What should I expect in the first visit? A bit of background info...I've had "hay fever" most of my life, although the last 7 or 8 years it has been much better. A couple of years ago I started breaking out in hives randomly. I never could figure out exactly what set them off--they usually go away within a day but each time they're worse than before and it's getting kind of scarey. Most recently ibuprofen and aceteminophen are sure fire hives for me.

Anyway, now I'm being sent to an allergist. First visit do they usually do any testing or what goes on? Not nervous, just curious on what to expect.

tia

non-invasive...
My first visit, entailed going over my almost entire life history as it related to 'allergies'. You talk about why you are there for a bit, then are scheduled for a 'prick test' at a later date.
The test is relatively painless, they dip and prick mapped out places on an arm or other part of you wait 'x' minutes then wipe the allergens off. Measure the welts that result from the things you are allergic to, probably get a prescriptin for the more logical and treatable issues and off you go.

In my case, I got 'pricked' and we are talking really tiny needles dipped in possible allergy stuffs...about 40+ pricks and I survived, I received two meds for spring/fall allergies dominant in my region and off I go! I see the doc once a year for updates and new scripts.
Since I've other issues, and regularly get other types of blood tests. I bring copies of them to the office and usually walk out with them. Best to be safe than sorry tho.

Hope this eases your fears? - j

PS I can think of LOTS of docs that are much less fun to 'visit'!

possumtrot

just wondering if you had your appt with the allergist yet, and how things went?

hope well............

I thought I was getting bronchitis but it has ended up being pneumonia. I decided to put off allergist appt. until I get all of this daggone fluid out of my lungs. Have rescheduled for 2 weeks from now. I was reading recently an article that said diabetes can cause hives. I've been tested repeatedly for diabetes and tests say I'm not diabetic, prediabetic, nada. But I have pn, the hives, etc. It's sure got me going hhhhmmmmmm.