Feeling so blessed!!!

[Mtsoxfan]

Feeling blessed!!!

While yanking out saplings with tractor, got tagged by a bee. Younger days was not an issue. Figured It was going to be an early day, since the bees had my number. On way to put tractor away, found another inconvenient dead sapling, so I pulled that out. Then things got real, FAST. Super lightheaded, dizzy, blurred vision. Managed to get tractor to front of barn. Eyesight was a foggy blur, struggled into house asking for Benadryl. Struggling to get a decent breath. Please get me to ER, stat! Lost vision, had trouble breathing and staying conscious.
Ms. D drove me and I was in a bad way. I remember giving phone passcode, as she left hers home in the mad rush. Most of what happened next is all second hand. Passed out, Ms. D didn't think she could make NVRH, so pulled into PD in Lyndonville. Only people there were FEMA reps. They called 911 (Ms.D did as well in car), searched area for EMT, found one who had an emergency bag, who happened to have Epinephrine. I got that shot and ambulance EMT's arrived. Got another Epinephrine shot. Not sure what happened in my first ride in ambulance, or in ER, but slowly came to seeing a great team of nurses, Dr. etc.
I do not know FEMA workers names to thank. (passed out)
Never saw EMT's who worked their magic.
I do know Disabatino,Stephen M.D. , Meghan (nurse) Abby (nurse) Were awesome, as were other nurses, xray techs, CT scan techs who did their jobs to help me. (never learned their names) When I came back, they made me feel like the most important person on earth.
All this on a beautiful summer/fall day.
I did lose one of my freedoms as well, the freedom to not have to live in fear (although it is a small fear) and have to carry an Epy pen during bee seasons.

My point is this, we should all be like these professionals. Be kind to all, treat with respect, help when you can. The world would be a better place.

When your medical professionals need our help, fill the boot and other fundraising events, help them help us. It could be your life they save.

And thank you Ms. D You're my hero... )

 

[ruffdog]

Good post and thanks for telling us your experience. Be safe!

 

[bigtiller]

Mtsoxfan​

My point is this, we should all be like these professionals. Be kind to all, treat with respect, help when you can. The world would be a better place.

That's good advice that we all should strive follow.

 

[scootr]

I have the same allergy to bees. I have been through that scenario a few times. It suks. I also have the same reaction to some foods. Carrying an epi pen has saved me at least 3 times. Living in fear of bees or eating the wrong food has been part of my life for 30 yrs.
It's no joke. Let those saplings go until mid winter, glad you survived. Stay safe

 

[oosik]

Really glad to hear that you are safe. I assume you are an adult. As such - have you never been stung and had this reaction previously.

My God you are truly fortunate. If I ever had that type of a reaction and I don't have an epi pen - Goner. I'm alone out here and it takes the paramedics 45 minuets to reach me. And that is only if there is somebody around to use a cell phone.

Folks don't sometimes understand why I'm just a little more careful than most.

 

[Alan W.]

Its not unusual for people that have never had a reaction to stings to suddenly have severe reactions.
My son raised bees and getting stung was no big deal till one day it was. He now has an epipen.
Glad you’re ok.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Never had a bad reaction, more than slight swelling of sting area. A few weeks back, a bald faced hornet hit me, Swollen area, and turned lightheaded, and face chest turned red. Wife told me I should see a Dr. to see if I needed medicine for future bites. I didn't, and now I know I do...

It would have been at least 30 minute wait for help, then 30 minute ride to hospital. While this will put a damper on me doing what I want, when I want, it's better than the alternative. I'll just have to plan and investigate before doing certain projects. not the end of the world I guess.

 

[Dftodd]

I have the same allergy to bees. I have been through that scenario a few times. It suks. I also have the same reaction to some foods. Carrying an epi pen has saved me at least 3 times. Living in fear of bees or eating the wrong food has been part of my life for 30 yrs.
It's no joke. Let those saplings go until mid winter, glad you survived. Stay safe

My wife found out the hard way that she's allergic to the stuff in cough syrup that replaced Sudafed.

We were dating and I was new to the area when she said I needed to take her to the ER.

Well that was a flying trip into town. By the time we were close to the hospital she was pointing out the directions. Since I had never been there before.

We laugh about it now, but it wasn't a laughing matter on that trip to town.

I walked her in, told them she was having an allergic reaction. They took one look at her, came and snatched her, asked for any allergies, and took her back to work on her, while I dug through her purse for ID and insurance card to give to the receptionist, to take care of the admitting paperwork.

Then they took me back to be with her.

