Re: bee sting!

[Guest guest]

Hi , my daughter had an obsessional fear of bees last summer that at one

point kept her in the house. She's never actually been stung though. We

did lots of bee ERP and this obsession faded to nearly nothing, thankfully,

though she still moves away when one is near. I lived in terror that she

would be stung for awhile--but these days I say, bring it on. Though it

seems counter-intuitive, protecting our kids from their triggers just keeps

OCD strong and feeds obsessions. Time and again I have seen Kel " flooded "

by some inadvertant happening, and the end result was an extinction of the

fear. These have included driving past a car engulfed in flames, seeing a

child at the grocery who had been badly burned, a child having seizures at

the swimming pool, and seeing a squirrel get hit by a car while standing at

the bus stop.

To get this extinction though, you have to support it by not reassuring and

answering repetitive questions about the bee sting. After giving basic

facts about being stung, you need to stop reassuring *even though his

anxiety will likely go higher to begin with.* Lately I tell Kel, " Asked and

answered " (which I copped from someone on this list, but forget who so can't

give due credit!)

BTW, some of the goings-on and 's extreme reaction to the bee sting may

be due to the Luvox and where he is--one month in. Why do you want to

change to Prozac? His increased Os and Cs some doctors believe is a great

sign, that the Luvox will be an effective med for him. Some kids, after a

month to six weeks, it's like someone flipped a switch and suddenly their

symptom level drops significantly.

Kathy R. in Indiana

p.s. Hang in there. Changing meds, titering up on meds, getting flooded,

this is all the hard stuff before the tide turns. :-) Find some " me " time

to carry you through.

----- Original Message -----

From: <cdrevecky@...>

> Good Day, Yesterday afternoon was playing at a friend's house

> while I was at work and got stung by a bee. No big deal to a NON-OCD

> kid but to it triggered all his fears of death, disease,

> allergic rxn's etc. Craig " lost it " with him when he picked him up

> after work and told him having his arm bitten off by a shark was a

> disaster, not a bee sting (Thanks Craig!). Well, it continues on

> today. By the way, I was up twice with last night, the second

> time he dreamed thatI was scratching and cutting him up with my toe

> nails! I am exhausted. Tonight is the 5th shift at the hospital (out

> of the last 6 days), first week back since the strike (a lot of overt

> hostility from the staff that was left behind) and it was a mad house.

> Then, throw in getting up a few times during the night with an

> emotionally distraught child and playing musical rooms! I'm trying to

> be as consistent as I can with his new limits on video games and TV

> but he is sneaking his gameboy. I just want to sleep. NOT. So,

> and my quality time has been spent discussing, his worry about being

> demented, did he have an allergic rxn to the bee sting, what happens

> when a person does have that reaction, could he still possibly have a

> rxn, what exactly happened when the boy's arm was severed from the

> shark attack, does the boy have brain damage, will he die, the shark

> was shot 4 times in the head, what type of shark attacks like that,

> does the lake he will be swimming at have " swimmer's itch " , what would

> happen if he was exposed to it (as I was driving him to his friend's

> house to go to the beach), what would happen to his skin and lastly,

> " Can I go home? " . NO. At least that's what I remember! Well, so goes

> another lazy summer day in our household! I thought it would be nice

> if I could do a little sewing today! NOT I'm off to the hospital

> where I'm the charge nurse tonight, which means I'll being dealing

> with a lot of unhappy staff people and their issues! CAN ANYONE

> RELATE??? I haven't seen , 10, have so many OCD thoughts during

> the day since he started Luvox, almost 4 weeks ago. How soon can he

> start the Prozac? I'll find out Friday. Any extra? So long,

[Guest guest]

Bummer girl. I don't know much about bee stings at all, I do know

that I hate itching. I had a bunch of mosquito bites on our trip in

Yosemite and I could not stop scratching the sucker, it drove JOhn

crazy but I just could not stop and of course they ended up bloody

and scabbed over ! GROSS! anyhow you do need to be careful you don't

get it infected. I would think by now it would be gone, but anyhow,

couple of ideas, first I think you can get that Aveeno stuff, oatmeal

is in it I think, and put it in the tub and soak, or even a wash

basin would be good too. You can try to put some of that tea tree oil

on it, that might help! I know that hydrocortisone cream is always

great for itching as well. You can also take a benedryl to help, but

it might make you sleepy. I took one last night cause my eyes were

itching and burning, and it did put me right to sleep, so I guess it

works.

