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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 8:26am | IP Logged
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Tuesday afternoon I was stung about two inches from my right wrist by a bee, I think. I felt it, but did not see what it was. I immediately did the baking soda paste, and I had slight swelling.
By Tuesday evening my arm was swollen from my hand knuckles to my forearm, burning and itching. I had Benadryl lotion to put on it and took a few Ibuprofen. I did not get much sleep.
Yesterday my arm was swollen from my fingertips to past my elbow, burning, itching, and red streaks. I finally went to Urgent Care.
I was told my allergic reaction / infection needs to be treated quickly and vigorously and was given three options: hospitalization, a series of muscular injections over the course of a few days, or several IV's over the course of a few days.
I picked the IV course, and now have IV tubes in my left inner elbow. I have a sterile sleeve over that arm to keep the tubing sanitary, and need to go back in for two more treatments. They are giving me antibiotics and steroids, and I have to take Benadryl every 6 hours.
The ER doctor called me at home last night to see how I was doing and to explain to me that my arm is REALLY BAD.
Have any of you ever heard of this happening from a bee sting?
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 8:33am | IP Logged
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My brother has an anaphylactic reaction to bee and wasp stings so he has to carry an epi pen everywhere. His first sting came only 2 years ago at the age of 30! I've never heard of a reaction like yours though, Paula! That sounds horrible!
I'm praying that the treatment is successful!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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amyable Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 8:52am | IP Logged
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Praying Paula! I *have* heard of a reaction like yours, but I'm sorry to say I cannot remember when or where. If I think of it I'll be sure to post.
__________________ Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:04am | IP Logged
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Praying for you, Paula!
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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joann10 Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 10 2007
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:24am | IP Logged
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My mom just went through this....her sting was behind her knee--it looked awful, she ended up with injections of antibiotics over several days.
I will keep you in my prayers....
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:37am | IP Logged
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Oh, Paula!! Prayers for you!! (Sorry, no advice :( -- I was bitten by a bunch of wasps (about 30) when I was around 8 -- don't ask why -- and my mom put vinegar and brown paper on it -- again, don't ask why)
__________________ stef
mom to five
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Jen L. Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 18 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 10:40am | IP Logged
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I am so sorry to hear this, Paula. I have no advice - but I am praying for you.
__________________ Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 10:56am | IP Logged
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Yes, Paula. My daughter had a reaction and infection like this on her inner upper arm last summer. She didn't need IVs because we caught it almost immediately, albeit by accident. She was having other allergy issues and went to the dr. to get help for those. As it was summer and she was wearing a sleeveless top, the bite problem was visible and he caught sight of it. She was given a hefty dose of oral antibiotics and had to lay low for a few days. He also drew an ink circle around the edges of the swollen area to be sure it didn't get bigger, which thankfully it did not. If it had, she would have had to come back for more aggressive treatment. That bee venom can be nasty stuff! Praying yours clears up quickly.
Peace,
Nancy
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Booksnbabes Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 12:53pm | IP Logged
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Wow! No advice, but praying for rapid healing!
__________________ Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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jenk Forum Pro
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 2:29pm | IP Logged
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Praying for your healing.
__________________ Jen
with 2 boys, 14 and 8, and a girl expected 1/09
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Nique Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 3:20pm | IP Logged
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Oh Paula, I'm so sorry for what you've been through AND are going through..prayers coming your way! Hang in there and use this opportunity to think up some real good intentions!
__________________ I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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RamFam Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 21 2008 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 3:47pm | IP Logged
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Could it be a spider bite?
Prayers,
__________________ Leah
RamFaminNOVA
Tom ^i^, Kyle (my Marine), Adeline '00, Wyatt '05, Isaac '07 Philip '08,Michael '10, and John Xavier Feb '13
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Carole N. Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
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Praying, Paula!
__________________ Carole ... in Wales
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
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So sorry to hear you have reacted so badly Paula! My son Joseph got bitten on the hand last year and his hand promptly turned into an inflated glove (or that's what it looked like) Praying that this settles and that there is no complications!
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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KC in TX Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
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Praying, Paula. You've had so much going on! What a good doctor to call you and check on you.
__________________ KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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4 lads mom Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 7:23pm | IP Logged
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I am wondering, Paula, if this is a "reaction" as much as an infection. At the very least, I would follow up with an allergist, and see what they see when this is healed up. You need to treat it aggressively, what ever you do, because, yes, it sounds pretty serious. My SIL had a bite of some kind several years ago, and ended up on IV antibiotics as well for quite a while..it was an ordeal. They treated it more as an infection, not necessarily a reaction...and they, too, wondered if it was a spider.
Praying, Paula...call your doc immediately at any time day or night if you feel one little speck worse.
There...I'll take my RN hat off....please rest and take care.
__________________ Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:38pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone!
I went in today for my second set of IV meds, and have to go back in tomorrow for my third set. They will evaluate my arm at that time.
The swelling has gone down (I can type ) but not as much as they were hoping. My daughter says I look like a robot because my right arm is stiff and swollen, and my left arm is so wrapped up with bandages it looks like I have a cast.
The doctor is now saying infection, possibly carried by whatever stung or bit me.
And the doctor is....a Catholic homeschooler....
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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ladybugs Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:40pm | IP Logged
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Praying, Paula - WOW!
Love that your doc is a Catholic Homeschooler! Whooo hooo!
__________________ Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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kbaldwin Forum Rookie
Joined: May 24 2008 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:53pm | IP Logged
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praying for you I agree RN hat on keep a super close eye on it and don't hesitate to call hat off God Bless
__________________ Christ's Peace, Kim wife to one great guy mom to 8 terrific kids Patrick,16/Daniel.12/Timothy,9/Brigid,7/Anthony,5/Connor,4/V incent,2/Alexander,7 months
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006 Location: Australia
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 9:57pm | IP Logged
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Continuing to pray Paula, great to hear your swollen hand is in good hands!
__________________ Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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