Damn wasp!

[cpaysonc]

Was on a scaffolding removing a ceiling fan outdoors and mentioned to my wife that I would hate to be stung because I'd likely fall off, seconds later, wham. Didn't fall off but grabbed the epi-pen and waited it out. Blood pressure hit 164/98 in minutes, thankfully trending down thereafter. Monitored the swelling and BP and thankfully it tapered off, but man, no fun!

 

[Fueling Around]

And I thought I swelled from those stings.
Did you use the epi-pen?

 

[pc farmer]

Damn. That's no fun. That looks like my bp all the time

 

[Timber II]

Man I hate them things. I actively hunt them- when I see one I try to follow and find the nest. Then early the next morning I’ll spray them down. Just did a big nest in a crevice on the blade for the tractor. Used my phone vid to see exactly they are. Glad I didn’t try to move that thing!

 

[cpaysonc]

And I thought I swelled from those stings.
Did you use the epi-pen?

Thankfully didn't need the epi pen! Too close for comfort though!

 

[normanaj]

I'm allergic also.

 

[cpaysonc]

I'm allergic also.

That sucks, they suck! I was subjected to several years of massively unpleasant desensitization shots. Not sure if they were helpful or voodoo science.

 

[sandyut]

I woulda hit he Epi Pen. Last time I got stung on my toe, I swelled up to my waist. Im horrified about what may happen if I am stung anywhere above the waist.

 

[cpaysonc]

I woulda hit he Epi Pen. Last time I got stung on my toe, I swelled up to my waist. Im horrified about what may happen if I am stung anywhere above the waist.

Definitely considered it but treaded cautiously because the epi pen is so harsh, can't imagine the injection blasting into you that quickly. Have you ever experienced one? I've had epinephrine at the hospital, or whatever it was, that saved my life, but never self administered.

 

[sandyut]

Definitely considered it but treaded cautiously because the epi pen is so harsh, can't imagine the injection blasting into you that quickly. Have you ever experienced one? I've had epinephrine at the hospital, or whatever it was, that saved my life, but never self administered.

I have not used it yet. I will if I get stung. I inject repatha every 2 weeks, but its rather inert. the epinephrine is far from inert, but better than anaphylactic shock

 

[cpaysonc]

I have not used it yet. I will if I get stung. I inject repatha every 2 weeks, but its rather inert. the epinephrine is far from inert, but better than anaphylactic shock

Far better is an understatement!! I went into shock as a youngster and barely made it to the hospital alive, no fun!

 

[sandyut]

Far better is an understatement!! I went into shock as a youngster and barely made it to the hospital alive, no fun!

WOW! Yeah, my reaction got worse and worse as an adult. When I lived in UT the wasps were plentiful and I got stung a lot. Got worse and worse till my doc was like "if you dont carry and be prepared to use an Epi Pen, you may die." Been carrying ever since.

Luckily, I live at 8200 ft and there are not many up here, but when we visit our kids, they have tons around. Of course the wasps ignore overyone but me.

 

[cpaysonc]

WOW! Yeah, my reaction got worse and worse as an adult. When I lived in UT the wasps were plentiful and I got stung a lot. Got worse and worse till my doc was like "if you dont carry and be prepared to use an Epi Pen, you may die." Been carrying ever since.

Luckily, I live at 8200 ft and there are not many up here, but when we visit our kids, they have tons around. Of course the wasps ignore overyone but me.

I feel for you, they've got a fondness for me as well but I've been really lucky, one yellow jacket and now this wasp in about a 15 year span. What's really crazy is that someone that's handled stings well all their life might inexplicably be in anaphylaxis the very next, solitary sting.

 

[Fueling Around]

Thankfully didn't need the epi pen! Too close for comfort though!

Hope you are recovering. No trip to the clinic for steroids? Swelling is my worst part. No BP spike or ant breathing issue

Friend of mine took a half dozen hits a couple weeks ago. Got sent to ER and a day off work.
Took another hit Monday and zero reaction. His titer (natural immunity) built up.

I seasonally worked for a beekeeper almost 50 years ago. First week or so I looked as a sparring partner in the boxing ring. They loved my face. After that my titer built up and I would get stung and not feel it. Wasp stings burned, but no swelling. The wonderful side was mosquitoes left me alone.

 

[cpaysonc]

Hope you are recovering. No trip to the clinic for steroids? Swelling is my worst part. No BP spike or ant breathing issue

Friend of mine took a half dozen hits a couple weeks ago. Got sent to ER and a day off work.
Took another hit Monday and zero reaction. His titer (natural immunity) built up.

I seasonally worked for a beekeeper almost 50 years ago. First week or so I looked as a sparring partner in the boxing ring. They loved my face. After that my titer built up and I would get stung and not feel it. Wasp stings burned, but no swelling. The wonderful side was mosquitoes left me alone.

Appreciate it! Recovery almost completed, just deep itching now! No medical visit required. I'm always paranoid about multiple stings but have been pretty lucky. If skeeters leave me alone I'll be mighty pleased, is that a thing?

 

[Fueling Around]

...
If skeeters leave me alone I'll be mighty pleased, is that a thing?

Yes, All of us that worked for the beekeeper noticed and appreciated the same skeeter deterrent.

 

[1MoreFord]

@cpaysonc
I don't know how you react around wasps when you see them but let me relate a story about an old friend. He wasn't afraid of venomous snakes but he went Crazy running around flapping his arms and swatting at the air whenever wasps were nearby. It was dangerous to be near him! Wasps swarmed him when he did that. I'd stand there as calm as possible and they would leave me alone. I know it's hard to remain calm but I learned that lesson long before I met him.
Something that might help when you do get stung w/o resorting to epi pens is Benadryl. I know a guy who was bitten by a brown recluse. Before it was realized he had been bitten by the spider he was given large doses of Benedryl for the reaction. Took care of it for a few hours. Of course it got worse again later and he was then diagnosed as having a spider bite but it made if bearable overnight. Might work well enough for a sting to get you thru it if you want to avoid the epipen.

 

[clifish]

Definitely considered it but treaded cautiously because the epi pen is so harsh, can't imagine the injection blasting into you that quickly. Have you ever experienced one? I've had epinephrine at the hospital, or whatever it was, that saved my life, but never self administered.

I have used my pen a couple times from my shellfish allergy, then the night in the hospital with IV's.

 

[cpaysonc]

@cpaysonc
I don't know how you react around wasps when you see them but let me relate a story about an old friend. He wasn't afraid of venomous snakes but he went Crazy running around flapping his arms and swatting at the air whenever wasps were nearby. It was dangerous to be near him! Wasps swarmed him when he did that. I'd stand there as calm as possible and they would leave me alone. I know it's hard to remain calm but I learned that lesson long before I met him.
Something that might help when you do get stung w/o resorting to epi pens is Benadryl. I know a guy who was bitten by a brown recluse. Before it was realized he had been bitten by the spider he was given large doses of Benedryl for the reaction. Took care of it for a few hours. Of course it got worse again later and he was then diagnosed as having a spider bite but it made if bearable overnight. Might work well enough for a sting to get you thru it if you want to avoid the epipen.

Believe it or not, I'm not frantic around them, although my wife is! This was just dumb luck! You're 100% right though, flailing encourages a sting! Benadryl is a blessing, especially if taken at night! Great sleep!

 

[cpaysonc]

I have used my pen a couple times from my shellfish allergy, then the night in the hospital with IV's.

The mandatory hospital visit adds another layer of complexity. I know when using a lifesaving drug, shot discomfort should be of zero concern, but what was the experience of using them like? I would guess massive bruising and tissue damage based on the flow rate of the injection.