While pushing up Torrey Pines (Inside), I was stung by a bee. Having no previous history with bee stings, I figured well, ‘I’m not allergic.’
Uh… think again.
About an hour or so after I rode home, I began to feeling woozy, nearly collapsing on my sofa; my legs were gone. My wind-pipe felt as if it were closing in addition to my SOB.
I walked upstairs, went to bed–huddling under the covers from the ‘onset of chills.’ I thought I was going to freeze. Shivers, teeth chattering and all the while, my wife and kids thought I had perhaps ‘overdone my workout.’
After explaining to my wife what I thought had happened, it was only then she realized, “Uh oh, there’s a problem.” Thinking perhaps I overdid myself, I took an aspirin and gulped a Gatorade. I was somewhat coherent the next morning.
I have never had something like this happen before and quite frankly, it wasn’t until I discussed this with another buddy who went through the same ordeal - except he carries a ‘antihistamine’ with him at all times.
I’m planning a doctor visit within the next week as part of my annual H&P; are there other’s with similar ‘bee sting’ experiences? What were the outcomes?
You’ll leave that visit with a script for an epi pen or similar, which you will keep with you forever. The next episode could kill you, with surprising speed.
Not a direct experience. However, sister carries a bee sting kit with her at all times after a similar experience and a trip to the ER. Best to get it checked out by a doc. It can be a life threatening condition.
Me - drank a bee out of a can of soda at a local race. Stung me on my upper palate, pulled the stinger out, iced it and was fine in about 10 minutes - no allergic reactions.
Since my wife had a bout of anaphylactic shock and had to go to emergency, we have one of those Epinephrine syringes that you just stab into the thigh and they inject themsleves. Time is critical in these circumstances as the symptoms grow worse rapidly.
Yep, go to the doc, who may well tell you to put an epi-pen in your bike kit, one in the car, take one with you if you go camping/hiking, etc. Anywhere you might come across a bee, especially in remote areas or alone, you’ll need to have one.
now that you know, i’d consider at least carrying an antihistamine with you when you’ll be around bees, if you’re not going to go the epi route (which is admittedly pretty hardcore). benadryl’s a good one.
i’ve been stung by one be in my life, and like you, it was during a ride. a race, actually - my second ever. also, like you, i said, “well, i hope i’m not allergic.” had a great race and was fine.
I was stung on a ride 2 saturdays ago. The bugger stung me through my jersey. It hurt like no other!! It was quite red and swollen. I felt fine, but oddly enough, the spot where he stung me is still a little red? Is that normal? It’s been a week and a half!
Well, I’m not allergic, so my buddies got a really good laugh at my expense when one flew into my mouth on a ride and stuck my lower lip from inside my mouth. It swelled so my lower lip was as big as my nose, couldn’t speak properly for days.
I went 34 years without being stung. Been stung 3-4 times in the last 2 years on the bike. I don’t see how the heck those little critters can find me when I’m going 20+ but never do when I’m standing still. Worst one was when one courageous critter took one for the team in my shin. Hurt like heck.
while motorcycling in the summer I used to have my full face/full visor helmet open a quarter of an inch or so to get some fresh air (vents are nice, but they aren’t nearly enough when it’s really hot out).
One day a bee/wasp (not sure) ended up flying through this very small opening and buzzing angrily inside my helmet right next to my eyes/nose (not that big of a space in there) while I was driving through traffic.
I’m not sure it’s humanly possible to stop a motorbike and take off your helmet as fast as I did that day, keep in mind also that I have a phobia for the yellow/black stinging variety of insects and you might imagine how freaked out I was by the whole experience.
Another time I swear a bird tried to commit suicide on my helmet: I was riding (fortunately not fast) and see this pigeon (IIRC) swoop lower and lower and lower, I end up tucking my head down at the last second as it flew right where my head would’ve been normally. After stopping some pedestrians who saw the whole thing were also wondering what the heck that bird was thinking.
I once had to go to the hospital from a bee sting because my eyes were shut, my upper palate sore from the violent sneezing and my throat was closing up.
But the Benadryl injection made me a very happy girl.
Had a yellow jacket fly into the neck hole of my jersey while riding along. I just thought it had bounced off, and it wasn’t until a few minutes later when I was in a 7-11 refilling on gatorade that I felt something itching my shoulder and went to scratch it that it decided to start stinging me. Now, you generally get the polite “what a jackass” sideways glances when walking around a store in spandex and cleats, but when you are ripping off your shirt and shrieking (in a manly way of course) they ask you to leave.
My dog is allergic to bees and we have an epi pen for her also. You would think it would cost less for a 12 lb dog than for a human but nope…
Thank you very much for your lessons’ learned. I spoke with my doctor’s office this afternoon, who advised me to come in immediately for a ‘review.’ I now have a scrip and some Benedryl.
To all of you - thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
Perhaps I’ll see you on the road tomorrow morning from Carlsbad Starbucks to Del Mar 15th St Starbucks and return.
Gald you spoke with your doctor, though. I’ve taken one at high speed out near Jamul once. No idea how I kept control and slowed while my shoulder swelled like a grapefruit. Likewise, I took one in the eyelid while running down El Camino Real last year. That REALLY sucked. Still, I’m not alergic, as it seems you are. The other thing to consider is the introduction of all sorts of bacterium and nasty things from the stinger. My wife has experienced some nasty post-sting infections. Keep it clean…
Hope to see you tomorrow morning on the roads. I’m riding early. Blue Serotta with yellow panels.
