Xolair. An injection that could possibly be a game changer for me!
Xolair is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1K monoclonal antibodythat selectively binds to humanimmunoglobulin E (IgE).
It has been used for severe asthma cases for a few years and just recently was approved by the FDA for chronic urticaria. My immunologist (and his amazing staff) worked very hard to get me the chance to take this medicine. My insurance denied the request twice and I was approved for a grant from the company to get the injection without insurance approval.
After about a month or so of waiting and denials, I was getting frustrated. I've had a tough week. Not only is it the last week of school but I'm fighting three different reactions on top of my normal hives and swelling. So back to the steroids I go. Hopefully for only a week or so and not eight months like before! I got an emergency appointment with my allergy/immunology doc yesterday only to find out that my xolair would arrive today!
I was having a bad day yesterday and a sweet friend suggested that I look up the song, Beautiful by MercyMe. What an amazing song that spoke to me. If you don't know it, do yourself a favor and look it up on youtube! Thanks J for the suggestion!
After a few meetings today, I went to get my xolair injection. I was nervous. It has a fairly high chance of anaphylaxis (throat closing) and I had to wait 30 minutes to make sure I wasn't reacting. My hives started acting up in the waiting room and thankfully that didn't affect the shot. I made it through the waiting period and now I'm in another waiting period. I could see results (which means lessening of other meds) in as little as six weeks. It could be longer. I'm just thankful for the opportunity to get xolair. I've about reached the point of utter misery after 10 months of dealing with the unicorns.
In honor of xolair, we had cake tonight. It's white cake because one of the things I react to is food coloring. But here's the masterpiece: 
With all that said I'm off to get a piece of cake before nighttime meds and bedtime! 😉
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