Anxiety worsen allergies?

[crystalfresh]

Question #1.
If you are allergic to bee stings will anxiety produce more histamine and IGE if stung?

Question #2.
If you take strong anxiety meds would a person be less likely experience an anaphylactic reaction from a bee sting?

[Heather3418]

When I was bitten by a spider, I went into with anaphylatic shock within 25 seconds.  This brought on extreme anxiety right away.  I am sure this was due to my not being able to catch my breath and my throat swelling shut.  

Af the time of my bite my 'then' husband shoved two Benadryl tablets into the side of my mouth, between my cheek and gums. (since my teeth were clapped shut)  According to what the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) said later, this saved my life and kept me alive until the ambulance could get me to the hospital. Just enough of a an antihistamine to give me a little more time. I was lucky.  Benadryl is not always enough to keep you from death's door during this kind of life alterating event.

I frankly don't understand a doctor saying not to panic or get anxious.  When you are literally dying from anaphylatic shock, of course you are in a state of panic.  I think the panic and anxiety ARE part of the allergic response anyway.

This is just my opinion.  It's always best to do what YOUR doctor tells you to do and remember to carry that EPI-PEN with you at ALL times.  Anti-anxiety drugs will NOT help you in the slightest, during an anaphylatic episode.  This is a life and death event we are talking about.

Have a safe and happy summer,
Heather

[crystalfresh]

The person is me. Yes I carry eppi pens. One of my doctors said when I get scared after being stung it makes it worst by producing more of the bad toxic chemicals that cause this reaction, making it worst and bringing it on faster. I wasn't sure if he just wanted me to relax or if there was something real to it. I never noticed a difference when I was calm or worried. It's easy to stay calm up to a point but when the allergic reaction kicks in even though the rescue meds should work, the time it gets tough until the meds stop the reaction is terrifying. I deal with it as best as I can. I would imagine this can easily be tested with blood tests. A blood sample can be taken before and during an anxiety situation and the levels of allergic response can be compared when the bee toxin is mixed with the blood samples. Just wondering if anyone knew this answer. I love doctors for their education but sometimes one knows more than others and sometimes there are a few that can be off a little. And again he may have lied to me just to try and keep me calm and thinking clearly during this dangerous situation. I don't know. This is why I ask. Thank you.

[RubyWitch]

I honestly don't think so, Toots, but again, I have to say that I am NOT a doctor, so I really can't give you a difinitive answer. If someone is highly allergic to bee stings, to the point that anaphylatic shock is a REAL possibility, then the fact that they are anxious when bees are around goes without saying. But I don't THINK that that anxiety would bring on anaphylatic shock any quicker. It's my understanding that someone with anaphylaxis will go into shock almost immediately.
Again, I can only urge you to seek out the advice of a qualified professional and get these questions answered.
Does the person we are talking about carry an epi pen with antidote? If so, the prescriber of this will be able to answer your questions about the anxiety.
Please call someone.........with "bee season" upon us, you need some answers soon!
Peace
Greenlydia

[crystalfresh]

I probably should add to question #2, if the person was having strong anxiety from being stung would the anxiety and the sting together bring on an anaphylactic reaction sooner compared to if the person was not worried?

[RubyWitch]

I'm hoping someone on this forum knows a lot more than I do about this subject! For question number one, I would talk to a qualified allergist. Your pharmacist may have some answers as well.

Question number 2 is still out of the scope of my "practice," but if a person who suffers from anaphylaxis is on a benzo, IMHO, the use of that med will NOT decrease the likelyhood of an anyaphylatic response. As I understand it, the first line defense against  anaphylatic shock is to administer adrenaline by injection, which is the only pharmacologically effective immediate treatment. Antihistamines help, but less dramatically. Since I don't believe any of the benzo's contain adrenaline or antihistamines, I don't think you should count on them to prevent a very dangerous and life threatening reaction. But, again, I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist and I would urge you to speak to someone professional regarding these questions.
Peace
Greenlydia