Howto: Administer an Epinephrine Shot

[Lone]

Same chemical, Kathy.

[beekeeperookie]

I told my doc i kept bees and he gave me a prescription. 

I do recommend reading the directions before using them, as my husband decided to see how long the needle was accidently stuck himself in his tumb.  To make a long story short he had to see a vein specialist and take injections in his stomach to open his veins in his tumb or he could have lost it.  So i recommend to read the directions.  Unfortunatly during his whole time in the doctors office i was laughing

[yockey5]

I told my doc i kept bees and he gave me a prescription. 

I do recommend reading the directions before using them, as my husband decided to see how long the needle was accidently stuck himself in his tumb.  To make a long story short he had to see a vein specialist and take injections in his stomach to open his veins in his tumb or he could have lost it.  So i recommend to read the directions.  Unfortunatly during his whole time in the doctors office i was laughing

 :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau:

[Lone]

To make a long story short he had to see a vein specialist and take injections in his stomach to open his veins in his tumb

I've seen an accidental injection into the hand by a young girl who thought she was using her practice pen.  But after review of the literature the doctor was confident there were no documented problems from injection into the hand, and after a while the colour started to return to normal.  Here is one such study. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2526033/

Lone

[BoxerDad]

I have two on hand as well as my middle daughter is allergic to peanuts. Hopefully not bee venom.

[tedlemay]

was wondering whether or not to get one, now i think i will! sounds like a good precaution!

[Javin]

While I'll be asking my doctor for a pen just because I keep bees and would HATE to be in that situation, how often have you found that you see a reaction like this?  From what I can find online, only 1 in 10,000 people are actually allergic to bee venom, and many of those aren't allergic in the sense that it will kill them.  Have you guys seen the numbers in real life to be different?

[tjc1]

Just so you are prepared... I have a high-deductible health plan, and when I went to CVS to pick up the prescription I almost fell over - $200 for two pens, and you can't buy them singly! Almost passed on them, but I wanted to keep my bees. I was getting increasingly strong reactions with each sting and so felt it necessary to have the Epipen on hand in case.

[buzzbee]

Although it may seem rare it does happen. this story is real close to our home. The man had no previous allergy when stung before. These were yellow jackets,not honeybees, but the end result is still tragic.
http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/541254/Life-cut-short.html?nav=5009
I have epis just in case. 10 minutes or more for the ambulance to arrive here may be the last 10. I only ever had a local reaction,but why chance it.
The doctor did not hesitate the least when told I was a beekeeper.
The epi pack comes with a trainer pen. Use it and be familiar. In the middle of a reaction is no time to read the instuctions.Time is not on your side at this point.

[Javin]

I realize it's been almost a month, but I've been out for awhile.  :D  (Got married.)

On this note, I think it's important to point out that as few as 1 in 100 people are allergic to some form of wasp (or hornet) sting, while only 1 in 10,000 are allergic to bee venom.  For centuries, bee stings have been used to build an immunity to hornet stings.

[deknow]

On this note, I think it's important to point out that as few as 1 in 100 people are allergic to some form of wasp (or hornet) sting, while only 1 in 10,000 are allergic to bee venom.  For centuries, bee stings have been used to build an immunity to hornet stings.

Is there a source for this statistic?

deknow

[buzzbee]

If you are actively keeping bees and are not sure of your sensitivity,I would hate to find I am a statistic. Even though you may not be sensitive now,you could become sensitive in time.And the risk is multiplied if you open a hot hive and get stung repeatedly. I'll err on the side of caution since I am in a rural area.

[fshrgy99]

I know this is an old thread but thought I'd ad my .02 worth. Never seen it needed or used, got one anyway .... in case.

[greg755]

I never thought of getting a pen because I always wear a FULL bee suit.  That is until last August when I didnt quite get a zipper all the way closed.  It is amazing just how fast five bees can get inside such a small hole and sting you.  Anyways, thanks for all the comments AND warnings/precautions.