Debbie,

Thanks for the welcome. I am grateful to have a place where people relate.
Like you I get the delayed reaction. I take 10 mg's of Claritin an hour before
the shots then my doctor gives me Zyrtec while I am there, then I follow up with
another in the evening. I too have to have a babysitter for 24 hours after my
shots. Three weeks ago I went by myself..... That won't be happening again. My
husband has his problems so I went alone, big mistake.

I am independent so naturally it makes me feel bad that I have to depend on
someone. Anyways, on the upside my girlfriends and Godmother who sometimes come
with make it a fun girls day with movies so I am happy about that.

Do you get swollen joints after your shots? My doctor looked at me like I am
nuts? I also get low blood pressure which I understand is normal.

You said you brought pizza for the paramedics. I have wanted to do something
for the paramedics, doctors and nurses who saved my life. When I called the
hospital they won't release my records, I have to go there in person they said.
I plan on going back to Chattanooga in the spring just to do that. I did get a
full medical report while I was there but I can't make out the names and of
course they won't release that information. Patient confidentiality is what they
told me ........I am the patient, frustrating. Some of the laws are ridiculous.

I am enjoying winter for a first time too. We have been really lucky in
Chicago this winter, not much snow. The news has been saying the east has it
bad. Hang in there too. Thanks again for the welcome.

Sarah





Hi Sarah,


Sorry to hear you are a part of our group. It's a swell group, but being a
member isn't one of those things to wish for. But, since you are, welcome. You
will get a lot of good information here as well as having a place where people
don't think your nuts when you freak out over a little bitty wasp ! Just wonder
around in the posts and you will see that a lot of us are in the same "severe"
boat. I just keep going day by day. My treatment hurts and makes me sick too,
but the sting kills me.

Not many choices there.

Many people do not understand. Except for the people I have met at this site,
my venom therapy reactions are worse than the reactions everybody I know gets
when they get stung ! Did that make sense?

Any way, just look around and you will see you came to the right place.

Sounds like you had a blast. If you are going to get dropped on your head it
may as well be during anaphylactic shock !

My husband and I took pizzas to the whole fire department a few weeks after my
sting. My husband and the paramedics are the only reason I did not "stay dead"
that day.

My doctor has me carry three epi-pens, benadryl and 180 mg/ea anti-histamines.
My sting was also in August. I have been going to venom therapy since then and
am at only 70% of one sting. I take anti-histamine before going to the Dr. and
ice and no exercise after the shot. That has helped a little. However, my
husband and my best friend have decided to post a "Danger" sign at our front
door on my shot days. I don't start having a bad reaction until about 4 hours
after my shot. At about 6 to 8 hours after, they get the full meaning of
"Venom". I have a babysitter just to go get the shot. It's only about 1 hour
away, but I never know what might happen. It just made me crazy to have to stay
inside for such good weather last summer. It's the first time I haven't hated
winter in a long time. I live in northeast Ohio and we have similar weather.
Don't feel bad about being a "sissy". You have to be on your guard.

I am running pretty long winded here myself. ........................

Try to stay positive, it will work out in the end. I have to believe that.

Good luck.

Debbie