anyone use epipen for bee/wasp stings?

[edmonds]

2 years ago I was stung on my hand while pulling weeds in garden. Put on some sting-ese and thought nothing of it. Next morning my hand was swollen. By the afternoon I was lightheaded, the swelling was going up my wrists, and I was not feeling very well. Went to the doctor, who gave me some steroid pills. Swelling went away in a few days.

Now last week I get stung on my hand by a red wasp. Within 30 min my hand is swollen so I take some benedryl. Another 30 min and I can't move my fingers and am feeling lightheaded. Take more benedryl and ice my hand. Next morning swelling going up my arm so go to the doctor who gives me a steroid shot.

Doctor says next time reaction may be more severe and I should have an epipen. Anyone ever had to use one? At what point are the symptoms severe enough to indicate using it?

[deaconjim]

I've never had to use one, but I have one on hand just in case. If you are stung again, use the pen. Don't wait for symptoms, especially if you are alone.

Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date on the pen. In a medical emergency, EMTs can use your pen if need be, but not if the pen is out of date. It's worth replacing it as needed.

[plowjockey]

I used to have one but it seemed that I never had it with me when I really needed it. My food allergies have gotten better.

It can start, when your skin starts itching, turning red in spots, you feel your airway start to constrict, breathing labored, or eyes start swelling shuts.

By then you are well on your way to Anaphylaxis, which can be fatal, if not treated.

If you are not close to the ER or paramedics on the way, I'd say "fire-away" earlier than later, especially with your reactions to insect stings. Follow up immedietaly with a trip to the doctor or ER.

Ask your doctor, to be sure.

[MELOC]

i would use the pen if i felt my throat start to feel "thick".

i never had problems with bees when younger, but as i got older, the reactions became worse. the swelling began to spread and my heart began to race a bit. i was stung once by a hornet or yellow jacket right on top of the head and it really made me mad. my adrenalin must have surged and i think that amplified the sting. i had a real bad reaction that time. my heart rate increased and eventually i felt my throat begin to close. i decided to use someone else's epipen. i think it was a bad idea for me because i think i had a reaction to the epipen. my throat did stop closing, but i got sick as a dog for the rest of the night.

now i pop a few benedryl if i get stung. i have been stung several time since then and i have not had another bad episode since then. i try to stay very calm and i make sure to use the benedryl. if i had the slightest idea that my throat was going to close, or if my heart seemed to race out of control, i would be sure to get help asap. i hear that liquid benedryl is a good thing to have around because it can work quicker. i need to pick up some liquid one of these days.

[Merit]

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction involving two or more body systems (Examples of systems: Skin, gastrointestional, respiratory, Cardiovascular, digestive) Anaphylaxis can cause swelling of the airway, serious breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness and even death. The WORST thing you can do is HESITATE. Once a reaction begins, there is no way to determine how severe it will become. Take all reactions seriously. Past reactions do NOT predict future ones. Call 911. EpiPen effects will last LESS THAN 15 MINUTES! Do not jab the wrong person--that's very serious & medical emergency treatment is needed. Now here is a list of what can happen in each body system: 1) Mouth: itching, tingling, swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth 2) SKIN: hives, itchy rash, swelling of the face or extremities 3) GASTROINTESTINAL: nausia, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea 4) RESPIRATORY: Shortness of breath repetitive or hacking cough, tightening throat, wheezing, runny nose, watery eyes 5) CARDIOVASCULAR: thready pulse, low blood pressure, fainting, pale, blueness. It's good to have a second EpiPen at all times, in case the medicine wears off too soon, however a second injection might NOT work at ALL & hospital intervention may be needed. So always remember to call 911.

[Merit]

You said: i decided to use someone else's epipen. i think it was a bad idea for me because i think i had a reaction to the epipen. my throat did stop closing, but i got sick as a dog for the rest of the night.
My understanding is that there are basically just two dosages/types: The EpiPen for adults (yellow color) and the EpiPen Jr. for kids (Green). If this understanding correct, then it was probably best you used the borrowed pen.

[halfpint]

I haven't had to use one on myself but on my mother and son. Mom is allergic to peanuts, so has used one several times - usually she feels her attack coming on and injects herself, but I've had to once and my father has several times. My son is allergic to bees, and usually taking Benadryl liquid immediately after the sting helps reduce the problem and he usually doesn't have a breathing problem, but I've used it on him once. I would suggest you have one on hand. According to both my Dr. and pharmacist, they are usually good for 2-4 years after the expiration date, so I keep those on hand. But I have to keep a current one on hand for my son and daughter (who seems to have avoided stings for the last few years) as when I leave them somewhere (camps, with friends) they must have an unexpired pen. I was told the reason for the quick expiration is that many people leave them in their hot cars or in their pockets and with the extreme heat they do expire more rapidly.

I find it interesting that my friends who are vets carry the same medicine but not in the automatic injector pen, and their expiration dates are usually 5-6 years away.

My mother prefers to carry the Ana Pen as it is smaller and fits better in her purse, but it looks a little harder to inject to me, although I've both given and taken insulin shots so it's probably no worse than that.

