Had a reaction to my first round of allergy shots but the Dr. said it's not possible?

I'm pretty sure I had a reaction to my first round of allergy shots which started two days ago. About an hour after the injection I developed a bruise slightly larger than a quarter on the injection site (indoor allergies; mold) and then developed numbness / pins and needles in my face and palms for 48 hours. I also developed severe joint pain in the elbow directly beneath the injection site.

I spoke with the attending nurse as well as my Allergist's nurse regarding this but both ensured me that it's simply not possible to have that severe of a reaction to the first round of shots. This was even after I reminded them that my initial allergy test showed a significant reaction to mold (the welt was about the size of a quarter). Nevertheless they still think its unrelated or that I'm overreacting.

All that said, I'm scheduled to start my second round of injections tomorrow and I'm concerned that I shouldn't be moving forward with an increased dosage. Does anyone have any experience with allergy shots and reactions?

Just got a call back from my allergist and primary care physician. Both seem to think it was anxiety (though I certainly didn't feel anxious). So they recommend continuing with the shots.

1. Your doctor's do not sound like someone I would want to trust my life to---which is what you are doing with allergy shots---while they CAN be beneficial, you ARE having to take a risk at EACH shot of an allergic reaction/anaphalaxis, and if they are NOT willing to listen to you, then.....definitely, not someone I would want to trust my life to. (during my allergic reactions in the past, I FELT the signs/symptoms BEFORE they were more obvious to others....so, this is something you need someone willing to LISTEN and BELIEVE you.).

2. The bruise--could happen with any shot, but I would wonder if they INJECTED the shot BY a nerve/or grated a nerve when injecting it and make it more painful....irregardless....it happens, they should have stopped if you told them it hurt.

3. The facial numbness--that is NOT a usual reaction that is "localized"....I would have to think at that point you were having some swelling of your face---I get that from some of my allergies, much like you described.

4. I do not always feel ANXIOUS during an allergic reaction, but, when I have had patients that have had Anxiety or Panic attacks, they WERE very anxious---hmmmm....doesn't SOUND like you were having an anxiety attack to me as much as an allergic reaction.

If it was me, I would call, and cancel further allergy testing/shots, and find a DIFFERENT allergist.....

In the past few years, I have found that not ALL allergists/ENTs are created equal....in so many ways....


Good luck to you, hope you feel better, and never settle for an allergist not willing to listen. (OR for an allergists office willing to give you the shots WITHOUT a DOCTOR in the office!!---I have seen this one too!!).

I would go ahead, but remind them of your reactions and concerns before they give you the shot. Then, stay for as long as you can in the waiting room before leaving after you have had the shot. Ask them how long you should stay and if they would mind taking a look at the site and checking your general state before you do leave.
Good luck.

I had to sign a paper that said if I had a reaction to ANY round of shots, they had to stop and I had to seek medical care. I think your Dr. is crazy to want to keep going.You know your body...is it worth possiable death?

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get a 2nd opinion before another injection.

Your allergist sounds like he doesn't know very much about allergic reactions. Not only, by your description, does it sound like an allergic reaction, but it sounds like a bout of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis usually leads to death, but on occasion, does not. If you have the shots again, you might have the same reaction, or it might be more severe.

DO NOT risk it. Find a better allergist. Tell your GP that they he/she needs to not comment on what they don't know about.