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kimberleygd
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My first hospital experience
I've been here since August 10th and loving Ensenada. The people are so friendly and forgiving of my non existent understanding of the language (I am
trying)
Last week I was stung by a scorpion on my finger. It was actually the first time I had ever seen one being from the northeast. It was 5:15 am and
after I caught the little sucker and flushed him down the toilet I realized how hellish painful the sting was. I proceeded to get ready for school
and called my cab for work. By the time I got there my arm was throbbing and my hand had turned really red. I had no idea what I should do, so I asked
an English speaking teacher who told me we needed to go to the hospital right away.
She walked with me the block to the hospital. I am from Canada and I have never ever walked into a empty hospital. We walked up the halls and the
only person there was someone sweeping the floor who proceeded to fetch a doctor and nurse.
No waiting at all. We went right into the examining room and she explained my situation. The doctor spoke English quite well. He was so through I
couldn't believe it. He put my own doctor back home to shame. (He also told me I should have been accompanied to the hospital with the said scorpion
to verify species.)
Next came two shots in the butt, one for anti venom and one was a steroid for the pain. He wrote a prescription for some painkillers, and gave me his
phone number to call if there were any further complications and I was on my way.
I had hoped I wouldn't have to visit a hospital, (who wants to?) but any worries were really put to rest.
It cost me 500 pesos which I consider well worth it. (I do have insurance through the school, but none of the administrators had come in yet, so we
weren't sure which one to go to) so we went with one close to the school.
From then on I check my shoes, shake everything that's been on the clothesline, raid around my windows and check my bed every now and then.
Exterminators came to spray the outside of the building a couple of days later, but I can assure you I had a few restless nights following. All is
good!
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Bruce R Leech
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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what hospital did you go to?
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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kimberleygd
Junior Nomad
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Sanatorio del Carmen, Dr. Joshua Diaz (had to check my receipts)
Edit to add the address
Calle 11 No. 1105 Zona Central
(I remember it's a left on Ruiz before my school)
[Edited on 9-20-2015 by kimberleygd]
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Bruce R Leech
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Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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good to know thank you
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Ateo
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You were put in a sanitarium? Sounds like a Metallica song.
I'm kidding.
This is a great story of human beings watching out and protecting other human beings. From your teacher to the doctor.
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Tioloco
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Glad to hear about such a positive experience. My experience in Sonora was similarly positive, with the doctor giving me his cel phone number in case
of questions or problems.
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bajabuddha
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Check into talking to your personal physician, and getting a prescription for carrying an Epi-Pen... sounds like you may be more than just allergic,
but hypersensitive to multiple insect stings. You should talk..... 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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kimberleygd
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Well I won't be back home for probably another year and my doctor of 38 years just retired. This young gentleman was kinda cute and he did see my butt
(just kidding) so maybe I'll make a point of getting back to see him.
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bajabuddha
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K, all seriousness aside... if you did have that kind of reaction to a simple (easy to say, eh? I've been stung twice) scorpion sting, you have a
potential serious situation. They're no worse than bees, but bees can kill some folk. I also recommend a high octane of Tequila (or your choice) to
keep the toxins in check.
Buena Suerte. 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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kimberleygd
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Very good advice, will do. Thanks!
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BajaBlanca
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Thank you for sharing your story....that was a good ending to a bad beginning. Have a scorpion free rest of the year!
and who knew there were different types of scorpions here ? not me.
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Bob and Susan
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epi-pens
we have a ton here but they aren't exactly what you need ...they do start the heart
liquid BENADRYL is way better if the reaction isn't bad
you need something FAST so you don't stop breathing
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David K
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A few years ago, we asked about getting epi-pens in Baja... and there was none in Mexico (we were told, about 10 years ago). Benadryl was the closest
to deal with bee sting allergic reaction.
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bajabuddha
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There are several types of scorpions in the desert Southwest, and some are more venomous than others; but most are no more than a bee to a wasp sting,
depending on site of sting, and how many times they nail you. Unlike a bee, they can keep whacking at will. I've played with a few with welder's
gloves on, and when trapped, they not only 'bip' you with the stinger, but will push and drill with it too (yowwie!).
If you have a hypersensitivity or allergy to the venom you can go into anaphylactic shock; your face, neck and throat will swell and your airway will
close off, and can be fatal. Epi pens are intro-muscular injections of epinephrine and other medicines to counteract severe reactions, and are pretty
instantaneous. They should ONLY be used in extreme emergencies. The 'shot' is administered usually in the meaty portion of the thigh. Benedryl is
fine IF the afflicted can swallow; if not, it's too late for it. I carried Benedryl and Clortrimeton in my first aid kit for 30 years (still do).
Both Benedryl (diphenhydramine) and Clortrimeton are over-the-counter antihistamines; Epi-Pens are by prescription, and are serious medicines.
If you know you have a severe allergy and carry an Epi, you should teach those around you how to administer the shot; not just family, but neighbors
and friends too. If you get stung the onset can be very fast, and your life can be saved by that knowledge of others. Epi's also have an expiration
date that should be checked and refilled when necessary.
If you have topical swelling at the site (abnormal) and can still swallow, you can take up to 4 Benedryl (25 mg ea) orally, and expect to take a
loooong nap. Repeat if necessary with 2 every 4 hours and seek medical help if it doesn't subside, or symptoms worsen. You can also take Sominex or
Sleep-Eze, or other OTC sleep aids that have diphenhydramine in the ingredients.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Whale-ista
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Kimberley= thanks for the update and "review" of the hospital. Good to hear things are (on balance) working well for you.
Agree that type of allergic reaction is a bit unusual, tho it could also be you are still adjusting to your new home, and the new local bacteria, in
addition to scorpion venom. Keep those medications mentioned in other posts available.
(I've had similar reactions to insect bites when travelling far from home: more swelling, pain, redness compared to local critters)
Also agree the doctors in Ensenada take very good care of patients. When I lived there, I found the doctors much more willing/able to spend time with
patients compared to docs in the US.
That said: Hope you don't need to see another one any time soon!
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Bob and Susan
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if you play with epi-pens you need a "trainer"
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bajabuddha
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Exactly. Epi's are for total emergency anaphylaxis, very strong medicine. One of my EMT instructors told the story of being jabbed by a student with
a live pen, the kid thinking it was a 'trainer' pen; almost put him in the ER. My point to the OP is, consult with your Dr. and see if keeping one
handy would be wise. Otherwise, oral antihistamines are the way to go IF you can swallow. Also, take at least 50 mg's / Benedryl to start; I was
taught you can take up to 100 mgs as a loading dose if symptoms are fairly severe.
[Edited on 9-20-2015 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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AKgringo
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Black lights
Kimberly, I don't know how long you have been following this forum, but it has been brought up before that scorpions will glow in the dark when light
up with an ultraviolet light. They make flashlight sized ones for spotting them.
My dad, a rockhound, first showed me that in Cabo in 1986
[Edited on 9-20-2015 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
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blacklight flashlight
BEST 10 bucks you can spend
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p205060...
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4Cata
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Thanks for black light advice and link. Ordering asap as I am susceptible to scorpion bites.
Agaveros, silk in a bottle, a beautiful bottle!
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