Guest guest Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Congratulations on getting started, and also on having found decent doctors. Most doctors will have you wait two hours after the shots, at least initially, and then maybe let it drop down to an hour. Mine would release me after one hour at this point --I've had seven shots--but I like to hang around for a second hour because I'm very prone to anaphylaxis and I'd rather not take a chance. One of my injections hurt a lot the first time, but I think the nurse who injected me was a bit of a clod. Since then, I've always made sure to be injected by " the good nurse " and it's always been pretty painless. Some people experience significant injection-site swelling, especially the first few times. I only had that when the clod injected me. Best of luck, Meryl Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive my first injections wednesday afternoon. I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday should be fun!) Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Hi, and welcome to our group! I haven't experienced any pain either during or after injections of Xolair. I can't remember anyone reporting any either, but I may be wrong about that. Xolair comes in powder form, and the nurse at your doctor's office will have to reconstitute it. Once reconstituted, Xolair is pretty thick, so it takes a little while to administer, but it's no big deal. the needles they use for the actual injection are pretty small. I haven't had any side effects, except that once I no longer needed pred I did experience some effects from pred withdrawal. Most people in this group saw improvement in their allergic symptoms within 3 months of starting Xolair but we do have some people who took six or more months to see significant improvement. I have terrible allergic sinuses. I have seen dramatic improvement in that area thanks to Xolair as well as in my asthma symptoms. I'd kill to have a triple boarded doctor like that. I think we all would. Take care and good luck, Addy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 Congratulations and welcome to the group. My IgE reading is 1195. I had to fight the insurance company for 2-3 months before they approved my shots. My dose and frequency is the same as yours. I just received my second shot in the Dr.'s office, they are relatively painless. I have no history of anaphylactic shock so the wait was approximately one hour. I have had no side effects, a little itching at injection site, but I do not feel that is Xolair, just needles & bandages over the site. I also have high hopes, It has been 3 weeks, my wife says she can notice a difference, breathing patterns etc, I " think " I feel a little better, but I have to keep in mind it has only been 3 weeks. All in all I am happy and when I read that people have gotten off of Predisone I am even more hopeful. It helped me to go through this site and read the posts, read the surveys, and talk to the people (they are a nice bunch). I was very concerned and this site has people that have " been there, done that " , it helped me a lot to know there is someone there when I say help or I quit! Thank you everybody.. Good luck meagainbenny and hang in there. On Apr 30, 2005, at 9:24 PM, meagainbenny wrote: > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday > should be fun!) > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > appreciate it > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2005 Report Share Posted May 1, 2005 hi. welcome to the group. i've had a horrible time with allergies since i was a baby. xolair has defintely helped me. i still need allergy meds, and i still have trouble with allergies, but at lest i can function. before xolair, i was ready to lock myself in a room with my air purifier! my IgE before xolair was about 750 - so like you, i get 375 mg every two weeks. i've been on xolair over a year, and have not needed prednisone since thanksgiving!! (i was only on extended tapers, never a daily dose) its amazing. i also have extensive sinus issues, but unfortunately xolair didn't help them 100% - we're assuming they are not 100% allergy driven. i take biaxin 500 mg daily for the last four months - taking it for biaxin's antiinflamatory properties - already had 2 infections while on it, so i don't know if its working or not. when i tried allergy shots (one - onemillionth dilution? i can't remember. the dr told me essentially she waved the vial of allergen whatever over the saline - LOL) i started with an anaphylactic reaction. it was then we decided that allergy shots were not the way to go. i haven't had any problems with xolair. about three months after i started it, i was taught how to reconsitute it and inject it myself. i do all that at my drs office (also a multi dr ---- asthma specialist/allergy/immunology). the office has me wait 15-30 minutes, but there are times i sneak out early. the shots don't hurt anymore than a regular shot, but they do take a while to inject b/c the xolair serum is so thick. it seems when i double my inhaled steroid i bruise at each injection site. (i take advair 500, but times like now when i'm struggling i add flovent 220 - four puffs a day - often it works to avoid the pred). good luck with the xolair. when do you start your shots?? be patient - it took me about six months to see any change, and about a year to get its full benefits. even thoguh i get the xolair every two weeks, when allergens are high, i notive i get a dip in relief somewhere between days 10 and 12, although xolair reps and my dr say i should not. happy xolair-ing! =o) heather : Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive my first injections wednesday afternoon. I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday should be fun!) Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really appreciate it Everybody has barriers and obstacles. If you look at them as containing fences that don't allow you to advance, then you're going to be a failure. If you look at them as hurdles that strengthen you each time you go over one, then you're going to be a success. Carson Surgeon __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 I am curious, you say your IgE is 1100 and " out of range for Xolair " . What have you been told about " out of range " . Mine is 1190 and have been told, " that is why you are such a good candidate for Xolair " . I do not think I understand this IgE thing. Thanks > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday > should be fun!) > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Thank You for your response -- and the same to everyone else who responded to my inquiry. I receive my first set of injections on this coming Wednesday May 4th -- I will let you know how it goes . Thanks Again, Meagan > hi. welcome to the group. i've had a horrible time with allergies since i was a baby. xolair has defintely helped me. i still need allergy meds, and i still have trouble with allergies, but at lest i can function. before xolair, i was ready to lock myself in a room with my air purifier! > > my IgE before xolair was about 750 - so like you, i get 375 mg every two weeks. i've been on xolair over a year, and have not needed prednisone since thanksgiving!! (i was only on extended tapers, never a daily dose) its amazing. i also have extensive sinus issues, but unfortunately xolair didn't help them 100% - we're assuming they are not 100% allergy driven. i take biaxin 500 mg daily for the last four months - taking it for biaxin's antiinflamatory properties - already had 2 infections while on it, so i don't know if its working or not. > > when i tried allergy shots (one - onemillionth dilution? i can't remember. the dr told me essentially she waved the vial of allergen whatever over the saline - LOL) i started with an anaphylactic reaction. it was then we decided that allergy shots were not the way to go. i haven't had any problems with xolair. about three months after i started it, i was taught how to reconsitute it and inject it myself. i do all that at my drs office (also a multi dr ---- asthma specialist/allergy/immunology). the office has me wait 15-30 minutes, but there are times i sneak out early. the shots don't hurt anymore than a regular shot, but they do take a while to inject b/c the xolair serum is so thick. it seems when i double my inhaled steroid i bruise at each injection site. (i take advair 500, but times like now when i'm struggling i add flovent 220 - four puffs a day - often it works to avoid the pred). > > good luck with the xolair. when do you start your shots?? be patient - it took me about six months to see any change, and about a year to get its full benefits. even thoguh i get the xolair every two weeks, when allergens are high, i notive i get a dip in relief somewhere between days 10 and 12, although xolair reps and my dr say i should not. > > happy xolair-ing! =o) > > heather > > : > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday > should be fun!) > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > appreciate it > > > > Everybody has barriers and obstacles. If you look at them as containing fences that don't allow you to advance, then you're going to be a failure. If you look at them as hurdles that strengthen you each time you go over one, then you're going to be a success. > Carson > Surgeon > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Hi -- I'm gonna attempt to explain IgE -- we'll see how it goes; antibodies are cells in immune system that are created as a response to an antigen. IgE is an antibody that is created specifically in response to allergens. Normally, a person's IgE is around 50 (according to my MD) and so if you have an increased IgE level, that means that you are allergic to more things; your body is creating more and more IgE in response to allergens that you are allergic to. The IgE, once created binds to the surface of mast cells (the cells in the body that have histamine and other 'mediators' that create allergic responses and airway constriction which leads to asthma symptoms). When an allergen is introduced to the body again, and it is introduced in large enough quantities, it 'binds-to' (fits into like two puzzle pieces) the IgE on the surface of the mast cell. When the two pieces fit together this triggers the mast cell to explode thus releasing all of its histamine and other mediators directly into the blood stream. Xolair works to bind with IgE before the IgE attaches itself to the mast cells - thus stopping the problem before it even has a chance to start. Xolair is only approved to treat IgE levels of 700 or less (depending on weight). So when I stated that I was 'out-of range' for Xolair, I meant that my IgE level is higher than 700 (mine is 1100) and so Xolair has not been approved for treatment of an IgE level that high. However, many physicians treat patients with Xolair despite IgE levels higher than 700 simply because they hope it will work effectively and they have tried everything else. So a high IgE level makes you a good candidate for Xolair, but not too high of an IgE level (to an extent). The following website contains the dosing charts for Xolair, and you can see that in the left-hand column, IgE levels only go up to 700 and then it says 'do not dose'. Again, if you are being treated with Xolair despite a IgE level higher than 700 it is because your doctor feels its necessary to treat you even though the studies by the drug company on effectiveness of Xolair in IgE levels higher than 700 have not been done or have not released yet. I hope this helps Meagan --- In , " ronaldcrpntr " <cowtrail@c...> wrote: > I am curious, you say your IgE is 1100 and " out of range for Xolair " . What have you been > told about " out of range " . Mine is 1190 and have been told, " that is why you are such a > good candidate for Xolair " . I do not think I understand this IgE thing. > Thanks > > --- In , " meagainbenny " <bennetme@s...