Posted by: CMdeux
« on: August 13, 2013, 09:04:48 AM »If the ragweed pollen levels in your area are really high, and you are really sensitive to it, yes, all of that sounds like (just) pretty horrible symptoms from the ragweed.
During grass pollen season here, I constantly feel that throat tightness. It is better at night or-- tellingly-- right after a shower-- because that is when my exposure is lowest.
Your itchy mouth with some foods-- melons are a top offender, right? That would be what is known as oral allergy syndrome.
While it is usually not dangerous, at least in persons without a history of anaphylaxis-- please be aware that it CAN be in very rare instances. That wouldn't be likely in someone like yourself without a history of asthma, eczema, and anaphylaxis from another cause, though. Think really improbable. But still something to discuss with your allergist.
You definitely need to share your mental health history (anxiety and even panic attacks) with your allergist in VERY frank terms when you go back for a follow-up. You may need particular assistance in determining what is anxiety and what is "real" (yes, I know, anxiety IS real, but epinephrine or antihistamines won't help it and can make it worse).
Skin testing is reasonably good for determining environmental allergies, but notoriously awful for identifying food allergies. (Only about 50% of positive results reflect actual allergies in foods).
Some people get a great deal of relief from allergy shots for environmental allergens, and some people don't. You won't really know which group you're in for the first year, probably, and likely won't get maximum benefit from them until you reach a top dose (often 2-3 years away).
They did help my daughter significantly, and my DH, too.
During grass pollen season here, I constantly feel that throat tightness. It is better at night or-- tellingly-- right after a shower-- because that is when my exposure is lowest.
Your itchy mouth with some foods-- melons are a top offender, right? That would be what is known as oral allergy syndrome.
While it is usually not dangerous, at least in persons without a history of anaphylaxis-- please be aware that it CAN be in very rare instances. That wouldn't be likely in someone like yourself without a history of asthma, eczema, and anaphylaxis from another cause, though. Think really improbable. But still something to discuss with your allergist.
You definitely need to share your mental health history (anxiety and even panic attacks) with your allergist in VERY frank terms when you go back for a follow-up. You may need particular assistance in determining what is anxiety and what is "real" (yes, I know, anxiety IS real, but epinephrine or antihistamines won't help it and can make it worse).
Skin testing is reasonably good for determining environmental allergies, but notoriously awful for identifying food allergies. (Only about 50% of positive results reflect actual allergies in foods).
Some people get a great deal of relief from allergy shots for environmental allergens, and some people don't. You won't really know which group you're in for the first year, probably, and likely won't get maximum benefit from them until you reach a top dose (often 2-3 years away).
They did help my daughter significantly, and my DH, too.