Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

torbrex

littlestar1981 wrote: »

After reading some of this thread, I've just registered online to give blood for the first time on Monday.

I'm quite scared of needles and when I've had blood taken in the past it's been a struggle owing to my 'miniature veins', but it's something I feel I should do .. so wish me luck!!!!

Good Luck and welcome on board, I hope things go well for your first time, I go tomorrow and I just sit back and relax. I have huge veins and have been stuck so many times now I dont even bother with it.
:T :T :T

Maddie

I've been twice now and got my boyfriend to come second time round. I've now set myself a challenge to get a new person to donate with me each time.

The biscuits are definately worth it as I get told off if I buy them usually!

Rikki

littlestar1981 wrote: »

After reading some of this thread, I've just registered online to give blood for the first time on Monday.

I'm quite scared of needles and when I've had blood taken in the past it's been a struggle owing to my 'miniature veins', but it's something I feel I should do .. so wish me luck!!!!

Good luck on monday.

The nurses are really good and will talk you through it. They will answer any questions and dismiss any fears you may have.

You get a soft drink and biscuits first time too. :T

Don't eat all the chocolate ones, there mine.

katiekittykat

littlestar1981 wrote: »

After reading some of this thread, I've just registered online to give blood for the first time on Monday.

I'm quite scared of needles and when I've had blood taken in the past it's been a struggle owing to my 'miniature veins', but it's something I feel I should do .. so wish me luck!!!!

Good luck and well done - that is great

littlestar1981

Well it would have been... I had psyched myself up all weekend for it, but I got there, filled in all the forms, waited nearly an hour. Then it came to the point of feeling for a vein... and there were none... whatsoever. Was advised nicely to work out my arms at the gym and come back in 12 month!

I'm really gutted actually as I had so psyched myself up and now I just feel a bit useless.

fattyamal

Well done to everyone on here who donates blood, good for you! I know it can save lives and in an ideal world I would also help.... but I have to say I sadly could NOT do this in a billion years!!

I have a major needle phobia and last week had to have a simple blood test which, one would think, is no big deal. Intellectualy, I was fine with it and dutifully went to the hospital knowing it simply had to be done.
But I also knew in the back of my mind what would happen - what always happens in fact - when someone sticks a needle in me!!

Yep, I didn't even look, didn't even feel the needle in fact - and was OK until I went to stand up... then my legs collapsed from under me and the blood drained from my face as I nearly fainted!! Cue me looking like a prat per usual, having to lie down on the hastily arranged bed until I recovered!! Ah, and me being a grown man too... And that's just for a blood test!
Suffered like this ever since a young child and it only seems to get worse the older I get. God knows how I'll cope if/when I need injections in the future, I'd rather die I think!!

So, good for you guys, but I'll have to leave this to you - it would take me days to recover each time!!! NO WAY JOSE!

lisyloo

You can now visit a site, Blood Donor Online, and see what they did with your blood last time! It's really cool!

Did anyone get this to work?
It said something like "this feature is not available yet" for me.

juno

lisyloo wrote: »

Did anyone get this to work?
It said something like "this feature is not available yet" for me.

I got it to work, but I did receive an email inviting me (although not sure why) so maybe that has something to do with it

noonesperfect

You have to register on the site. They then send you a letter giving you a user id. Once you've inputted that you then have to wait to be sent another user id thru' the post (government gateway or something).

I nearly threw the computer across the room today (in frustration). Ended up ringing them and they explained what still had to be done before you can use donor online.

Just collected my Bronze award on Thursday. I got a cup of orange squash brought to my bed (always need an extra 5 minutes rest as I go a bit waffy otherwise) and then 2 cups of tea and packet of bourbons. The quicker you put back fluid (non alcoholic!!) after donating the better. Going again on bonfire night all being well.

The staff are wonderfully caring, I can't praise them highly enough and would recommend anyone whose able to donate blood - it gives you a great feeling :T

juno

fattyamal wrote: »

Well done to everyone on here who donates blood, good for you! I know it can save lives and in an ideal world I would also help.... but I have to say I sadly could NOT do this in a billion years!!

I have a major needle phobia and last week had to have a simple blood test which, one would think, is no big deal. Intellectualy, I was fine with it and dutifully went to the hospital knowing it simply had to be done.
But I also knew in the back of my mind what would happen - what always happens in fact - when someone sticks a needle in me!!

Yep, I didn't even look, didn't even feel the needle in fact - and was OK until I went to stand up... then my legs collapsed from under me and the blood drained from my face as I nearly fainted!! Cue me looking like a prat per usual, having to lie down on the hastily arranged bed until I recovered!! Ah, and me being a grown man too... And that's just for a blood test!
Suffered like this ever since a young child and it only seems to get worse the older I get. God knows how I'll cope if/when I need injections in the future, I'd rather die I think!!

So, good for you guys, but I'll have to leave this to you - it would take me days to recover each time!!! NO WAY JOSE!

I've had loads of blood tests and they've all gone badly. I've had doctors and nurses attacking my left arm, not being able to find a vein and moving onto my right and having the same problems there. I've even had to have blood taken from my hand which was horrible!

But the nurses in the donation centre are really great. The first time, I explained I was a bit nervous as I'd had problems, and they did their best to reassure me. That time, they even got two nurses to check for suitable veins and agree on a "good one" so they didn't have to mess about and scare me.

You are lying down when you have it done, and they make you stay lying down afterwards. You can also ask to stay lying down a bit longer if you wish. But they continually ask how you're feeling, and can tell if you're just being brave and saying you're ok when you're not. And my first time, they made me stay sitting down for a certain amount of time when I went through to the tea and biscuits area before they'd let me go.

I still hate having blood tests, but giving blood is fine.