First of all, I am writing this using my husband's e-mail account: I am female. Sorry, this is long...
I was stung on the arm by a bee or wasp (didn't see it) about 10 years ago and my arm swelled from my fingers to my shoulder, but I had no other bad symptoms. I finally got an epi-pen this past fall as a "just in case" precaution.
Well, last week I was stung on my lower back by a wasp. Within seconds I had a rash about six inches in diameter around the site. About eight minutes later, I started to feel really dizzy and my heart started racing. I did not have any trouble breathing. Soon after that, I started feeling light-headed and having momentary feelings of blacking out. I started to feel the "impending sense of doom" that is often experienced in an anaphylactic reaction. I went to get my epi-pen and could not remember how to use it. I tried to read the directions but it was like reading Chinese because I couldn't think straight. I finally got the caps off and went to stick it in my leg, but in my confusion I managed to have it upside down and stuck it in my finger instead (which is not a good thing to do, but the epi still worked and my finger survived)!
Anyway...right after that I called 911, as I was home alone with two small children. When the ambulance arrived, I was so shaken up and panicky that I started to hyperventilate. They gave me oxygen, checked my vitals, etc. My lungs were clear, and at no time during any of this did I feel my throat swelling or have trouble breathing. They took me to the ER, where I was given antihistimines and steroids via IV. I felt sooo much better after the IVs.
The ER doctor said he thought I might have had an anapyhlactic reaction, but they could not be sure since I gave myself the epi and did not have the typical breathing difficulties. Another doctor said there was a possibility I had had a panic attack after getting stung. I have never had a panic attack before, and I really do think I had an allergic reaction and then may have had a panic attack after giving myself the epi, but now I'm questioning the whole thing. I have an appointment with an allergist but can't get in for a month, and I would love to hear others' opinions. By the way, when I got home from the ER, I noticed I had a rash covering my entire back, up to my shoulder blades. I continued to feel a bit out of it for the next 12 hours or so.
What do you think? Was this most likely a reaction, or a panic attack, or both? If you have had an anaphylactic reaction, what were your symptoms? Thanks!
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