A trail riders nightmare

[4horses]

This is a post from Facebook. Not me, but it is a park I ride at frequently. I was just there on Wednesday and we had a wonderful non-eventful ride.

FYI: you should always have at least 2 Epipens on you in case of allergic reaction. Not just 1 Epipen. 2 Epipens per person. Some situations may require more than 1 dose.

For those who are wondering about yesterday’s events, this is the best of my recollection. Fellow equestrians, if you take one thing from this, PLEASE contact your primary care doctor and get a prescription for an EpiPen. Ellie had no idea she was allergic. You never know when having one might save your or somebody else’s life!

Four out of the six of us were thrown when our horses were stung repeatedly. We scattered in different directions. Joelle, Ellie, and I ran back in the direction we came. Grace, Suzette, and Jeanne went the opposite direction. We took off running from the bees. We ran about a half mile, but the bees kept chasing us. They had stung 73-year-old Ellie hundreds of times. They were all over her face and hands. She couldn’t go any further. My two horses followed me when we took off running. We tried to get Ellie up onto one of my horses to ride her out, but she was dead weight and too weak to ride. We had to get her on the ground and wait for help to arrive. They had trouble finding us because we were so deep in the woods. Ellie was going into anaphylactic shock. I was afraid to give her my EpiPen (one because she’s 73 and has heart problems, but two, I had started coughing and wheezing and had no idea how bad my own reaction was going to be). We decided to go ahead and give Ellie the shot, instead of me. The hospital staff said that is what saved her life. She was so swollen, her face was hardly recognizable. Her hands looked like balloons. Definitely the most scared I have ever been. The group of six all got separated when the hive started swarming. We had no idea how our other friends were or how the horses were or where they were. Joelle called 911 and we waited for what seemed like an eternity for help to arrive. They had difficulty finding us. Joelle ended up hiking out a ways to try to flag the rescue team. I screamed for help repeatedly and a biker heard me and came to us. He rode for help. Ellie started praying to God because she was so afraid she was dying……and then help arrived on a Gator. They were able to get Ellie out of the woods and to the waiting ambulance, that then transported her to the hospital. Joelle and I rode Gunny and Charm for miles out of the woods, following a park ranger. Maverick followed behind, riderless. When we finally got back to the trail head, we learned that Suzette ended up with two broken ribs and a broken thumb and was taken to the hospital. Grace had multiple stings to her face, including one in her eye. We also learned that Jeanne got separated from Grace and Suzette because she went to try to help Ellie’s horse, Chevy. I remember looking up once before the horses took off and Chevy’s entire back end was covered with a blanket of hornets. He was bucking and kicking frantically trying to get them off of him before he disappeared into the woods. We are all blessed to be alive and thankful for all the people who came to our rescue, and for all your thoughts and prayers! It was a nightmare…. One I hope y’all never experience. Be safe out there.

Chevy is recovering and okay.

[endlessclimb]

I’m not sure my PCP would prescribe me an epipen “just in case” I’m allergic to something.

Regardless, I am glad everyone turned out ok. This is one of my nightmare scenarios when out riding.

[EADoug]

My husband’s initial prescription for an epipen was for two, with strict instructions to always have two. (Canada, and total out of pocket was maybe $15 for both)

A friend’s child is highly allergic to peanuts. The first time she had to give the pen at home, terrified with a reacting toddler, she stabbed her own thigh. If they didn’t have two pens, her son may not have survived.

[ClearDonkey]

If you have a parent with a severe allergy, PCP’s will likely prescribe an epi-pen.

My mom is deathly allergic to bees. The last time I was stung, my reaction was worse than prior bee stings. My PCP automatically prescribed me epi-pens when I said these two things.

I am fortunate that my insurance covers epi-pens at $10/each.

[cutter99]

I always carry 2 Epi-Pens because I am allergic to stinging insects, as well as chewable Benedryl and regular Benedryl. I always have water in my saddle bag, and make sure to carry more water than what I think is necessary for the duration of the ride, in case we get stuck somewhere and are out longer than we plan. The Epi-Pens are in the pocket of my tights, as well as my cell phone.

I have never heard of a doctor just prescribing Epi-Pens at someone’s request as they are a prescribed drug. I doubt it would be legal.

And then there is cost. The last time I refilled my prescription, it was over $400, with my prescription plan, here in the U.S.

Let me also add this- is you are struck by wasps, hornets or bees hundreds of times, there is going to be a severe reaction, whether you are allergic or not.

There are certain areas to avoid, usually from August until there are some good hard frosts. Stay off trails that are not heavily used as that is where insects tend to build nests, especially around down trees or limbs. If you see small holes in the ground, that is usually the sign of insect activity. It is usually not the first or second horse that gets stung, it is those that follow. The best thing you can do is get out of that area as quickly and safely as possible.

[endlessclimb]

@cutter99

The best thing you can do is get out of that area as quickly and safely as possible.