> wrote: > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two weeks > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my IgE is > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my pulmonologist/ > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) really > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is about an > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who trained > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in her > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday or > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the triple > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians office > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to receive > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they will > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are painful > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and any > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra 180mg > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times a > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), omnicef, > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name basis > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really excited > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the extra > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to kiss me > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so wednesday > > should be fun!) > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2005 Report Share Posted May 2, 2005 Current trials (primarily for peanut allergy) are including people with IgE up to 1300. The main problem with prior studies having included only people with IgE under 700 is that insurance companies can use that as an excuse to try not to cover it. My insurance company tried, but I was eventually approved. Meryl The fact that Xolair has not been explictly approved for IgE levels over 700 does not mean that Xolair won't work for you ... it just means that they haven't completed or done the clinical trials yet to determine that. Your doctor wouldn't have prescribed it if he/she didn't think it was going to do any good for you. I would think (i'm guessing) that if anything, when faced with an IgE level higher than 700 that the xolair might just take a little bit longer to 'kick-in' or for the results to last as long as they do for people with lower IgE's -- then again, it may work faster for us high IgE people -- who knows -- thats what clinical trials are for. Meagan > > > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two > > weeks > > > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > > > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my > > IgE is > > > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my > > pulmonologist/ > > > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) > > really > > > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > > > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > > > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is > > about an > > > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who > > trained > > > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in > > her > > > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > > > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > > > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday > > or > > > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the > > triple > > > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians > > office > > > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to > > receive > > > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they > > will > > > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are > > painful > > > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and > > any > > > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > > > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra > > 180mg > > > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times > > a > > > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > > > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), > > omnicef, > > > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name > > basis > > > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really > > excited > > > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the > > extra > > > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to > > kiss me > > > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so > > wednesday > > > > should be fun!) > > > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > > > appreciate it > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2005 Report Share Posted May 3, 2005 I appreciate the explanation. Now my only worry is, is my IgE levels to high and will Xolair do any good. Time will tell and i do thank you. Ron On May 2, 2005, at 10:51 AM, Meagan wrote: > Hi -- > I'm gonna attempt to explain IgE -- we'll see how it goes; > antibodies are cells in immune system that are created as a response > to an antigen. IgE is an antibody that is created specifically in > response to allergens. Normally, a person's IgE is around 50 > (according to my MD) and so if you have an increased IgE level, that > means that you are allergic to more things; your body is creating > more and more IgE in response to allergens that you are allergic to. > The IgE, once created binds to the surface of mast cells (the cells > in the body that have histamine and other 'mediators' that create > allergic responses and airway constriction which leads to asthma > symptoms). When an allergen is introduced to the body again, and it > is introduced in large enough quantities, it 'binds-to' (fits into > like two puzzle pieces) the IgE on the surface of the mast cell. When > the two pieces fit together this triggers the mast cell to explode > thus releasing all of its histamine and other mediators directly into > the blood stream. > Xolair works to bind with IgE before the IgE attaches itself to > the mast cells - thus stopping the problem before it even has a > chance to start. Xolair is only approved to treat IgE levels of 700 > or less (depending on weight). So when I stated that I was 'out-of > range' for Xolair, I meant that my IgE level is higher than 700 (mine > is 1100) and so Xolair has not been approved for treatment of an IgE > level that high. However, many physicians treat patients with Xolair > despite IgE levels higher than 700 simply because they hope it will > work effectively and they have tried everything else. So a high IgE > level makes you a good candidate for Xolair, but not too high of an > IgE level (to an extent). The following website contains the dosing > charts for Xolair, and you can see that in the left-hand column, IgE > levels only go up to 700 and then it says 