A Shot of Hope: Newburg Man Finds Relief With Allergy Shots

Jimmie Smith, a 70-year-old Newburg, Missouri, resident has suffered from allergies for most of his adult life.

Finding little to no relief from over-the-counter allergy medicines, Jimmie’s primary care provider, James J. Bass, MD, a family medicine doctor with Phelps Health, referred him to Phelps Health’s allergy specialists.

Jimmie suffers from seasonal allergies, but according to him, “I'm one of those people that seem to have them all four seasons.”

He does not recall having allergies as a child. Symptoms started for him around mid-teenage years and have only gotten worse as he’s aged.

Jimmie recalls meeting with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) and allergy specialist with Phelps Health for his first allergy treatment.

“For several years, we did [sublingual] drops under the tongue, and [those were] good,” said Jimmie. “It was also very helpful to have that place [Phelps Health] to go when you were in trouble. You can make a phone call and get relief fairly quickly.”

The sublingual drops worked well for Jimmie, but as he aged, his allergies continued to worsen.

Jimmie currently sees Jennifer Bremer, PA-C, an ENT/allergy specialist with Phelps Health, who suggested that he be tested for additional allergies. After the additional testing, Jennifer found that weekly allergy shots in each arm would be the best treatment option for Jimmie.

“I take them [allergy shots] once a week, roughly six days apart, I believe it is. I can just walk in [to receive the allergy shot]. Amanda is usually the one I see, but there's a number of different ladies in there, and they're really good,” Jimmie said. “I jokingly tell people that Ms. Jennifer [Bremer], I think she walks on water.”

Before being treated with allergy shots, Jimmie remembers constantly feeling lethargic, having brain fog, suffering from sinus headaches and drainage, and feeling miserable.

However, “this last year [2021] was the best year I've had probably in my adult life,” Jimmie said. “It [allergy shots] really made a difference. It's not that I'm symptom-free, [but the symptoms I do have], they’re acceptable.”

Jimmie is thankful to be back to living his life normally. He was able to mow three lawns in one day and woke up with few allergy symptoms – something he would not have been able to do prior to being treated with allergy shots.

Jimmie has been grateful for the staff at the Phelps Health Bond Building for making the process of treating his allergies quick and easy.

“They're [Phelps Health staff] really good, and they're very pleasant, very professional,” Jimmie said. “There are always several other patients in there getting shots normally, or treatment, and they know everybody by first name. It [Phelps Health] is just a really good organization.”

The advice that Jimmie would give to someone else suffering from allergies is “you don't have to live like that. If you've been tested and it didn't work out, go someplace else. Try it again.”

Jimmie recommends Phelps Health and its staff. 

“It's just good to know that you got somebody that you can call on and they're there for you,” he said. “Never had them [Phelps Health care team] fail me, and [I have been going there] now for a few years.”