Blood donation experience

[Falcon_LS]

I was meaning to do this for quite a while, but never really got around to actually doing so. Spoke to my best friend about it, and we finally arranged to go this morning.

This was a first for me, and I have to say I was rather anxious and it took a bit to overcome my fear. Got some fresh fruit juice, headed to the donation bank, filled out all the paperwork, went through a test to check blood pressure, haemoglobin, weight, etc. and finally got on the chair.

The nurse set everything up and during the first minute, I started getting dizzy. She asked if I wanted to continue, to which I replied "Yes!". So I was given a cotton swab, dipped in the solution they used to cleanse the area, to smell which helped a bit. But after the donation (just over a pint), I drank up the juice but felt like I was going to throw up soon after. Got the chair all the way back for a few minutes and was ready to walk out.

Got in my buddy's Tahoe, and roughly 3 minutes later I felt like I was going to throw up again. Only this time, I was really feeling dizzy and could barely hear what my friend was telling me because of all the chimes I could hear in my ears. My vision was also slightly blurry. Put the seat all the way back, turned on the air conditioning on full blast at 16 C and it took a few minutes before I started feeling well again. Thank goodness I wasn't driving.

Ended up working quite an appetite, and after having half a grilled chicken with some side dishes followed by a nap, I'm up and running again. Have to say it was quite an experience, but I'm really glad I finally got around to doing it for a worthy cause. Hopefully my next time won't be as hard.

 

[mpvue]

fortunately bloodless surgery is becoming more popular and commonplace.
most all surgeries can now be performed without the use of blood, but the blood industry is huge and they make sure the practice continues.

 

[Burt]

It will get easier each time. Don't stop after one time. Isn't it amazing how much effect our brain has on how we feel?

 

[daves87rs]

I guess I need to give it a try like you...never tried it before...need to give it a shot.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I'm not only a Gallon Donor, but also a Gallon Recipient.

I'm working on staying in the plus column. Not all blood is used for surgery. Much of it is used on people who arrive in the emergency room after accidents or untreated conditions. Much more of it is used to create the hemophilia treatment.

It makes one feel good to help another human being whom they will probably never meet.

 

[JHZR2]

Just posted on this last night - I'm a perpetual fainter, just for blood tests...

 

[dparm]

I've got very low blood pressure so it's very difficult for me to even have bloodwork done, let alone donate a full unit. I don't even have problems with needles or blood, I just tend to pass out really easily.

Good for you on donating.

 

[crw]

Yes, keep at it. You'll be fine. I think most of that is your head playing tricks on you.

For me, it's like, nothing. I can donate and not feel a thing. My biggest motivation is the free snacks.

In the '80s when I was a college student, my father was a professor and he did some work on the side which required regular samples of blood. So, me and others would regularly (once every two weeks or so...) donate a small amount of blood to this project. I say donate, but we were paid $20 each time. It was not a whole unit, but just enough to fill a large syringe. Well, my mom was a nurse, so she would sometimes draw my blood while I was eating breakfast...

So, getting back to BITOG... that $20 easily filled my gas tank (and then some) back then. I was giving "blood for oil" long before that slogan came into vogue in the '90s.

 

[Cristobal]

In college I once donated blood, and I had symptoms similar to yours with nausea and weakness. I then went to a class. People remarked that I looked "ghastly."

I never donated again.

 

[mpvue]

there are way too many dangers associated with blood transfusions that I'll take my chances and say 'no thanks'.

 

[greenaccord02]

I've given blood plenty of times, but it's important to drink the juice they give you and eat the snack. Otherwise you'll really feel weird.

 

[crw]

mpvue: I'm sure you know this, but maybe others do not. We're not talking about receiving a transfusion, but just donating blood. They are not putting anything into you when you donate.

I posted this on the other blood donation thread... Donating can be healthy. In our diets we can get too much iron. Especially if we are eating iron enriched foods or taking supplements that contain iron. Iron (ferritin) doesn't go away in our blood. Too much of it is bad.

Women regularly loose blood on a monthly basis. Men, on the other hand, could go a long time without loosing any blood. Donating blood is a good chance to get a mini-checkup (blood pressure, iron levels, etc.) for free.... AND... it's sort of like getting an oil change. Really.

 

[refaller]

Agree. I always feel better the day after- struggle a bit for about 10 minutes, but well worth it.

ref