my own

> edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and

> Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> I know I have had the former since birth. It,

> however, has been very

> well controlled through minimal inhaled

> corticosteroids since about

> 1990. The EE may have been around for more years

> than I know, but I

> have only had problems with it in the last two

> years. Nonetheless,

> except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I

> haven't visited a

> hospital for either in any crisis situation since I

> was about 15. I am

> now 49.

>

> The question is: what are you IgE levels and what

> is the largest IgE

> level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started

> at about 254 when I

> was first tested about two years ago and is now

> about 345 (prior to

> Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by

> far is wheat and

> gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both

> for over a year.

> The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but

> primarlily with

> skin allergies, which is not typical.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

April 12, 2008

do you know why the Ige has to be under 700? My daughters is almost 6,000 and I

am trying to get it for her. Jean

---- McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote:

> The standards for using Xolair is IgE that is greater than 30 and less then

700. I have heard of some people taking it with IgE above 700 if their case is

severe enough. Before I started taking Xolair I used to endure incredible

itching whenever I'd hop in bed at night so I guess that could be considered a

skin allergy. Xolair has completely solved this problem. With asthma and an

IgE of 254 - 345 you are a perfect candidate for Xolair. Many people have seen

a large improvement in with sinus problems so it treats a lot of other allergic

conditions that it's not intended to treat. Hopefully some day it will be a tad

more affordable. It will probably have to go off patent for that to happen.

Only 15 more years

>

> billybaroo1958 <cajjz109@...> wrote:

This is just for my own edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> I know I have had the former since birth. It, however, has been very

> well controlled through minimal inhaled corticosteroids since about

> 1990. The EE may have been around for more years than I know, but I

> have only had problems with it in the last two years. Nonetheless,

> except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I haven't visited a

> hospital for either in any crisis situation since I was about 15. I am

> now 49.

>

> The question is: what are you IgE levels and what is the largest IgE

> level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started at about 254 when I

> was first tested about two years ago and is now about 345 (prior to

> Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by far is wheat and

> gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both for over a year.

> The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but primarlily with

> skin allergies, which is not typical.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

April 12, 2008

Total IgE is supposed to be under 700 because the clinical trials were

only done in patients with IgE's less than 700. Prior to starting

Xolair almost 3 years ago, my IgE was just over 1100. My pulmo

justified starting it with 'well it can't hurt to try' and thank God

we did try it. While it did take close to 2 years to see any

significant improvement (my MD says it's b/c my IgE was so high), it

has literally changed my life.

Hope this helps,

Meagan

This is just for my own edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> > they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and Eosinophilic

Esophagitis.

> > I know I have had the former since birth. It, however, has been very

> > well controlled through minimal inhaled corticosteroids since about

> > 1990. The EE may have been around for more years than I know, but I

> > have only had problems with it in the last two years. Nonetheless,

> > except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I haven't visited a

> > hospital for either in any crisis situation since I was about 15.

I am

> > now 49.

> >

> > The question is: what are you IgE levels and what is the largest IgE

> > level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started at about 254

when I

> > was first tested about two years ago and is now about 345 (prior to

> > Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by far is wheat and

> > gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both for over a year.

> > The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but primarlily with

> > skin allergies, which is not typical.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

April 12, 2008

Yes, you have to have a RAST test in addition to an IgE test. I believe you

have to be allergic to a year round allergen to qualify for Xolair.

Larson <cajjz109@...> wrote:

Thanks, what I meant to say with this though is when

one had their IgE levels tested did one also have

individual alergens tested via RAST or Immunocap? I to

had skin allergies, but all the time, and it really

got bad for some reason two years ago.

--- McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote:

> The standards for using Xolair is IgE that is

> greater than 30 and less then 700. I have heard of

> some people taking it with IgE above 700 if their

> case is severe enough. Before I started taking

> Xolair I used to endure incredible itching whenever

> I'd hop in bed at night so I guess that could be

> considered a skin allergy. Xolair has completely

> solved this problem. With asthma and an IgE of 254

> - 345 you are a perfect candidate for Xolair. Many

> people have seen a large improvement in with sinus

> problems so it treats a lot of other allergic

> conditions that it's not intended to treat.

> Hopefully some day it will be a tad more affordable.

> It will probably have to go off patent for that to

> happen. Only 15 more years

>

> billybaroo1958 <cajjz109@...> wrote:

> This is just for my own

> edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and

> Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> I know I have had the former since birth. It,

> however, has been very

> well controlled through minimal inhaled

> corticosteroids since about

> 1990. The EE may have been around for more years

> than I know, but I

> have only had problems with it in the last two

> years. Nonetheless,

> except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I

> haven't visited a

> hospital for either in any crisis situation since I

> was about 15. I am

> now 49.