They dosed her up with benadryl.

 

[scootr]

My first anaphylactic reaction came from a CT scan drug injected into a bad knee at 26 yrs old. I started to itch all over and gasp for air. They hit me with an epinephrine shot and put an airbag on my face. The Dr called for ice and they packed me in ice, another shot, more ice, CPR airbag going and I don't remember anything else except them asking me if I had a ride home... getting up I was weak as a kitten. Since then I've had half a dozen episodes from bee stings and food. I keep a couple of epi-pens around. I've self administered the shot but I always pass out afterwards. And I carry one if we go out to eat or I'm mowing a strange field...

 

[ning]

A+ to everyone involved - starting with you, if you'd dallied after starting to feel it you may not have made it in in time!

I'm not allergic... started beekeeping last year. Asked the doctor for an epipen, just in case. It's in the little tool bag I keep my beekeeping stuff in for when I go mess with the hives. Hope I don't have to use it but it's there if I do.

 

[Tinhack]

That is a dangerous allergy to have. Especially living in the country. You are very fortunate indeed. I don't have the allergy, but I hate being stung just the same. It hurts! And I share your feeling towards all first responders, doctors, nurses and even the helpers. They all had a part in saving my life back in 2018 during a blood loss heart attack. Listen to your body. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is not normal. Get help.

 

[ning]

That is a dangerous allergy to have. Especially living in the country. You are very fortunate indeed. I don't have the allergy, but I hate being stung just the same. It hurts! And I share your feeling towards all first responders, doctors, nurses and even the helpers. They all had a part in saving my life back in 2018 during a blood loss heart attack. Listen to your body. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is not normal. Get help.

Most people won't develop them, but it's possible.
If you do, it may not be all at once - you may get a sting and have a bigger reaction than previously, and then the next time worse, etc.

If you do regularly get stung, see if you can get an epipen (or the generic, same thing). I sent my doctor a note online, she wrote the prescription, and with my insurance I think it was under $10. The "just in case" is worth it.

 

[dodge man]

I have a reaction to stings, wasps worse than bees. It seems to get a little worse each time. Last time I got hit by a wasp I started getting some welts on my back. I carry Benadryl I took one right away last time but it takes time to kick in.

 

[ultrarunner]

Know folks with same issue and heard that the kit has become quite expensive…

Had 11 clearing hillside brush and took lots of Benadryl

 

[Mtsoxfan]

ER gave me 2 epi pens and told me to get benedryl and Pepsid AC as well, in case it happens again.

 

[oosik]

I wonder if there is some way a person could be tested for this sort of reaction. Short of going thru a real life experience.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

My wife tells me that it is our body that "over reacts" to the bee sting that sends us into anaphylatic shock. Each person is different...

 

[groundcover]

It is, it usually not the first time that gets you. The first time the body gets ready for another attack and the histamines are over produced, can end quite poorly! Epi can save a life, been there done that .

 

[scootr]

I have a reaction to stings, wasps worse than bees. It seems to get a little worse each time. Last time I got hit by a wasp I started getting some welts on my back. I carry Benadryl I took one right away last time but it takes time to kick in.

I seems to me the more often you get stung the stronger the reaction will be if you are allergic. Interestingly I was not allergic to bee stings as a kid but my brother had big reactions to them. now 50 yrs later I'm allergic and he's not. Go figure.

Another severe reaction I had was to budlight. Seriously. I guess when your straight you should expect such a reaction.

 

[Tinhack]

I seems to me the more often you get stung the stronger the reaction will be if you are allergic. Interestingly I was not allergic to bee stings as a kid but my brother had big reactions to them. now 50 yrs later I'm allergic and he's not. Go figure.

Growing up in Texas puts you eye-to-eye with yellowjackets all the time. As kids, we were always getting stung. Mom would make a paste out of baking soda and put that on the sting. I don't remember having Benadryl back then. Later on, someone said ammonia will stop the burn and found out the bite sticks used to have ammonia in them. I guess they stopped that. In a pinch, you could even spray Windex on a sting to help. I don't think that even has ammonia in it anymore.

A few of years ago, I got hit in the face with perhaps 8-10 yellowjackets while I was fixing some loose house trim. One went up my nose, hanging on and was stinging me on the outside of the nose. I was dancing around trying to blow air out of my nose while trying to swat it off. I took some Benadryl then and laid down from all the excitement. The side of my face was swollen and sore for about a day after. That's when I declared all-out war on wasps. I now kill all nests I find with the foaming wasp killer. There's plenty of room around here so they don't need to be where I am.