I have received three of the Xolair injections. I get one every four weeks. They have helped but I still have to use my inhaler every so often and also if I plan on doing any exercising. But I have stopped taking Singulair. The injections arent painful and like I said they do seem to have helped.

My doctor had me try advair and asmanex and they both made it worse. Singulair worked for me but it wasnt strong enough to control my asthma and since the other inhalers didnt work my doctor suggested the shot. My asthma can get really bad when I exercise so I have had to use a rescue inhaler since the beginning, but Xolair has helped to where I dont always need it even when I exercise...it all depends on how my asthma is that day and the weather. The injections arent painful (at least not for me :) The shots are given in the back of the arm. I had my doctor prescribe an epipen in case of anaphylactic shock. But I guess it all depends on how much of the Xolair your doctor prescribes and how often you need it.

---Keri Shaylor


Hi Stacy - I had my first injections (2) on 2/7/09 without any problems. And yes - injections were painless - back of the arm. Because of my weight - I have to get two each month. I will tell you that for my injections anyway - the nurse has to give them very slowly - it wasn't a quick poke. I did not even feel the needles. My doctor automatically prescriped an epi pen for me and went over its use, mainly for the first 24 hours after your first few injections. I had absolutely no problems. I was very worried like yourself. I am on several medication for asthma too. I take a lot of prednisone. I take Advair 500/50 twice a day, Fluticasone nasal spray 2 puffs each nostril at night and Lexapro for IBS and thyroid meds. I used to take theophline, singulair and other inhalers too. I do have a rescue venotlin inhaler I keep in my purse. After the first injections I noticed my sinuses felt cflear right away but no other things that are noticable for sure. Hoping for the best - looking forward to my next injections 3/30/09. I have been out on temporary disability since late December and an going back to work this week. I have been off pred for 2 1/2 months - yeah! Now if I could only lose some serious weight I might be back to normal for me. Best of luck - feel better!!! Aloha, Dani

----Dani Gaye

Xolair rocks. I took it for two years, while my ins covered it, and i was sick maybe two or 3 times a year while on it. I have been off for 3 years due to the expense and i get sick once every couple of months while i am off it. I have ins again now how this time they want me to pay 692 every 3 months for it. :( i love it so much but i'm soooo cheap. I'm struggling to go back on it. i was thinking of trying allery shots again, which i havent done in 15 years, but i thought maybe they have gotten better since then and maybe i would see some improvements? I don't know. I'm still debating the cost. As for the pain of xolair, it is sooooo thick. Most of the times it really doesnt hurt, however every once in a while they will get just in the right spot and it hurts. Still worth the pain though. Also, the govt requires that you spend at least 2 hours in the office after you get your shot for the first time, just in case you have a reaction to it.... which no one ever does since its not a true allergy shot. everytime after that its 30 min. my place knows me so well i usually just sneak out and they never say anything. :)

Bottom line, if ins covers it, go for it. If it doesnt, you can get co pay help from some organizations, assuming you dont make much money. I make too much so i cant use those programs. IF you have plenty of money, go for it. :)

---Danielle Slegel