Donating Blood

austinmclark
austinmclark Posts: 40 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone!

I donated blood for the first time this Tuesday (April 23rd) and have noticed a considerable decrease in my endurance. I did as I was told and waited 24 hours before doing anything strenuous, so I hit the gym the following day. Normally, my resting heart rate is about 90-100. A brisk walk brings me up into the 120's. Once I begin jogging I hit in the 150's and my max is usually in the low 170's at a full sprint.
After donating blood my heart rate has been considerably higher, and I am having difficulty completing the exercises that weren't so difficult before. My resting heart rate is at about the same, but once it gets up it is harder to bring it back down. Also, my max has increased considerably. I have hit 183 in the past two days. Is it normal to experience these changes after donating blood? I don't like work outs that were slowly becoming easier to get harder again!

Replies

  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 674 Member
    Blood is life! Thanks for donating. It's totally normal to be out of sorts after giving blood. Your body is working hard to replace it for you. You'll be back where you left off soon enough.

    (Fro comparison, imagine what it must be like to receive blood. I've been there!)
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    They told you 24 hours? All the times I donated blood I was told nothing extrenuous for 3-4 days.
  • austinmclark
    austinmclark Posts: 40 Member
    Yep! They said to wait 24 hours. Mostly to keep the puncture wound from re-opening I suppose.
  • Mavrick7a
    Mavrick7a Posts: 1,353
    @OP - I donated last year in May (for the first time in 20 years) and I felt the same way that you did. Weaker, tired, and faint.

    Once you donated, they will continue to call you for another donation, and I finally donated again on March 5th. This time, it was a piece of cake! In fact, I went for a 3 mile jog a couple hours after my donation. Didn't feel a thing, no change in heart rate.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Thank you for donating.
    When I donate I'm told to wait 24 hours as well before doing strenuous exercise. I don't feel any different after giving blood and don't find exercises harder to do or my heart racing. Perhaps your body isn't used to it, as its your first time donating? It's been awhile since my first donation. I can't remember if I felt differently then. :smile:
  • austinmclark
    austinmclark Posts: 40 Member
    Yes! This was my first donation ever.
  • Springfield_Rocks
    Springfield_Rocks Posts: 289
    thank you for donating!

    maybe you need a little more hydration? just a thought.
  • Cp731
    Cp731 Posts: 3,195 Member
    Well Thank you Kind Sir..
    I had to have emergency surgery once a few years back..My Spleen was shattered into a million pieces.
    I was bleeding internally
    I have a rare blood type.
    I had 8 blood transfusions, if it weren't for the many many folks out there that take the time to give, I wouldn't be alive today.
    Thank you for your kindness.
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    Well Thank you Kind Sir..
    I had to have emergency surgery once a few years back..My Spleen was shattered into a million pieces.
    I was bleeding internally
    I have a rare blood type.
    I had 8 blood transfusions, if it weren't for the many many folks out there that take the time to give, I wouldn't be alive today.
    Thank you for your kindness.

    ^^ This. I had 3 blood transfusions and they saved my life. Thank you.
  • austinmclark
    austinmclark Posts: 40 Member
    Well Thank you Kind Sir..
    I had to have emergency surgery once a few years back..My Spleen was shattered into a million pieces.
    I was bleeding internally
    I have a rare blood type.
    I had 8 blood transfusions, if it weren't for the many many folks out there that take the time to give, I wouldn't be alive today.
    Thank you for your kindness.

    ^^ This. I had 3 blood transfusions and they saved my life. Thank you.

    I've always felt like giving blood was a duty but I could never bring myself to donate, I was paralyzed with fear by the idea! But I'm glad I mustered up the courage to finally do it, and I plan on doing it again once I can again!
    Thanks for the feedback everyone! I guess I'll just let my body have some more time to recover.
  • CouleeRunner
    CouleeRunner Posts: 256 Member
    I'm always told 6-8 hours. I run the next day usually but I do find I'm not myself for a few days after.
    I lack stamina and speed and feel a little weak.

    Give it a day or two and you'll be back to normal. :)
  • thevegankelly
    thevegankelly Posts: 85 Member
    I donated last month and was told to wait 24 hours, and I was back to exercising normally the next day. Maybe your iron was a bit on the low-but-acceptable side going in?
  • super_J73
    super_J73 Posts: 257 Member
    Thanks for donating, my daughter needed blood for a major surgery on her skull when she was 10 months old. I also donate and told 24-48 hours to work out.

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