Poorly chicken

[Daphne]

I just thought I'd share our unfortuate experience on Saturday. OH came back hot and sweaty from a bike ride, brushed past a lavender bush and got stung on the inner arm. Within 5 mins he was complaining of a very itchy arm/ear/palms, then he got red blotchy patches up his arms. I rushed out to buy some anti-histamines, but the shops were just closing. During this time he went to change his clothing and noticed the blotches all over his body and groin, with a red neck and tingling lips. He was feeling bad so I bundled him into the car and screamed off to A&E. About 40 minutes had gone by the time we arrived. He was quickly assessed and sent through for treatment immediately. Saline drip, intravenous piriton to calm the symptoms and some sort of steroidy thing. He then lay there for a few hours whilst the drugs did their thing and the red blotches disappeared, then they decided to give him a nebuliser because although his throat wasn't swollen he was quite ho"Ooops, word censored!". He was discharged after 4 hours and sent home with piriton to take every 6 hours and steroids once a day for 3 days.

 

Sunday he was groggy and in bed most of the time. In the afternoon, the local area of swelling around the sting got worse and went up his arm and down into the fingers. Apparently this is normal, but uncomfortable. Today he is better than yesterday but far from normal and we are going to the GP for an epi-pen to be carried at all times.

 

He has been lucky - this was not a full anaphalatic shock, but a severe allergic reaction. He was stung a while ago on holiday on the ear and felt rubbish for several hours with a badly swollen ear but no swelling etc away from the sting site. He was also stung about 6 weeks ago near my hives (an annoyed colony) with no unusal effects. But Saturday was horrible; you realise how tenuous things can be. Things I have learnt are:

 

a) good idea to have some anti-histamine to hand

b) past reactions are not an infallible guide, but if you have had a bit of a reaction then do be aware

c) the doc said that if he gets stung again it probably won't be any worse than this time ...but it may be. He has been told to use the pen and then get to A&E if he is stung again.

d) you have an hour or so to get treatment, if you are OK within the hour then you are probably going to be fine

[Olly]

Glad he's ok - that must have been terrifying for both of you. Thanks for posting, that's very helpful information.

[jasperaliceuk]

It may be worth asking about desensitization treatment. My husband was stung by a wasp on his little toe just over 10 years ago and went into anaplylactic shock as he was driving to work. Called in at Tesco pharmacy who just sold him some Piriton despite him showing severe signs of allergy! Luckily he works right next to the hospital and leaving Tesco he just drove straight to A&E and from then on it was downhill.

 

They put him on this programme whereby he got infinitesimally small amounts of sting by injection every week until he was taking about 3 stings I think with no ill effect. In theory he should be OK if stung now but not if by several. And he doesn't carry his Epipen which makes me cross as you never know.

 

Sue

[MedusA]

That must have been so scary for you both, Daphne! Glad to hear your OH was OK after treatment.

 

I have to take antihistamines daily, throughout the spring and summer months, for allergic rhinitis, which also helps prevent me reacting excessively to bee stings. I still get a very local reaction, but had a lesson in what it would be like if I didn't take tablets.

 

One day, early in swarming season, I forgot to take my tablet. I got stung through my trousers whilst inspecting my hives and, before I could go home, got a call to go and collect some swarms. I thought I'd be OK for a bit, but within a couple of hours I was smothered from head to foot in an itchy, blotchy rash. Fortunately, I didn't get as far as the tongue-swelling before I could get home to my antihistamines. The rash improved greatly within an hour or two of taking my tablet and was gone next morning but I learnt my lesson that day and always carry a few spare antihistamine tablets in my beekeeping kit now....just in case!

 

One of my beekeeping colleagues went through a desensitisation programme and it worked well for him, but he still carries an epipen as a backup.

[Daphne]

Thanks Medusa - keep an eye on your own reactions is all I can say, and if in doubt get yourself to the hospital. The doctor there said it is far better to sit there for a couple of hours for no real reason, then delay going in the first place and possibly regret it.

