Very Scary Reaction :(

[TMargo]

I only started bee-keeping this May and have only had 3 previous stings, all with just a normal, local reaction.

Then on Sunday I got stung (single sting) and reacted very badly indeed- bright red rash over my entire body, dizziness, vomiting, shaking, and something I guess related to oxygenation of the blood or circulation,as all my fingers went a deep and unlovely blue colour. Mercifully my tongue and throat didn't swell up significantly so i could still breathe, but it was a very scary and unpleasant experience. And *very* fast - from 'itchy arms' to 'can't stand up' in less than 10 minutes.

I wound up with ride in an ambulance and about 5 hours in A&E, and lot of i/v steroids.

I have an appointment to see my GP this afternoon and will be asking about allergy clinic etc but not sure that this bodes well for my future as a beekeeper!

Has anyone else had a similar experience? I've seen dpearce4's thread what the desensitsation course but not sure what the original reaction was for him/her.

I am more than a little freaked out at present!

 

[MartinL]

Obviously you need to make sure you're not stung until it gets sorted.

Your Doc is the expert but probably not a beekeeper!

 

[Bee Bumble]

Sorry to hear that.
Ask your GP to make an appointment with a consultant allergist at the nearest hospital to you that has a bee venom immunotherapy course. They will test your reaction to increasing mini doses of venom to determine how allergic you are and then decide whether to offer you a course of treatment.

 

[dpearce4]

Hi Tmargo

really sorry to hear about your reaction. I had exactly the same reaction but instead of ambulance I stupidly drove there myself and then spent 8hrs there with my BP going up and down like a yoyo setting off the alarms on the machine every 15mins or so. Its the only time I have ever gone to A&E and been seen within 1min of arriving, this was due to the fact it was starting to affect my airway.

I was freaked by mine for a few months and made sure I had all the precautions I could each time I went to the hives as I had my bad experience in the june and had to carry on with them until the end of the season.

My biggest suggestion at the moment is be very very careful. your next reaction may be the same or less, mine was less for a couple of stings but still swelling up with tracking up the arm and across the chest and another one where it was epi pen needed and trip to A&E. but after I started the course I was lucky it was during the winter so the next spring I was reacting a lot less and less as the season went on.

Good luck with it and if you do decide to give up then don't feel you have failed as your health is the most important thing you have. I'm seen as a bit of a nutter at work for carrying on but now they have seen the results they are amazed that the treatment worked so well for me.

if you want to chat privately about it or how your feeling then do always pm me I'm happy to talk.

doug

 

[TMargo]

Thanks Doug.

I saw my GP yesterday and he has provided an epi-pen - he mentioned that his parents keep bees so "he knows I may want to continue" and has also suggested prescribing steroids during the beekeeping season.

 

[IAF]

Why not sell them to me?

 

[dpearce4]

Thanks Doug.

I saw my GP yesterday and he has provided an epi-pen - he mentioned that his parents keep bees so "he knows I may want to continue" and has also suggested prescribing steroids during the beekeeping season.

Interesting the steroids. Did he offer to see how allergic you are? or offer to send you to the nearest desensitisation department?

 

[Bee Bumble]

Thanks Doug.

I saw my GP yesterday and he has provided an epi-pen - he mentioned that his parents keep bees so "he knows I may want to continue" and has also suggested prescribing steroids during the beekeeping season.

You need to get your GP to make an appointment with a consultant allergist at the nearest hospital to you that has a bee venom immunotherapy course. They will test your reaction to increasing mini doses of venom to determine how allergic you are and then decide whether to offer you a course of treatment.

Steroids just reduce some superficial manifestations like the swelling (useful if you are going to a wedding or job interview) but will not stop anaphylaxis killing you! Also, they promote cancer so not wise to take them often.

You should also carry 2 Epipens not one. Some people carry 3 but do not administer the third yourself - only a medical professional should do that.
You need more specialist advice.

 

[TMargo]

yes, I've get two. Only got one initially as that was all they had in stock on site and he wanted me to have one available immediately, not wait another day until they can order in a new supply!

 

[theeggman]

PM sent.