I really want to donate blood but......

jonward85

I'm O- as well. I get calls all the time to give. Fortunately I've never had this problem, but there are people at the drive that it happens to. I think you'd be surprised how often this happens to people. The nurse that i was talking with about it said that it happens so often most of the time they just deal with it and don't think anything else of it. I guess from my stand point i wouldn't let it get to me. Do whatever you think is right.

On a side note: I give double red when possible. I have noticed that it doesn't feel like it takes as much out of me when they do it. Might ask around as I'm no Dr. or Nurse.

nikkit321

Eat right before you go (protein and a fruit are my typical) and drink a ton of water. Then make sure you drink juice or a pop while in the chair. And I agree, tell them what happened before so they can keep an eye on you. And of course, don't look at the needle.

Forgot to say that I'm also O- and am giving today too at my church in Indiana. Perhaps we need an MFP blood donation challenge!

jmpetros

Drink lots of water ...easier for them to find veins. Ask to lie flat the entire time you donate and slowly change positions. Make sure they know u faint. It helps me if I drink a sprite while I donate. Also try to distract yourself...it helps if you are listening to music watching Tv etc. Hope it helps.

GretchenReine

I used to donate regularly when I was younger. The last time I donated I passed out, they had to call my husband to pick me up and take me home and I was so weak I couldn't sit upright for 4 days. I'm on the thanks but no thanks list now. :-( I actually miss doing it and have thought about tempting fate but hubby forbids it now.

maab_connor

Tell the nurse what happened last time, ask her to come over when you have about five mins left and tell you to bring your knees up, feet flat on the cot. that'll help keep your BP up. also, she'll stay with you to the table - go for the juice, not the water, you'll need the sugar spike. this is how my mom has to do it and she hasn't passed out since the first time.

and THANK YOU for donating.

bcattoes

Drink a large orange juice the morning you are going to donate. This will raise your iron level an lessen the risk of light headedness. And after you give, eat the cookies or crackers they offer!! This is not a time to diet.

Assassins_Angel

I get too many tattoos. They wont take my blood. LOL.

you can give blood having tattoos you just cant have a fresh one!! you cant give blood straight away for 4 months after having it done

http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/who-cant-give-blood/

it will jsut make it harder to find a vein if your arms are covered!! :laugh:

wandakusa

The best thing to do is to let them know what happened the last time and also NOT to watch when they stick you with the needle. Also try to take someone supportive along with you. Its summer time and donations are low so try to donate if you can.

76wendyful

Please donate blood. Due to health reasons I cannot, but wish that I could. My parents survived a head on car crash (kids going the wrong way on a major Canadian highway) partly because they received the blood they needed.
I hate needles. Is it the needle, or the loss of blood, or the idea of it that gets to you?
Talk to the staff and tell them your history. They have had lots of experience with people in the same boat.
Many thanks from those of us who cannot donate. You save lives.
"The life you save may be your own."

I was actually fine with the entire process and it wasn't until after I was done and sat up and looked around that it got to me. I didn't think it was the sight of blood, because I haven't had that kind of reaction to other things (my step-son almost cut his finger completely off and I didn't faint) but I guess it could have been.

AmandaLou4319

Giving blood is a positive thing in so many ways. You literally save lives and it is very beneficial for your body. I would do it. Eat before hand, drinks lots of water and if you pass out, then hey! you tried. It only takes your body 24 hours to recreate the red blood cells you lost and if something does happen, it will not last very long. You will recover quickly from doing a great thing (or you may feel fine!)

I have given over 10 times and have had a variety of reactions. I have felt fine and even exercised a few hours later and I have completely passed out cold. I have found the more I eat and drink a few hours before hand the easier it is on me. I always try and make sure the rest of my day is easy when I give blood, just in case I feel weak. And if I feel fine, then its a relaxing day for me

I also want to take a moment to encourage all males out there to donate blood. It is extremely beneficial to your heart and circulatory systems. Ladies have a monthly cycle that, while actual blood loss is very small, it does force our bodies to recreate blood cells. This obviously does not happen for the guys out there. New blood cells encourage more oxygen and nutrient flow to muscles. It also encourages cell and organ tissue repair. Guys- get out there and give! And ladies- drag your guy along!

