After years of battling severe sinus infections, 11-year-old Emilie Sweet
has finally found relief… and so has her mother. “It’s
made a huge difference for her and for me,” Misty Sweet said. “I
just felt helpless. To be able to do something that is helping her, that
is a huge relief.”
Emilie suffers from severe seasonal allergies that, in years past, have
resulted in multiple sinus infections per year, frequent office visits,
and near-constant antibiotics. According to her mother, she always had
a headache and stuffy nose, and she sneezed so often she had to carry
tissues with her everywhere she went. It was especially difficult for
Emilie at school. “It’s not just a sneeze,” said Misty.
“It’s big, loud and it hurts. She was sneezing up to 10 or
15 times in a row. That’s embarrassing in a classroom.”
Misty said her daughter saw no relief from antihistamines, nasal sprays
or other over-the-counter remedies. “I felt frustrated as a parent.
I felt sorry for her because she was having trouble functioning day to
day,” she stated.
Since starting allergy shots a year and a half ago, however, Emilie has
only had two sinus infections. Misty happens to be the office manager at
Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Taylorsville, but even she was impressed with the level of care Emilie received. “They
knew she needed relief,” Misty said. So, Dr. Deji Okuboye and the
team got Emilie an Allergy Services appointment immediately, scheduled
testing quickly, and started therapy as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, it usually takes some time for allergy shots to begin to
have an impact. Emilie’s case was no exception. For several weeks,
her condition seemed worse. Misty credits the staff with helping them
stick with the therapy. “They made a difficult process as easy as
it could have been,” she said. “They explained the process
and encouraged us along the way.”
Once Emilie started seeing results, Misty was also pleasantly surprised
with the difference the therapy made for her child. Now, Emilie can go
outside and play. The sneezing is “normal and manageable.”
She was even able to go to a greenhouse to pick out her own flowers to
decorate for her recent birthday party. “That is something she would
never have been able to do before,” her mom proudly stated.
In short, the treatment Emilie receives five minutes from home, three times
a week has changed her life for the better. And her mother couldn’t
be happier. “She is able to enjoy normal, kid things in spite of
the fact she has allergies,” Misty said with a peace that only another
parent would recognize.
Have you been suffering from allergies like Emilie? It's time for you
to find relief! For questions regarding the potential benefits of allergy
testing and immunotherapy to you or your health or to make an appointment
with a provider at
Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Taylorsville, call 828.632.7076.
Need a location that is closer to you? We've got you covered! Of note,
this service is available at ALL
Catawba Valley Medical Group practices as well.
Visit us online to find a conveint location for you.