In an unpleasant surprise to me, wasp stings provoke an MG flare

I’ve never been one to be afraid of insects of any kind. Growing up as a farm kid and then becoming mom to a boy helped rid me of all “ickiness” factors of the sort.

Until the end of August, that is.

I was outside The Nook (my business), and was stung not once, not twice, but three times by a wasp. I shook it off, took note of where the black and yellow menace was coming from, and went inside to tell my husband he had to take care of another wasp nest.

Within 10 minutes, I began experiencing shortness of breath and general right-sided droop, especially my eyelid. I’d never had a bad reaction to being stung before, so I couldn’t believe that I might be having an allergic response.

I took an extra immediate-release Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide) and a couple of puffs of my inhaler. No relief.

Crap.

Recommended Reading

January 25, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo

MG flares affect sizable number of patients in US, despite treatment

Emergency treatment

When hubby walked in and I tried to talk, my voice was soft and hoarse. We decided to go to the emergency room (ER) because of how serious the reaction was, considering I’d never felt anything like it in the 13 years we’d been together.

He called ahead to the ER and let them know we were coming. We didn’t bother calling the ambulance because he’d just left the grocery store, where he was talking to a friend who happens to be an EMT — and who had just gotten another call. Small-town living means my husband knew the ambulance wouldn’t be coming for me anytime soon.

At the ER, the staff immediately gave me a breathing treatment and some steroids as they began a more full assessment. Thankfully, this team listened to me, and the attending physician was one I’d seen before so he knew I had myasthenia gravis (MG).

Because of that familiarity with me and my medical history, I was (narrowly) able to avoid getting a shot of epinephrine, a normal treatment one would receive for an allergic reaction. That could’ve caused problems.

It turns out, I’m still not allergic to being stung. But I am more susceptible to having an adverse reaction when stung. The physician explained that anyone can have an adverse reaction to a wasp sting, especially if it happens multiple times. The negative reaction in me was a near immediate exacerbation or flare of my MG symptoms.

The visit to the ER turned out to be enlightening and educational. Since I’d advocated for myself there and provided material to help the ER medical staff know and understand my disease, my care has improved with each visit. I’m listened to, not dismissed, and they know that I’m only there because I’ve exhausted all other options.

Who’d a thunk that being stung by a wasp could provoke an MG flare? I did some quick searches after this experience and found little literature on this reaction.

I left the ER that day with the knowledge that even in a small community, good emergency care is available.

I’ve also begun avoiding all things with needle butts. I have absolutely no desire to repeat that not-so-fun field trip.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.