Hope you feel better soon!

In , " *~Patty~* " <fdp@l...> wrote:

> Hi ladies,

> I need your input if you know anything about bee stings. I have

never been stung by a bee in all my 43 years of life, but last

weekend when we were boating, unfortunately I stepped on a bee that

was mired in the sand on a beach in one of the coves we stopped at.

Of course, he stung me, right between my third and fourth toe. My

husband pulled out the stinger right away and I didn't think anymore

of it, (except for the throbbing pain) until these last few days when

my foot has been itching like mad! The redness has extended into a

large circle around the top of my foot. How long does this last? It

is so embarassing and irritating to be in public and have these

itching attacks--I can't stop scratching it!

>

> I have not really done anything for it, as I thought my body would

just fight it off. My research on the net hasn't really told me

anything I could do now, almost 7 days after the fact. Lots of info

for at the time of the sting, which I really was unable to tend to

out on a kayak. Any ideas? Should I be soaking this foot or

applying something?

> thanks,

> Patty

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I would have your doctor check it out, since it has been red this long. Sometimes with insect bites, you can develop cellulitis because the bee may have deposited bacteria into your skin as well as its stinger. If it is cellulitis, usually just a round of antibiotics can clear it up. This happened to my friend's daughter, and it looked just like the cellulitis cases I saw in the hospital.

Honee*~Patty~* <fdp@...> wrote:

Hi ladies,

I need your input if you know anything about bee stings. I have never been stung by a bee in all my 43 years of life, but last weekend when we were boating, unfortunately I stepped on a bee that was mired in the sand on a beach in one of the coves we stopped at. Of course, he stung me, right between my third and fourth toe. My husband pulled out the stinger right away and I didn't think anymore of it, (except for the throbbing pain) until these last few days when my foot has been itching like mad! The redness has extended into a large circle around the top of my foot. How long does this last? It is so embarassing and irritating to be in public and have these itching attacks--I can't stop scratching it!

I have not really done anything for it, as I thought my body would just fight it off. My research on the net hasn't really told me anything I could do now, almost 7 days after the fact. Lots of info for at the time of the sting, which I really was unable to tend to out on a kayak. Any ideas? Should I be soaking this foot or applying something?

thanks,

Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Honee and ,

Thanks to both of you for the info on the bee stings. I guess I will need to go to the doctor about this one, as it is not any better tonight. It is all swollen and is now starting to hurt more. I tried various things today...colloidal silver directly applied and taken internally, an herbal salve, soaking in epsom salts, and oregano oil applied directly, but nothing has seemed to help so far. I bought some hydrocortisone cream to put on it in case I get an itching attack in bed tonight, but according to Dr. Weil, even the over the counter steriod creams are bad to use, so I really didn't want to use it if I didn't have to. I wonder--does the hydrocortisone cream totally clear it up, or do I still need to address the bacterial issue with antibiotics? Thanks so much for your help, Honee, you sound like you are a very smart cookie! Do you work in a hospital?

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 12:48 PM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

I would have your doctor check it out, since it has been red this long. Sometimes with insect bites, you can develop cellulitis because the bee may have deposited bacteria into your skin as well as its stinger. If it is cellulitis, usually just a round of antibiotics can clear it up. This happened to my friend's daughter, and it looked just like the cellulitis cases I saw in the hospital.

