Donating Platelets

themethod

Hi all,

I've got an appointment to donate platelets this weekend and I'm wondering what to expect. I've donated whole blood before and although I've gotten a bit light-headed, it's never been anything I couldn't handle. Are the side effects from platelet donation similar? Worse? Better?

I know to up my iron and calcium in the days before, and to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen containing products. Any other tips?

Also, can I get a workout in a few hours before the donation? I'm assuming I will need to wait a day or two after the donation to do any strenuous activity.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

HonestOmnivore

I've donated platelets and while it was awhile ago what I remember isn't very different from donating double red blood cells (if you've ever done that). They replace the fluid after taking out platelets and you get a metallic taste in your mouth from one of the anticoagulants. The fluid is cool where it goes back in so that feels odd but not painful. It takes longer than donating whole blood and it's boring. I don't remember very many restrictions either - probably similar to donating blood. Your body will replace the platelets pretty fast!

YogaRunner

I don't know the answer to your questions, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU for donating. My Mom has blood cancer and she, like many many others out there, are often in need of blood and platelets. People like you give her and others a fighting chance. Thank you so much.

minnesota

I donated for approximately three years.

Pros:
Help save lives
Money

Cons:
Scars on the arms
being stuck with a 14-16 gauge needle and a finger prick every time you go
Feeling very cold after the fluid is replaced and when you recieve the saline after you are done
Takes a long time.

What to bring:
Blanket
Book
Headphones


Your exercise should be just fine. I never changed a thing when I dontated. You have to leave the bandage on your hour for few hours after the visit though.

Good luck!

themethod

I don't know the answer to your questions, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU for donating. My Mom has blood cancer and she, like many many others out there, are often in need of blood and platelets. People like you give her and others a fighting chance. Thank you so much.

I got started with all of this because my grandfather was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, "cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow." Now my whole family is on the Be the Match registry for bone marrow and tries to donate whole blood, plasma, or platelets regularly. I wish we had started sooner and that it hadn't taken something like this to get our butts in gear!

themethod

I donated for approximately three years.

Pros:
Help save lives
Money

Cons:
Scars on the arms
being stuck with a 14-16 gauge needle and a finger prick every time you go
Feeling very cold after the fluid is replaced and when you recieve the saline after you are done
Takes a long time.

What to bring:
Blanket
Book
Headphones


Your exercise should be just fine. I never changed a thing when I dontated. You have to leave the bandage on your hour for few hours after the visit though.

Good luck!

Ooooh, thanks for the tips! I didn't think about a blanket, and that is a great idea.

fatguitarist

I don't know the answer to your questions, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU for donating. My Mom has blood cancer and she, like many many others out there, are often in need of blood and platelets. People like you give her and others a fighting chance. Thank you so much.

I got started with all of this because my grandfather was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, "cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow." Now my whole family is on the Be the Match registry for bone marrow and tries to donate whole blood, plasma, or platelets regularly. I wish we had started sooner and that it hadn't taken something like this to get our butts in gear!

My grandpa was diagnosed with this as well... he's been going through chemo and has improved quite a bit, but the chemo has really made him weak and tired. I wish you and your family the best.

YogaRunner

I got started with all of this because my grandfather was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, "cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow." Now my whole family is on the Be the Match registry for bone marrow and tries to donate whole blood, plasma, or platelets regularly. I wish we had started sooner and that it hadn't taken something like this to get our butts in gear!

My Mom has multiple Myeloma as well. She is currently in the hospital with pneumonia, a result of her weakened immune system from all of the chemo she has been enduring over the last 2 years. This is why I got involved with Team In Training, an arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thank you again for your donation.

aippolito1

I wanted to donate platelets but I wasn't even considered a candidate for whole blood because I'm an inch and a quarter too short by the "recommended standards" or whatever. Lame. Go you for donating!!! I knew a guy that had that too. He died a year ago at 23.

themethod

I don't think I've ever met anyone else before who was affected by this disease. It was always emphasized to us how rare it is. Wonderful to meet you and glad to hear that everyone is doing quite well.

My grandfather underwent his chemo over the summer, immediately following his diagnosis last spring. He has, however, been continuously hospitalized since mid-December with multiple infections. The great news is... he finally comes home this weekend after spending more than 100 days in the hospital - the majority in the Critical Care Unit in an induced coma. We are so excited and so a donation this weekend seems fitting since I can't make the journey back there.

It's wonderful to meet you guys and to hear of other people living with the disease. Thank you for sharing and well (infection free) wishes to all!

P.S. So sorry, Arielle.

shellee9tj

My in-laws donate all the time, also my dad donates whole blood and platelets several times a year and he has never mentioned any ill affects and he goes to the gym 6 days a week, so I don't think you will have any restrictions, but they will tell you when you get there what they recommend. It is so weird that you posted this tonight because I was just talking about going to donate whole blood, I am O Neg which is the universal donor so I used to give all the time but I haven't in a while due to time constraint with the little ones, but being a nurse I know how important it is to give and I will very soon!! Good for you and I wish your grandfather well!!!