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Mother and daughter getting allergy skin tests. Click on the photo to see a You Tube interview with another parent and child.
15 comments:
When I started with allergies I was 8 and really didn't want to take allergy shots. I was tested and tested for what I was allergic to and was going to have to get the shots until we found this. I've been taking it ever since and a year after going on it I was off any kinds of medicine. I'm still on it and am now about to turn 14. I went from three times a day under the tongue to once and my allergies have really improved. I also get the vials for drops once every season now instead of every three weeks. It's really worked for me so it's definitely worth a look at.
I've had allergies since I was a kid and use to take shots all the time. I decided to try the allergy drops for reasons I like to refer to as the 3 C's:
Comfort - no more soreness in my arms from needles.
Convenience - I can take the drops with me on business trips;.. no more missing weekly or biweekly appointments. It also keeps the boss happy being in the work office instead of the doctor's office.
Conservation - only 1 trip to the allergist every 2-3 months is a real GAS & TIME SAVER.
Besides the 3 C's, I'm told that allergy drops can accommodate more types of specific allergies than shots, which may be the reason I can co-exist with my 3 dogs while battling the other 15 things I'm allergic to. If only the Insurance companies would wake up and join us in the 21st century!
Hank
I've had allergies going on 5 years I believe and have taken the shots up until the drops became available. They are a little expensive and I have to pay out of pocket since CIGNA won't pay for them, but I can honestly say I haven't had to take any other allergy sprays or pills since, except in winter when cold season comes around.
I am 14 years old, and finished taking drops almost 18 months ago. I took the drops for three years, aproximatley 3 times a day. The drops were really easy to take, didnt hurt or make me feel sick. I also feel like they worked really well and I haven't felt sick for a long time. I would recommend taking the drops if you have been suffering from allergies like me.
As a college student, I spend a lot of time away from home. When I first went away to college, I was well in charge of my allergies and didn't have much of a problem with cats and dust and such. When I came back home after several months, though, I had lost all resistance to the allergies that affect me in my house. I had to spend my days either outside or in my room like a boy in a bubble. The next time I was home I went to talk to Dr Levine and I started on the allergy drops. Now, I can play with my pets and go skiing and all of the things I love to do without fear of my allergies breaking out and ruining things. Allergy drops are also very convenient for me as opposed to shots because I can just bring them with me when I go to and from school.
Bottom line, this treatment has greatly improved my overall health and quality of life, and I recommend it to anyone who has problems with their allergies
I began using allergy drops and to my surprise they became effective much more quickly than the shots. I noticed an immediate difference in my skin, the allergy bumps were gone, and in my health. After a few months I got off track with the drops and when exposed to dust, mold, cats and dogs I was sneezing with watering eyes again. I just started the drops again and I know I will feel an immediate difference. Thank you!
Eight months ago I came to Doctor Levine complaining of a congestion and noise in my ear and although I have had allergies and sinus troubles most of my life this was nothing I experienced before.
I was not aware of any hearing loss because the symptoms were gradual and at first they were not perceptible. However, I am a pianist and I thought the instrument needing voicing only to realize that it was the result of congestions that affected my hearing.
I have beeon on medication since my fist visit and continue with drops; the pain and pressure have disappeared along with 90 percent of the noise symptom. I continue to improve with each office visit and my piano does not need voicing!
Thank you, Doctor Levine
Nam
I came to Dr Levine a couple of years ago with acute allergies and a bad case of allergy triggered asthma. At the time I was taking 4 different types of medications on a daily basis just to keep up and controll my allergies and asthma. I tried the injections with another allergist, but like many others fail to fully follow up with the weekly commitment that the injection theraphy requires. I have been on the sublingual drops for two years already and I cannot be any happier. Being able to self medicate from home has been a true homerun..and when I look back the cost is the same as all the copays I would have paid every week for injections. The drops have given me my life back. I stopped taking singulair about 1.5 years in to the therapy..I was very hesitant to do it..I was nervious just to think what if it doesnt work..well six months later..no regrets..I also have stopped taking Allegra 180mg two months ago..and that was hard to do..that medication is not only expensive, but it worked. So you could understand the hesitation on my part on trying to let go of my daily routine I had build up over the years. I am happy to report that Allegra is gone!!! and I feel great..my sense of smell is coming back..I fell more energetic and less lethargic all the time..even my wife says I am in a better mood..I am looking forward to the next few years with this treatment and finally being able to let go of all my medications.