Honee

[Guest guest]

Patty,

Hydorcortisone will only help with inflamation and itching. If it is infected, you will have to use antibiotics. I used to work in the ER and OR. Now I am a school nurse. I have my BSN, RN license, and CA PHN cert.

Honee*~Patty~* <fdp@...> wrote:

Hi Honee and ,

Thanks to both of you for the info on the bee stings. I guess I will need to go to the doctor about this one, as it is not any better tonight. It is all swollen and is now starting to hurt more. I tried various things today...colloidal silver directly applied and taken internally, an herbal salve, soaking in epsom salts, and oregano oil applied directly, but nothing has seemed to help so far. I bought some hydrocortisone cream to put on it in case I get an itching attack in bed tonight, but according to Dr. Weil, even the over the counter steriod creams are bad to use, so I really didn't want to use it if I didn't have to. I wonder--does the hydrocortisone cream totally clear it up, or do I still need to address the bacterial issue with antibiotics? Thanks so much for your help, Honee, you sound like you are a very smart cookie! Do you work in a hospital?

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 12:48 PM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

I would have your doctor check it out, since it has been red this long. Sometimes with insect bites, you can develop cellulitis because the bee may have deposited bacteria into your skin as well as its stinger. If it is cellulitis, usually just a round of antibiotics can clear it up. This happened to my friend's daughter, and it looked just like the cellulitis cases I saw in the hospital.

Honee

[Guest guest]

Patty I have to agree with Honee, remember what I told you bout the

nurse I work with, she put off going in and by the time she did her

leg was HUGE, so you don't want that to happen. It sounds like it is

infected cause it should have gone away by now. I know how much we

all like to be able to cure our problems with natural stuff, but

sometimes we have no choice but to go to the Dr and take some

antibiotics. So I hope you will get it checked out. Cellulitis can be

painful and uncomfortable but it is treatable and you will be fine in

no time. Just don't let it go too long.

hugs

In , " *~Patty~* " <fdp@l...> wrote:

> Hi Honee and ,

> Thanks to both of you for the info on the bee stings. I guess I

will need to go to the doctor about this one, as it is not any better

tonight. It is all swollen and is now starting to hurt more. I

tried various things today...colloidal silver directly applied and

taken internally, an herbal salve, soaking in epsom salts, and

oregano oil applied directly, but nothing has seemed to help so far.

I bought some hydrocortisone cream to put on it in case I get an

itching attack in bed tonight, but according to Dr. Weil, even

the over the counter steriod creams are bad to use, so I really

didn't want to use it if I didn't have to. I wonder--does the

hydrocortisone cream totally clear it up, or do I still need to

address the bacterial issue with antibiotics? Thanks so much for

your help, Honee, you sound like you are a very smart cookie! Do you

work in a hospital?

> Patty

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: honee

>

> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 12:48 PM

> Subject: Re: bee sting!

>

>

> Patty,

> I would have your doctor check it out, since it has been red

this long. Sometimes with insect bites, you can develop cellulitis

because the bee may have deposited bacteria into your skin as well as

its stinger. If it is cellulitis, usually just a round of

antibiotics can clear it up. This happened to my friend's daughter,

and it looked just like the cellulitis cases I saw in the hospital.

> Honee

[Guest guest]

Honee,

You ARE a smart cookie! I am so glad to know you are a nurse, and a well educated one at that. I will take your advice and see a doctor for antibiotics for this. It hasn't changed at all...still red and yes, the hydrocortisone did take away some of the itch and inflammation, but it doesn't look good at all.

Too bad it is Sunday...should I wait until tomorrow? or should I go to urgent care today? Neither one is a good option as I am trying to celebrate my husband's birthday tomorrow! Wouldn't ya know...

Thanks Honee--and by the way, how are you doing since explant??? It's only been 11 days, right?

I hope you are feeling better and have loved ones near to help take care of you!

