PMR AND BEEKEEPING

[Brixhamhampster]

I have been a beekeeper for twelve years but two years ago I had an anaphylactic shock and have since been treated with venom injections to de-sensitive my system. I understand allergies and PMR are both autoimmune problems and wonder if there could be a connection. My doctor is happy for me to continue with the injections of venom as he says it also contributes to calming down the immune over-reaction. Are there any other beekeepers on this forum? PMR seems to have so many random reasons. Here is possibly another!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are many disorders of the immune system and there are many mechanisms for the response. But there are all sorts of things that could be triggers, the consensus is that there are multiple factors- and one eventually tips the balance in (possibly) genetically susceptible individuals.

Keeps taking the jabs...

[Brixhamhampster in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your comments Sheffield Jane. I appreciate your response.

[SheffieldJane]

How interesting! Shocks of all kinds are in our stories.

[Brixhamhampster]

Thank you pmrpro I thought that may be the case but you just never know if it connects to other people's experience. The jabs are working as I now have no reaction and can safely manage the bees along with my lovely husband who has had to find a bee buddy while I have been out of action. Grateful for your wisdom once again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Brixhamhampster]

Wouldn't it be great though if antihistamines would deal with PMR instead of pred! As well as the PMR I developed an allergy to modern highly commercialised wheat - I get a really itchy rash if I eat too much or a smaller amount regularly. I can eat spelt and kamut - both types of wheat but different enough in structure to be OK. It improved a bit at higher doses of pred but usually a big dose of loratidine is enough along with a lower dose of pred.

Enjoy your honey!

[Brixhamhampster in reply to PMRpro]

If only antihistamines would cure PMR.! However there is one small bonus, I have to take an antihistamine before the injection and it guarantees a lovely two hour sleep when I get home. Bliss.

[nickm001]

My father was a beekeeper. As a child I got stung so many times, that I think I become immune to bee sting and even now @67 I have no reaction. Mosquito bites bother me more then bee sting : )... Have PMR, but I would not say there is any connection to bee venom.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to nickm001]

Nickm001 that is good news that you feel there is no connection as it is a pastime I really enjoy. Plus the delicious honey of course. Only have one teaspoonful a day, mindful of the sugar and weight and diabetes. My husband is like you, no reaction at all to multiple stings. So must be more what pmrpro says I have a more susceptible immune system. Thanks for your reply.

[Valbee]

I have been a beekeeper for upwards of twent years, and have had PMR since March 2014. I really haven't noticed any difference in my reaction to stings before and after the onset of PMR - the stings hurt for a while, itch for a while and that is that!

[Brixhamhampster in reply to Valbee]

Thank you Val EE for your post. I agree that my reaction to stings has not changed since I got PMR but my normal reaction was usually much more severe than you describe so I should have suspected that I could get a problem after a number of years. I was stung regularly each year (as most beekeepers tend to be) and had hoped my reaction would lessen but it didn't. Lovely to meet another beekeeper though. Isn't it a fascinating pastime? Glad it looks as though I can blame something else for my PMR!