Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Welcome , There are quite a few things to consider. First: Are you in an environment at home or work where your IgE is continually building? Are you allergic to Oak, and are a cabinet maker? Second: Were you taking antihistamines or on any steroid when the IgE was drawn? This may produce a falsely low IgE report. Third: Are you on the cusp of being at a higher dose due to weight? In all these cases your dosage of 150mg may not be high enough. Speak to your physician, you may need 225mg or 300mg. Do yourself a favor, allergy proof your house and work site as much as possible including an air filtration system (HEPA filters in vacuum, ducts, and maybe ionic breeze at work & bedroom) speak to your physician about the dosage, and get back to us. Some insurance companies pay for air filtration systems if MD writes a prescription for them. Call your ins. co. first and hten ask the MD to write it. Take care, Pat --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Pat, Is there any published work to suggest that antihistamines can lower IgE? Since IgE levels are antibodies, it's hard to imagine that they'd be affected by antihistamines. (I take 16 antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers per day and my IgE was over 1000 the first time I had it tested. ) thanks, Meryl Were you taking antihistamines or on any steroid when the IgE was drawn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Hi Addy, I do have other triggers such as hot, humid weather or extremely cold weather. I always seem to feel worse when it rains but my worst triggers are related to allergies. I get very sick when I get into bed or wake up in the morning. My biggest trigger is dust mites and when the shot is working I don't have a problem sleeping. When the shot works it really works but there are times I feel as though I haven't had it at all. It's frustrating. Thanks, pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote: Welcome to the group! I haven't heard of this before, but it's possible other members have. Do you have any asthma triggers that are not allergy related that might explain this? I am glad you are experiencing some benefit, regardless. Addy > > I just found this message board so I'm anxious to ask a few > questions. My IgE levels are actually quite low at 44, compared to > some of the numbers I have heard. Xolair (150) does work for me but > only some of the times. When I began getting the shot I didn't > notice an improvement for about 3 months, which is typical. The > shots have kicked in but it seems it will work one month but not the > next so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same result. > > I had one occasion when the nurse didn't mix the medication properly > and I found there was no effect for the entire month. I've heard > the injection site will become irritated if the meds aren't mixed > right but I haven't heard whether the shot will actually work or not. > > My most recent shot was mixed properly (I'm basing this on the > length of time it takes the nurse to push it) but I feel as though I > haven't had the shot at all. My rescue inhaler usage has gone from > about 1x/day (when shot is working) to 5, 6, and 7x/day. > > I'm wondering if any other Xolair patients have experienced similar > results - i.e. works one month but not the next? > > Thanks, > > > > P.S. I'm also taking Advair 500/50, Alupent (Albuterol doesn't work > for me), and Flonase. I'm moderate and persistent and, fortunately, > not dependant on Prednisone. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Hi Pat, My biggest trigger is dust mites, oak or any type of wood doesn't seem to bother me. I take 50 of Benadryl regularly to help me fall asleep. I was taking that in addition to Advair 500/50 when the IgE levels were drawn. My weight has stayed constant for the longest time so I don't think my dose it too low unless it is due to a false IgE count. The part that really puzzles me is Xolair will work wonders one month and then nothing the next. This has happened several times so I'm really puzzled. I've done all the things you mentioned about allergy proofing myself, including freezing my sheets and using an air tight mattress cover. When the shot isn't working nothing seems to help. It just puzzles me why the shot will work one month but not the next. Thanks, MommaA <mommaa@...> wrote: Welcome , There are quite a few things to consider. First: Are you in an environment at home or work where your IgE is continually building? Are you allergic to Oak, and are a cabinet maker? Second: Were you taking antihistamines or on any steroid when the IgE was drawn? This may produce a falsely low IgE report. Third: Are you on the cusp of being at a higher dose due to weight? In all these cases your dosage of 150mg may not be high enough. Speak to your physician, you may need 225mg or 300mg. Do yourself a favor, allergy proof your house and work site as much as possible including an air filtration system (HEPA filters in vacuum, ducts, and maybe ionic breeze at work & bedroom) speak to your physician about the dosage, and get back to us. Some insurance companies pay for air filtration systems if MD writes a prescription for them. Call your ins. co. first and hten ask the MD to write it. Take care, Pat --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Do you have carpeting in your bedroom? If so, please get rid of it you can in favor of tile. Curtains should be gone also. Blinds wiped at least weekly with bounce sheets