Two years into receiving shots at my Ear, Nose and
Throat specialist’s allergy department, I was asked to wait half an hour after
getting my injections. Prior to this, patients only waited ten minutes, then
were checked for reactions before cleared by the technician and released. Talk
amongst the patients was that someone had a delayed, serious reaction after
leaving.
I had been looking forward to this, my third year of
shots, because I’d only have to go once a month. But just as the year began,
the rules changed. Patients now receive their shots every two weeks throughout
the third year, as well as their second year.
During my last visit, the technician sent an
electronic script to my pharmacy. I’m required to have an Epi-Pen , or not
receive my shots. I never used or needed an EpiPen. Is this becoming state
mandated? The rules had changed again.
Attributing my dry, itchy eyes to allergies, I asked
my doctor why I still had these symptoms after years of allergy shots. My ENT
explained this could be unrelated to allergies and that I’d need to go to a
specific eye specialist to rule out a possible eye condition. I wear glasses,
but an eye issue?
My ENT found a polyp forming when he examined the
inside of my nose and sinuses. There’s always risks when accepting medical
help, and I’m sure I signed paperwork that stated possible polyps. While I’m
grateful to receive allergy shots to see if they improve my health, I’m
concerned that I may have exchanged familiar problems for a new one.
I feel bad for me, but mostly for my insurance
company, which has paid for the bulk of my care. There’s no guarantee that by
the end of this year, I’ll be reaction-free from the environmental and pet
allergies that have compromised my life. I’ll require an additional 6 months of
shots if I still have reactions. Then what?
