bee allergy

I feel king of dumb asking this, but has anyone here had an allergic reaction to bees that comes back hours later? After getting stung by bees I usually have about a 20-30 minute "window" to get to my epi shot and benedryl -my reaction is unusual in that I get dizzy, my blood pressure crashes, and my throat and chest get really tight. -No rashes or redness...Today after getting stung, I was able to take 50 mg of benedryl within 5 minutes of being stung (followed up with another 50 mg 30 min later) and didn't have to do the shot. The chest and throat tightness wasn't as bad as usual and went away about an hour after taking the benedryl. Now its about 10 hours later and the chest and throat tightness is back. In the past I've always had to use the epinephrine shot followed with the benedryl and have never had a "relapse" of symptoms. I'm going to take another dose of benedryl to see if it helps, but I was wondering, has anyone else had this "relapse" of symptoms happen? If so, what did you to to relieve them? Were steroids needed? Thanks...~MM

[nikkie1580]

yes my daughter did she was stung and gave her benadryl right when it had no reaction her foot swelled a hour after the benadryl gave her more benadryl and that was it  but 24 hr later got sever asthma attack face swelled up and got blisters went to er they gave her a epi shot and put here on short course of steroids. went to her dr the next and they told us know mater what if she has more then a local reaction any trouble breathing or face swelling give the epi pen does not mater how long after she was stung. she does take monthly venom shots dr think this could have caused the delayed reaction but said the a reaction can appear any time even 72 hr after first attack she told us when in doubt take the epi shot

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forums, you have gone through anaphylactic shock. Usually with previous exposure it will not cause any reaction. Any subsequent stings can trigger the reaction.

This is due to release of histamine in the body which will cause hypotension, breathing difficulty (angioedema) and can be life threatening sometimes.

The recurrence of the symptoms can be due to persistent insult from the allergen from bee sting and can be worsened due to wearing off of the effects of anti histamines.

This condition is usually managed by Inj. Adrenaline, anti-histaminic and steroids which take care of the allergic symptoms. I suggest you to consult your doctor. Take care and regards.  

[medicmommy]

Thank you for your posts and advice. In this case, the benedryl did help, but it was odd in the fact that the symptoms returned so many hours later...I appreciate your insight. ~MM