Allergy shots & breast cancer

donnamarie1

I am 4 years out from my diagnosis. I am thinking of starting allergy shots. Does anyone know if getting allergy shots will suppress my immune system in any way? I don't want to jepordize a recurrence of my breast cancer.

Moderators

Hi Donnamarie! Welcome to BCO! That's a really interesting question, and we're hoping members of our community chime in soon with their experiences. As we understand it, allergy shots only desensitize your immune system to specific allergens, so your immune system can build up a tolerance to that allergen. They don't act as a complete immunological suppressant. But it's definitely a good idea to go over all the possible interactions with any meds you're still on with your oncologist and allergist, and talk about any potential impact they may have on your remission! Please keep us posted on what you learn!

The Mods

Denise-G

donnamarie - did you get allergies as a result of chemo? I became allergic to wheat/gluten/dairy during chemo and 7 years out, am still allergic.

LimnoGal

donnamarie1-the mods are correct. Allergy shots are custom designed to give you tiny doses of your allergens on a regular basis to desensitize your immune system to those allergens. My MO allowed me to resume allergy shots about a month after I completed chemo I suggest that you check with your MO, though

I had severe year round allergies, and allergy shots have changed my life for the better.

Best of luck to you

donnamarie1

Thank you all so much for the info!! My oncologist did leave me a message that it’s ok to start the allergy shots. But I was never able to discuss with him if they have any effect on the immune system as a whole. Denise-G , no thankfully I did not have chemo , only radiation. I’ve always had allergies, just deciding now about allergy shots. Thank you all again & I’ll keep you all posted if I learn anything new.

Best of everything to all of you