another update/ my son is now allergic to bees/got stung

[troubleinohio]

hi guys, Im just checkin back in again. I see a lot of you have had some major trials and tribulations recently! I sure hope everyone gets back to feeling "normal" again soon!! My gosh I cant believe how many members here are having new issues/severe problems! I feel bad that you are suffering worse than usual! Sending my heartfelt well wishes to you all!

Ive been in a frenzied whirlwind myself with things which of course has my pain ramped up many notches as well! Both my boys started school (monday my 2nd grader started, yesterday my kindergartner went!) It sure is a lot more stress and work getting two little boys ready each day for school! my gosh, double the lunches to pack, clothes to have clean, ironed and set out, breakfasts made,  double backpacks to be checked, FORMS to fill out by the bazillion each, ugh! I cried like a baby when I had to leave my kindergartner the first day! My goal was to at least make it out to my car before the tears came, but I didnt make it! I barely got to the exit door and by the time my feet hit the pavement of the parking lot i was bawling! He looked so lost and scared! He didnt cry though! He actually did quite well and liked it!! I was so relieved!
also, my 7 yr old got stung by a yellow jacket. Both of them actually got stung, my 5 yr old got it about 8x !!! They have both been stung multiple times over the last few years but never have they had an allergic reaction.....UNTIL NOW. My 7 year old only got stung once , on the finger, Monday nite. Well, its still swollen and red, across his knuckles/ next finger over. I delineated it with a marker to make sure its not spreading farther...which its not...but its also not receeding any either. He has no systemic symptoms, just local reaction/ pain/itching/burning/redness. I am taking him to the doctors. His regular dr. is not in (on vacation) and soonest they can seee him is tomorrow! However i found out the free clinic i went to months ago, is still operating, and will be open tonight only. So i am taking him there this evening to be evaluated. See if he need some steroids, and also if he will need an epi pen for future use in case his reaction gets systemic next time or if he gets stung in the throat/mouth/airway region. Man, this suckks! no one on either side of the family is allergic to bees, so i thought he would be OK too, especially since about 2 summers ago he got stung by a whole nest of yellow jackets and he had no reaction. I guess it takes time to develop allergies to them though and thank god he wasnt allergic then with so many stings! I HATE YELLOW JACKETS!! mean nasty aggressive things that sting you with no provocation!! GRRR

anyways, thats my update! I'll let you know how things go when I can. Im awfully busy these days! Take care everyone , hope you all start feeling better soon!

[jamlws]

I agree you really need to carry a EPI pen with you at all times. My son who just went into 2nd grade also has to have a EPI with him at all times due to his food allergies and bee allergies. When he is at school he has one there and I carry one in my purse at all times. Any time a child is really allergic to something a EPI pen should always be on hand.
One day someone could eat a food that they do fine with then the next they can have a really bad reaction to it. I have no clue why this happens. I know with my son we always watch him outside and we watch him every single time he eats just to make sure something don't happen. A sweat bee got him once on the neck and it was so swolle that it really scared me. I always have to be very careful with him. Also allergies and ashtma go hand in hand too, not use if your son has problems with asthma or not.
I hope your sons dr appt went good and let us know how he is doing.
Jamie

[namnam46]

I'm so sorry about your sons and the Yellow Jackets.  I can't think of anything MORE frightening for both the boys AND you to go through.

Listen,Trouble, Sara KNOWS what she is talking about when it comes to Allergies - UNFORTUNATELY!!  Whatever you want to know she can tell you, FIRST Hand.  When it comes to allergies to bees, I've ALSO heard that the allergies accelerate with EACH episode.  I JUST can't get over that this has happened to you Family.

I'm SO sorry for you all.  PLEASE let us know what the Doctor says. ALL of us are VERY concerned for your Boys........Sherry

[Sarajmt]

Hi Ohio:  It's my experience and to my knowledge, once you've had a strong allergic reaction to something, yes, it will accelerate.

And NO!  Epipens are not expensive.  I use Benadryl as my first line of defense once a reaction starts.  Many times it works and I don't have to use the Epipen.  I hate the way the Epipen makes me feel.  So do ask your doctor.  

I don't want to scare you but severe allergic reactions can be a serious problem.  So do inquire about when to use the Epipen.  I never use it immediately.  I always try the benadryl first and it's very cheap.  The Epipen is my just in case medicine.

[troubleinohio]

sara- do these type of allergies accelerate rapidly?? That was one of my Q's i want to ask the doctor. I didnt know if the next time he gets stung if the reaction will be worse each time or what. I've never had to deal with this so this is all new to me. Ug Im so worried! we have a ton of bees this time of year and they get mean as helll in Aug/Sept as they know they are dying soon and they really sting a lot during this part of the year here!

His appt. cant get here soon enough for me!  PS do you know if epi-pens are expensive?? We have absolutely no insurance at all, so I hope its something affordable. Will i have to sell my car in order to purchase him them or what?

[Sarajmt]

Oh my goodness, you do have a lot going on.  If he is that allergic to wasps, I'd suggest you get a pediatric Epipen.  Personally I keep 2 on hand.  You should have 1 at school for him and one either in your purse or at home.  He should have one available at all times.  These allergies accelerate quickly.

Check for dosage with your doctor, but you can also use benadryl for allergic reactions.

I'm so sorry this happened to your children.  These stings hurt horribly! And right now with school starting, you all have enough on your plate.  Good luck at the clinic tonight.  Keep us updated on how this is going.

Sara