Allergy Blood Test?

astrophysicsmom
Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:11:33 +0000

Has anyone had their doctor order a blood test to identify allergies? Has it been accurate? I’m confused and am trying to convince myself that I am NOT a hypochondriac.

For years I have had to fight off sinus infections, ear infections, stratchy, watery eyes, runny nose, massive sinus drainage, and coughing at least twice a year…usually springtime around when the pollen covers everything, and again in the fall…(when I lived in Illinois it coincided with when the corn was nearly ready in the fields). A couple of years ago, I was out raking wet leaves out of bushes in the spring, and started a cough that by bedtime was interfering with me being able to breath. I started getting sick about 3 weeks ago, and just couldn’t seem to kick it, even being on a maintenance dose of Allegra for quite some time and kicking in some decongestants. I had days of wheezing and gasping for air (used prescription inhaler which helped), days when my entire head felt in a vice, constant runny nose, totally clogged ears with painful earache, and just felt like crap.

I went to my doctor’s office a week ago and was given a 7-day dose of Prednisone (which has helped in the past), and she put me on Singulair and gave me a lecture about continuing to use the Flo-nase nose spray. She suggested that I be tested for allergies via a blood test, which I did. I’d never heard of a blood test for it, but it was supposed to show what I was allergic to, so I could prepare accordingly. The meds have helped tremendously, only one ear is still clogged and most of my other symptoms are much less pronounced.

Well, I got the results yesterday, and she circled the “normal” box. I’m going to request the specific results, but it sounds like this is saying I’m not allergic to anything? Huh? Now I’m so confused! Am I just a major hypochondriac who makes myself sick on purpose at strategic times of the year??!! I don’t know if I should go to an allergist for further testing or a psychiatrist!