Could a Wasp sting challenge adrenal response?

[Zebedee44]

I was stung by a wasp yesterday morning and lost the whole day to pain and fatigue. It felt as if my body was responding to the attack of the tiny sting and although it wasn’t what I believe to be a full blown anaphylactic response involving swelling and difficulty breathing, within an hour my lower back began to ache and the pain slowly spread downwards and then up into my shoulders.

I didn’t associate the two things at first but I have noticed this year that insect bites have caused more itching, redness and swelling than usual and wondered if my body is struggling to process any invasive poison due to poor adrenal response now that I am on 5mg daily prednisolone.

I decided to adopt sick day rules and took an extra 2.5mg before bedtime which seemed to cause an almost immediate irritation to the original site of the sting, now this morning my regular dose has aggravated the site again.

I don’t feel like I need medical help or advice but I wonder if anyone else here has experienced this response. Wasps and the occasional hornet have been hovering around an old willow tree in my garden and I wonder if I should arm myself with an epipen just in case. I have been applying a topical sting relief cream to the skin but really wondering what is going on inside my body. Any thoughts?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How very strange that pred INCREASES the site reaction - it would normally soothe the inflammatory response. However - I think it might be worth reporting it to a doctor. I doubt you would be issued with an epipen on the basis of that reaction but you do appear to be developing an increased reaction over time so someone might consider it.

[Zebedee44 in reply to PMRpro]

Agreed, I took the extra pred hoping it would reduce the pain response in my limbs and was very surprised when the sting site began to itch and swell soon after, which it hadn’t done all day. Coincidence possibly.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

Possibly - though it did the same next day too didn't it?

[Zebedee44 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, Within a short period of taking my usual 5mg dose this morning the sting site became angry again. Back pain persists and I feel generally unwell. I just get the feeling that the wasp sting was one thing too many for my adrenals to deal with .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

Quite possible I suppose.

[Rugger]

My local Pharmacist sold me an OTC steroid cream for a nasty insect bite. Who knows if you applied some of that it might have swollen more, rather than less? When I am bitten by insects it usually gets worse over the following 24 hours, rather than immediately, so it may have been coincidence, rather than a reaction to the pred - but you know your body better than we do.

I hope you're feeling better today. Have a word with your doctor or pharmacist about your idea of an epipen. What about an insect repellent, as the tree is in your garden? 🐜

[Zebedee44 in reply to Rugger]

This year I have found that bites by any bitey insect have all got more itchy and persistent as the days go on, one ant bite lasting a week! And this wasp sting is continuing to itch with some swelling and redness. I think my body is fighting back better today so I haven’t taken any extra pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

Just occurred to me - several people have complained of allergies appearing as they drop the pred dose. As if they were part of the PMR maybe - I developed a wheat allergy with PMR - and the pred calmed them down at higher doses. As for me, since I started Actemra I can eat wheat with no problems!!!!!!

[Hisue]

I take Benadryl/antihistamine immediately if stung- as I am allergic to bee & wasp stings. My daughter carries an Epipen- as she is severely allergic to stings.