Should I get an Epipen

[rickym]

I've been referred for immunotherapy due to my last reaction to a Bee sting, but not offered an Epipen.

My entire hand and arm up to just below the elbow swole up and had a red itchy rash for 4-5 days.

Apparently its 15 weeks on the waiting list until they can see me at the clinic.

I've only got one hive but I will need to look in on it this winter as I was intending to feed them fondant through the winter.

Should I have been offered an Epipen?

Thanks,
Ricky

 

[REDWOOD]

A normal reaction is swelling and the itchy bit after, how much did it swell ?
As you have started this thread and still with us I doubt you need an epi pen.

 

[Anduril]

You need to speak to your doctor about the epipen, we are not qualified to give that advice.

 

[Hivemaker.]

You need to speak to your doctor about the epipen, we are not qualified to give that advice.

This is the best advice...

 

[kighill]

It is difficult to judge a reaction from a description but if you have been referred for immunology it sounds serious. The doctor is better placed to advise re the epipen.
In answer to your suggestion you will need to go into the bees to feed fondant mid winter. This should be fairly straightforward to do just make sure you suit up before doing so.
Remove the roof and place fondant over the crown board escape hole.
Prepare the fondant before feeding (make an hole in the plastic or place into a tub)
Place a little fondant directly into the hole so the bees know it is there, place the rest on top of this and replace the roof.
If you are prepared before removing the roof the whole process should be done before the bees even notice the roof has been removed.
If you decide to put the fondant directly over the bees then the process is slightly different.
Either make or use a small eke. Light the smoker (in case you need it)
Remove the roof and crownboard quickly put the eke in place, smoke the bees off the top bars if they are on them. Then put the fondant on followed by the crownboard then roof all done in a couple of minutes if you are prepared beforehand.

 

[B+.]

I've been referred for immunotherapy due to my last reaction to a Bee sting, but not offered an Epipen.

My entire hand and arm up to just below the elbow swole up and had a red itchy rash for 4-5 days.

Apparently its 15 weeks on the waiting list until they can see me at the clinic.

I've only got one hive but I will need to look in on it this winter as I was intending to feed them fondant through the winter.

Should I have been offered an Epipen?

Thanks,
Ricky

Although an epipen should, in theory, have a 2 year life on it when the chemist dispenses it to you, the chances are it will only have 12-18 months (this is how I have received them several times). Since you are unlikely to be stung for several months now, you should be ok, but, I would have thought the immunology clinic would prescribe at least one (prefereably 2) for you.
You shouldn't be feeding fondant in the winter as they would have to break cluster to get it. At the earliest, you should wait until spring when they need the extra food to expand.

 

[Poly Hive]

I feed fondant every winter. If they do cluster in poly they cluster under the feed I find.

PH

 

[Swarm]

I'd be interested to learn their thoughts about the reaction you describe. For me, that is often the normal reaction for hands/arms. Body shots are often just a minor inconvenience. I'm surprised you were referred tbh as you don't mention any other signs like breathlessness, nausea, etc.

 

[B+.]

I feed fondant every winter. If they do cluster in poly they cluster under the feed I find.

PH

Mine never need winter feeding. If feeding is necessary, I feed them long before winter comes

 

[B+.]

I'd be interested to learn their thoughts about the reaction you describe. For me, that is often the normal reaction for hands/arms. Body shots are often just a minor inconvenience. I'm surprised you were referred tbh as you don't mention any other signs like breathlessness, nausea, etc.

Ive posted this link before, but its always worth repeating http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/hcp/what-is-anaphylaxis/signs-and-symptoms/

"If a patient has suffered a bad allergic reaction in the past, whatever the cause, then any future reaction is also likely to be severe. If a significant reaction to a tiny dose occurs, or a reaction has occurred on skin contact, this might also be a sign that a larger dose may trigger a severe reaction. It is particularly important that those with asthma as well as allergies are seen by an allergy specialist because asthma can put a patient in a higher risk category. Anyone who believes they suffer from an allergy should see their GP. Where there is a chance of an allergy being severe, the GP should refer the patient to an NHS allergy clinic."

Since the gp has made a referral, I assume he/she is concered that future reactions may be severe. Obviously, the clinic will be able to perform any tests necessary and determine an appropriate treatment.

