Yesterday I found out that I'm allergic to insect stings. I'm not sure what got me, but it got me good. I went to urgent care, passed out, and ended up in the ER because they were concerned that I may have hit my head when I passed out. I'm telling you this because it's important for you to know some of the following things:
- There is no telling when you will become allergic to something.
- If the soles of your feet start to itch, get help. (This itching and hives can then continue to places like your armpits, groin, arms, etc.) This itching may just be the beginning of something much worse.
- Do not drive yourself to get help. Call 911. The ambulance ride and being in the ER is not as bad as you think it will be. That is far better than waiting for the urgent care to open and wondering if you are going to make it.
- If someone tells you to carry an EpiPen or two, do it. My brother is allergic to bee stings, but doesn't carry an EpiPen anymore. I'm hoping that after this he will.
I'm getting ready to buy a medical alert necklace and an app for my phone that shows my allergy on the opening screen. I can also include my medications, heart conditions, etc.
While I'm not glad I went through that yesterday, I am extremely grateful to know that I have this allergy. And maybe now my brother will carry EpiPens. And hopefully this post can help someone, too.
Oh no...you poor thing. I hope you are doing better.
Posted by: Karen | June 27, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Oh no! I carry an EpiPen for shellfish allergy. Those hives are just miserable...as well as the passing out.
Posted by: KM | June 27, 2012 at 12:02 PM
glad you are okay-good to know about the itching.
Posted by: lydia | June 27, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Wow, how frightening! I am so glad you are okay and this is an important message for everyone.
Posted by: Carole | June 27, 2012 at 02:47 PM
omg! i'm glad you are okay. how scary! i carry an epipen in my purse for bryan and his bee sting allergy.
Posted by: vanessa | June 27, 2012 at 02:57 PM
Beth - How awful that happened to you - I'm so glad you are okay and now aware of this allergy. Thanks for the information - hope to see you soon.
Posted by: Robin Holsonback | June 27, 2012 at 04:27 PM
Goodness! So glad that you are OK!
Posted by: Ruth | June 27, 2012 at 06:56 PM
Thanks for this message. I'm supposed to carry an epipen for bee stings but choked on the $125 it's going to cost... Funny, if it were for my daughters I'd do it in a second. I'm glad you're okay, what a horrible experience.
Posted by: greetingarts | June 27, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Oh dear! So happy things turned out ok. Sounds as though it was a scary experience.
Posted by: Leslie | June 27, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Beth, what a horrible experience but I'm so glad you are okay. You are very right about allergies...they do change as you change. As for the Epipen, you are too right that you should always carry one but more importantly make sure you refill your prescription when you pen has expired.
Posted by: Estella | June 27, 2012 at 09:57 PM
glad you're better! thanks for sharing this - looks from the comments like it was a much-needed PSA!
Posted by: Mary | June 28, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Thank you for sharing all this information, Beth. I'm so glad you are ok. As well as carrying an EpiPen, it's also very important that loved ones and friends know how to, when to (and are not afraid to) use it!
Posted by: Robin | June 28, 2012 at 03:20 PM
How scary, Beth! I am glad you are okay! Thank you for sharing that very helpful information.
Posted by: caitlyn | June 29, 2012 at 12:30 AM