Dr. wants me to get Xolair for allergies/bronchial asthma. Terrified.

@dubln, I can imagine that you are terrified. At 69 and living alone, you don't want to start a new medication and sit waiting with an epinephrine injection (Epipen) in case you have a negative reaction. That sounds very scary. You already have high anxiety and you're worried that you might not be able to remember how to use the injection correctly if you need it.

Do I have that right?

Yes my husband works all day goes to bed early I don’t think this is for me

Omalizumab (Xolair) is usually given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting, at least for first injections. It may also be given at home, but not until your care team is sure that you can administer it properly. You might ask for an appointment with a nurse educator who can take time with you to teach you how to take Xolair and how to use an epinephrine injector (Epipen).

@dubln, can you ask your doctor about getting the injection at the clinic and an appointment with a nurse educator? You might also be able to get the injection at a pharmacy by a qualified pharmacist. If that's not possible, I would talk to your doctor again about alternative options.

I have going for a second opinion

I am just worried about side effects I have high anxiety about this alone while husband works elderly I think I mentioned all this before
I the allergy dr met once last year did blood test and this is all he can do for me didn’t try anything else and when I went to see him in February a month after I had Covid my nose was really stuffed and he said I am not giving you anything for your nose I see the way you are always calling your pulmonary dr come back in may for shot very cold do not like him or trust him very cold

Read the WARNING/Side Effects.
I was on Xolair for years, was after 18 months, I began to wake up with severe pain in my arms/Bones, The VA hospital couldn't explain how or why. I reached out to the maker of Xolair and Oh yes, "There's a chance for Bone Cancer" I stopped it almost immediately and I've never felt that type of pain in my forearms again.

arthur2677, I am so sorry you went through this.

I tend to steer clear of the newer meds as the older meds (years old!) seem to be tried and true
and with less side effects for me.

When Zyrtec first came out in (1995), the pediatrician gave it to one of my children. Extreme
sleepiness happened. It did not state sleepiness as a side effect. After complaints, they
added that to the side effects. Fast forward to just a few years ago, when coming off
Zyrtec, a lot of folks experience extreme itching. They now are putting that on Zyrtec as a side effect I have been told.

I'm so grateful you found out that Zolair was what was causing the severe arm pain.

Prayers & Blessings.....

Has anyone tried the Xolair shot..?? My allergist says I have CSU Chronis Spontaneous Urticaria and I got my 1st shot Thursday..(I'm 72 and have really been sick for 6 1/2 years.. long story) .. but now almost anything sets off hiving and I get sick..and it's so bad lately I've been in bed since my 1st visit to her May 6 and she said "you're not allergic to anything.. eat what ever you want and if it bother you , wait 2 weeks and try again.. so I did.. and then had 3 different treatments for a BV (female infection) took 5 flagyls and so sick had to stop , 1 boric acid suppository and my tongue swelled up so bad I couldn't talk and 5 of 7 days of another antibiotic and had to stop.. and then food poisoning from pear juice.. which has had me pretty much in bed in agony since I say here ..been out 7 times since May6 and had to cancel other dr appts.. so I didn't know what to expect with this shot .. but its not so good so far.. anyone else had a Xolair shot..?? I'd really appreciate some feed back.. so afraid to eat of drink anything but water now..applesauce is ok..

I had 4 Xolair shots several years ago for chronic idiopathic urticaria. It was the best treatment for me. I had CIU since I was a teenager together with hereditary angioedema and this was the first and only treatment that helped. I’ve been hive and angioedema ever since. I hope after the full series of shots you find the same results that I have experienced. Good luck.

Thank you soo much and God bless you!!