Epipen

nhref58 · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Jul 17, 2003, 07:29am

I recently discovered the hard way that I am allergic to bee
stings and I now have an Epipen in possession. I was wondering if any fellow umpire has the same problem and how does he/she handle the issue of having one on the field while umpiring. I have never been stung on the field but before I didn't care. There are kits available to carry the pen on a belt some are in black so they would be less obtrusive. I suppose I could put the pen in the ball bag when I am doing the plate.

Any history out there with someone with the same problem.

Chet Martel
NCAA, NHFS, ASA, BABE RUTH

MichaelVA2000 · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Jul 17, 2003, 09:31am

Chet,

I'm also allergic to bee stings and have several Epipen's. When on the field as I keep the Epipen in a small pouch I have attached to my water container. I keep another one in the glove box of my vehicle. So far I've only had to use it once and it wasn't sports related.

Michael

nhref58 · #3 (**permalink**) Fri Jul 18, 2003, 12:26pm

I thought that keeping it in a glove box was a no-no
because the medicine would deterioate with the heat.
But this is the type of 'real world' advice I was seeking.

Thanks

Illeata Booga · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 22, 2003, 08:06pm

I carry a stun gun in my ball bag when I umpire mens fastpitch.

muldrick · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 21, 2004, 07:27pm

I got Anaphylaxis from my last insect sting. I got the Epipen and it's instructions. Nowhere does it say when to use the Epipen. After an bee or wasp sting should I wait to see if I feel anaphylaxis starting and then use the Epipen? or use it immediately after a sting (regardless of how I feel).

DownTownTonyBrown · #6 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 22, 2004, 11:16am

Anaphylactic shock - swelling inside the throat that occludes your breathing path... you die from lack of oxygen because you cannot suck in any air.

I'm only a first aid provider but if you have a known allergic reaction to bee stings, I WOULD NOT WAIT TO SEE IF YOU CAN KEEP BREATHING. The epipen is a shot of epinephrine, similar to adrenaline. I don't believe there is any danger to taking that injection even if the anaphylaxis never manifests. I highly recommend that if you get stung, you take the shot within the next couple of minutes.

Check with your doctor that prescribed the pen but I don't believe you should wait.

muldrick · #7 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 22, 2004, 12:09pm

Thanks for your reply, and I will take advise