>

> The question is: what are you IgE levels and what

> is the largest IgE

> level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started

> at about 254 when I

> was first tested about two years ago and is now

> about 345 (prior to

> Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by

> far is wheat and

> gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both

> for over a year.

> The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but

> primarlily with

> skin allergies, which is not typical.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

April 12, 2008

Yes it helps. I thought maybe it was a precaution not to take f you IgE was so

high, but I guess it just might take longer. I'll take longer over never, lol.

Thanks for you help. jean

---- meagainbenny <bennetme@...> wrote:

> Total IgE is supposed to be under 700 because the clinical trials were

> only done in patients with IgE's less than 700. Prior to starting

> Xolair almost 3 years ago, my IgE was just over 1100. My pulmo

> justified starting it with 'well it can't hurt to try' and thank God

> we did try it. While it did take close to 2 years to see any

> significant improvement (my MD says it's b/c my IgE was so high), it

> has literally changed my life.

>

> Hope this helps,

> Meagan

>

> This is just for my own edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> > > they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and Eosinophilic

> Esophagitis.

> > > I know I have had the former since birth. It, however, has been very

> > > well controlled through minimal inhaled corticosteroids since about

> > > 1990. The EE may have been around for more years than I know, but I

> > > have only had problems with it in the last two years. Nonetheless,

> > > except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I haven't visited a

> > > hospital for either in any crisis situation since I was about 15.

> I am

> > > now 49.

> > >

> > > The question is: what are you IgE levels and what is the largest IgE

> > > level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started at about 254

> when I

> > > was first tested about two years ago and is now about 345 (prior to

> > > Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by far is wheat and

> > > gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both for over a year.

> > > The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but primarlily with

> > > skin allergies, which is not typical.

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

April 14, 2008

I was curious about other patients, because I don't fit much of the

mold as most of you do. The classic Xolair patient is one with

Allergic Asthma, who has dropping lung fucntion, with exacerbations

where inhaled corticosteroids become ineffective. In my case I have

been well controlled for more than 20 years with minimal inhaled

corticosteroids. I had some mild chronic urticaria over that time,

but was controlled with about 10mg of atarax every four or five

days. Then two years ago I got a bad respiratory virus that brought

on a chronic cough, drops in my lung function and bad urticaria

(dermographism). Three doctors later a group of doctors found

Eosinophilic Esophagitis, raised IgE levels and a score of positive

allergies via positive skin prick. But, despite a drop in lung

function my asthma was still mild. I never sneezed, or any other

allergic symptoms other than the uricaria. So, the conclusion was

an allergic disorder brought on by a respiratory virus.

The odd thing about me was that I had RAST and Immunocap after

the skin tests, and the tests still showed only one moderate

enviromental allergen and food allergies to wheat and gluten (of

which I stopped eating over a year ago). But, when I went on Xolair

it stopped all the hives, has dropped the eosinophils in my

esophagus, but I still have obstruction when I breath.

So, I was just curious with the original question if many of you

had multiple positive blood tests for aeroallergens and/or food?

> > This is just for my own

> > edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> > they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and

> > Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> > I know I have had the former since birth. It,

> > however, has been very

> > well controlled through minimal inhaled

> > corticosteroids since about

> > 1990. The EE may have been around for more years

> > than I know, but I

> > have only had problems with it in the last two

> > years. Nonetheless,

> > except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I

> > haven't visited a

> > hospital for either in any crisis situation since I

> > was about 15. I am

> > now 49.

> >

> > The question is: what are you IgE levels and what

> > is the largest IgE

> > level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started

> > at about 254 when I

> > was first tested about two years ago and is now

> > about 345 (prior to

> > Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by

> > far is wheat and

> > gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both

> > for over a year.

> > The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but

> > primarlily with

> > skin allergies, which is not typical.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

April 15, 2008

Hi,

I don't know about anyone else but my pulmo/allergist won't do

skin testing on me anymore because I'm so reactive he's afraid I'll go

into Anaphylactic Shock, so we've done a few blood tests for food

which my MD said aren't entirely accurate (something like you can get

a false negative but not a false positive). Anyway we've confirmed

that I'm quite reactive to strawberries (I ended up in the ER after

slicing them not even consuming any), and cantaloupe melon (same thing

I was feeding melon to my baby cousin and landed in the ER).

