I'm going to start BVT soon, and I've got a concern about taking a "break" from it for several weeks.
I'm planning a trip out of the country next year for 3 weeks (health providing), and I'm assuming that I won't be able to do my BVT while there (I haven't yet looked into whether I would be able to get bees or not while I'm gone).
Would skipping it for 3 weeks cause problems? I'm concerned about relapse to a heavier bacterial load while off the protocol. Is that a legitimate worry for a 3-week hiatus?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Surely, others will reply to your important questions.
A side note in case the price is not something you are yet aware of, as EpiPen is important to have on hand with bee venom therapy, in today's news:
Actual cost of the medicine inside: only a couple of bucks. Cost to this family to obtain: now $600. EpiPens also have a relatively short shelf life and require yearly replacement.
Rising cost of potentially life-saving EpiPen puts pinch on families
CBS News - Aug. 16, 2016 -
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
I think you will be ok on your hiatus. It will give the bugs a chance to come out ...or you could do a herbal regime while away...?
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
In my corner of the world it's risky to go off for longer than 10 days, not because of the bacterial load or anything like that but because the borrelia has a chance to change your body chemistry and give you anaphylaxis if you try to start again.
When you get back, don't jump right back in to where you started. Do one sting and see how you fare, work up slowly for a week or two.
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
BVT doesn't make the bugs hide. They have no defense from BVT the way they have from other environmental stressors like abx, herbs or alcohol. On BVT they're already out ready to be killed by the BVT and your immune system.
Posted by SLH516 (Member # 48060) on :
Thanks, Jordana. Excellent info. And the possibility of developing an allergy to the venom while I'm off it is my biggest concern.
I know they make injectable venom, though I don't know how much it costs. If it's not totally cost prohibitive, that might be an option.
Keebler, I just saw that article today. I'm on Medicaid, so idk if they'll cover it or not. Maybe they'll cover the other one that the article I read referred to.
I can always go to the vial of epi and a syringe, although those have to be replaced more frequently. But it's waaay cheaper that way, and I would assume Medicaid would cover that.
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
Venex requires a script or letter and is usually mixed with procaine ..can be pretty strong from what i hear ...i wanna say it was 280 a vial ...i got one as back up ...the lil needles are hard to find