--- 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!
>

Just an FYI, I was told by my allergist to apply the Epi shot at the first sign
of an anaphylactic reaction, and then call for help. The point being, if you
are going into shock, the sooner you apply the shot, the better chance that it
will work effectively. You can wait too long to give yourself the shot, or
worse pass out before you are able. The epipen will make you shaky, and
nervous, but its really not that bad (assuming you dont have any heart or other
health issues - check with your doc)...and wears off after about 20-30 minutes.