elizabeth09 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I have once and it was pretty cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I have tried a couple of times. The first time I was so nervous my heart rate was too high for them to even put a needle in me. I felt really bad but rules are rules. The next time they got the needle into me but I was dehydrated so the blood was clotting in the line and they had trouble keeping it flowing. When I started to shake they made the decision to stop. Then I had to stay there for like an hour afterwards, they even detailed a volunteer to make sure I didn't try to leave. lol. The cookies were yummy though, I'm hoping to try again sometime. I love the idea of meditating on the Passion while donating. So lessons learned just relax and make sure that you drink tons of water beforehand. Something else everyone should consider is signing up to be a bone marrow donor. To be put on the registry all it takes is a cheek swab and a quick questionnaire. At my school we had a registry drive and it took me about 10-20 minutes max to sign up. Then you wait to see if you will be asked to be a donor. Also the majority of donations [i]do not[/i] involve surgery! All the info and such is on this page [url="http://www.marrow.org/index.html"]http://www.marrow.org/index.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I've donated since I was 17. I've hated it every single time, but I keep going back. I believe that if you can donate, you just have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I wrote all this stuff and then lost it - sigh. Let's try again. I am one of the weird ones as I love giving blood, and watch every step of the process, including the blood leaving my veins and going down the tube into the bag - but then I was a nurse and had to give injections and take blood a lot (in the days before they had vacuum tubes to help with all the work!) I find it all fascinating. Don't have aspirin or aspirin based products before giving as it impedes blood clotting, and don't go if you have a cold or other infection. You will learn your blood type (if you don't know it already) and your hemoglobin level (mine is great). One time this guy next to me had such high blood pressure that they thought he was going to stroke right there, so they wouldn't let him give blood or even leave the recliner until it had come down to a safe level. Then they told him to get to the doctor right away! Be sure to have something to eat before, and don't skimp on the snacks afterwards either. The first time I gave blood, I stupidly ignored this advice and ate nothing before or after - and promptly fainted - the only time in my life - and at first I felt I was going to vomit, and then I just passed out! Friends took care of me, and when I came to, I had no idea what had happened. But I learned my lesson. Eat! At least drink the juice! And have fun - it really is a nice thing to do, so needed, and everyone is so friendly and helpful when you do it. The discomfort is really so small compared to the good you are doing. Of course, some people can't do it, or really have a hard time. My mother had a rare blood type and they wanted her to give but every time she tried, they had such problems finding her veins that they finally told her not to come back - it was too hard on everyone, aggravating for them and painful for my mom! She really wanted to help but her veins just wouldn't let go! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Monster Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I don't think that i can donate blood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 [quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1314997447' post='2299312'] Luigi - how are you feeling with the platelets? They asked for mine, but it was just as I was in the drug trial, so had to wait. I'd like to do it if they still want them. I have 'common' blood and very high iron levels (even when vegan) so I get begging letters from them quite often. [/quote] Giving platelets is a pain in the neck simply because of the time involved. It's at least two and a half hours for me - driving there, reading the book (it's the same information as last time), the mini exam, answering the questions (also the same as last time, and I still haven't had sex - even once - with another man from 1977 until now), the set-up, the long time in the chair, the break-down, and then ten or fifteen minutes in the canteen. I'd like to be able to sleep while they're circulating the blood but my blood pressure is on the low side, so the machine beeps every now and again when it wants me to squeeze the rubber ball. And the nurses have the television going, which I find a distraction. I listen to podcasts of Italian radio shows but I don't get to actually concentrate on them because I get distracted by the machine, the television, or the nurse checking up on me. But I do it. I've known a couple of people who've died of leukemia and I remember they were always asking folks to donate platelets. I think they're not quite as strict about medical history when you're giving platelets as when you're giving whole blood, although I can't say why there'd be a difference. If you've been rejected for whole blood, they might still take you for platelets. Curiosity Question: In the States, they won't take your blood if you've spent - I forget the specifics, but it's something like - a total of three months in the United Kingom (refer to the chart on the last page to see the list of countries in the UK) since 1986. I always assumed that was to avoid transmitting Mad Cow Disease. Clearly, if this same rule held in the UK, no one would be able to donate. Do they not care about transmitting Mad Cow, are they just not as worried about is as the American Red Cross, or do they operate under the assumption