'do not dose'. > Again, if you are being treated with Xolair despite a IgE level > higher than 700 it is because your doctor feels its necessary to > treat you even though the studies by the drug company on > effectiveness of Xolair in IgE levels higher than 700 have not been > done or have not released yet. I hope this helps > Meagan > > > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two > weeks > > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my > IgE is > > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my > pulmonologist/ > > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) > really > > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is > about an > > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who > trained > > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in > her > > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday > or > > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the > triple > > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians > office > > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to > receive > > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they > will > > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are > painful > > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and > any > > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra > 180mg > > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times > a > > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), > omnicef, > > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name > basis > > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really > excited > > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the > extra > > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to > kiss me > > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so > wednesday > > > should be fun!) > > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > > appreciate it > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2005 Report Share Posted May 3, 2005 The fact that Xolair has not been explictly approved for IgE levels over 700 does not mean that Xolair won't work for you ... it just means that they haven't completed or done the clinical trials yet to determine that. Your doctor wouldn't have prescribed it if he/she didn't think it was going to do any good for you. I would think (i'm guessing) that if anything, when faced with an IgE level higher than 700 that the xolair might just take a little bit longer to 'kick-in' or for the results to last as long as they do for people with lower IgE's -- then again, it may work faster for us high IgE people -- who knows -- thats what clinical trials are for. Meagan > > > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two > > weeks > > > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and have > > > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my > > IgE is > > > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my > > pulmonologist/ > > > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) > > really > > > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went into > > > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- i'm > > > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is > > about an > > > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who > > trained > > > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots in > > her > > > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am the > > > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be prescribed > > > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor Monday > > or > > > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the > > triple > > > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians > > office > > > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to > > receive > > > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they > > will > > > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are > > painful > > > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), and > > any > > > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful that > > > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra > > 180mg > > > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 times > > a > > > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, advair > > > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), > > omnicef, > > > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name > > basis > > > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really > > excited > > > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the > > extra > > > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to > > kiss me > > > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so > > wednesday > > > > should be fun!) > > > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > > > appreciate it > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2005 Report Share Posted May 3, 2005 Thank you I am new to all this with no one to talk to. The nurse and Dr have been somewhat informative but I think this is new to them too. This explains maybe why the insurance company fought me for three months and I had to go to my Congressman, etc to force approval. I'll stop worrying and get on with my life. At the risk of sounding " polly-annish " , this group has helped me so much with support and information. If things seem trivial to some, to others it is important. My heart felt thanks. On May 2, 2005, at 9:56 PM, msbehavior@... wrote: > Current trials (primarily for peanut allergy) are including people > with IgE > up to 1300. The main problem with prior studies having included > only people > with IgE under 700 is that insurance companies can use that as an > excuse to try > not to cover it. My insurance company tried, but I was eventually > approved. > > Meryl > The fact that Xolair has not been explictly approved for IgE levels > over 700 does not mean that Xolair won't work for you ... it just > means that they haven't completed or done the clinical trials yet to > determine that. Your doctor wouldn't have prescribed it if he/she > didn't think it was going to do any good for you. I would think (i'm > guessing) that if anything, when faced with an IgE level higher than > 700 