Judith's story

Judith Barrett suffered from severe hay fever and asthma until doctors at Barts and The London Allergy Centre prescribed new drugs and got her allergies under control.

Judith has suffered from hay fever and asthma since 2004 when coincidentally an insect bite triggered anaphylactic shock (an extreme allergic reaction) and she spent 10 days in hospital.

She was later referred for specialist treatment for allergies to grass and flower pollen.

Judith was prescribed antihistamines, steroids (to repress the immune system), an inhaler to relieve her asthma symptoms, and an auto-injector adrenaline pen (the immediate treatment for anaphylactic shock).

This seemed to help but Judith’s symptoms got progressively worse in summer 2007.

She says: ‘I avoided going out when there were high pollen counts, but my hay fever and asthma became so bad it was getting me down.

‘I had a very blocked, runny nose and the lining inside my nose was extremely swollen and sore. Trying to sleep was impossible as I could hardly breathe.’

Judith was referred to Dr Runa Ali, allergy specialist at Barts and The London Allergy Centre, who put her on an asthma drug called montelukast sodium which opens up the airways, as well as steroid nasal drops and antihistamines.

The new regime meant Judith could come off steroid tablets which can cause side effects such as weight gain and thinning bones.

Judith says: ‘The different drugs seem to have helped a lot and the new asthma treatment means I now get a good night’s sleep.’

She had blood and skin prick tests to check for other allergies at the centre and has since discovered she has an allergy to wheat.

Judith says: ‘Although I live in Milton Keynes I am happy to travel to be seen at Barts and The London as coming here has made such a difference to me. I feel my allergies are under control, which means I can try to live normally again.’