It’s been a lifetime of being terribly allergic! But after nearly two years of consistent effort, my immune system finally functions closer to normal. I’ve stuck with allergy shots—what I now call Immune Boosters (because that feels way better than “shots”)—for 2 years and counting, and they’ve created a profound shift. My immune system is now quiet, calm, and giving me freedoms I never imagined were possible.
Childhood: A Life of Limitations
As a child, allergies and asthma were limiting at best and completely debilitating at worst. My doctor prescribed Dimetapp, which knocked me out. I was rushed to the hospital several times for asthma attacks. One traumatic memory stands out: my mom promised to stay by my side, but I was ripped away, held down by a nurse, and injected with a giant needle—epinephrine. It probably saved my life, but it also planted anxiety around needles, hospitals, and authority figures. To this day, I have an entire set of skills I’ve honed to function during necessary tests and medical procedures.
Allergy Testing and Reactions
I’ve had skin patch testing twice—40 tiny injections across my arms and 50+ on my back. I was told they might cause small hives, but I reacted so strongly they merged into one massive hive, and I was still itching up to a week later. The results? Highly allergic to 39 of the 40 environmental substances tested on my arms, and reactions to about half of what they tested on my back.
I joke that I’m at my best in the ocean—saline is the one thing I’m not allergic to!
Note: These photos are shared to help others feel less alone in their allergy treatment journey. Testing is NOT deep, or painful, it’s just under the skin. The most uncomfortable part is some itching that they fix with some cream.
Pets and Dreams Fulfilled
Despite being allergic to dogs, cats, and most animal dander, I always dreamed of having pets. At nine years old, I got my first indoor furry friend, and I’ve had pets ever since. With caution and care, I’ve learned how to enjoy them and protect my health.
A New Climate, a New Challenge
Moving to the Southeast changed everything. At my new allergy clinic—Allergic Disease and Allergy Center—I discovered that pollen is particularly troublesome in this region. Turns out, I now live in one of the top 10 worst U.S. cities for pollen!
Despite previous doctors’ warnings that I might not tolerate allergy boosters, I wisely decided to trust my new allergist. They started me on two injections, twice a week. Things went smoothly during winter—but when spring arrived, everything hit at once: sinus congestion, asthma so bad the doctor had me purchase a new nebulizer. I went to urgent care and needed antibiotics, steroids, and round-the-clock breathing treatments. I had to sleep sitting up—or it felt like I was being filled with liquid and drowning.
It was a rough month.
But I recovered—and learned. My body couldn’t handle intense exposure during high-pollen seasons. We scaled back the boosters to once a week, and I’ve stayed the course.
2 Years Later: Health Transformed
This spring? I passed through without issues. In fall, when others were sneezing and coughing—I felt fine. Better than fine! I now breathe more deeply than I ever have. I enjoy long walks, bike rides, and even swimming without wheezing.
Sometimes I pause just to take a full breath through my nose, simply because I can. That feeling is incredible!!!
🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire team at the Allergic Disease and Allergy Center. Your expertise and care have made this transformation possible. From the front desk to the medical staff, your kindness and support have changed my life.
To my nurses: thank you for your patience and humor—especially when I ask you to tell me a joke or just keep talking so I don’t pass out. Your calm presence has helped turn something scary into something I can handle.
P.S. A special thank-you to the billing and front desk team—we’ve changed healthcare providers three times, and every time you’ve navigated the insurance maze with patience, clarity, and grace. Your extra time and effort haven’t gone unnoticed, and I’m deeply grateful.
Maintenance, Milestones, and Misunderstandings
At my last appointment, we talked about booster maintenance:
- I’ll need to continue boosters for at least 5–7 years. Many people stop too early and lose long-term benefits.
- I’ve reached my max dose of allergens. They slowly increase the amount over time until a “normal person” maintenance dose is reached. Now, we hold steady until my body stops reacting.
- My goal? One day, to receive an injection like a “normal person” and have no reaction at all—a true celebration day!
- I’m nearly off all allergy and asthma medications. While I still carry an inhaler and antihistamines, I hope to retire them someday.
Interestingly, doctors don’t fully understand some of the reactions I experience, but I’m certain they’re allergy-related. What’s happening inside me is completely unique to me. I hear so many people complain about things I used to experience before building my immune system with these injected allergens.
I wrote this whole post to encourage you to KNOW your body. If you’ve tried other things for a seemingly mysterious symptom without results, allergy testing might be worth considering.
When I travel and take breaks from my usual allergens, my symptoms often vanish. This tells me my highly reactive immune system truly needed this desensitization process. The better I get, the less frequent, intense, and long-lasting my flare-ups become.
I’ve also noticed that bug bite reactions, fatigue, stomach issues, random skin itching, and several other symptoms have improved through this journey.
📝 Track Your Symptoms with This Self-Reporting Worksheet
I’ve created a simple, professional worksheet to help you (and your doctor) track symptoms, patterns, and severity. It includes both checkboxes and a 1–5 rating scale.
🌱 Download the Personal Version – AllLifeSkills.com Worksheet (PDF)
Bring it to your appointments or keep it in your personal wellness journal.
Final Thoughts
Building a healthy immune system—especially when it’s been reactive for decades—is possible. It’s not instant. It takes dedication, trust, and time. But healing is happening. And you can feel it, one breath at a time.
Let your healing story be powerful.
And let it be documented. 💚
Please share your story with me and others in the comments below.
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