God bless,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 5:47 AM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

Hydorcortisone will only help with inflamation and itching. If it is infected, you will have to use antibiotics. I used to work in the ER and OR. Now I am a school nurse. I have my BSN, RN license, and CA PHN cert.

Honee

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I believe in getting things taken care of quickly, but I also have a doctor that will see me on Sundays without an extra charge. If you see streaks extending from the area or it is larger than yesterday, I would go immediately to have it treated. My friend didn't with her daughter, and her daughter ended up on two days of IV antibiotics. If it was me, I would have it treated today. I am doing well since my explant. I have had a little bit of muscle soreness and that is it. They said I hardly had any capsules and the comparison was made to "Saran wrap." For that, I feel fortunate. I also had a smooth shell implant and no signs of illness or local complications, yet. I can breathe so much easier and feel as if I have lost 10 pounds. I couldn't get over how heavy they were. The lady at the office said the doc really didn't want to take them out because "they looked so good." My response is,

"then he can wear them." He did a good job taking them out, and he did say probably the smartest thing anyone I've talked to about this has said, "It's whatever you feel comfortable living with." He also said that if they are that uncomfortable to me, then I should explant without reimplanting. There was no pressure to replace them, and for that, I am grateful. No one there treated me like a freak because I wanted them out. However, my husband said that about 2-3 people came in while I was back there to have implants put in or for the 2 week recheck. The boob facotory continues. My itty-bitty AA boobies are slowly coming back. It is odd to look down and not see the monsters I had, then I take a deep breath (much easier now) and say "Thank you, God."

Honee*~Patty~* <fdp@...> wrote:

Honee,

You ARE a smart cookie! I am so glad to know you are a nurse, and a well educated one at that. I will take your advice and see a doctor for antibiotics for this. It hasn't changed at all...still red and yes, the hydrocortisone did take away some of the itch and inflammation, but it doesn't look good at all.

Too bad it is Sunday...should I wait until tomorrow? or should I go to urgent care today? Neither one is a good option as I am trying to celebrate my husband's birthday tomorrow! Wouldn't ya know...

Thanks Honee--and by the way, how are you doing since explant??? It's only been 11 days, right?

I hope you are feeling better and have loved ones near to help take care of you!

God bless,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 5:47 AM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

Hydorcortisone will only help with inflamation and itching. If it is infected, you will have to use antibiotics. I used to work in the ER and OR. Now I am a school nurse. I have my BSN, RN license, and CA PHN cert.

Honee

[Guest guest]

Well I am not Honee but I would go today and get it looked at.

Waiting at this point is not going to accomplish anything and by

tomorrow you may be sorry if it is swelling up and hurting more.

Celulitis is painful girl and it is not going to get better on its

own. So do it today and that way tomorrow you can celebrate your

hubby's birthday without any hassles. Sometimes if they get bad and

if you wait too long you even end up in the hospital to get IV

antibiotics, so please Patty do it today! The sooner you start

treating it the better.

In , " *~Patty~* " <fdp@l...> wrote:

> Honee,

> You ARE a smart cookie! I am so glad to know you are a nurse, and

a well educated one at that. I will take your advice and see a

doctor for antibiotics for this. It hasn't changed at all...still

red and yes, the hydrocortisone did take away some of the itch and

inflammation, but it doesn't look good at all.

>

> Too bad it is Sunday...should I wait until tomorrow? or should I go

to urgent care today? Neither one is a good option as I am trying to

celebrate my husband's birthday tomorrow! Wouldn't ya know...

> Thanks Honee--and by the way, how are you doing since explant???

It's only been 11 days, right?

> I hope you are feeling better and have loved ones near to help take

care of you!

> God bless,

> Patty

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: honee

>

> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 5:47 AM

> Subject: Re: bee sting!

>

>

> Patty,

> Hydorcortisone will only help with inflamation and itching. If

it is infected, you will have to use antibiotics. I used to work in

the ER and OR. Now I am a school nurse. I have my BSN, RN license,

and CA PHN cert.