 

[For want of a better word]

Mine never need winter feeding. If feeding is necessary, I feed them long before winter comes

TRUE !

As for Winter manipulation or any other at any time of year... ask another beekeeper to help you.... at least until you have assured yourself that you are OK around bees?

Nos da

 

[denise washington]

i take a few hayfever tablets before i go into hive i swell up if i get stung and since ive started taking hayfever tablets ive had no problems

 

[MartinL]

I've been referred for immunotherapy due to my last reaction to a Bee sting, but not offered an Epipen.

Ricky

Because you don't need one, you reacted as a lot of people do!

Beware the "Epipen nuts" on here too.

If we get a Winter?
The earlier they start spring building the sooner they will need feeding! Not likely you would be stung dropping some fondant in at the top or putting an entrance feeder in on a cold March morning/Evening?

 

[user 6228]

Mine never need winter feeding. If feeding is necessary, I feed them long before winter comes

we alway give them a bit for saftey as the colonies in the PIR hives always seem quite light. however this year the hive feels as though they been collecting lead rather than nectar. It took 2 of us to lift it to replace a floor.

 

[Amari]

It is difficult to judge a reaction from a description but if you have been referred for immunology it sounds serious. The doctor is better placed to advise re the epipen.
In answer to your suggestion you will need to go into the bees to feed fondant mid winter. This should be fairly straightforward to do just make sure you suit up before doing so.
Remove the roof and place fondant over the crown board escape hole.
Prepare the fondant before feeding (make an hole in the plastic or place into a tub)
Place a little fondant directly into the hole so the bees know it is there, place the rest on top of this and replace the roof.
If you are prepared before removing the roof the whole process should be done before the bees even notice the roof has been removed.
If you decide to put the fondant directly over the bees then the process is slightly different.
Either make or use a small eke. Light the smoker (in case you need it)
Remove the roof and crownboard quickly put the eke in place, smoke the bees off the top bars if they are on them. Then put the fondant on followed by the crownboard then roof all done in a couple of minutes if you are prepared beforehand.

Personally, in your situation, I wouldn't risk placing fondant directly on to the top bars. On the few occasions I have removed crown boards in winter (e.g. my previous practice of trickling oxalic acid) the occasional colony has exploded in unmitigated wrath.

 

[BeeJayBee]

You need to speak to your doctor about the epipen, we are not qualified to give that advice.

Go back to your GP or ask the immunology clinic before you go near your bees.

If they really do need feeding then ask a beekeeping friend to be there with you whilst you do it.

 

[For want of a better word]

Personally, in your situation, I wouldn't risk placing fondant directly on to the top bars. On the few occasions I have removed crown boards in winter (e.g. my previous practice of trickling oxalic acid) the occasional colony has exploded in unmitigated wrath.

Nos da

 

[rickym]

Thanks for all your replies.

I guess I was looking to see if there was anyone that had been in my situation that could say if they were given one.

I've had three stings in the last 4 months.
1st one was on the wrist and swole up about half my hand, but that one was infected so it might have exasperated the swelling.
2nd one was on the tip of my finger and only the finger swole up.
3rd one was on the wrist again and this time swole up every finger, the hand and up to just below my elbow. The swelling was bad enough that I couldn't touch my little finger to my thumb without force.

My thoughts are that my bodies reaction is unfortunately getting worse and while I know I'm probably not about to have an anaphylactic reaction, I should probably be careful.

As for speaking to the doctor, the advice was to give up Bee Keeping, but after reading this forum I knew there was another option and asked for the referral. They're fairly adamant it's not going to work long term though.

 

[B+.]

My thoughts are that my bodies reaction is unfortunately getting worse and while I know I'm probably not about to have an anaphylactic reaction, I should probably be careful.

As for speaking to the doctor, the advice was to give up Bee Keeping, but after reading this forum I knew there was another option and asked for the referral. They're fairly adamant it's not going to work long term though.

Thats the jist of what it says on the anaphylaxis site but, be guided by your doctor and the allergy centre. They can do tests on your blood but, pretty much, all that will tell you is if you have the protein to say you have been stung.
Some people have undergone treatment and it seems to work for them. However, I think it relies on you receiving stings to maintain the immunity. If you have a period without being stung, your risk of having a more serious reaction could increase. This is particularly true if you have existing allergic conditions, such as asthma.