--- In insectstings@yahoogroups.com, "maggie_paton" <maggie.paton@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have had 2 anaphalactic shocks - first was:
>
> Being stung, going into the house to dab some TCP on it(!) and starting to
feel a bit odd and having the sensation of starting with a sore throat, this
quickly went to feeling very faint (rapid drop in BP)throat closing and
hives/rash. Second was similar but without the hives as I took 2 antihistamine
immediately and lay down with my feet up.
>
> My GP said the anaphalactic 'journey' can be different each time, but he was
adamant that any rapid drop in BP is an indication of it. This can be helped by
lying down and taking it easy - he reckoned for 24 hours after a shock as the
drop in blood pressure takes time for your body to recover from.
>
> I found the throat closing the most scary - once I was lying down as I could
feel the airway reduce.
>
> I don't remember feeling panicky - more puzzled as 'fuzzy' as to what was
happening.
>
> Second time I did panic! Came flying into the house, couldn't open the epipen
as I was shaking so much. My husband took control and got me to lie down, take
anithistamines (double dose) and then assessed whether or not to use epipens -
not in this case
>
> In the meantime I would get armed with epipens and anithistamines then you
will feel as though you have some control.
>
> Also, avoid perfumed products & brightly coloured clothes - white is meant to
be good. Don't walk outside in barefeet :)
>
> This site is GREAT for linking up with other people who understand :)
>
> Take care!
>
> Maggie
>
> -- In insectstings@yahoogroups.com, "sethzondag" <sethzondag@> wrote:
> >
> > 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!
> >
>

I use the Children's Liquid Benadryl. For me, a capfull upon being stung. I am
190lbs. It would seem to me that the liquid would work faster than caplets.