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Information for Patients

Your Initial Visit
The purpose of this visit is to obtain extensive medical information concerning your problem. The first visit will include a detailed medical history, and physical examination. If skin testing is indicated, this will also be performed. Most tests are performed using a plastic toothpick-like device, making a superficial prick on the skin of the forearm or back. Your problem will be discussed and a course of treatment is outlined in detail. If it is necessary for you to take allergy injections, your program will be outlined at this time. You are encouraged to ask any questions. To facilitate the efficiency or our business office, please bring your insurance ID card at the initial visit.

Allergy Tests
Skin tests will be performed in most instances to determine if and to what you are allergic. Skin testing remains the most rapid, sensitive, and reliable method of making this determination. Ordinarily most tests are done on the arms and only a few tests may be necessary. Most tests are performed using a plastic, toothpick-like device making a superficial prick on the skin of the forearm or back. All types of tests are relatively painless. Children, especially young children, may be frightened of the tests, and they may seem to "hurt" more than older children or adults. Being honest with them ("the tests may sting and itch like a mosquito bite"), and explaining and demonstrating what is to be done (on the parent if so desired) usually allay such fears.

Skin testing can usually be accomplished in one visit, and will usually last about 1 hour. It is necessary that all antihistamines be stopped 5 days prior to skin testing. Please see the list of meds to be discontinued on this site. We also recommend you make arrangements for the care of any young children who are not being evaluated.

Allergy Injections
(Hyposensitization, Immunotherapy, "Allergy" Shots)
Some patients may need allergy injections as part of their treatment for an allergic disorder. You may receive these injections in any of our offices, or we will send your allergic treatment set ("Allergy Extract" or "Vaccine") to your primary physician for administration under his supervision. Allergy injections will be given only when there is a physician in the immediate area since there is always a potential for a serious reaction to occur. It is necessary to remain in the waiting room for minutes after the injection. We cannot take responsibility for injections give without medical supervision.

Office Visits and Emergencies
Patients are seen in this office by appointment. Follow-up visits and the occasional "sick" visits will be necessary to assess your progress, and we ask that you call the office for an appointment.

However, if you have have an urgent medical problem, notify us immediately. If you are unable to contact us or you cannot wait for the doctor to return your call, go directly to the nearest emergency room.

We would like to recommend that you arrive for your appointment several minutes early in order to avoid delays. Although we do all we can to keep on time, there are occasional, unexpected occurrences that cause us to run behind schedule. We do respect your time and regret delays. If you make an appointment and are unable to keep it, please call us as far in advance as possible so that we can use the time for other patients.

Telephone Calls
Your phone calls will be answered by our receptionist or nurse. In many cases she will be able to assist you herself, but in any event, she must be thoroughly advised of the problem so that she can determine what help is needed. As necessary, your call will be returned. During office hours, calls may not be returned until late morning or very late in the afternoon.

When the office is closed, calls will be forwarded by the answering service to the doctor, and he will return your call at any time for problems that cannot wait.

Prescription Refills
Most allergy and asthma medications are marked so that they can be refilled simply by calling your pharmacist. Prescription refills requiring our authorization will be renewed during office hours so your chart may be reviewed. Please furnish the receptionist with your pharmacies telephone number. Yearly visits are required for prescription refills.

Charges
The cost of an allergy evaluation will vary depending on your specific problem. Although it is impossible to know the exact charges in advance, we can give you a general idea of the cost before you are seen. Please feel free to talk to our receptionist regarding any financial matters.

No Shows & Cancellations
Please realize that when patients fail to keep scheduled appointments, or cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, it keeps other patients from seeing our physicians. These may be patients with pressing medical needs, or who have scheduling conflicts at other times.

Please be considerate of your fellow patients and our staff by calling us to cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance. That way, we can call another patient who has been waiting to see us or call with an emergency need. We understand that everyone has unforeseen conflicts and emergencies.

We only ask that you give us as much notice as possible when you can't keep your appointment. In cases of habitual no-shows and last minute cancellations, we reserve the right to charge the patient or reassess their relationship with the practice.

ALLERGY AND ASTHMA ASSOCIATES
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS THAT WILL BE SKIN TESTED

Take NO antihistamines, over the counter allergy, cold or sleeping preparations prior to testing. Please note that asthmatics and patients treated for other chronic illnesses should continue to take all prescribed medications for those conditions, unless they are specifically told not to do so by the doctor. Asthma medications, including your inhalers, will not interfere with the testing and should not be stopped.

The following list is a PARTIAL list of medications that should be discontinued at least 5 days prior to skin testing:

Astelin Atrohist Bromfed Clarinex Contac DA Chewable Dimetapp Extendryl jr. Periactin Polyhistine elixir Rondec TR Trinalin Xyzal Cetirizine	Actifed Atrohist plus Bromfed P.D. Claritin Coricidin Deconamine Dramamine Fexofenadine phenergan promethazine Robitussin AF Tannafed Triprolidine	Alka-seltzer plus Atarax Brompheniramine Claritin D Chlor-trimeton CTM dexbrompheniramine Drixoral Meclizine Polyhistine Pyribenzamine Ru-tuss Tavist Tavist D Tripelennamine
Allegra BenadryI-diphenhydramine Cardec Cyproheptadine Dimenhydrinate Duratapp Naldecon Hydroxyzine R-tannate Rynatan Triaminic Vistaril		Allerestl/A.R.M. Chlorpheniramine Dallergy Dimetan Duratapp PD Nyquil Ornade Palgic Rondec Semprex-D Triaminicin Zyrtec

***Also most over the counter sleep aids***
and allergy/cold medicines

The following medications should be discontinued for 7 days prior to skin testing:
Amitriptyline • Doxepin • Elavil • Imipramine • Sinequan • Tofranil

The following medications should be discontinued 1 day prior to skin testing Acid blockers (Axid, Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet)

You MAY take the follwing medications for nasal congestion:
Any OTC nasal decongestant or saline spray or Nasalcrom
Any steroid allergy spray (i.e. Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, Rhinocort, Vancenase, Nasarel)
Any oral decongestant such as Sudafed, Entex PSE, Guaifed, Humibid, or generic equivalent (Sudafed Plus may not be taken)

Please call our office if you are taking any sinus or allergy medicine not listed here.
Any medication listing drowsiness or sedation as a side effect may need to be stopped before testing.

937-431-0721

2359 Lakeview Dr. • Beavercreek, OH 45431