[birdsa2]

My son is anaphalactic, nuts and eggs are his real issues, but we careful about bees and wasps too. So speaking from 16 years experience:

 

1. Talk to a specialist, not just your GP, not putting GP's down, but specialists are there for a reason. Get tested for a range of allergens, they will tell you which ones are your real issues and which not.

2. No two attacks are the same, but it is found that once you are sensitized by a first attack (or two) that further attacks are serious / very serious.

3. Desensitization must be done under expert supervision, if not well the consequences can be fatal. It actually fails more than it suceeds, SORRY!

4. You should carry TWO Epipens, if an attack looks to be serious (and you will tell in minutes), FIRST take one Epipen straight away, THEN call an ambulance, then after ten minutes if the ambulance has not arrived take the second Epipen.

5. The person having the attack is seldom capable of giving themselves the Epipen once symptoms begin to show, as one of the first symptoms is anxiety and confusion. Best if you are on your won to take the Epipen as soon as you suspect an attack (if you don't the consequences could be fatal). Then dial 999.

6. After taking Epipen you must go to hospital as the adrenaline can cause heart palputations so your condition needs monitoring.

7. I have my son have many minor attacks and once serious one over 16 years and I can tell you that you don't know how you will react until it happens to you. Christmas Day in a Sydney, Australia, Hospital was nice, NOT! the message here is that you can be on your guard in your normal environment, but outside it you have to be extra vigilant!!

 

Join the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Google them, they have lots of info.

 

Stephen

[jasperaliceuk]

My husband had a similar reaction 12 years ago when he got stung on his little toe by a wasp. He went through a desensitisation programme at the Royal Surrey and was receiving the equivalent of two stings when he finished with no adverse reaction. It still worries me that he could have a reaction and I nag him to carry an epipen but he doesnt .

 

Sue

[Daphne]

Good advice there Birdsa2, thanks. You are completely right about the feeling of confusion and anxiety in the patient, its well documented and certainly true in OH's case. He had read up about desensitisation treatment but he isn't keen as he has read its risky.

 

We were given 2 epipens - I just assumed one was for me as the other worried half We may reconsider what we do, currently one is in my handbag.

 

OH spends a lot of time out of his normal environment as he has been a very keen cyclist for 30 years, its been/is a major part of his life, but he does always carry a pen, piriton pills, name, phone, instructions if collapsed, and we have agreed on a protocol, sting, pen, 999, me!

 

However, and isn't there always a however, yesterday we went out for our normal circular stroll from the house through woods and he'd forgotten his pen. You'll never believe it, but we came across a wild bees nest (never seen one before)....full of wild bees I was fascinated but of course he had to hurry off.

 

Since the sting he has had a wasp fly up to and land on his glasses, he had the whole 0.25 acre garden to sit on and found himself sitting right next to a dying bee on the grass, and last week I had to have a wasps nest destroyed....that neither of us had even noticed even though it was flying above OH's head where he does his bike maintenace for days. We are much more aware of how he seems to be 'attractive' to bees, whereas I work amongst them without much interference, either when I'm beekeeping or just generally in the garden.

 

Sue - I felt the shock about a week after it happened, it suddenly hits you, what might have been. I don't think you are nagging, just being sensible and trying to take precautions. After all, too late could come too soon. Good luck.

[birdsa2]

Again from bitter experience, seriously, get 4 Epipens. Two go with the person at all times, (and get a Medic Alert tag so if they are on their own someone else can see what the issue is and have a clue, plus number to call), the other two you keep as spares. Learnt this in Australia when we used our two UK pens and had to pay £270 for two new ones, plus £600 for flight date changes waiting for them. We got the money back from the insurance, eventually, but it is so much hassle at the time, and between Christmas and New Year too! As my son is still at school they have 2 as well, a real pain to keep track of expiry dates! The other thing we got was a practice dummy Epipen, that way you can safely train others, people at school (for us), work, friends if going on holiday, etc.,.

 

And as to needing the Epipen but can't be bothered, that is literally suicide! It is all over, goodnight Vienna, in 10 - 15 minutes without an Epipen but right as ninepence in 10 - 15 minutes with one apart from hyperactive for 24 hours. A funeral costs £7,500, a prescription £7.50, somehow the logic seems clear to me?

 

Anyway only one bad episode in 16 years isn't bad. And he collects the eggs from our chickens, with a giant pair of rubber gloves on:-), and doubtless when we get the bees he will watch at a distance, might even have a go too as he is a fearless teenager.

 

Regards

 

Stephen

[beesontoast]

Just a warning to take it easy with those Epipens - giving a shot of adrenalin at the wrong time or to the wrong person can be fatal! Epipens should only be used as prescribed, not willy-nilly for any reaction to stings.

 

And if you do feel faint or have difficulty breathing following a sting, CALL THE AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY. NEVER attempt to drive yourself to A&E - chances are you will not make it and may kill yourself and/or someone else by collapsing at the wheel.

 

Taking an anti-histamine, such as Benedryl, can prolong your ability to tolerate venom if you are liable to suffer anaphylaxis, but you should still seek medical attention immediately.

[birdsa2]

Epipens are prescribed items, so unless you mean giving them to someone else other than the person they were prescribed to, then they are absolutely fine. Not giving them to the person they were prescribed to if they are in anaphylactic shock is fatal! The symptoms are clearly described to the person they are prescribed to (and parents in our case). The biggest problem we have in training people how to give the Epipen is to tell them to give it first, and not to phone us first!! Then there are those who would phone an ambulance first, equally problematic! The order for those prescribed as we have been for Epipen is simple; EPIPEN 1, 999, if no improvement before ambulance arrives in 10 minutes EPIPEN 2. And it goes straight through clothing into the thigh too, so no wasting time undressing the victim.

 

As to taking Benedryl as a preventative dose if you are liable to anaphylaxis, not unless your specialist has recommended that course of action? An anaphylactic shock is like nuclear meltdown, I can tell you again from experience, that the likes of over the counter antihistamines such as Benedryl and Piriton do not work if you go into full shock. By the time they start working (10 - 15 minutes) if you are in full shock, it could be too late. If you do suffer an adverse reaction, (not full shock of course), once the reaction itself has been dealt with by appropriate health care, see your GP ASAP, get tested by a specialist, and follow their advice that will cater for your circumstances.

 

Regards

 

Stephen Bird

[Fryer Cluck]

I have kept bees for nearly three years. You get stung it goes with keeping bees. In early May this year while about to collect a swarm I was removing a frame from another colony to assist in collecting the swarm when my veil touched my chin and I received a sting. I carried on returning 50 yards to my home to get keys to remove ladder from garage. As I spoke to my wife no more that 2-3 minutes after the sting my entire body began to tingle a not unpleasant feeling. I immediately was aware of what was happening and told my wife to drive me to A&E. I managed to get in the car bathed in sweat and started to have difficulty breathing. My vision began to go. I had to concentrate with everything I had to try and remain calm. Fortunately our A&E is only a short distance away. I remember my wife stopping the car outside but have no idea how I got into resus. I was pumped full of whatever and remained there until my blood pressure had returned to normal it had fallen into my boots. Four hours later I went home with drugs to take for the next three days. My GP gave me two Epipens.

I can not stress enough just how quickly from feeling fine to knowing I was in serious danger took. It was seconds. I had previously been stung without any real reaction.

The end result for me was giving up a hobby that gave so much pleasure

[Olly]

I'm really sorry to hear that you've had to give up keeping bees. I have heard that if you get stung frequently, and then go for a long time without getting stung, you can get a severe reaction. I think it's rare for someone to have your experience, i.e. getting stung regularly and then to suddenly react.

 

I know that when I got stung on the face last year, my tongue began to swell which was a little worrying - by the time a friend had been called to drive me to A&E however, the swelling was already going down. I have been stung on the face since then and not had that sort of reaction. It just goes to show that you should never be complacent about stings, though.