Thank you Dr Levine, your advice and knowledge has given me the freedom to live my life.
When I was 7 years old I went through an allergy "shots" program to treat my wide range of allergy issues. I remember the pain and discomfort felt week after week. Now, nearly 20 years later I have started the allergy "drops" treatment and have been thrilled with the results! After only 6 months of treatment I can breathe much better and I had been suffering for a number of years. The drops are pain free and convenient...I'm glad I made this choice even though my insurance does not cover it.
I have been an allergy sufferer for years battling sinus infections and vertigo attacks. I started using the sublingual drops a year ago and see a dramatic improvement in my health. I know so many people suffering terribly this allergy season and I am feeling great. My almost 8 year old has terrible seasonal allergies so she has started the sublingual drops too. The drops are easy to use and very effective.
I’ve been allergic to cats my whole life – for those of you that are as well, you know how terrible it can be to go to someone’s house and within 30 minutes (or less) get itchy eyes, a runny nose and just feel worse and worse – and then you have to go home and get out the eye drops and meds and wait for relief! Well, that’s not the case for me anymore – after completing just the first year of allergy drop treatment I am happy to say that I am FINALLY able to safely and comfortably go to my the homes of friends and family who are cat lovers!
For as long as I can remember, I have always had terrible allergies. Stuffy noses and sinus headaches were just some of my many symptoms. I discovered Dr. Levine's office several years ago and since coming to this office I have done a complete turn around. I have tried both allergy shots and drops and found that the drops were very convenient and painless. Since using my allergy drops my allergies have improved immensely. I have yet to take any over the counter medications for my allergies and am glad that I have finally found something that works.
The allergy drop regimen recommended by Dr. Levine has worked very well for me. I've been on the program for about 2 years and have been able to do away with my inhalers, decongestants, etc.
I have been on the drops for 3+ years now and I will attest they have changed my life. Prior to starting the drops my allergies were so bad that I would need to carry tissues year round as well as suffer near debilitating symptoms during my prime allergy seasons. (You know the deal)
Now my symptoms are mild during what used to be the worst of days and I can't remember the last time I needed to use eye-drops. I still carry tissues with me, but now they're for my two year old instead of me. :)
If you're thinking about it, don't put it off any longer.
Our first appointment with Dr. Levine was about 2 years ago. At age 4, my son had been diagnosed with allergies to cats, dogs, tree pollen, ragweed and mold. He developed allergy induced asthma. His condition was deteriorating, even though we saw a pediatrician, and allergist, and ENT, a pediatric pulmonologist and a chiropractor several times a month. He coughed continually. He developed croup once a month during his allergy seasons. The more doctors we saw, the more medicines were prescribed. He was also given an anti-anxiety drug and antacids. He was on 2-6 medications per day depending on the season. He was on the nebulizer 2 weeks a month.
I tried every homeopathic remedy. We had our house tested for allergens, and it proved negative for mold, cats and dogs. We changed his diet, and for 3 years, I kept a calendar of his symptoms and tried to find a pattern.
But then it got worse. He developed obsessive behaviors, which I think were a reaction to all the medications. He developed a loud habit cough. People would stare at him. His body itched, inside and out. He chewed on his tongue. He did not sleep well, and woke up coughing and crying every morning. He missed 16 days of school his first year. In short, IT RULED OUR LIVES.
We started the immunotherapy and hoped for the best. It made sense to me that the drops accustomed his body to the allergens. The other medications only treated the symptoms, or masked the symptoms.
He’s been on the drops for 2 years. After a short time, we stopped using Singulair. Slowly, things changed for the better. Now he’s a happy 9-year old regular boy! He wakes up happy! He’s loveable. He’s not grumpy and irritable. He’s growing taller, and gaining weight because his appetite improved.
I don’t have to listen for the croup cough anymore. Do you know what it’s like to listen for the first cough in the morning? The wrong cough determines what you’re going to be doing today and for the next two weeks.
The whole family is happy. We can go places now. We can plan ahead!
I regret not doing this sooner. God Bless Dr. Levine! He changed our lives.
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