Epi -Pens

[Holby]

Hi folks!

Looking to start beekeeping this year, and am not sure whether to invest in an Epi-pen in the event me, my family or my friends having an allergic reaction from any stings? I can get one privately but they are rather expensive coming in at £60. Of course maybe it is a small price to pay to save a life. Im a medical professional so have no worries about using it safely.

Your comments, experiences are greatly welcomed!

Holby

 

[Stickyfingers]

Can you recall if you have ever being stung before?

 

[waverider]

I would use the 'search' method with this topic as it has been answered many a time.

 

[Holby]

Thanks for your quick reply - I've had a wasp sting as a child but never a bee. My mother reacted quite badly when she was younger, and this has got me thinking whether its worth investing.

 

[isc26]

Always remember if you have one for a specific need always have it immediately to hand in the car is not close enough.

 

[Karol]

Hi folks!

Looking to start beekeeping this year, and am not sure whether to invest in an Epi-pen in the event me, my family or my friends having an allergic reaction from any stings? I can get one privately but they are rather expensive coming in at £60. Of course maybe it is a small price to pay to save a life. Im a medical professional so have no worries about using it safely.

Your comments, experiences are greatly welcomed!

Holby

Epi-pen is a POM which by definition means that whoever sells it to you 'privately' will be breaking the law unless they are a registered pharmacy and have been furnished with a prescription.

The other issue which is causing lots of consternation at the moment is that a significant number of medicines obtained on the black market are counterfeit - not very funny if what you think is adrenaline turns out to be water!

 

[sipa]

Only available on prescription, talk to your doctor, it's their decision.

 

[Stiffy]

Chances are you won't need a pen
Ask a local beekeeper if you could tag along on a couple of visits. You could pick up a few tips and will stand a chance of being stung when there is someone available to help if necessary.
I would also ensure you get as gentle bee as possible
S

 

[o.stjohn]

Looking to start beekeeping this year, and am not sure whether to invest in an Epi-pen in the event ... having an allergic reaction from any stings? ... Im a medical professional ... Holby

You will get stung so I'd find out in advance if you react. As to getting an epi-pen just in case, can I suggest you also fit a neck collar to each member of your family before you go out in your car just in case you have an accident?

 

[dpearce4]

As someone who Beekeeps and is sensitive to beestings, going through the process of desensitisation at the moment and has to carry an eppi pen, I would say right now think very very very carefully about doing that.

If you use an eppi pen bought for an adult on a child you are risking some very serious complications as the dose is double what a child should have.

Also you will not be alergic to the first sting, it is the second/third or after that that will get you. The first just causes the sensatisation in the person.

I would just be very very very careful.

 

[Easy Beesy]

Try searching this forum - there's been lots of discussion on this topic. Basically on prescribed by a doctor (and expires( so you can't buy one just in case.

 

[itma]

... I've had a wasp sting as a child but never a bee. My mother reacted quite badly when she was younger, and this has got me thinking whether its worth investing.

I'm rather surprised that you, as a "medical professional", would be asking this question.


Handle bees before getting your own.
You'll probably get stung, and your reaction can be discovered.


If your mother had a systemic, rather than merely local, reaction to a known bee-sting, then you should think very seriously before bringing bees more closely into her life.
If you were to proceed, she might be well-advised to consider getting a RAST quantification of response, to see whether she needs an on-hand emergency kit.

 

[Holby]

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately my mother has passed away so it's difficult to really discover what happened when she was stung, whether she went hypotensive or whether like you say she had a severe local reaction.

As a medical professional who frequently sees anaphylaxis reactions, even when people are exposed to reagents first time around I'm concerned and probably more so because of my personal experience.

Holby

I'm rather surprised that you, as a "medical professional", would be asking this question.


Handle bees before getting your own.
You'll probably get stung, and your reaction can be discovered.


If your mother had a systemic, rather than merely local, reaction to a known bee-sting, then you should think very seriously before bringing bees more closely into her life.
If you were to proceed, she might be well-advised to consider getting a RAST quantification of response, to see whether she needs an on-hand emergency kit.

 

[Holby]

Hi

Thanks for the advice. You raise a serious point about counterfeit medications, there is a national pharmacy online that is reputable and by process of answering a few basic questions they do provide one at a fee.

Holby

Epi-pen is a POM which by definition means that whoever sells it to you 'privately' will be breaking the law unless they are a registered pharmacy and have been furnished with a prescription.

The other issue which is causing lots of consternation at the moment is that a significant number of medicines obtained on the black market are counterfeit - not very funny if what you think is adrenaline turns out to be water!

[/B]

 

[Holby]

Thanks, this advice is very helpful, I guess starting off with a small colony and a new queen will be a good start.

Holby

Chances are you won't need a pen
Ask a local beekeeper if you could tag along on a couple of visits. You could pick up a few tips and will stand a chance of being stung when there is someone available to help if necessary.
I would also ensure you get as gentle bee as possible
S

 

[Holby]

Ha! Best Response!

I'll try that!

You will get stung so I'd find out in advance if you react. As to getting an epi-pen just in case, can I suggest you also fit a neck collar to each member of your family before you go out in your car just in case you have an accident?

 

[Holby]

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

Yes it goes without saying that a paediatric dose of adrenaline would be different, luckily we have no children so that reduces the risk further.

It's interesting what you say about the process of getting stung and not getting an anaphylaxis reaction first time around. I spoke with a consultant last week who said this a complete utter myth. Yes for some people increased exposure to an allergen can increase severity of symptoms, but then there are individuals whose first reaction to an allergen can cause anaphylaxis. It's those who have a bad reaction initially that are lucky and can be aware for future exposure, but those who have a severe reaction first time around are at high risk. I think on learning this, it us important to stress this point.

Holby

As someone who Beekeeps and is sensitive to beestings, going through the process of desensitisation at the moment and has to carry an eppi pen, I would say right now think very very very carefully about doing that.

If you use an eppi pen bought for an adult on a child you are risking some very serious complications as the dose is double what a child should have.

Also you will not be alergic to the first sting, it is the second/third or after that that will get you. The first just causes the sensatisation in the person.

I would just be very very very careful.

 

[drfraz]

As a health care worker your view on reactions can get skewed as you only tend to see the severe ones and not the thousands of ones that don't bother to seek help.
Would you have an Epipen ready if you were serving a bowl of peanuts? although I admit they don't tend to fly out of the bowl & sting people.
If you work in healthcare then you should be able to get hold on generic Epinephrine at 52p an ampoule instead of Epipen at £26.45 but you have to supply your own syringe

 

[VEG]

I really dont understand people saying it is ok to just go and get one. Go to your GP and speak to them they know your medical history not some on line snake oil selling numpty.

 

[o.stjohn]

Seen this? http://www.resus.org.uk/pages/reaction.pdf