Post by FarOutFarley on Jul 7, 2023 13:40:01 GMT -8
Anybody here allergic to bee stings?
The cost of epinephrine for a single dose of epinephrine is extremely high---$400 to $800. For me it's $110 with insurance, times two because you should have a replacement pen on hand as soon as you use one, so $210. Plus you're usually advised to go to the emergency room immediately after self-administering epinephrine because the dose is only effective for 10 to 20 minutes (these claims vary). In 2019 CVS was selling a generic alternative for $10, but that no longer exists. The cheapest generic I’ve found is $108.
After getting stung today and going to the ER after using my epinephrine pen, I’m feeling a bit paranoid about going outdoors again. A bee sting can happen anywhere at any time. Once while I was backpacking I encountered a swarming hive in the middle of the trail with no way around it. In most cases, hiking, backpacking, and paddling take place in fairly remote areas where quick follow-up at an ER is unlikely.
I’m wondering how those of you who are allergic to bee stings handle this. Obviously, you should always have epinephrine with you––not easy to remember for every type of activity across multiple gear bags. What do think about venom immunotherapy? It’s about 95% effective, but it takes 3 to 5 years of shots to develop long-term immunity.
How often do I get stung? About every two to three years. Not often, but it only takes one sting in a remote place when you’ve forgotten your epipen to have a fatal outcome. Thoughts?
The cost of epinephrine for a single dose of epinephrine is extremely high---$400 to $800. For me it's $110 with insurance, times two because you should have a replacement pen on hand as soon as you use one, so $210. Plus you're usually advised to go to the emergency room immediately after self-administering epinephrine because the dose is only effective for 10 to 20 minutes (these claims vary). In 2019 CVS was selling a generic alternative for $10, but that no longer exists. The cheapest generic I’ve found is $108.
After getting stung today and going to the ER after using my epinephrine pen, I’m feeling a bit paranoid about going outdoors again. A bee sting can happen anywhere at any time. Once while I was backpacking I encountered a swarming hive in the middle of the trail with no way around it. In most cases, hiking, backpacking, and paddling take place in fairly remote areas where quick follow-up at an ER is unlikely.
I’m wondering how those of you who are allergic to bee stings handle this. Obviously, you should always have epinephrine with you––not easy to remember for every type of activity across multiple gear bags. What do think about venom immunotherapy? It’s about 95% effective, but it takes 3 to 5 years of shots to develop long-term immunity.
How often do I get stung? About every two to three years. Not often, but it only takes one sting in a remote place when you’ve forgotten your epipen to have a fatal outcome. Thoughts?
