Bee Sting

[DeepCreek]

You asked if you should "forgo the smoke, or take the stings".  Don't worry, even with the smoke you'll take your share of stings.

[tjc1]

I haven't been stung that many times.  Mostly in the hands and not much of a reaction but it does not appear to do anything for arthritis.   

As it happens, I was beginning to worry this summer that I might be getting arthritis in my hands - sore, stiff knuckles and palms. I got stung on the writs a few weeks back, and at first my attention was on my swelling forearm, but on the second day, I suddenly realized that my hands felt great! Good new/bad news scenario, but interesting to feel that effect of a sting.

[Acebird]

I think the body is fooled when it comes to pain.  More severe pain or recent pain takes preference and when it subsides the arthritis pain returns.  The arthritis does not go away from a bee sting the pain is just distracted.

[paus]

I have arthritis in my fingers, bee stings definitely ease the soreness and I also notice it is much easier to make a fist. This is after I get brave and pull off my gloves, and get tagged " you are it".

[tjc1]

Actually, the elimination of pain and increased mobility have remained now a couple of weeks later. This is my first experience with this topic - I would rather hope that I really don't have arthritis, but...!

[herbhome]

These Russians I keep can get a mite defensive if I'm moving combs about. Usually don't go on a full fledged attack but they will start head butting my hands and face. I wear the veil because I find 4 of 5 bees angrily buzzing and slamming into my face to be distracting.  

[BeeMaster2]

I think the body is fooled when it comes to pain.  More severe pain or recent pain takes preference and when it subsides the arthritis pain returns.  The arthritis does not go away from a bee sting the pain is just distracted.

Don't tell my shoulder that.
I got into beekeeping partially because of shoulder problems. After 6 months I didn't have any problems. Twice during the last 6 years I have had periods with no stings and the problems come back. After a few stings I slowly goes away again.
I'll bet I am not the only beekeeper who has experienced the same thing.
Jim

[Acebird]

I have had periods with no stings and the problems come back. After a few stings I slowly goes away again.

This is what I am saying Jim it comes back.  It is no different than taking a pain reliever and as the chemical dissipates and gets flushed through your urine the pain comes back.  Maybe we are in agreement on what the sting does.  I don't know.  Unlike a pain reliever it hurts to take the sting and there is that small risk of staff infection.

[BeeMaster2]

Brian,
Not in my case, I think my shoulder heals up after several weeks of bee stings. When I stop getting stung, after about 4 to 5 months the problem starts to show up again.
It is not so much a pain reliever as it helps repair the damage.

My son on the other hand gets instant relief from fiber myalgia type pain and like you say, about 24 hours later, it wears off.
Jim

[Acebird]

It is not so much a pain reliever as it helps repair the damage.

I am not knowledgable enough to know how that would work.  It is my understanding that all venom's destroy tissue not repair.  So I am going to bow out of this discussion now.

[jimineycricket]

Jim when you get stung on purpose do you try to git it in the shoulder or just any where that it handy.?

[Lancej]

I'm with Jim on this, only received my first sting the other day after 6 months, hands were starting to hurt, 24 hours later feeling pretty good. Bad luck it doesn't help the back.

[iddee]

I place 1 or 2 in the center of my back at the belt line about once a week. It definitely does help.  It does not help my back if I get several stings on my hands, arms, face, or head.

[Nugget Shooter]

Interesting hearing the different experiences.... I also get temporary relief in my hands after a sting and it lasts quite a spell, but never considered it may be helpful for the back as well.

Does anyone know of any literature on this worth a read? Just curious as can be now....

[MimbresBees]

it's called apitherapy, start with Charles Mraz. There's lots of info out there.

[bwallace23350]

This is a side note with everyone talking about arthritis. I am 31 and have led a pretty active life and played a lot of sports and such. My dad has bad arthritis. When does this start up and would bee stings help to put off developing arthritis?

[Michael Bush]

I doubt that bee stings work on the actual cause of arthritis.  They do have some anti inflammatory properties or maybe I should say they set off anti inflammatory responses in the body.  My knees always feel better for few days after a sting.  But they go back to normal after that...

[paus]

I agree with Michael, it seems as though the immune system inflammation has something else to do after a sting,  for instance to cure a head ache hit your finger with a hammer.  The venom does not cure or prevent any ailment but redirects the priorities of the inflammation from the immune system.  Just a redneck theory not backed by anything but my observations.

[yes2matt]

I don't have arthritis pain or other joint pain to start with. Last I took a sting right on the knuckle, it felt like an injection of eucalyptus.  :)

Then it swelled up and got itchy. :(

[bwallace23350]

Well perhaps I should just start taking care of my body better now.