Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
My dr's think I may have a slight allergy to penicillin. Problem is they cant test for the allergy cuz there is a nation wide shortage for penicillin allergy test supplies-figures. Anyway, they want to do a desensitization process on me next Wed. That entails putting me in the hospital for the day and then giving me penicillin dosages throughout the day. Im not totally sure how this really works.
Im scared though. The penicillin is my last antibiotic hope. Ive tried everything else and have had no luck with any of them. They want me back on IM bicillin. Has anyone had a desensitization process done before or know anything about it???? Im worried.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Hi Nancy....I just went through a process of testing for penicillin allergy and as far as my understanding goes...the same supplies for the acutal challenge or the desensitization are the same. First I got a RAS (sp?)...then after receiving those results spent half the day getting shot up with the penicillin with increasingly higher dose. There is really nothing to worry about, okay? I think your health care pracitioners know what they are doing and will be there in the event that you respond with an allergic reaction. Of course...the only adverse event I experienced is a somewhat neuro herx, is what I was thinking for the next few days although I am not sure if that is what it was or just the lyme. The other adverse event is in one of the places where they injected me I have a hard mass under my skin that is like a cyst that will not go away. So, all in all I believe it is a worthwhile endeavor and from waht I understand lots and lots of people are not really allergic to penicillin like thay thought they were. Like me for instance, I have been under the impression most of my life I am allergic to penicillin and now I find out I passed the challenge and am not really allergic to it! Good luck.
Table 1 tells the doctors how to do it.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Thank you guys-I really appreciate it. I looked at the info Marnie-very helpful so thanks for that. I just have so darn much going on that I feel like I am ready to snap!! My hair is still falling out, my scalp itches so bad its awful. I think this is stress related but who knows.
nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I have a severe penicillin allergy and was desensitized to IV Rocephin. I did it in the doctor's office for 10 days straight.....very little doses to start until I worked up to the full dose.
It was fairly easy and uncomplicated. The only problem I encountered was 4 weeks into the rocephin I had a major herx......not an allergic reaction.
I was able to complete 56 days without incident (except for the herx).
You can successfully be desensitized to a drug without incident as long as you are closely monitored.
Posts: 195 | From NJ | Registered: Nov 2003
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Im still scared but at least have more knowledge as to what is going to happen. If the penicillin doesnt work, then I dont know what I am going to do. I am at the end of options here.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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