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Chronic Illness / Allergy Treatment
Treatment Testing

Please read this carefully so you will understand your required participation in this program of testing and treatment.

Patient History
A detailed history form may be sent or given to you and will give us valuable information and will expedite your time in the office. Please fill it out completely and return it to us when you are able.

Office Visits and Phone Consults are Available

Office Policy
Attire for your appointment MUST comply with our policy of NO FRAGRANCES, including colognes, scented hair products, perfumes or lotions, fabric softeners, and cigarette smoke. Many of our patients are sensitive to one or more of these chemicals, and we require that anyone accompanying you to the office comply with the same policy. Please wear short sleeves. Skin testing is done on the upper arm and works best if the arm is exposed from the shoulder to the elbow.

Medications
Please do not take any of the following medications for three to seven days before your appointment. Refer to this list and the number of days listed for avoidance:

ANTIHISTAMINES:

Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec   (5 days)
Cold Preparations   (3 days)
Antacids (Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet, Axid)   (3 days)
Hydroxyzine, meclizine   (7 days)

SUPPLEMENTS:
Vitamin C >1000 mg daily   (3days)

The following medications may influence your testing. Please be sure to include all of your medications, both by prescription and “over the counter,” as well as all supplements, on the list at the bottom of page one of the allergy database.

TRANQUILIZERS:
Xanax, Ativan, Valium (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam)
All sleep aids

ANTIDEPRESSANTS:
Amitryptiline or Elavil, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Lexapro, Wellbutrin

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION:
Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn, Vioxx, Celebrex

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:
Vitamins, and Herbal Products.

 

Time
The results of treatment from our methods are faster and more effective than older methods, but testing may require much of the time spent with us. We ask that you plan to spend all morning or all afternoon, depending on your appointment time, whenever you come in for testing. You must be willing to devote this time the best results.

Smoking
We advise all of our patients that treatment is not effective if they continue to smoke. If you are not willing to work with us in following all of our recommendations, it might be better to consider another type of treatment. If you are ready to quit smoking, we are willing to help you. There is no smoking in our building.

 

Testing
To determine an allergy to pollen, dust, milk, etc., we will use a shallow skin test of a carefully measured amount and strength of an appropriate extract or “antigen.” This will raise a wheal or bump on your arm and may cause symptoms such as wheezing, headache, stomach cramps or other mild symptoms. Sometimes the injected antigen is bound within the skin and is unable to reach the circulation to cause symptoms. This does not mean that you are not allergic; the measurements and texture of the wheal will give us the information we need for diagnosis.

Injection of a different strength of the same extract, referred to as the “neutralizing dose”, can clear your symptoms. This dosage will be used in your treatment of the antigen tested. Food allergy tendencies can manifest themselves in various ways and can react with inhalant allergy symptoms. Therefore, food allergy can be “seasonal” as well. There are 10 to 15 commonly eaten foods, which we recommend for testing because they are virtually impossible to eliminate from the average diet. A few patients require more food tests for maximum results. We will test more foods if we feel it is necessary. You must be aware that some avoidance on your part may be required, especially with optional foods. We will work in your best interest in making these decisions. Please do not eat or drink anything while you are being tested, other than water. You should eat your breakfast or lunch before testing for the day.

Allergic tendencies are hereditary and are built into the chromosomes in every cell in your body. Some patients obtain perfect relief within the first weeks of treatment. Others must measure progress from one month to the next or from one season to the next.

Remember!!

Return your history form as requested.

Call to cancel your appointment at least 1 business day before your appointment, if necessary.

We strive to keep the office a fragrance free environment.

Refer to the list of medications to avoid before testing.

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