I’d imagine if the horses are getting stung, they will take care of that “quickly” part. (funny, not funny)

[4horses]

The issue is, many trail riders are in remote areas, that are not easily accessible during emergencies. It will take time for emergency services to locate your exact location, and then figure out how to get EMS to your location, and that’s assuming the location is accessible by vehicle because if it isn’t they are going to need people on the ground.

If it takes 2 hours to get EMS to your location and you have an allergic reaction, you will die before they reach you.

You may not be allergic to 1 or 2 wasp stings, but you could definitely have a reaction to 100 wasp stings.

This is a conversation worth having with your doctor. No one plans on getting stung 100 times by wasps. You just don’t think it’s likely to happen, especially in a park like this one that is so popular and well traveled. I’ve ridden there probably hundreds of times as it is so close to my house.

It’s like wearing a helmet. You may not need it most of the time, but the time you do need it, it can save your life.

CVS has Epipens for $110 (cash price). There’s a savings card available as well which reduces the price even more, if you have insurance.

[Xanthoria]

@4horses

CVS has Epipens for $110 (cash price). There’s a savings card available as well which reduces the price even more, if you have insurance.

Epipen Alternative | Epinephrine OTC | CVS Pharmacy

Yes. Two for $109.99. (On average, a package of 2 EpiPens can cost around $715.72 without insurance!)

“Adrenaclick, the generic epinephrine auto-injector, typically has a shelf life of 18 months, but for certain lots, the expiration date has been extended to 20 months by the FDA to address potential shortages. “

[irish_horse]

Very scary incident for those people. I have a bee and wasp allergy and carry an epi-pen and benadryl. I was sweep riding the Tevis when my group ran across a ground wasp nest. I was in front and escaped being stung, the people and horses behind me were less fortunate (but just a few stings apiece). We were many miles and hours away from help.

I later talked to my doctor and told them how I was often very far from help and was worried that the epi-pens would not be enough. They mentioned venom immunotherapy, which no doctor had ever told me about! For people who are allergic (even if you haven’t had a terrible reaction, but your symptoms have gotten worse over the years) this therapy is great. It’s a lot of shots over a long period of time, but it can really help in many situations. (but you always carry your epi-pens too).

[WNT]

What the heck!? I just went to pick up a 2-pack of EpiPens for my allergy shot requirement, and with insurance they’re $409 at CVS!

[4horses]

That’s probably the name brand and not the generic. I would open that website link and show it to them and tell them that is what you want.

[Xanthoria]

Reasons: https://www.vox.com/policy/23658275/epipen-cost-price-how-much

[cutter99]

One thing I think people need to understand completely is use of an Epi-Pen is not the end of the situation.

If you use an Epi-Pen, it is very highly recommended you go to the emergency room to be monitored, especially for heart issues. Like any drug, there is a possibility of a reaction or damage to your body occurring.

Epi-Pens are prescription medication. Doctors are responsible for those prescriptions, and as the drug can have negative effects, those things need to be taken into account.

[Bogie]

That’s great to know! I have had increasingly more severe reactions to ground bee stings as I age. When I was foxhunting regularly I always carried Benedryl and epi pens because the last thing you want is to be off the beaten track when stung. Epi pens are expensive and they expire, so you need to replace them even if you don’t get to use them.

[Djones]

My epi pen 2 pack was also about $400 usd 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with alpha gal. I never used it and won’t be refilling it. My attacks are predictable enough I can go sit in the ER waiting room should I manage to accidentally eat beef or the like.

What they cost the US consumer is 100% dependent on that person’s prescription benefit coverage, tiers, copays and all the things. Buying them from GoodRx or Mark Cuban may make better sense in the short run, but won’t count toward your deductible if that’s outside your pharmacy network.

[4horses]

My alpha gal made my reactions to stings and bites much worse so I always keep an Epipen on me. My IgE was really high so I’m sure that doesn’t help.

[BlueDrifter]

A nightmare indeed.

18 months ago my horse was stung by a single bee in his stall - the ones that pollinate pepper trees and hover around the water tank. He went into anaphylactic shock. Severe hives in 15 minutes and then he just couldn’t stand up. I syringed benedryl into his mouth, waiting for the vet. (Later found out zyrtec is better). He made it, but it was an ugly four hours.

Each summer I worry it could happen again. I have dex in case it does, but what about trail?

I wish there was an epipen for horses!

[4horses]

They do sell bottles of epinephrine for veterinary use.

[Bluey]

@4horses

They do sell bottles of epinephrine for veterinary use.

We always carry a couple of the tiny ones in our cattle medicine box.
Have used them a few times also.

[applelover]

I had something like this happen while camping with a group of kids on ponies - we were riding down a rocky ravine and came across a disturbed yellowjacket ground nest. I was in the lead and thank god, my superhero of a horse did not buck but took off galloping through the ravine and leading us all to safety. All of the kids stayed on too! We found one of the riders from the group that had passed through before us and hit the nest - she had fallen and her horse had bolted. My poor horse had huge hives all over him and it was a good 2 hours ride back to camp. He ended up being fine though. Thank god for that horse, he was absolutely the reason we were all ok!