A boy that lived in my neighborhood growing up died from a bee sting as a young man as he didn't have his epi-pen with him.

Dawn

[Joshie]

I have one. My daughter has one. We've never had to use them. DON'T wait until your throat feels like it's closing. If you wait that long you may well die. My mom was an ER nurse and saw someone die when exposed to something IN THE ER. Even with all sorts of great medical care people can die from anaphylaxis.

I once had a reaction to the preservative in novacaine. I got a raised rectangle on both thighs. My doctors have told me that I should have used my epi pen at that time. Well, I didn't have one then but should have...

Ask for one of the pretend shots. They do give them with the EpiPen Jr. Make sure that you check the expiration date and get a new one before you need it.

If you get that lightheaded funny feeling you should use your EpiPen. Then you should go to the ER.

Meloc, an EpiPen will make you feel funny. You probably wouldn't be posting if you hadn't used an EpiPen. Next time.... go to the ER after using your pen.

[TxMex]

Doctor prescribed epi-pen. Doctor send me home with an instructional DVD on how to use it. Went home, put DVD in and watched it. After getting my jaw to close again, I decided I'll just take a jug of liquid benadryl instead and get to the hospital asap.

These things jet propel a needle into you that will penetrate army fatiques!!!! My doctor knows I have a phobia of needles. A jet propelled needle just takes that up to a whole new level. I don't think I'd be capable of using it.

[MELOC]

i've been stung a few times since my bad reaction. i have not had such a bad reaction since. perhaps it was the amount of venom, the type of bee, or perhaps it was being highly agitated that spread the venom in the bad episode. i feel the epipen did help, but since then i have heard some folks can be allergic to the epipen and i was thinking maybe i am allergic to the epipen. i didn't seek follow-up care...which was probably a mistake. sometimes poor people do funny things when faced with medical bills, lol. i would never do it again. the next epi i get will be from a doctor...after it feels like the benedryl has failed.

i do take it seriously. my mother nearly died from a bee sting. she was in the ER and the doctors had no idea if she would pull through or not. her history is similar to mine. she had been stung frequently throughout the years with little problem...until that one time.

if it is possible that some people are allergic to the epipen, i feel doctors should have some way to test that before prescribing them. it was foolish for me to use one all on my own with no counseling.

[deaconjim]

Originally Posted by halfpint

I haven't had to use one on myself but on my mother and son. Mom is allergic to peanuts, so has used one several times - usually she feels her attack coming on and injects herself, but I've had to once and my father has several times. My son is allergic to bees, and usually taking Benadryl liquid immediately after the sting helps reduce the problem and he usually doesn't have a breathing problem, but I've used it on him once. I would suggest you have one on hand. According to both my Dr. and pharmacist, they are usually good for 2-4 years after the expiration date, so I keep those on hand. But I have to keep a current one on hand for my son and daughter (who seems to have avoided stings for the last few years) as when I leave them somewhere (camps, with friends) they must have an unexpired pen. I was told the reason for the quick expiration is that many people leave them in their hot cars or in their pockets and with the extreme heat they do expire more rapidly.

I find it interesting that my friends who are vets carry the same medicine but not in the automatic injector pen, and their expiration dates are usually 5-6 years away.

My mother prefers to carry the Ana Pen as it is smaller and fits better in her purse, but it looks a little harder to inject to me, although I've both given and taken insulin shots so it's probably no worse than that.

A boy that lived in my neighborhood growing up died from a bee sting as a young man as he didn't have his epi-pen with him.

Dawn

The medicine may be good past the expiration date, but you do run a serious risk if an out of date pen is all you have. I was an EMT, and although we did not carry a pen onboard the ambulance (it varies from region to region), we were authorized to use the patient's pen if it was prescribed to them and it was not out of date. Even if the medicine was good, we could not use it if it was expired.

[Joshie]

Originally Posted by TxMex

I decided I'll just take a jug of liquid benadryl instead and get to the hospital asap.

These things jet propel a needle into you that will penetrate army fatiques!!!! My doctor knows I have a phobia of needles. A jet propelled needle just takes that up to a whole new level. I don't think I'd be capable of using it.

If you have anaphylaxis you'll probably die before you get to the hospital. Even with the shot you can die. Don't let your phobia cause you to die.

Yes, the needle can go through your jeans. That should tell you something about the urgency with which it is needed. If you don't have enough time to take off your pants in order to give yourself a shot you certainly don't have the time for an oral medication to work. You can die in 15 minutes. You can die in less than 15 minutes with that type of allergic response.

Originally Posted by MELOC

if it is possible that some people are allergic to the epipen, i feel doctors should have some way to test that before prescribing them. it was foolish for me to use one all on my own with no counseling.

Epinephrine is in an Epipen and I don't see how anyone could be allergic to it since we all make epinephrine in our bodies.

Meloc, I think that is was not foolish for you to use it. I think that your use may well have saved your life.

