Doctor Will Talk to Me About Xolair - My Concerns & Questions

January 6, 2007

Hi ~~

Read several posts here and found it interesting to read about

others who have rashes just walking through the yard - that's me,

too! Also, trying so hard to breathe that I've nearly thrown up and

gasping for air after walking a short distance. My IgE ranges from

350 to 405. I've been allergic since infancy and asthma since early

childhood.

My doctor will talk to me about xolair (the doc's idea) in a

couple weeks. I'm assuming insurance will approve it. I've read on

the internet about it and a coule years ago another doc suggested it

but I stopped going to him and have never received the treatment.

I've got lots of questions I'd like to ask of " real people " - that

is, patients who have gone through the xolair treatment.

1. Did you have to wait in the doc's office after the injection?

2. How much did the shot hurt?

3. Did it affect any other body systems that could be

embarrassing all of a sudden such as urinary, colon, or fainting or

dizziness or disorientation? Sudden emotional reaction? (laughing,

crying, anger) (should I take some extra clothing " just in case " ? -

I'm really embarrassed asking this)

4. Was there anything your health care provider told you to do

or not to do in regard to the xolair treatment?

5. Does anyone inject themself at home? (I somehow got the

impression I would be doing that)

6. Has anyone had a reaction to xolair several hours after the

injection - say 6 or 8 hours or the next day?

7. I read somewhere that if one reacts to bee stings (I do) that

it needs to be brought up to the doc. Anyone else hear that or do

that?

8. Is it anything like desensitization shots? (I couldn't get

beyond the mildest level)

9. If there's local swelling or itching does the healthcare

provider give you any treatment?

10. Anything else I should think about or bring up to my doc?

As you can see, I'm also really nervous and uneasy. The inhaled and

pill treatments have definite drawbacks too so it's sort've between

a " rock and a hard spot. " It would be great to have a treatment that

doesn't backfire!

Thanks, everyone!

Recommended Posts