After giving blood

deckerp
deckerp Posts: 4,705 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
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?

Replies

  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    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
    epj78 Posts: 643 Member
    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
    SydKaty Posts: 75 Member
    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
    bloblynda Posts: 99 Member
    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
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    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.
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