JanetLM73

I've donated a number of times, I almost passed out the first time, they had to lay me down and put a fan on me. I didn't think I would ever do it again, but I make sure that I drink lots of water and eat a good breakfast before I go. So far, every other time has been fine. I usually bring someone with me just in case.

Donating blood saves lives, my daughter needed blood when she was 10 months old for a major surgery she had on her skull...I was not a match, so this is how I gave back, someone helped my baby girl so I wanted to help out as well.

76wendyful

I used to donate regularly when I was younger. The last time I donated I passed out, they had to call my husband to pick me up and take me home and I was so weak I couldn't sit upright for 4 days. I'm on the thanks but no thanks list now. :-( I actually miss doing it and have thought about tempting fate but hubby forbids it now.

If it did a number on me like that I would probably avoid it too. It was just a quick minute that I was out but I woke up and started crying because I was so scared. I was fine afterward.

76wendyful

The best thing to do is to let them know what happened the last time and also NOT to watch when they stick you with the needle. Also try to take someone supportive along with you. Its summer time and donations are low so try to donate if you can.

Take a buddy! I like it! I will have to see who would be willing to do that for me...

76wendyful

Thank you everyone for your input. I appreciate it!

aerochic42

Don't look at the blood, let them know, eat your treats, let them know if you feel funny, REMEMBER TO BREATHE (Talking or singing very quietly or even mouthing the words help this). when I've given in the past I have occasionally felt funny only to realize that I was subconsiously holding my breath for no apparent reason.

TrailRunner61

I've had that happen too. I also get super tired for at least 2 wks after donating! Go ahead and drink plenty and eat before you go and take advantage of the drinks, snacks that they provide. I also take a multi-vitamin daily, that helps some.
Do what I do and remind yourself that what you're doing is a wonderful thing, that your symptoms, even if you pass out, is NOTHING compared to the people who so desperately need your blood. It works for me and it's so worth it!

nibblypig

Take a friend with you for support and tell the nurse that you are nervous, when they're taking blood look away and blow out gently as if your blowing candles on a cake - works for me. Think positive!

Lipstickcherry

I lived in England for 3 months, so I am not permitted by the Red Cross to give blood. I used to almost pass out, each time, but they would load me up with sweets and even walk me around.

steplaj

A few years back I passed out after I was done donating. It really frieked me out and now I am scared to do it again. I am O- which is a type that is used alot so I know that I should. They are having a drive today at State Fair Park and I want to feel confident that I can do it. When I passed out last time I had eaten in the morning and always drink lots of water. Is there some other words of advice that anyone can give? I know I should just do it and now that I know what it feels like to pass out I shouldn't be scared, but I am.

Wendy

I have been a paramedic for the past twenty-six years and worked for three years for Blood Donor Services at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. My job was as a donor and apheresis technician. Simply put, I was the one collecting the blood and plasma.

What you want to do is first, make sure you can donate, all your worries are for nothing if you can't donate anyway. As you know, there are a lot of criteria that cause you to be deferred, either for a year, or for lifetime. For instance - tattoo's are a 1 year deferral. Once you know you can donate, you should prepare yourself well. For a day or two before your donation, planning on hyper-hydrating. Stick to water or natural juices and stay away from coffee or caffeine products. It is also good to eat foods high in iron for the days or week before your visit. The day of your donation, eat a regular breakfast or meal (don't fast or do a protein shake in place of food, or anything like that). When you get to the donor location, tell the donor tech that you have passed out in the past and let them know you want to do a slower donation and you want to donate lying flat or with your feet elevated (trendelenberg position), this help relieve the possability of a reaction. If the donor area is very warm or hot, ask them to put a fan blowing on you - hot environments increase the likelihood of a reaction. After the pint is taken, be sure to get up slowly and make sure you have plenty of juice and snacks before you leave - this is not a time for fasting (Lorna Doone's are awesome, but full of sugar).

Remember, just because you passed out once does not mean you will every time.

Steve

Miss_Chanelle

I really want to weigh 50kgs but im stopping at 53kgs because I still want to dont blood, I feel very strong about helping other people i eat healthy not only for my self but so one day when I do die my organs can save someone else life. If there is something you can do to stop fainting do it, you doing a wonderful thing by donating blood!

