I'm kind of new to beekeeping and was just wondering how many of you guys have a epi pen on hand? I've been stung many times , but not alot at any one time. I've never have had any signs of a allergic reaction. Should I get one?
Thanks in advance, David
If you can get one its probably a good idea to do so. Even if you don't need it you could have someone on your property get stung and they could have a bad reaction to it.
I don't know what the legal mumbo jumbo would be about using an epi pen prescribed to you on someone else but if that person is going to die from a bee sting its a necessary risk.
I have them on hand because my son already has them for another reason, he was on a medication that you can eventually develop an allergic reaction to( 1 in 20 million chance) so the doctor gives you a couple of epi pens just in case he is one of the 1 in 20 million people that will need it.
Better safe than sorry.
I tried getting one of these for just the reason you stated, not so much for me, but rather in case someone on my property was stung and had a bad reaction. My doctor wouldn't hand out a script for one. Maybe you would have better luck, but I think it's a good idea.
I asked my doctor for one and he never batted an eye, he just wrote a prescription. I just have a local reaction to a sting but thought it would be safer to have one then to be without one. I think it cost $30.
Quote from: Conchis on February 17, 2009, 10:33:39 PM
I tried getting one of these for just the reason you stated, not so much for me, but rather in case someone on my property was stung and had a bad reaction. My doctor wouldn't hand out a script for one. Maybe you would have better luck, but I think it's a good idea.
Gee,you wouldn't think the doc would chance a beekeeper patient dying by not prescribing one just in case!! ;) The risk is surely there. They give flu shots before your sick.
Quote from: Conchis on February 17, 2009, 10:33:39 PM
I tried getting one of these for just the reason you stated, not so much for me, but rather in case someone on my property was stung and had a bad reaction. My doctor wouldn't hand out a script for one. Maybe you would have better luck, but I think it's a good idea.
Doctors may not issue a prescription after you told him you may administer a drug he prescribed, to another person. Next time, ask for one for yourself. And if he balks at that, get a new doc.
I have one. I bought it to keep in the truck, but they are very temp sensitive. So I keep it at the house. I also tell all my farm families, especially those with kids, to have a bottle of Benedryl on hand. It may not save your life, but it will buy you an extra 20-30 minutes to get to the hospital.
ditto on the benadryl. i keep the liquid and chug it when i get stung because i have such bad swelling. you actually need 2 epi pens. if you get a script from your doc, ask for two. epinephrine is short acting and may not last long enough to get you to help, or help to you.
remember that the liquid benadryl is low dose. you'd need a good gulp to = one or two pills.
If your family doctor won't give you one, even though he should, if you have an allergist that you see you can ask him/her. I know the allergy clinic near me prescribes them to patients.
I think that is where I messed up Bjornbee, by telling the doc that I wanted it around in case SOMEONE ELSE had a reaction.
Quote from: kathyp on February 17, 2009, 11:29:08 PM
remember that the liquid benadryl is low dose. you'd need a good gulp to = one or two pills.
kathy,
I have always been told, if your going into anaphylactic shock, then chug the entire bottle. Yes, you may throw up, but were talking about something potentially killing you. Chug the bottle, and let the emergency room deal with it.
Of course were talking about something replacing an epipen, if one is not on hand. If your taking benadryl for some localized swelling and discomfort, then yes a few pills or a couple tablespoons of liquid is best. But if you got swelling of the throat, and your chest is tightening...I'd be chugging... ;)
We have 2 for my son's extreme allergy to nuts. We were told, if he eats the nuts that he is allergic too (thankfully not peanuts), the we need to administer the shot immediatly and call for a ambulance.
Our "pen" has 2 doses built in. It is called twinject (www.twinject.com).
I have a friend on one of the local fire departments. He says they carry one with then but wont and cant administer it. If they get a call and someone needs the shot they toss it on the ground when no one is looking and tell the patient that there standing by one and let them give it to them selves
>I'm kind of new to beekeeping and was just wondering how many of you guys have a epi pen on hand?
I've never even seen one...
Quote from: Michael Bush on February 18, 2009, 07:12:30 PM
>I'm kind of new to beekeeping and was just wondering how many of you guys have a epi pen on hand?
I've never even seen one...
Just for you MB....
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x236/BjornBee/beepictures250.jpg)
OK. Now I've seen a picture of one...
Quote from: Michael Bush on February 20, 2009, 07:06:09 AM
OK. Now I've seen a picture of one...
As my wife says..."baby steps"..... :-D
Michael,
You had to fly out early. Mike Szacks had them with the Apitherapy discussion at the Southeast Organic Beekeepers Conference.
I also second the recommendation for liquid benadryl. No prescription needed and fast and effective at dealing with a systemic reaction.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
Quotekathy,
I have always been told, if your going into anaphylactic shock, then chug the entire bottle
depends on the size of the bottle ;), but yes, more is better than not enough. the standard allergy dose is 50mg. that's for hay fever, etc. if you go to a hospital and the stick an IV in you, they'll give you 100's of mg IV. if you are going into anaphylactic shock, your system begins to shut down quickly. the liquid benadryl may not get into your system quickly and completely. it is a stop gap measure until you can get medical care.
I keep 2 on hand in case, but if I ever had to actually use this on someone I would just panic!!! But I would do what is necessary.