Panic attacks triggered by fear of bee or wasp sting and ana Posted: 07-29-07 02:35am
I have been having Panic/anxiety attacks
over the thought of being stung by a wasp
or bee. I have been stung by them before
with local reactions that after taking
benadryl clears them up. But a local
person died of anaphylaxsis and now that
is all that I can think of. The last time
that I was stung I had a flow blown panic
attack and now I am worried that I will
die if I am stung. It is starting to
effect my sleep and work patterns. I have
xanax and take that prn. I am wondering
if I should get tested for allergies to
bee/wasp stings. Is having a panic attack
normal after getting stung? and I have
read that having a panic attack can bring
on anaphylaxsis which makes my worring
worse. I can actually make myself have an
attack if I think of or see a wasp/bee.
Please help
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Anxiety and Stress Answer A3202 Posted: 08-20-07 03:56am
Having a panic attack about getting stung
is not normal. It seems that, in your
case, the panic attacks are triggered by
the fear that you could experience
anaphylaxis and die after a bee sting.
That fear is normal if you are allergic to
bees. But if you are not allergic to bees,
such a fear is not normal. Further, panic
attacks can’t provoke or worsen an
anaphylaxis reaction because those are two
completely different processes.
A panic attack is an anxiety (neurotic)
disorder with no organic lesion. It is
treated with anxiolitic drugs and
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRI). Anaphylaxis, on the other hand, is
the most severe allergic reaction
possible. It ca manifest either with
cardio-vascular shock or asfiction and can
end with death. Anaphylaxis is an urgent
condition and it is treated with
adrenalin, antihistamines and
corticosteroids.
The only similarity between panic attack
and anaphylaxis is that they are both
dramatic. And yes, you might see an
allergy specialist to discuss your fear
and arrange for testing.
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