Topic: Self IM Bicillin, do you do a skin-test everytime?
Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064
posted
If you are doing IM Bicillin, do you have to do skin-test for allergy everytime before injection?
I am considering doing IM Bicllin myself, but the skin-test seems unconvenient.
I was warned by my sister, who is a medical doctor, that you need to do skin test everytime and should get some medicine at hand in case of emergency.
Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
NO...that's pretty dumb advice...
no offense to your sister...unless she's a sheduck! LOL
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I have been on Bicillin injections since early June 2005. I do not even know what this skin test is. I do, however, have an EpiPen on hand for 20 minutes post-injection in the event of an allergic reaction.
-------------------- Suzanne Shaps STAND UP FOR LYME Texas (www.standupforlyme.org) (Please email all correspondence related to protecting Texas LLMDs to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]) Posts: 977 | From Austin, TX, USA | Registered: May 2004
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Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064
posted
Thanks for the quick replies.
Zman, you are welcome and no offence at all cuz this is a free opinion board.
Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Because I had taken penicillins on a number of occasions, my doctor was not concerned about allergic reaction. My pharmacist agreed. Nevertheless, I keep an EpiPen around. It sounds like your sister is misinformed. Treating Lyme involves risks, but not treating it also involves risks, but not the kind that frighten physicians.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
I have been told (though I cannot remember by whom) that an allergic reaction from penicillin can develop at any time, even if you have previously had none. This may be what your sister was referring to.
In all the discussions about Bicillin on this board, however, I have never seen reference to a skin test, only the need to have an EpiPen on standby.
-------------------- Suzanne Shaps STAND UP FOR LYME Texas (www.standupforlyme.org) (Please email all correspondence related to protecting Texas LLMDs to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]) Posts: 977 | From Austin, TX, USA | Registered: May 2004
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posted
I also take bicillin injections (3X week) and never heard of a skin test. My doc is lyme literate and I would hope he would have told me if it were important. You never know though........
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Did you have a suspected childhood pencillin allergy or some other reason there is a concern?
Before starting Bicillin, my LLMD had me go through extensive penicillin allergy testing with an allergist, because of a possible mild childhood penicillin allergy.
The allergists gave me the all-clear to do Bicillin, but I have a nurse inject me and I hang around the medical clinic for a while afterward just in case of any reaction. She had an Epi-Pen standing by for the first two injections. I've been absolutely fine.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
YOu dont have to skin test every time, but you should have an EPI PEN at ALL times.
-------------------- You want your life back? Take it. Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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-------------------- Charter member of the ~ Delux Toasting Club ~ Our Moto: "Take No Prisoners" Posts: 95 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2005
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