Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

lisyloo

Hello,

I gave blood today and unfortunately I passed out albeit momentarily.
Last time I didn't pass out but felt light headed and had to lie down.
First time I was fine (felt light headed a one point but that was after standing on the tube with my arm in the air which didn't help).

My blood pressure is fairly low (about 105/75) but the doctors are always very happy with it.
I have mentioned going light headed when standing up suddenly, getting out of the bath or first thing in the morning but the doctor isn't worried (as it's only in those situations).

Does anyone know whether borderline low blood pressure could cause these problems?

If so then I feel I might be better off not trying to give as I don't think my blood pressure is likely to change. It's not that I don't want to just that I don't think they need it enough to take it from people who suffer as a consequence.

BTW - my blood pressure has been monitored every 6 months for the past 17 years as I'm on the pill and they've always been happy with it.

I did make sure I drank plenty before I went and had something to eat but noticed that I didn't pass much urine during the day despite having lots of drinks (sorry if that's too much information for anybody :-)

noonesperfect

Hi Lisyloo,

well done you for going anyway! :beer:

If I was you I would go along again in 4 months time but explain to the staff that you became light-headed/faint when you've been before and they will take extra care of you. They will give you an extra 5 minutes lying down (which I have to have or I feel a bit queer - in fact it's on my "recall" note now!!) or however long you need. DON'T just put on a brave face. The time before last the lady who was taking my blood even went and fetched me a glass of water before she would let me off the bed!
If they know, they will take extra care of you, honestly. Your donation is precious.

Once you're OK to get up make sure you have a glass of water first then a cuppa (you need to rehydrate quickly after giving blood) and have your fill of biccies.

If you suffer from postural hypotension anyway you would most probably be a bit wobbly in any case after lying down for a while.

Rikki

noonesperfect well put. :T



You can ask for a longer rest after donating if you feel you need it.

It always used to be fifteen minutes rest. Its only in the last couple of years its changed to just five.

lisyloo

Thanks for the advice.
I know they take great care.
The problem is that when you are light-headed it's quite difficult to communicate as any movement is bad.

I'm not sure whether if they'd left me where I was whether I would have been OK. It might have been the very act of making me walk to the bed that made me faint as any movement from a still posistion seems to have a great affect (I guess that's what you call postural hypotension).

The time just seems to go SO slowly when you're lying on the bed doing nothing and you know they want it for someone else but yes, I will try to lie down for longer and I'm going to go later on in the day (as one nurse said that will help).

I'm going to try a few things, but at the end of the day if it makes me feel really ill I'm not going to do it.

I am worried that my reaction has "escalated" which makes me wonder whether my body is either

a) not making up the blood or
b) automatically escalating the reaction

It has been been about 5 months between donations each time due to work commitments and illness so I should have made up the blood in that time, but I know that in (for exmaple) allergies the reaction can escalate e.g. allergy to penicillin.

Rikki

It take 24 hours to make back up the 8 pints of blood we have in our bodies and a few weeks to make up the correct ratio of white and red blood cells.

I'm just nosey when I'm giving blood and ask a lot of questions. The nurses are very knowledgeable and are happy to tell you the ins and outs.


The nurses would never rush you unnecessarily, you are very important to them.

If you do really feel uncomfortable giving blood then you are free to say no. No one will think any the worse of you. You unlike many have given it your best shot and you are to be commended for that.:T

noonesperfect

Well said Rikki,

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Lisyloo,
If you decide to give it another go it's definitely a good idea to put forward your needs (as regards extra rest) before your donation begins.
You need to sit up s-l-o-w-l-y, then sit on the bed for a little while after giving blood, then if you're still feeling a bit iffy, say so.
They would much rather you stayed on the bed for as long as you need than to end up in a messy heap on the floor.
I usually try to go between 3-4pm as it is usually a bit quieter then (cos kids are being picked from school I think!!) Maybe you could take an mp3 player to pass the time - I know it's boring, I've been there. TBH though if I could go more often I would, I don't enjoy it one bit but it's such a great feeling!!

If you're concerned why not ring the National Blood Service its a local charge number and they're ever so helpful. Maybe you GP could advise you.

Alias_Omega

I gave blood once, im a rare type too, though never again, ive never felt so sick and dizzy afterwards, and work wanted me to get back onto fixing the aircraft..

Natu

I'm giving blood for the first time today.

Absolutely terrified of needles though, haha, gosh.
Wish me luck.

torbrex

Natu wrote: »

I'm giving blood for the first time today.

Absolutely terrified of needles though, haha, gosh.
Wish me luck.

Welcome to the club, :j I hope everything went well and you overcame your needle phobia.
It is a good feeling, knowing that your donation will go towards the recovery of someone in need, it is not just a donation you have given but life itself. :T :T :T

Rikki

Natu wrote: »

I'm giving blood for the first time today.

Absolutely terrified of needles though, haha, gosh.
Wish me luck.

:T:T:T

Hope you got on okay.