A Bluebottle with a panic attack. [updated]
Earlier today I was so unlucky to get stung by a Bluebottle (Portuguese an O’ War). It got me really good. I was stung on both my thighs, back and front, my right arm and on my lower abdominal. It was a really intense pain. Half way up from the water I could barely walk as the pain was so intense.
The pain had kind of three “ingredients”. It felt like someone had grabbed my thigh and just squeezed as hard as possible, also I had a tingling sensation and a really intense itching.
I think that whole ordeal lasted for about 15 minutes.
As we came home I noticed I was slightly short of breath, but nothing I took real notice too as I had problems with asthma at a young age; but have not had any asthma attack for at least half a decade.
Two hours before midnight I started to get more short breathed and got slightly worried.
I did a search online and found out that you can have an allergic reaction if you get stung by a Bluebottle. One of the symptoms is difficulty of breathing; also explained as shortness of breath, depends who you ask.
As an anaphylactic shock can suddenly get really serious we decided to go to the ER and have them check me out. They spent a good few hours analysing me, prodding me and giving me some ventolin.
The ventolin helped, x-ray and blood samples looked fine, so they decided to send me home.
I had mentioned and emphasised I suffered from asthma at a young age and have had no episodes for several years now; and I have had only two panic attacks in my life, one several months ago.
As they did not find anything wrong with the x-rays or blood samples the intern doctor gave me the following diagnosis:
Panic Attack
Let me briefly recap here. I went to the beach, got severely stung by a Bluebottle, experienced shortness of breath a bit later on, relaxing at home and not stressing or worried about anything at all today.
Apparently it is more likely that I have a panic attack than an allergic reaction to the Bluebottle venom.
I am sure I will be fine, but I do not feel like going to bed.
If it were not so late, I would probably go to another ER to get a second opinion.
What do you think? As in, what is more likely; an allergic reaction to the Bluebottle venom or a panic attack just out of the blue for no reason at all?
Live long and prosper.
Hopefully.
.update
It is past 4 am; and I am extremely sleepy. I chose to stay up late as I suddenly got shortness of breath again. Now it is diminishing, so I see no reason why I should not be fine. I will be heading off to bed now and I will for sure continue my antics tomorrow again; but avoiding anything poisonous from now on.
I did not get a second opinion from a doctor, but I did get a few good opinions from a few redditors.
Tata…