keep dust from collecting. Hepa filter in the air ducts and ionic breeze in the bedroom if you can afford it. Ask your physician where you fall on the scale for prescription of xolair. If you are close to the cut off, ask him to increase the dose. As for coughing, have you tried tessalon perles? If n ot ask your MD for some. There are cough preparations that he can give you to get over the hump. Some are addicitive but used correctly for a short period of time (couple weeks) they are fine. Drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily will eventually thin the secretions so they don't bother you. Example if you weigh 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water daily. The weather may be a contributing factor of when you feel better & when you don't. Best thing to do is dust proof the bedroom if not completely dust profed, and speak to your physician about the rest. Take care, you'll get there. Pat --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Meryl, steroids may mask the IgE, and anti-histamines stop one of the cascades in the allergic response. I can't give you the research data, but do a search listing false IgE reports and you should find them. They are published in medical bulletins. Pat --------------------------------- Brings words and photos together (easily) with PhotoMail - it's free and works with . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Addy, I tried allergy shots and they made me sicker when I got up to the maintenance dose. I had to quit them after 1-year. I'll have to talk to the doc next month about the Xolair shot. I think that is going to be the key. Thx, pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote: Hi, - The only thing I can think of is what Pat already suggested - check with your doc about increasing your dose and look for other triggers you can eliminate or lower. Have you changed your mattress or encased it and still had no improvement? Are you on allergy shots. Maybe an allergy shot for dust mites alone in combination with Xolair might be helpful. (You're probably already doing that, tho.) I, too, have weather related issues. I hate it. Good luck, Addy > > > > I just found this message board so I'm anxious to ask a few > > questions. My IgE levels are actually quite low at 44, compared > to > > some of the numbers I have heard. Xolair (150) does work for me > but > > only some of the times. When I began getting the shot I didn't > > notice an improvement for about 3 months, which is typical. The > > shots have kicked in but it seems it will work one month but not > the > > next so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same result. > > > > I had one occasion when the nurse didn't mix the medication > properly > > and I found there was no effect for the entire month. I've heard > > the injection site will become irritated if the meds aren't mixed > > right but I haven't heard whether the shot will actually work or > not. > > > > My most recent shot was mixed properly (I'm basing this on the > > length of time it takes the nurse to push it) but I feel as though > I > > haven't had the shot at all. My rescue inhaler usage has gone > from > > about 1x/day (when shot is working) to 5, 6, and 7x/day. > > > > I'm wondering if any other Xolair patients have experienced > similar > > results - i.e. works one month but not the next? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > P.S. I'm also taking Advair 500/50, Alupent (Albuterol doesn't > work > > for me), and Flonase. I'm moderate and persistent and, > fortunately, > > not dependant on Prednisone. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Did you check your pillow??? It may be a feather pillow and you may have to change to a synphetic one. I found that this made some difference for me. I have had problems with asthma since I moved out of my local area in Minnesota. Now I am in Chicago. Sr. Volz, C.R. pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote: Hi, - The only thing I can think of is what Pat already suggested - check with your doc about increasing your dose and look for other triggers you can eliminate or lower. Have you changed your mattress or encased it and still had no improvement? Are you on allergy shots. Maybe an allergy shot for dust mites alone in combination with Xolair might be helpful. (You're probably already doing that, tho.) I, too, have weather related issues. I hate it. Good luck, Addy > > > > I just found this message board so I'm anxious to ask a few > > questions. My IgE levels are actually quite low at 44, compared > to > > some of the numbers I have heard. Xolair (150) does work for me > but > > only some of the times. When I began getting the shot I didn't > > notice an improvement for about 3 months, which is typical. The > > shots have kicked in but it seems it will work one month but not > the > > next so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same result. > > > > I had one occasion when the nurse didn't mix the medication > properly > > and I found there was no effect for the entire month. I've heard > > the injection site will become irritated if the meds aren't mixed > > right but I haven't heard whether the shot will actually work or > not. > > > > My most recent shot was mixed properly (I'm basing this on the > > length of time it takes the nurse to push it) but I feel as though > I > > haven't had the shot at all. My rescue inhaler usage has gone > from > > about 1x/day (when shot is working) to 5, 6, and 7x/day. > > > > I'm wondering if any other Xolair patients have experienced > similar > > results - i.e. works one month but not the next? