After giving blood

deckerp

I gave blood yesterday and wondered what others have experienced afterward. I skipped my elliptical last night and just did an easy session this morning. I feel fine right now, but don't want to over do it.

I plan to be sure to drink a couple more glasses of water than usual and maybe eat a bit extra too.

They advised I not lift anything heavy with that arm for a bit. I think they said half a day so I'm probably OK there.

Any advice, good experiences, bad experiences?

Barneystinson

Giving blood is so weird for me - sometimes I'm completely okay afterward, and other times I pass out. I'm under some restriction right now for giving blood due to travel, but once that clears I may try it again. I have low-ish blood sugar levels, so it's sort of a gamble for me on the pass out thing

I think you did everything right, though. I've found eating a banana and drinking a bottle of water w/one of those Emergen-C packs right after I give blood works wonders - raises my blood sugar to a good level.

epj78

I'm usually fine and back to normal the day after I give blood. I can't do anything that night, and I have to eat right after I give blood or I pass out. But the next day, I'm fine an completely back to normal.

SydKaty

I usually give exercise a break for the rest of the day after donating. I definitely drink water to capacity and eat smaller meals throughout the day.

bloblynda

I skip exercise on the day then some slow jogging the next day; I also try and eat liver and green veg such as broccoli in the following week to replenish my iron levels

Azdak

When donating blood, there are two effects: loss of red blood cells and loss of plasma volume. The plasma volume will be restored in 24 hours or so, the red blood cells take up to 6 weeks.

How much you will notice probably depends on how hard you work hard and your level of conditioning. Someone at a high level would likely notice the loss of RBCs a lot longer than a recreational exerciser.