I'm allergic to other things (bee stings, shellfish augmentin,

etc...) but my MD said to just avoid them because that's all he would

tell me to do even if we did a test and it was positive. My IgE was

1100 prior to starting Xolair 375mg, every 2 wks about 3 years ago,

and it has helped with all of my allergies. For example, I went to the

Ophthalmologist today and the receptionist was eating strawberries (I

didn't see them until we were leaving otherwise I would've said

something) and my eyes were watering (I think my eyes watering freaked

the doctor out lol) but I even said to my Mom while in the doctor's

office, " I'm reacting to something, " and after we left I said to my

Mom " Can you imagine how I would've reacted if I wasn't on Xolair? " So

I think Xolair has kinda 'tamed' the reactions I have.

Anyway, I hope I answered your question.

Meagan

> > > This is just for my own

> > > edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> > > they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and

> > > Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> > > I know I have had the former since birth. It,

> > > however, has been very

> > > well controlled through minimal inhaled

> > > corticosteroids since about

> > > 1990. The EE may have been around for more years

> > > than I know, but I

> > > have only had problems with it in the last two

> > > years. Nonetheless,

> > > except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I

> > > haven't visited a

> > > hospital for either in any crisis situation since I

> > > was about 15. I am

> > > now 49.

> > >

> > > The question is: what are you IgE levels and what

> > > is the largest IgE

> > > level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started

> > > at about 254 when I

> > > was first tested about two years ago and is now

> > > about 345 (prior to

> > > Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by

> > > far is wheat and

> > > gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both

> > > for over a year.

> > > The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but

> > > primarlily with

> > > skin allergies, which is not typical.

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

April 15, 2008

Ok, that is reactive. I have a friend much like you, who if she

ingests or inhales anything she is sensitive to likely will have a

major respiratory reaction. I am not like that. Although I have had

allergic asthma in the past and my allergist is convinced by my skin

tests that I still do, I can't recall having an allergic reaction to

anything to which I am supposedly allergic. The prevailing opinion

in my case is that I am just atopic with no major sensitivities. So,

it is difficult for me to avoid everything. Up to recently I just

lived with it because I could but, then that turned on aspect got a

lot worse where I had a difficult time runnning and excersising, and

my skin became very allergic....non-stop. So, I went on Xolair to

try to reduce my baseline IgE with the hopes that my EE, Asthma and

Chronic Urticaria would improve. Only the latter has.

> > > > This is just for my own

> > > > edification, so nobody needs to answer if

> > > > they don't wish to answer. I have Asthma and

> > > > Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

> > > > I know I have had the former since birth. It,

> > > > however, has been very

> > > > well controlled through minimal inhaled

> > > > corticosteroids since about

> > > > 1990. The EE may have been around for more years

> > > > than I know, but I

> > > > have only had problems with it in the last two

> > > > years. Nonetheless,

> > > > except for occassional nausea and chest pain, I

> > > > haven't visited a

> > > > hospital for either in any crisis situation since I

> > > > was about 15. I am

> > > > now 49.

> > > >

> > > > The question is: what are you IgE levels and what

> > > > is the largest IgE

> > > > level for an allergen or allergens? My IgE started

> > > > at about 254 when I

> > > > was first tested about two years ago and is now

> > > > about 345 (prior to

> > > > Xolair in November). But, my biggest allergen by

> > > > far is wheat and

> > > > gluten ( I am not Celiac ). I have been off of both

> > > > for over a year.

> > > > The reason I ask is that Xolair has helped me, but

> > > > primarlily with

> > > > skin allergies, which is not typical.

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________

> > > >

April 20, 2008

My doctor sent me to Yale two years ago. My IgE levels are between 4,000 and

6,000 and I am on three shots every two weeks. The improvement was amazing

after about six months (now on it for a year and a half) - and I am off pred

except for my one inhaler and have only needed a two week antibiotic course

about two months ago. I have had no side affects that I have noticed - Except

as I mentioned before some time ago, since I am getting hamster DNA - I have

this overwhelming desire to be on an exercise wheel and sleep on wood chips.

Anne

----- Original Message ----

From: McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...>

Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:17:00 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] IgE Levels & Biggest Allergen

The standards for using Xolair is IgE that is greater than 30

and less then 700. I have heard of some people taking it with IgE above 700 if

their case is severe enough. Before I started taking Xolair I used to endure

incredible itching whenever I'd hop in bed at night so I guess that could be

considered a skin allergy. Xolair has completely solved this problem. With

asthma and an IgE of 254 - 345 you are a perfect candidate for Xolair. Many

people have seen a large improvement in with sinus problems so it treats a lot

of other allergic conditions that it's not intended to treat. Hopefully some

day it will be a tad more affordable. It will probably have to go off patent

for that to happen. Only 15 more years

billybaroo1958 <cajjz109sbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: