peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,936 
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 1, 2014 11:33:20 GMT
About 5 years ago, I got stung about 12 times over the course of the next 3 years (make any sense?) Each reaction was worse than the previous one. I never went into any type of a life-threatening reaction where I would need an epi-pen but I have extremely horrid swelling about 6-12" from where I got stung, itching that would wake the dead, pain in my joints, etc.
I haven't been stung in about 3 years but on Friday I got stung by a wasp. No stinger (grrr) so I just had to deal with the venom as it was. I immediately took a rx antihistamine and coated the site with rx hydrocortisone but that did squat. I had to sleep with my hand on an ice pack all night long just to get any relief but that isn't safe.
My dad said the only thing I could do is take a dose of steriods (which I cannot do) but my sister had some heavy duty ointment (rx) that is a super high dose steroid which has helped. I can't do steroid injections or oral pills because they affect my vision. Topical isn't good either but it is the lesser of two evils.
Has ANYONE had any luck finding any prescription med that they can take immediately to counteract the effect of the sting if you have an allergy but not bad enough to warrant using an epi-pen? I am not talking about baking soda or meat tenderizer or even Caladryl. I want some serious meds to look into.
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Post by peasapie on Jul 1, 2014 13:51:40 GMT
I sympathize greatly. My daughter carries an epi pen due to a previous anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting, and my grandma had an entire leg swell up after a bee sting on her foot.
I have heard of the very high dose steroid ointments, which is probably what your sister has. I think Benadryl is the go-to antihistamine for allergic reactions to things that cause swelling and itching. Your doctor might want to give you an epi pen even though you don't get a life-threatening reaction to the sting, simply because epinephrine is supposed to reduce your body's allergic response and you can't take steroids.
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Post by shevy on Jul 1, 2014 14:10:37 GMT
I too would ask again about an epipen. If you're having issues with OTC meds, you need something to address a sting.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Jul 1, 2014 14:21:03 GMT
I had a similar experience... each sting got increasingly worse. The last time I was stung my entire leg swelled up from ankle to thigh, I was stung on the back of the knee. A trip to the ER and steroids were all that would work for me. I carried an epi pen for about 20 years, I was stung again last year and went straight to the Urgent care and they had me sit and wait to see if anything happened. Nothing did.
Benadryl worked.
All that said I would call or go to the DR.
The more stings.. and not treating them will probably increase their intensity.
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Post by melanell on Jul 1, 2014 14:32:12 GMT
Not me, but a relative....she does carry an epi-pen. Sorry you have to deal with this issue.  |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,936
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 1, 2014 14:35:35 GMT
I guess an epi-pen is my only recourse at this point. Ugh. Thanks for the feedback.
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Post by mrst on Jul 1, 2014 15:09:30 GMT
You need to get an epi pen soon as. Iworked with a guy who got stung and was in ITU for 4 days!! He was only saved by a local medic sticking him with an epi pen straight away. He collapsed and knew nothing of the next few days!!!
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Post by hop2 on Jul 1, 2014 15:24:47 GMT
You need to see a doctor and get an Epi pen your symptoms are those of a person with an allergy to bee stings. The reaction does get worse and worse each time. And at any time it can be life threatening. Please don't mess around with that.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
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Post by scrappinghappy on Jul 1, 2014 15:30:46 GMT
Epipen all the way. Better safe than sorry. I can't believe how they have come down in price in the last few years, too, which is a good thing as they used to be so expensive.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,936
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 1, 2014 15:43:42 GMT
Well it turns out that my family practice actually has an allergy office. They are able to see me at 2:30 today and since I still have the remnants of my last sting on my arm, I figured it probably would be worth it to go. The nurse thought it would be a good idea as well.
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Jul 1, 2014 16:02:49 GMT
I do. Last time I got stung, my arm swelled up like 4x bigger than normal. It was awful!
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,447
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Post by katybee on Jul 1, 2014 16:12:48 GMT
I have a bad reaction to fire ant bites--similar to yours. My doctor made me get an EpiPen, because even though it is not full-on anaphylactic shock yet, it could be next time.
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Post by katiekaty on Jul 1, 2014 23:45:02 GMT
Every time I have gotten stung, I have extreme swelling. Last time was in the hand and carried up through my are and right neck and throat. I carry an epi-pen now-no more chances here! Please see a doctor immediately.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 1, 2014 23:46:15 GMT
My sister had a similar reaction and now has an epi-pen!
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Post by kittens on Jul 2, 2014 1:54:57 GMT
Do you react to both wasps and bees the same? I only seem to react to wasps..not bees...I was stung by a bumble bee at my aunts house and while it hurt like h*ll it didn't get anywhere near what wasp stings do to me. Benadryl causes my heart to race so I don't like taking that cause it makes me feel like my heart is going to explode! I guess I should carry an epi pen as that is what everyone suggests, I just never got around to getting one.
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suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
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Post by suzastampin on Jul 2, 2014 3:42:17 GMT
I found out quite by accident that Listerine works wonders on a bee sting. My mom always used Vicks vapor rub on them as it would quiet the sting and help get the stinger out. My husband got stung and I gave him the jar of Vicks and didn't give it a thought until I got stung. Went looking for the jar and good ol' hubby had used it on a horse with a cold. He told me to try Listerine. I poured it on and in a matter of seconds it stopped hurting and the swelling went away. You couldn't even tell where I was stung. A few days later our grandson was stung. My daughter poured Listerine on his and his was instantly better also.
Listerine seems to work for poison ivy also. My daughter's fiancé got into some and he usually reacts quickly to it. He went in the house and poured Listerine on it, and he never got a rash.
it doesn't make any difference what color as we had the green, daughter had the purple and fiancé the blue.
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Post by cynipidae17 on Jul 2, 2014 4:05:59 GMT
I would talk to your doctor. Multiple stings in a short period of time should show less severe symptoms with each sting, but maybe your stings weren't close enough together time wise to show that.
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