Half A Year Of Xolair

A few weeks ago I went in for my 6th injection of Xolair for my chronic hives. It was kind of emotional for a bit… Half a year of my life I’ve been receiving a medicine, and finally it is paying off.

In month 4 and 5 I really started to notice changes in my hives. I went over 3 weeks without taking a single allergy medicine. (other than monthly Xolair) No Benadryl was needed. I still have hives everyday but the average right now is equivalent to a few daily mosquito bites. I haven’t had hardly any swelling, only a little on my toes and feet when my shoes really start to bother me.

Throughout this time of being almost normal I have realized that stress is the biggest factor in when I have hives and when they’re the worst. Just the other night I was headed to Columbia to hangout with my friends, I was so anxious and nervous that my upper lip started to swell! After a little over an hour of hanging out and having a good time my anxiety and lip swelling started to go down. I ended the night with normal lips and only a few hives.

Month 5 has really been the best so far. Once I received my 6th Xolair injection my hives and swelling got a little worse, which is a reaction to the medicine. Not that I am complaining, they’re so much better than before! I am starting to question when I should stop the shot just to see how it goes. I cannot receive this injection my whole life. It cost nearly $3,000 every shot. Thankfully, I have one year of $5 injections (thanks to copay assistance) until it goes up to $3,000.

Mom and I celebrated 6 months with a trip to downtown Hannibal for Java Jive and checking out the American Queen. We laughed, enjoyed coffee, and thanked God for giving me some relief. I can’t thank my parents enough for all they’ve done for me throughout this year. They held me up when I was at my lowest point, comforted me in times of pain and sadness, and took on the financial burden of all my doctors visits and medicines.

Next week I’ll be headed in for number 7. I’ll continue to update you all on this journey. I hope that month 7 brings less reaction to the medicine and steadily keeps doing it’s job. Wish me luck!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I never expected to receive this kind of love and support. Things are finally looking up!