--Boundary (ID ZVk/vcdWum2L1eFW2mO7wA) Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN --Boundary (ID ZVk/vcdWum2L1eFW2mO7wA) Content-type: MESSAGE/RFC822 Date: Wed, 13 Sep 1995 08:35:00 PDT From: Wendy Lewis <[log in to unmask]> Subject: bee allergies To: [log in to unmask] Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN Posting-date: Wed, 13 Sep 1995 08:36:00 PDT Importance: normal A1-type: MAIL I tried sending this note a few days ago, but was unsuccessful. Here it is again! Wendy Lewis --Boundary (ID ZVk/vcdWum2L1eFW2mO7wA) Content-type: MESSAGE/RFC822 Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 08:49:00 PDT From: Wendy Lewis <[log in to unmask]> Subject: bee sting allergies To: [log in to unmask] Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN Posting-date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 13:25:00 PDT Importance: normal A1-type: MAIL Hi all, As a hobbyist beekeeper who suffers from pollen allergies and from severe reactions to bee stings, I'd like to share some personal observations with you. I have been undergoing immunotherapy for my pollen allergies, with very good results. But for bee stings, my allergist (who understands my need to keep bees) prefers not to proceed with bee venom immunotherapy unless her patients have exhibited symptoms of anaphylactic reaction (drop in blood pressure, itching throat, hives, problems with breathing). Luckily, my symptoms are only severe swelling and intense itching at the sting site. The tricky thing too, with bee stings, is that it is possible for someone who has not shown prior anaphylactic symptoms with stings, all of a sudden to become hyperreactive. It might be on account of this that some allergists are reluctant to proceed with bee venom immunotherapy. I say, find yourself an allergist who will support your decision to keep bees, get a prescription for and carry an Epi-Pen insect sting kit with you and ALWAYS work with another beekeeper. And keep on keeping bees! Wendy Lewis Mission Viejo, California --Boundary (ID ZVk/vcdWum2L1eFW2mO7wA)--