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Anaphylaxis--need help now
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Beth
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Mar 30 2010 23:54:29
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hello,
Last night I received a couple of bed bug bites and woke up EXTREMELY nauseous, nearly vomited, and racing heart, clammy. Last week I woke up short of breath. I am realizing I am becoming very allergic to these bugs after a year's exposure and that these are symptoms of ANAPHYLAXIS, which RUNS IN MY FAMILY. My mother for instance is fatally allergic to bees. I ONLY get these symptoms at dawn.
What do I do?
Where do I sleep? I have a guest coming who was going to help me caulk, etc. tomorrow and stay with me (bringing clothes she would later trash). WHAT DO I DO NOW??? I am realizing this is pretty serious and I shouldnt be sleeping here at all, but I don't have a place we can both crash---maybe I will HAVE to find one. crap.
I have an air mattress. Can I put it on garbage bags with double sided tape around it and hope for the best?
thanks-
Amythank you-
Amy -
Strabat
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:01:26
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Go to the hospital ER. Everything else is secondary.
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Beth
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:08:07
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well am not having anaphylaxis right now. The reaction kind of peaked and subsided last night. I'm talking about future nights here. Like tonight. I called my friend, hopefully she calls back, but maybe not, it's late here.
thanks.
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your host
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:09:29
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(Note: I wrote this at the same time you posted just above this, Beth.)
I agree. If you feel any symptoms of anaphylaxis, go immediately to the ER. Although such reactions are rare, they do happen, and can be fatal.
When the danger is past, since you are aware of a disposition to this sort of severe reaction, you should maybe find somewhere else to sleep.
Although most people should sleep in their homes during treatment, this goes out the window if doing so could kill you.
I am aware of one person in Chicago who had an anaphylactic reaction and was rushed to ER. She did stay at home afterwards. On the other hand, she had no reason to think it was not an isolated incident (no family history, etc.) and to my knowledge, she had someone monitoring her closely. I have no medical knowledge and so I don't know if this is something for which a doctor can prescribe an Epi pen, or whether having one reaction makes you predisposed to additional ones.
As for not sleeping in the room, perhaps some of the entomologists or other pros here might know if running an active monitor might help attract bed bugs out, since you can't yourself act as bait.
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spideyjg
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:16:50
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You need to talk to a doctor about this.
People with severe allergies often have an Epipen.
You have to deal with this above all else.
Jim
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Beth
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:26:33
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yes, thank you.
I get my health insurance reinstated April 1st I will consult my doc. Yes, my mother carries an epi pen. I know enough to know this is an allergy happening but the nausea connection didn't hit till just now. Yes, I hope there is some way else to attract these bugs.
I haven't heard from my friend about sleeping there tonight. Would putting my encased mattress on the ground on top of plastic bags with carpet tape around it work for tonight? have no money for a hotel.
thanks-
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Strabat
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:49:31
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No. Sleeping on the "ground"? Like outside ground? No. That is not safe, at all.
What general public hospital can you call for advice?
Are you concerned that they won't take you seriously until you're in physical or any type of crisis that you'd rather sleep .... outside?
Don't dismiss your initial concern...oh, it's ok now. That can change in a micro second.
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Beth
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 0:58:05
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my hand has gotten all red and started swelling so I called the ambulance. the stress has lowered my immunity.
thanks-
amy -
Beth
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 8:57:07
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hi,
well the ambulance came and my hand swelling had gone down some, but they saw the bites and reaction. They talked me through a plan for the bugs, they said just toss my bedding and sleep on the air mattress and steam daily and call my landlord or move. And see my doc. And take benadryl at night maybe, keep it on hand. They said after four sprays the bugs are likely resistant, they didn't seem too confident in pesticide route especially considering my allergic tendencies and my dog's mysterious death. They were really great. I slept about 3 hours last night. These things are from the devil.
thanks everyone for your help last night. I'd be off to the psychiatrist if my friend weren't comng today. Oh but wait, it wouldn't matter---I'm allergic to all that stuff too! great.
bedbugs suck-
amy -
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 9:49:49
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Beth
OMG, Please let us know that you are okay.
A couple of over the counter suggestions for managing an allergic reaction.
Benedryl is available in 25mg capsules. You can take up to six (150mg -max prescription dose) at one time, but keep in mind that it will take about 30-45 minutes for peak action.
Primatene Mist inhalers contain the same ingredient as the Epi-Pen (epinephrine) and are available over the counter. The epinephrine will keep your airway open until you can get medical assistance.
Get a couple of the large sized inhalers because the effects only last a few minutes after each puff.
It will make your heart race, but it is an effective first aid approach until you can reach medical assistance.
Your doctor can prescribe other antihistamine medicines like Atarax, Epi-pens and bronco-dilator inhalers.
I am so sorry to hear that you have developed this kind of severe reaction.
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loubugs
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Mar 31 2010 12:37:28
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"well the ambulance came and my hand swelling had gone down some, but they saw the bites and reaction. They talked me through a plan for the bugs, they said just toss my bedding and sleep on the air mattress and steam daily and call my landlord or move. And see my doc. And take benadryl at night maybe, keep it on hand. They said after four sprays the bugs are likely resistant, they didn't seem too confident in pesticide route especially considering my allergic tendencies and my dog's mysterious death. "
The ambulance crew should stick to medical advice. Tossing the bedding is no guarantee that you are tossing the infestation. Just taking Benedryl will not take care of you during an anaphylactic reaction. And bugs being resistant because you sprayed four times? Your bug population could have many resistance issues, pesticide not applied everywhere where it has to go, etc. There's more to control than spraying. Other apts infested?? If so, simply spraying yours will fail.
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