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > P.S. I'm also taking Advair 500/50, Alupent (Albuterol doesn't > work > > for me), and Flonase. I'm moderate and persistent and, > fortunately, > > not dependant on Prednisone. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 My pillows are polyester and seeled with air tight plastic covers. I use the type of covers you would use for a child who wets the bed. I doubt they are 100% air tight but I think it is as good as I can get. I tried using the ones you get from the allergy store but they didn't work very well. " Sr. Volz " <busnun1@...> wrote: Did you check your pillow??? It may be a feather pillow and you may have to change to a synphetic one. I found that this made some difference for me. I have had problems with asthma since I moved out of my local area in Minnesota. Now I am in Chicago. Sr. Volz, C.R. pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote: Hi, - The only thing I can think of is what Pat already suggested - check with your doc about increasing your dose and look for other triggers you can eliminate or lower. Have you changed your mattress or encased it and still had no improvement? Are you on allergy shots. Maybe an allergy shot for dust mites alone in combination with Xolair might be helpful. (You're probably already doing that, tho.) I, too, have weather related issues. I hate it. Good luck, Addy > > > > I just found this message board so I'm anxious to ask a few > > questions. My IgE levels are actually quite low at 44, compared > to > > some of the numbers I have heard. Xolair (150) does work for me > but > > only some of the times. When I began getting the shot I didn't > > notice an improvement for about 3 months, which is typical. The > > shots have kicked in but it seems it will work one month but not > the > > next so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same result. > > > > I had one occasion when the nurse didn't mix the medication > properly > > and I found there was no effect for the entire month. I've heard > > the injection site will become irritated if the meds aren't mixed > > right but I haven't heard whether the shot will actually work or > not. > > > > My most recent shot was mixed properly (I'm basing this on the > > length of time it takes the nurse to push it) but I feel as though > I > > haven't had the shot at all. My rescue inhaler usage has gone > from > > about 1x/day (when shot is working) to 5, 6, and 7x/day. > > > > I'm wondering if any other Xolair patients have experienced > similar > > results - i.e. works one month but not the next? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > P.S. I'm also taking Advair 500/50, Alupent (Albuterol doesn't > work > > for me), and Flonase. I'm moderate and persistent and, > fortunately, > > not dependant on Prednisone. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 P.S. Welcome to Chicago. I live on the south side of Chicago. It's probably the pollution down here that is making you worse. I always felt good when I took trips out west to cities with very low pollution. " Sr. Volz " <busnun1@...> wrote: Did you check your pillow??? It may be a feather pillow and you may have to change to a synphetic one. I found that this made some difference for me. I have had problems with asthma since I moved out of my local area in Minnesota. Now I am in Chicago. Sr. Volz, C.R. pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote: Hi, - The only thing I can think of is what Pat already suggested - check with your doc about increasing your dose and look for other triggers you can eliminate or lower. Have you changed your mattress or encased it and still had no improvement? Are you on allergy shots. Maybe an allergy shot for dust mites alone in combination with Xolair might be helpful. (You're probably already doing that, tho.) I, too, have weather related issues. I hate it. Good luck, Addy > > > > I just found this message board so I'm anxious to ask a few > > questions. My IgE levels are actually quite low at 44, compared > to > > some of the numbers I have heard. Xolair (150) does work for me > but > > only some of the times. When I began getting the shot I didn't > > notice an improvement for about 3 months, which is typical. The > > shots have kicked in but it seems it will work one month but not > the > > next so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same result. > > > > I had one occasion when the nurse didn't mix the medication > properly > > and I found there was no effect for the entire month. I've heard > > the injection site will become irritated if the meds aren't mixed > > right but I haven't heard whether the shot will actually work or > not. > > > > My most recent shot was mixed properly (I'm basing this on the > > length of time it takes the nurse to push it) but I feel as though > I > > haven't had the shot at all. My rescue inhaler usage has gone > from > > about 1x/day (when shot is working) to 5, 6, and 7x/day. > > > > I'm wondering if any other Xolair patients have experienced > similar > > results - i.e. works one month but not the next? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > P.S. I'm also taking Advair 500/50, Alupent (Albuterol doesn't > work > > for me), and Flonase. I'm moderate and persistent and, > fortunately, > > not dependant on Prednisone. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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