----- Original Message -----

From: beckybee2004

To: insectstings@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 10:18 PM

Subject: [insectstings] Another New Member !

Hi - I am so glad I found this website.  I live on Bainbridge
Island, Washington outside of Seattle.  It is beautiful here; many
wasps/yellow jackets though. I was so excited for the nice weather
until not ...

I have been developing this allergy the past 2 years.  Two summers
ago I stepped on a yellow jacket nest on the beach while cooling
down from a run and had 12 stings and a big swollen leg for about a
week. Next I was stung by I think 2 wasps in Zihuatanejo, Mexico
walking on the beach -- very swollen arm for 3 days. THEN November
2003 I was stung by a yellow jacket on my hand. Within 15 minutes I
had major hives, trouble breathing, and ended up in the emergency
room at our small clinic. The doctor was very concerned and
recommended allergy shots.
I was just tested and never made it past the first skin test for the
mixed vespids - yellow jackets and white faced hornet and yellow
hornet.  It took 2 tests for wasps. I didnt react much to honeybees.
The allergy doctor & nurse told me I am highly allergic; in fact the
nurse said I am only the 3rd person she has seen in 20 years react
like this.  I have NEVER had any allergies in my life !  I am SO
devastated.  I run, bike, garden, etc. and now I am terrified to go
outside.  I just started the venom shots with high hopes but I am
reacting so much. It is my 3rd week and they gave me 1/3,000,000 of
a dose for the mixed vespids and I had a major rash/arm
swelling/stinging and itchiness for 4 days. They told me I would
have to go back to 1/5,000,000 next week.  It is going to take
forever ! I hate having to take the Benadryl; it wipes me out for a
day afterwards.  This has changed my life and I am having such a
hard time with it.  Will I ever make it thru the shots (which are
painful; like having bee stings every week). I can't believe this
ishappening to me.  I know I need to change my attitude/thought
pattern?  Everyone seems so nice and supportive ... THANKS!
Becky