The first visit will include a complete medical history, a thorough physician exam, allergy and/or lung functions test. These procedures help to establish a proper diagnosis in order to guide therapy.
Please wear a short sleeve shirt or undershirt, so your upper and lower arms are easy to see, in preparation for possible allergy testing.
Your initial visit can last up to 3 hours, therefore it is often a wise idea to bring reading material or other media to occupy some of the time.
The most important medicines to avoid include Benadryl, diphenhydramine, Atarax, hydroxyzine, Claritin, loratadine, Zytec, cetirizine, Xyzal, levocetirizine, Clarinex, desloratadine, Allegra, fexofenadine, Chlor-Timetron, chlorpheniramine, Doxepin The following NOSE SPRAYS should be stopped: Astelin, Azelastine, Patanase, Olopatadine, Dymista. DO NOT STOP OTHER NOSE SPRAYS. DO NOT STOP INHALERS.
For accurate results from allergy testing, it is important that you be off antihistamines for 7 days, please call us for details or if you do not think you can hold antihistamine therapy for that timeframe.
After the testing is complete you will meet with the physician again to discuss the results. We often can begin to make our recommendations for treatment during that visit. On some occasions, all of the testing cannot be completed during the first visit.
We may request that you obtain laboratory (blood tests) or radiologic (x-rays or CT scans) tests to better define your problem and help us direct treatment.
The first visit will provide a plan for any further evaluation and for a program of management and treatment of your condition. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. In addition, the office has free Wi-Fi.
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