that all English(wo)men are already mad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faithcecelia Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 [quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1315023771' post='2299497'] Curiosity Question: In the States, they won't take your blood if you've spent - I forget the specifics, but it's something like - a total of three months in the United Kingom (refer to the chart on the last page to see the list of countries in the UK) since 1986. I always assumed that was to avoid transmitting Mad Cow Disease. Clearly, if this same rule held in the UK, no one would be able to donate. Do they not care about transmitting Mad Cow, are they just not as worried about is as the American Red Cross, or do they operate under the assumption that all English(wo)men are already mad? [/quote] There is no definitive proof that CJD can be passed on in blood products. A number of former doners have later been diagnosed with CJD but there is only one case of a patient who recieved blood and their doner both developing the illness, even in this case there is no way to tell whether the patient contracted the virus from the blood product or whether they already had it. I think, on the whole, we British tend not to panic when there is nothing to panic about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Would I be allowed to give blood? I am over 110 lbs, but I am 3 lbs from being underweight for my height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 [quote name='Light and Truth' timestamp='1315104894' post='2299907'] Would I be allowed to give blood? I am over 110 lbs, but I am 3 lbs from being underweight for my height. [/quote] They'd probably let you give blood. They're more concerned with your general health - temperature, blood pressure, pulse, iron (or hemoglobin?) in the blood. They do ask your weight, but as long as you're not anemic I'm sure you'll be fine. They're concerned about: - HIV risk behaviors (jail time, sex for drugs or money, time spent in Africa) - HIV symptoms (unexplained weight loss, night sweats, spots on the skin) - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE/mad cow disease) - Jacob-Kreutzfeld disease - dura mater transplant - infections (recent pierces or tatoos) - other problems like bleeding, shortness of breath, whether you have a cold, that kind of thing. If you're generally healthy and have a clean medical history (by their definition, no absolutely clean in every possible way), I'm pretty sure they'll be happy to take your blood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 [quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1315113110' post='2299953'] They'd probably let you give blood. They're more concerned with your general health - temperature, blood pressure, pulse, iron (or hemoglobin?) in the blood. They do ask your weight, but as long as you're not anemic I'm sure you'll be fine. They're concerned about: - HIV risk behaviors (jail time, sex for drugs or money, time spent in Africa) - HIV symptoms (unexplained weight loss, night sweats, spots on the skin) - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE/mad cow disease) - Jacob-Kreutzfeld disease - dura mater transplant - infections (recent pierces or tatoos) - other problems like bleeding, shortness of breath, whether you have a cold, that kind of thing. If you're generally healthy and have a clean medical history (by their definition, no absolutely clean in every possible way), I'm pretty sure they'll be happy to take your blood. [/quote] What if you had partially explained weight loss with no other symptoms that stabilized and then you put on part of that weight again? Also, medicated for allergies, asthma, ADD, and sometimes have tension headaches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 [quote name='Light and Truth' timestamp='1315115401' post='2299966'] What if you had partially explained weight loss with no other symptoms that stabilized and then you put on part of that weight again? Also, medicated for allergies, asthma, ADD, and sometimes have tension headaches? [/quote] I don't know - I know the Red Cross has their own rules-standards-requirements, but I don't know most of them because I'm as healthy as a horse. I've never been asked - or had to ask - about anything particularly detailed. But I recommend you locate your nearest donation center and at least give them a call - they might answer questions over the phone, or they might ask you to come in and talk about it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSister2009 Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Ok I signed up. Next Wednesday at 3:45PM my time, think of me. I'm going to do it. How I do will determine if I will ever do it again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 [quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1315496231' post='2302154'] Ok I signed up. Next Wednesday at 3:45PM my time, think of me. I'm going to do it. How I do will determine if I will ever do it again [/quote] Good for you! You'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faithcecelia Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 [quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1315496231' post='2302154'] Ok I signed up. Next Wednesday at 3:45PM my time, think of me. I'm going to do it. How I do will determine if I will ever do it again [/quote] I'm sure you will be fine. One hint I was given before my first time was to have a hot, sweet drink before you go - the warmth apparently helps the donation be faster and the sugar just gives you that little boots. I used to use it as an excuse for a nice hot chocolate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 i used to donate platelets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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