I prefer people with experience with allergy shots to advise: Do they really work and are they worth the price

Short answer ... YES !

Long answer see below...

Generally...

while EVERY Patient is different...

and every Patient has a different Allergy Profile....

and .. Allergy is just a "Piece" of the Macro Health Puzzle...

If a Patient does not "Turn the Corner" i.e. begin to feel better after 14 weeks of ImmunoTherapy... then maybe not enough Allergens were Tested / are being Treated ...

and / or Vaccine needs Adjustmentment.

STUDY SHEDS LIGHT ON ANOTHER BENEFIT TO IMMUNOTHERAPY

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

August 1999 — A study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Thursday proves that long-term immunotherapy for grass-pollen allergy induces remission of allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever." The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) echoes the importance and beneficial nature of immunotherapy, and further reinforces its use for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in appropriate patients. Allergic rhinitis affects 10-20 percent of the United States population and is responsible for $6 billion in health care costs. Studies have proven immunotherapy to be successful in up to 90 percent of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and in 70 to 80 percent with perennial allergic rhinitis.

In the study, lead researcher Dr. Stephen R. Durham of the National Heart and Lung Institute in London followed 32 patients who had received grass-pollen immunotherapy for at least three years. Symptoms did not return for three years in the patients who had received immunotherapy treatment, thus providing evidence that long-term immunotherapy has permanent benefits.

Allergen immunotherapy involves the repeated administration of gradually increasing doses of specific allergens to patients with certain allergies. The effectiveness of its use in appropriate patients is well documented and is recognized by immunologists throughout the world.

Allergy shots really did work for me. I was allergic to all types of pollen, mold spores, dogs and cats, plus several other things. The shots have helped a lot. I used to be housebound for five weeks in late summer because of ragweed allergies. I also was allergic to nearly all raw fruits and vegetables. I could not eat salad or even get watermelon juice on my hands without breaking out in a rash. I went to the allergist and got three shots at a time, once per week. It took two years before I could tell an improvement. After five years of being on the shots, my allergy to raw fruits and vegetables went away! Now I can eat salad, watermelon, bananas, oranges, etc. I don't even need antihistamines in the fall. I am still allergic to cats, but that is the only allergy the shots were for that it did not help. My series of shots lasted nine years and it has been six years since I discontinued them. I still have the benefit of the shots.

I took allergy shots for 7 years when I was younger. When I stopped coming down with bronchitus/pneumonia they took me off of them. I have been off of allergy shots for 16 years and when I was younger, I was sick ALL the time. But since my allergy shots, I have had bronchitus twice and no pneumonia but pneumonia usually comes after you let whatever has been making you sick, get out of control. As I have gotten older and since allergy shots, I have noticed that I do not have to take medication as often and I can breathe better than I ever could when I was younger. I think the allergy shots have helped me a lot and they have also helped a lot of people in my family as well.

I took allergy shots for over a year, and for me they were not worth it. The cost and the time required and the fact you have to take them for so long before you really see any benefits made it not worth it to me. If you have severe allergies, maybe it is something to consider, but I decided life with my allergy pills was just fine!

It really depends on what you are allergic to. Immunotherapy is not terribly effective on food allergies. It is more effective on environmental allergies. For a large portion of the population, they do not work. If they are going to work, it will happen within the first year. I am giving you a link so you can read about a study that was done so you can decide for yourself.

When I had insurance, I took them for less than a year, and they made a huge difference. I have severe allergies, and now (even years after using shots) my allergies are only moderately bad. As soon as I get health insurance, I plan on starting my shots again.

I think that they work, if the allergy is severe enough. I take them and they helped pretty quickly.

I am not sure but you can call my medical office ask for any MD the phone number is (803) 699-7255. Hope this helps.