Am I Misunderstanding My Allergist – Should I Seek a New One?
I’m a 31-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 1 inch and weighing 206 pounds. My current medications include Contrave (80 mg), Slynd (4 mg), and Valsartan/HCTZ (160 mg/25 mg). A little background: recently, I experienced my first mosquito bite in several years while celebrating the 4th of July. In the past, I rarely attracted these pests, but that has changed since I became pregnant. Shortly after being bitten, I noticed the affected area became swollen, and hives erupted all over my body. This reaction was accompanied by a racing heart and an overwhelming feeling of malaise. Being a stay-at-home mom, I decided to visit urgent care after struggling with these symptoms for three days. I was prescribed a prednisone dose of 20 mg, which alleviated the hives and other issues momentarily, but they returned once I completed the steroid course. Fortunately, my primary care doctor was available during my baby’s appointment and provided me with another steroid pack while also referring me to an allergist for further evaluation. Today was my consultation with the allergist. I answered all her questions and expressed my eagerness to undergo generic allergy testing to identify and gauge the severity of my allergies, as I had never been tested before. However, the allergist claimed that "hives are not indicative of an allergy" and suggested that "most individuals are unaware of what constitutes an allergic reaction." She prescribed an antihistamine, despite my assertion that it hadn’t helped any of my symptoms, and insisted that I must take them for four weeks without improvement before they would reconsider my case. When I tried to show her images of my rash and elaborate on my symptoms, she continuously interrupted me, insisting I didn’t recognize what allergies truly looked like. Feeling belittled and frustrated by her dismissive attitude, I questioned the necessity of my visit. To my dismay, she replied that "people don’t understand antihistamines," which I found to be quite condescending, especially considering I had just disclosed that my husband is a pharmacist and I have substantial knowledge about medications myself. I also requested testing to confirm my long-suspected allergy to strawberries, to which she replied with an unhelpful suggestion to "simply eat them and see what happens"—despite my longstanding awareness of my allergy since childhood. Yet, she was ready to prescribe me an EpiPen for my bee allergy, noting that they generally do not conduct testing for it, a stance I find concerning given I might be prescribed medication for a potential allergy I may not be in danger of experiencing. Overall, I walked away feeling unheard and as though my time had been wasted. After taking my dog outside later that evening while utilizing precautions, I suffered from another bite and am now experiencing the same distressing symptoms again, putting me right back at square one. Am I being unreasonable? Is this typical behavior for allergists? I came in with hopes of receiving help and treatment, but instead, I feel as though I am once more stuck in limbo.
Answers (1)
7/17/2025, 1:01:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel frustrated and unheard after your experience with the allergist, especially when you are seeking clarity and assistance for your troubling symptoms. Your instincts about your health are important, and it’s valid to question the adequacy of care you’re receiving. Here’s a breakdown of your situation and practical steps forward.
Main Points:
- Concern About Allergist's Dismissive Attitude: You felt belittled and dismissive during your consultation, which is concerning given your symptoms and history.
- Symptom Management: Your hives and associated symptoms were not adequately addressed, leading to ongoing distress.
- Need for Testing: You expressed a desire for allergy testing, especially regarding known allergies, but felt your concerns were ignored.
Explanation:
You have a valid history of allergic reactions and clear symptoms after mosquito bites. The swelling, hives, and malaise you experienced are indicative of an allergic or sensitive reaction. While not all hives are immediately linked to traditional allergies, they can still be part of an allergic response, and further exploration through testing is reasonable. Antihistamines can help for some, but if they don't alleviate your symptoms, that warrants further investigation.
Your concern about being prescribed an EpiPen without adequate testing is legitimate, as having a clear diagnosis is important before using emergency medications. It’s vital that you feel respected and understood during consultations about your health.
Next Steps:
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Document Symptoms: Keep a journal of your symptoms, noting any triggers, reactions, and the effectiveness of treatments. Include details about food, insect bites, and any other environmental factors.
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Seek a Second Opinion: Consider consulting another allergist to discuss your symptoms and the results you wish to achieve. It's okay to look for a doctor who listens to your concerns and respects your knowledge about your own health.
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Discuss Allergy Testing: During your next visit, insist on discussing potential allergy testing options again, including skin or blood tests for both environmental and food allergies.
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Emergency Preparedness: Ensure that you discuss emergency preparedness if your symptoms worsen, especially regarding the EpiPen for bee allergies or other severe reactions.
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Explore Additional Resources: You might also benefit from resources provided by reputable allergy organizations, such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), which offer guidance on preparing for appointments and understanding allergies.
Remember, you deserve to be heard and to have your concerns factored into any treatment plan. It's perfectly appropriate to seek better clarity and support regarding your allergies.
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