[gone-a-milkin]

MELOC, I think a lot of different factors affect they severity of allergic reactions. I know that if I am already having pollen issues, then get stung by a wasp will be way worse. Also, if it is hot and I have been running or working hard, its worse. I was stung once by a honey bee on a windy day. It was cool and I walked around the edge of the house and it got blown straight into my head. Stung me on the temple. Normally that would be a big , but it didn't really flare up. I think because of the circumstance.

I only used an epipen once. I have one, just in case, but they are pretty hard on the body too. I was sick for a few days after I used it. Benadryl has been my go-to. & keeping calm is essential! Knowing and listening to your body, and not getting mad or scared goes a long way. Now I just go lay down. Doesn't matter what I was doing or where I am. I just go off by myself and calm down and take some benadryl. No ignoring it or getting upset. People w/o allergies might think it is weird, but oh well.

[tamsam]

If you don't have a pen and get stung make a paste out of regular asprin and put it on the sting as fast as you can. I have seen it take a red line going up a person's arm away almost in a matter of seconds. Hope you never get stung again. Sam

[MELOC]

it was foolish for me not to follow up with care from a medical professional.

[springvalley]

I've never had a reaction to bee stings, nor do I have many alergies, but I *DO* carry my epipen with me when I work my bees!! One or two stings don't affect me but I'm not sure what would happen if I got swarmed and don't want to find out, so it's pretty cheap insurance.

Also, if you get stung by a bee, do NOT swat it flat, instead brush it off of you gently and then SCRAPE the stinger out. The stinger has a bulb on the end that will continue to pulse and pump the poison into you. If you smash the bee or grab the end of the stinger by the bulb, you'll just help pump it into your body all the faster. By taking your fingernail or edge of a knife or something and scraping the stinger out, you'll get it out without dumping all that nasty stuff into your body.

-Catherine

[rileyjo]

I dont carry an epi but probably should. The doctor said I will be if I ever get stung again.
I react to bald faced hornets and a certain type of little bee. The last sting put me in hosp with shortness of breath and throat swelling. I also lose all use/sensation of whatever arm/leg is on the side of the body where I get stung. I was knocked down for a couple days after that episode. It was a bald faced hornet and it stung me on the back of the knee while I was hanging out laundry.
I've also kept honeybees since then, been poked and not had any reaction.

[Wis Bang 2]

Originally Posted by TxMex

Doctor prescribed epi-pen. Doctor send me home with an instructional DVD on how to use it. Went home, put DVD in and watched it. After getting my jaw to close again, I decided I'll just take a jug of liquid benadryl instead and get to the hospital asap.

These things jet propel a needle into you that will penetrate army fatiques!!!! My doctor knows I have a phobia of needles. A jet propelled needle just takes that up to a whole new level. I don't think I'd be capable of using it.

While not afraid of needles, I oftenthought I would be inable to give myself an injection. Then I fell and suffered a fib/tib fracture and was prescribed 'Lovenox', a series of self injected blood thinners designed to prevent DVT routinely given to people laid up after knee/hip replacement operations.

I had to do the first one in the hospital b/4 they would release me. The setup is different than the epi pen and you have to uncap the sharp end, pinch up some belly and stick your self. Increased pressure causes the automatic extension of a plastic tube that covers the sharp preventing additional danger.

It wasn't all that hard to do, I feel that knowing my life was in danger would make using the epi pen an easy decision...

[mokih]

My daughter was prescribed epipen Jr after 2 bad reactions to bee stings last summer. She was 4 at the time.

We were told that we had 60 seconds after a sting to evaluate symptoms and decide whether or not to inject her, but the doctor told me that if it was his kid, he would inject anyway. (localized swelling only, don't inject, but lots of swelling, hives elsewhere on the body, shortness of breath or itching anywhere but the sting, inject - kind of hard to determine this all in one minute!) Our instructions are to inject, get in the car and drive to ER, on the way giving her a dose of benadryl. If it takes longer than 15 minutes after the first shot, we are to give her the other shot on the way.

We haven't had to inject her, but I carry the pens everywhere with us. It is scary. Good luck to you and I hope you won't need to use yours!

[Ode]

I have 3 usually and carry them at all times. They get renewed when they expire. I haven't had to use one yet, probably more due to luck than anything else. But if I ever do get stung, I plan to use one immediately, and my husband knows how to use it in the event I am unable. In my opinion, since your doctor advises you to carry one, you probably do need it, especially given your increasingly severe reactions. If you get stung, give yourself the injection immediately, take the benedryl, and get to an emergency room asap. And make sure you do have that extra one, because it might take longer than 15 mins to get to emergency treatment.

Of course, it is your choice to use it or not. But is it worth your life to hesitate, just in case you might not have an even worse reaction? Your doctor went to school for quite a long time, and spent a lot of cash getting that education, and it is my guess he probably knows a bit more about the possible outcome of your next exposure to venom. Just sayin'. I don't know why the heck you are asking us here when and why to use one, you should be asking your doctor. We don't have the slightest clue about your health issues, but your doctor does. Either you trust your doctor to give you good care, or you shop for a new one.