SKBrown76

I have worked for a blood center for the past 6 years. If you are anxious or nervous about donating blood, or you haven't eaten a good meal and had plenty of fluids before you donate often times you will have a reaction and either faint or feel light-headed. My suggestion is to make sure you eat a healthy and good sized meal at least 1 hour before you go in to donate and also while you are there let the staff know that you had a problem the last time so they can better care for you during the process. At my blood center we often give donors a drink while they are donating and this serves a couple of purposes 1. It helps to rehydrate you. 2. It helps to keep your mind busy and off of what you are doing. If you start to feel light-headed or dizzy you can do what are called Applied Muscle Tension excercises. Mentally divide your body into 3 sections (chest and up, core, and hips down) alternate squeezing the muscles in each section and holding for 3 seconds then moving to the next section and doing the same, repeat the process over and over throughout.
I know that alot of times people get discouraged when they have been turned down from donating but I would encourage you all to continue to try, even if you just make a phone call to see if you would be eligible before going in to the donation center. The FDA and AABB are constantly changing rules and regs and therefore the blood banks rules and regs change. For example if you have recieved a transfusion in the past it is only a 12 month waiting period, tattoos and piercings if they weren't done at a licensed facility are only a 12 month waiting period (at a licensed facility no waiting period at all). At this point in time there is no substitute for human blood and you never know when it will be you or a loved one that needs blood.
I hope this helps and Good Luck!

Drenched_N_Motivation

i really want to skydive.. but i'm scared of heights....SO, I DON"T DO IT... ?? simple

Dont be a poosay.

patchesgizmo

O- is the universal donor so if you can donate do so. I unfortunately keep testing out without enough iron in my blood to share. sigh, so next time I am spinach for several days in advance so I can donate. I am A- a relatively rare type.

76wendyful

A few years back I passed out after I was done donating. It really frieked me out and now I am scared to do it again. I am O- which is a type that is used alot so I know that I should. They are having a drive today at State Fair Park and I want to feel confident that I can do it. When I passed out last time I had eaten in the morning and always drink lots of water. Is there some other words of advice that anyone can give? I know I should just do it and now that I know what it feels like to pass out I shouldn't be scared, but I am.

Wendy

I have been a paramedic for the past twenty-six years and worked for three years for Blood Donor Services at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. My job was as a donor and apheresis technician. Simply put, I was the one collecting the blood and plasma.

What you want to do is first, make sure you can donate, all your worries are for nothing if you can't donate anyway. As you know, there are a lot of criteria that cause you to be deferred, either for a year, or for lifetime. For instance - tattoo's are a 1 year deferral. Once you know you can donate, you should prepare yourself well. For a day or two before your donation, planning on hyper-hydrating. Stick to water or natural juices and stay away from coffee or caffeine products. It is also good to eat foods high in iron for the days or week before your visit. The day of your donation, eat a regular breakfast or meal (don't fast or do a protein shake in place of food, or anything like that). When you get to the donor location, tell the donor tech that you have passed out in the past and let them know you want to do a slower donation and you want to donate lying flat or with your feet elevated (trendelenberg position), this help relieve the possability of a reaction. If the donor area is very warm or hot, ask them to put a fan blowing on you - hot environments increase the likelihood of a reaction. After the pint is taken, be sure to get up slowly and make sure you have plenty of juice and snacks before you leave - this is not a time for fasting (Lorna Doone's are awesome, but full of sugar).

Remember, just because you passed out once does not mean you will every time.

Steve

Thanks Steve! Very helpful!

mcknight28

I think I will donate blood soon. I have a very rare blood type. -AB, blood is very hard to find. less than 1 % of the population has this blood type. Figured might as well donate blood, because maybe some day I will need it

JersryGirl31

Good for you for wanting to donate. As others said, make sure you eat and hydrate before you give. Tell them you have had a problem in the past. Since you passed out when you sat up, it's also a good idea to drink or eat before you get up. Get up slowly. Take the extra time. You really are saving a life.

76wendyful

I have given it a lot of thought, and I am going to make an appointment with the blood center to donate. That way I am at an actual center and not inside of the fairgrounds. I know they are prepared, but I would feel better if it was done at the center. It is nice and close to my house and my daughter can take me. She is only 16 and I see that they are allowing 16 years olds to donate now with a parents permission. I think it would be good for her to see how it works.

JersryGirl31

Please let us know if or when you give. I'd love to know how it goes.