Giving Blood
I gave blood for the first time on Tuesday. After about an hour I became dizzy and almost fainted. Spent the rest of the day resting and felt OK afterwards. However I have noticed I have been feeling really tired and drained ever since. Is this normal after giving blood for the first time - has anyone else experienced this?
Lynne
Answers:
Lynne - some people do feel drained - I treat myself to a bottle of Floradix from the HFS after donating.
xxx Doq
Answers:
Yes, I have been told that some people do experience this kind of thing, although it has never happened to me in the 20 odd years that I have been donating. You do need to let the blood transfusion people know about this though, as a precautinary measure. They will ask you next time you go anyway, as part of the questionare you have to bring with you. It could be, as Doq says (and he is a Doctor so he ought to know) something to do with your iron levels. They always check your haemoglobin before donating anyway. Maybe you are just one of those people whose bodies need time to readjust and rebuild afterwards. Floradix is a high strength iron supplement, which you can get from health food stores, and may well help.
June
Answers:
I am the worlds worst!!
The first time, the doctor was so abysmall at finding a vein, she poked and prodded the needle until I passed out cold!! I was left with severe tracking up and down my arms, and had to stay at the clinic for a couple of hours after. The Blood people even rang me that evening to check I was ok.
The next time, I was fine during, but passed out in the afternoon. Again, the clinic advised me that I probably didn't make up the loss very well, and to wait some time before trying again.
Many years later, I tried again, as my daughter was in hospital having a transfusion, and I felt I ought to give something back. I got half way through the donation, and started to feel faint, and had half the nurses fanning me - very embarrasing! I did manage to get a full donation in, but didnt feel at all well.
I left it for 2 years, and went back last week. I did warn them that I was useless, but I made sure I ate and drunk well before hand.
The nurse who got my vein was fantastic, and I gave myself Reiki during the donation - and I was absolutely fine!! I will have no hesitation in going back in 6 months time.
Karen x
Answers:
Slightly different question but as it is on giving blood, I thought one of you guys might be able to help.
I'm a fairly rare blood group and often think I should pluck up the courage to give some blood, but I have slightly elevated cholesterol. The doctors aren't concerned about this and I'm not on any medication, does anyone know if this matters for giving blood?
Answers:
I have never heard of it being a problem, or seen any references to this in any of their literature. To be on the safe side though, why not give the blood transfusion people a ring and ask?
June
Answers:
If you check out the Transfusion Service's website, they list all the reasons you may not be able to give blood.
http://www.blood.co.uk/
Lesley
Answers:
Talisman - current evidence shows that a ferritin level below 50 can causes symptoms of tiredness. The NBTS check your haemoglobin, but dont think they do ferritin; this is the reason I take Floradix course, to ensure my iron levels are topped up.
Angelfish - no problem with cholesterol level - it is a natural substance in the blood, and ones own level is approx 75% metabolism and genetically set, and only approx 25% related to your diet - so a blood transfusion from a high cholesterol donor not going to adversely affect the recipient purely as result of level.
xxx Doq
Answers:
Something else that I've learned with my recent experiences is that each unit of blood (small bag) costs a hospital £2,700.
So your blood is more valuable than you think!
Lesley
Answers:
I would love to give blood but they won't let me. My brother is a regular donor, and having been in hospital for several operations and having very close friends go to hospital makes me really angry that they won't let me. [:@]
But a big YAY and thankyou to all of those who do give, and especially those who have felt a bit worse for wear afterwards but continue to go and donate! ;)
Mat xxx
Lynne
Answers:
Lynne - some people do feel drained - I treat myself to a bottle of Floradix from the HFS after donating.
xxx Doq
Answers:
Yes, I have been told that some people do experience this kind of thing, although it has never happened to me in the 20 odd years that I have been donating. You do need to let the blood transfusion people know about this though, as a precautinary measure. They will ask you next time you go anyway, as part of the questionare you have to bring with you. It could be, as Doq says (and he is a Doctor so he ought to know) something to do with your iron levels. They always check your haemoglobin before donating anyway. Maybe you are just one of those people whose bodies need time to readjust and rebuild afterwards. Floradix is a high strength iron supplement, which you can get from health food stores, and may well help.
June
Answers:
I am the worlds worst!!
The first time, the doctor was so abysmall at finding a vein, she poked and prodded the needle until I passed out cold!! I was left with severe tracking up and down my arms, and had to stay at the clinic for a couple of hours after. The Blood people even rang me that evening to check I was ok.
The next time, I was fine during, but passed out in the afternoon. Again, the clinic advised me that I probably didn't make up the loss very well, and to wait some time before trying again.
Many years later, I tried again, as my daughter was in hospital having a transfusion, and I felt I ought to give something back. I got half way through the donation, and started to feel faint, and had half the nurses fanning me - very embarrasing! I did manage to get a full donation in, but didnt feel at all well.
I left it for 2 years, and went back last week. I did warn them that I was useless, but I made sure I ate and drunk well before hand.
The nurse who got my vein was fantastic, and I gave myself Reiki during the donation - and I was absolutely fine!! I will have no hesitation in going back in 6 months time.
Karen x
Answers:
Slightly different question but as it is on giving blood, I thought one of you guys might be able to help.
I'm a fairly rare blood group and often think I should pluck up the courage to give some blood, but I have slightly elevated cholesterol. The doctors aren't concerned about this and I'm not on any medication, does anyone know if this matters for giving blood?
Answers:
I have never heard of it being a problem, or seen any references to this in any of their literature. To be on the safe side though, why not give the blood transfusion people a ring and ask?
June
Answers:
If you check out the Transfusion Service's website, they list all the reasons you may not be able to give blood.
http://www.blood.co.uk/
Lesley
Answers:
Talisman - current evidence shows that a ferritin level below 50 can causes symptoms of tiredness. The NBTS check your haemoglobin, but dont think they do ferritin; this is the reason I take Floradix course, to ensure my iron levels are topped up.
Angelfish - no problem with cholesterol level - it is a natural substance in the blood, and ones own level is approx 75% metabolism and genetically set, and only approx 25% related to your diet - so a blood transfusion from a high cholesterol donor not going to adversely affect the recipient purely as result of level.
xxx Doq
Answers:
Something else that I've learned with my recent experiences is that each unit of blood (small bag) costs a hospital £2,700.
So your blood is more valuable than you think!
Lesley
Answers:
I would love to give blood but they won't let me. My brother is a regular donor, and having been in hospital for several operations and having very close friends go to hospital makes me really angry that they won't let me. [:@]
But a big YAY and thankyou to all of those who do give, and especially those who have felt a bit worse for wear afterwards but continue to go and donate! ;)
Mat xxx