that the xolair might just take a little bit longer to 'kick-in' > or for the results to last as long as they do for people with lower > IgE's -- then again, it may work faster for us high IgE people -- who > knows -- thats what clinical trials are for. > Meagan > > > > > > > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two > > > weeks > > > > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and > have > > > > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my > > > IgE is > > > > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my > > > pulmonologist/ > > > > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) > > > really > > > > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went > into > > > > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- > i'm > > > > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > > > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is > > > about an > > > > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who > > > trained > > > > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots > in > > > her > > > > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am > the > > > > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be > prescribed > > > > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > > > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor > Monday > > > or > > > > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the > > > triple > > > > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > > > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians > > > office > > > > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to > > > receive > > > > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > > > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they > > > will > > > > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are > > > painful > > > > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), > and > > > any > > > > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful > that > > > > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra > > > 180mg > > > > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 > times > > > a > > > > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, > advair > > > > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > > > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), > > > omnicef, > > > > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > > > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name > > > basis > > > > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really > > > excited > > > > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the > > > extra > > > > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > > > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to > > > kiss me > > > > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so > > > wednesday > > > > > should be fun!) > > > > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > > > > appreciate it > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 I know a half dozen folks or so with IgEs well over 700 - myself included - who've done very well on Xolair. All of these folks - myself included - get the highest dosage. Addy > > > > > Hi all -- I just got approved for Xolair 375mg every two > > > weeks > > > > > by my ins co. with very little fight (yay) lol. I am 18 and > have > > > > > horrible allergies, chronic sinusitis and allergic asthma - my > > > IgE is > > > > > 1100. I know my IgE is out of range for Xolair but my > > > pulmonologist/ > > > > > allergist/ immunologist (all one guy -- he's triple boarded) > > > really > > > > > thinks that this is the only thing we haven't tried (I went > into > > > > > anaphylactic shock from my allergy shots at .10 mg (yeah -- > i'm > > > > > REALLY allergic to everything they can test for). > > > > > The triple-boarded doctor that got this all approved is > > > about an > > > > > hour and a half away from my house so my pediatrician (who > > > trained > > > > > under the triple-boarded dr) is going to administer my shots > in > > > her > > > > > office. She had never even heard of xolair before me -- I am > the > > > > > first one in this VERY large pediatric practice to be > prescribed > > > > > xolair (in other words i'm their science experiment lol). My > > > > > pediatrician is going to talk to the triple-boarded doctor > Monday > > > or > > > > > Tuesday to get full instructions on what to do etc... b/c the > > > triple > > > > > boarded guy prescribes this medicine often apparently. > > > > > Curascript is going to deliver my xolair to the pediatricians > > > office > > > > > this coming wednesday morning (may 4 2005) and I am going to > > > receive > > > > > my first injections wednesday afternoon. > > > > > I was wondering what to expect in terms of how long they > > > will > > > > > probably have me wait after the shots, whether the shots are > > > painful > > > > > (not that it really matters -- I just want to be prepared), > and > > > any > > > > > side effects, etc.... to expect. I'm so excited and hopeful > that > > > > > xolair will work for me -- because at present I am on: allegra > > > 180mg > > > > > twice a day, atarax (kinda like prescription benadryl) 2-5 > times > > > a > > > > > day, singulair 10mg daily, pseudovent 400mg twice daily, > advair > > > > > 500/50 twice daily and I just came off of a 7 week tour-de- > > > > > antibiotics (vantin, clindamycin (yeah 4x daily -- not fun), > > > omnicef, > > > > > and finally ceftin) for a really bad sinus infection turned > > > > > bronchitis. Its gotten so bad lately that I am on a first name > > > basis > > > > > with my pediatrician of a couple of months lol. So i'm really > > > excited > > > > > for wednesday and so is my pediatrician (she really went the > > > extra > > > > > mile for me and fought with my insurance company so its like a > > > > > victory for her too -- she about lept through the phone to > > > kiss me > > > > > with excitement when i told her i had been approved -- so > > > wednesday > > > > > should be fun!) > > > > > Anyway -- thanks for any info you can provide -- I really > > > > > appreciate it > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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