> Honee

[Guest guest]

You sound like me. Best go urgent care today if you cannot go to your regular doc, so tomorrow you may not have to worry about it and anyway, it may get worse.

-----Original Message-----From: *~Patty~* [mailto:fdp@...]Sent: Sonntag, 20. Juli 2003 15:47 Subject: Re: bee sting!

Honee,

You ARE a smart cookie! I am so glad to know you are a nurse, and a well educated one at that. I will take your advice and see a doctor for antibiotics for this. It hasn't changed at all...still red and yes, the hydrocortisone did take away some of the itch and inflammation, but it doesn't look good at all.

Too bad it is Sunday...should I wait until tomorrow? or should I go to urgent care today? Neither one is a good option as I am trying to celebrate my husband's birthday tomorrow! Wouldn't ya know...

Thanks Honee--and by the way, how are you doing since explant??? It's only been 11 days, right?

I hope you are feeling better and have loved ones near to help take care of you!

God bless,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 5:47 AM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

Hydorcortisone will only help with inflamation and itching. If it is infected, you will have to use antibiotics. I used to work in the ER and OR. Now I am a school nurse. I have my BSN, RN license, and CA PHN cert.

Honee

[Guest guest]

Honee,

What refreshment to hear these words from you. You are so lucky that you didn't have any serious illness to deal with, and so smart that you took them out anyway! And your doctor sounds like a really, really nice guy with the proper attitude. After all, these ARE our bodies, and he is right, the bottom line is whatever we are comfortable living with. It is astounding how many doctors try to sway women into keeping these stupid things in their body. Yes, thank you God, that you are now free, and can breathe easier.

I am glad you are doing well, and that your husband is at your side. It is amazing to me how many nurses have implants and don't really realize how much damage can be done to the immune system--do you see that alot? My sister had no idea (she is an RN) and my girlfriend in land never knew until I told her what we're all going through.

It is comforting to know we have a nurse with us again on the group! In fact, can I ask you a question?

I am wondering about this C3 complement test result that I had, which came up low a couple years ago. Am I correct to assume that it can be returned to normal? And do you know if B12 will do it alone, (or at all), or are there other ways to help it return to normal? I probably should have it checked again. The last time it was tested was February 2001, and it was 69 on a range of 79-201. The first time it was tested abnormal was in May 1998, and it tested 48 on a scale of 55-120. So, I can't tell if it got worse or better. Any ideas or thoughts on this?

Thanks Honee, and God bless!

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: honee

Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 10:30 AM

Subject: Re: bee sting!

Patty,

I believe in getting things taken care of quickly, but I also have a doctor that will see me on Sundays without an extra charge. If you see streaks extending from the area or it is larger than yesterday, I would go immediately to have it treated. My friend didn't with her daughter, and her daughter ended up on two days of IV antibiotics. If it was me, I would have it treated today. I am doing well since my explant. I have had a little bit of muscle soreness and that is it. They said I hardly had any capsules and the comparison was made to "Saran wrap." For that, I feel fortunate. I also had a smooth shell implant and no signs of illness or local complications, yet. I can breathe so much easier and feel as if I have lost 10 pounds. I couldn't get over how heavy they were. The lady at the office said the doc really didn't want to take them out because "they looked so good." My response is, "then he can wear them." He did a good job taking them out, and he did say probably the smartest thing anyone I've talked to about this has said, "It's whatever you feel comfortable living with." He also said that if they are that uncomfortable to me, then I should explant without reimplanting. There was no pressure to replace them, and for that, I am grateful. No one there treated me like a freak because I wanted them out. However, my husband said that about 2-3 people came in while I was back there to have implants put in or for the 2 week recheck. The boob facotory continues. My itty-bitty AA boobies are slowly coming back. It is odd to look down and not see the monsters I had, then I take a deep breath (much easier now) and say "Thank you, God."

Honee