Importance of Bee Stings

[BoilerJim]

I agree with ya Riverbee and IF I was allergic to honey bees or all stinging bugs… …I WOULD FORK OUT THE $$$$$ for many Epi-pens. Heck I'd probably have about a dozen laying around just so I know there would be one close if I needed it.

[Bakersdozen]

Bakerdozen:

Has modern day medicine found a way to contain glaucoma?  In the old days, it was a very bad scenario.

To regulate the pressure in my eyes, the ophthalmologist used a laser to put a small hole in each eye.  The pressure is still high, but he monitors me regularly.  I am assuming that using Benedryl or other OTC products with glaucoma warnings would cause a spike in pressure and could result in damaging the optic nerve.

Sounds creepy doesn't it?

[LazyBkpr]

Lazy- ""I felt fine, the stings burned a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle.. went to bed as normal.. woke up about 3 AM or so, sweating, feeling nauseous...   about an Hour later I threw up..   after that I felt better and went back to bed.""

In the world of apitherapy, that reaction right there is considered "Excellent!" meaning that your body really zero'd in and nailed down the immunity for you. A flu like episode is as good as it gets for venom immunity.

   Ecellent is good then..   
   However..   It makes me wonder what the reaction would have been to two hundred stings?  I hope I never have to find out. those 30 to 40 stings felt like 200.
   What amazed me most, is that those bees didn't even go for the veil. They BOILED in under the veil. I was sloppy, didn't have it tied well because most "swarms" I have dealt with were very docile...   Unfortunately, it was NOT a swarm...  Those bees were hanging there watching me.. talking to each other...

   "Oh.. hes got a brush!!!  OK gals, here's the plan..  If he tries to brush us.. GO for that hole where his veil isn't tied.................

[Jen]

I remember one hunting season many years back. Hubby and I were quietly moving through in the woods, we were about 30 feet apart. He stepped on a log and yellow jackets came out and hit the back of his head so fast it was like lighting, and they squirmed under his ball cap. He said it was like a bomb went off in his head. We picked 13 dead ones out of his hair, and that doesn't count the loose stingers. Made him sick for a bit, sat down and put his head down. It wasn't too long before we were quietly moving thru the woods again. Kept my eye on him.

It's the adrenaline rush that gets you thru those episodes.

[BoilerJim]

Dang Bakersdozen,

I am sorry to hear that! Is it hereditary?

[Edward]

It could have been a starving swarm that has used up all their honey stores and hasn't found a new suitable hive  :'( They can get cranky and are not happy  :'(

The worst sting I've had was on the top of my head after helping a colleague, she got me after a long day in multiple beeyards when we were unloading supers.

It was like a hanna barbera cartoon, i saw stars spinning round my head, and maybe the odd little blue bird, the pain was compact and intensive for an hour, the whole world swayed and was rubbery 


mvh Edward 

[crazy8days]

I called the doctors office. Told them I have bees. I do not need to come in to get an exam or physical. All I need was an epipen. He said "ok". Cost me $35 bucks. I need to get another. It's been in the truck and been too cold. I wonder if people took the approach with the doc that we know what we are doing can we get it cheaper will it work?

[riverbee]

crazy, did you have insurance that paid the majority of the cost? and what brand of epi ?

[lazy shooter]

Crazy is a descriptive name for a beekeeper.  I may change my handle to Crazy Lazy Shooter.

Bee stings aren't important to me, but I got four stings yesterday whether I wanted them or not.  Stings seldom swell on me.  They make a red mark for about 30 minutes and may itch for a couple of hours, but stings do not leave a visible mark more than a couple of hours.

[riverbee]

i found this offer for 2014 and started a thread here with the link to obtaining epi-pens:

EPI PEN Zero Dollar Co-Pay Offer 2014

[Jen]

Great Idea Riv- If you lived in my town I would make you an awesome dinner! 

[heinleinfan]

I'm anticipating more stings this year, with this feral colony I've picked up.  I usually get about half a dozen in a year, at most, but the ladies seem to like me and don't go after me very often and I'm usually in nothing but short sleeves and a veil.  My husband gets large local reactions (his whole arm will swell if he gets stung, say, on the wrist) so he bundles up, and we may get a suit for him this year.

I have a good friend who was over for a couple of inspections last year and my ladies *hate* him.  I've never seen anything like it.  I'd be elbow deep in the hives in my tank top, no problem.  He'd be standing 15 feet away and they'll zero in on him and chase him off.  He's 6'4" and 300 pounds so the stings do nothing to him at all, but he stays far away now.

The worst I've ever had was 13+ stings (that's where I lost count) on each ankle, moving some hives after three nights of bear attacks on them.  I had 2 pairs of socks over my jeans and they still got through and just tore me up.  Both my ankles swelled up so bad I could hardly walk, but only for a day. 

[camero7]

A French study found that if you receive fewer than 25 stings per year, your chances of developing a sting allergy were about 40% in your lifetime.

However, if you receive 50-200 stings per year, the chances drop to 10%

If you receive over 200 stings per year, the chances of becoming allergic
drop to zero!

[LazyBkpr]

200 stings per year?  Does it count if you get them all at once?   

   I'll probably not be going for that record..  I don't mind a few..  I get more than three or four I put the suit on.

[Bakersdozen]

Dang Bakersdozen,

I am sorry to hear that! Is it hereditary?

It can be, but I am the only one that I know of in my immediate family.  My dad died fairly young, so we don't know if that's where I got it. 
In adult hood I always have had elevated pressure in the eyes.  I still do even after the doctor put holes in the eyes.  But, there is no damage done thus far.

[Jen]

Hi Hein- ""He'd be standing 15 feet away and they'll zero in on him and chase him off.""

We have a similar situation. Hubby is a cig smoker, and a couple of beers in the afternoon. The bees go to his veil. I am wondering if they don't like the cig beer breath?

[crazy8days]

river, my insurance did pay all except $35.  I got 2 epipen and they are from the Mylan Co.

[riverbee]

crazy, thanks for the reply.  the eppy/s you left in your truck in the cold are most likely no longer usable. save yourself 35$ for the copay, and go to the link i posted for the epi-pen mylan offer. you can get up to three 2 packs of these.......

jen, if i make out your way, would love the awesome dinner!