I mentioned a couple of moths ago I underwent insect venom allergy testing. The doctor determined I am allergic to yellow jacket venom and suggested immunotherapy to help reduce the likelihood of another anaphylactic reaction. I began allergy shots about two weeks after I had the testing.
The first three visits were separated by a week and each visit included three injections. I received a shot, waited for fifteen minutes, received another shot, waited for fifteen minutes, and then received the final shot. Each shot was progressively stronger. I always have to wait thirty minutes after the last injection to make sure I'm not going have a severe reaction.
The first two weeks weren't too bad. I had some itching and a little swelling, but nothing life shattering. The third week was worse, but I have to take the blame for some of the discomfort. When the lady who called me about scheduling my first injection mentioned pre-medicating, I thought it was just for that visit. I didn't realize I should take an anti-histamine before each visit. I did it for the second visit for good measure, or so I thought. I forgot to take something before the third visit, but I wasn't too worried.
These three injections hurt more than the first six, but I rationalized that's expected because the venom is stronger. The woman giving me the shots seemed to have placed them too close to a muscle because I was bleeding more than usual at the injection sites. I also ended up sitting in the waiting room with an ice pack on each arm due to the swelling, itching, and pain. This is gross, but the ice packs had frozen blood on them when I returned them to the nurse. No worries - she sterilized them after I left!
My arms were pretty uncomfortable that evening. There were red, swollen areas on the back of both arms. These sites were very warm, too.
These photos don't really show the swelling. I could place my hand over the swollen area and it wouldn't be completely covered. The skin was tight, too.
I was afraid I was having a slow, delayed reaction to the injections, so I went back to the doctor's office. They checked and said it was a local reaction and was expected. The woman looking at me said it was kind of bad, but expected for someone who is as allergic as I am to the venom. She also said the placement of the injection likely got too close to the muscles in my arms and caused the venom to get into my muscle. Sounds lovely, no?
I got to work and showed a couple of coworkers and they were somewhat horrified. "Oh, wow!" and "Geez, that looks mad!" were some of the comments I got. As the day progressed, I noticed the swelling was moving toward my elbow, almost like a wave. The area didn't get larger, but it moved. Once it was centered over my elbow, the pain was worse. It was like the venom was in my joint. Uncomfortable is an understatement.
I told the lady who handled the next injections about the reaction. She was very careful to not get too close to muscles. These injections weren't as bad, but there was some localized swelling and heat. The swelling started getting better the next day, so that made me feel better. The next six visits (one per week) include two injections. After that, the visits will include one injection and will begin being spaced out by a couple of weeks and then three to four weeks. After that, I'll begin getting monthly and then bimonthly injections. The injections will continue as long as I'm at risk for being stung. That could include many, many years.
The injections seem to be a little more painful as the strength of the venom increases, but they're still very bearable. After the first week, I began standing for each injection. I figured if the five and six year old children could stand for the shots, so could I. Yes, I'm being competitive with babies. Don't judge. This is a huge deal for me since I used to nearly pass out when I got flu shots.
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