Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

Princess_Jane

just given blood for the eight time tonight and feel rubbish.

Really tired and literally drained.

This happens every time I donate, but I usually feel OK after an hour's sleep and a sugary drink.

Anyone else get like this?

It also takes me about 15min to give a donation, whereas my fella does it in five min!

Typical man, finishing first!

surreysaver

Princess_Jane wrote: »

just given blood for the eight time tonight and feel rubbish.

Really tired and literally drained.

This happens every time I donate, but I usually feel OK after an hour's sleep and a sugary drink.

Anyone else get like this?

I always seem to get a cold within a few days. But then I've got a 16 month old that doesn't want to sleep all night and only been donating since October, so permanantely knackered anyway. Do shift work as well. I don't think I've got much of an immune system at the moment!

tealady

Hi I find it knackers me a bit too. I find a high carb diet for a few hours after helps plus a cat nap.
I have donated for over 30 years and I STILL can't watch them putting the needle in my arm. Yes I know I'm a wuss but when I think what some people have to put up with health wise then thats why I will give till they shove me out of the door.

surreysaver

What do others think about their new policy of making you sit up straight after donating rather than lying there for a couple of minutes?

noonesperfect

surreysaver wrote: »

What do others think about their new policy of making you sit up straight after donating rather than lying there for a couple of minutes?

I hope not, they'll be picking me up off the floor if they try that one with me!!
It's down on my form that I need extra rest (I go waffy otherwise).
They will only do it once :rolleyes: .

surreysaver

noonesperfect wrote: »

They will only do it once :rolleyes: .

Last time I gave, the staff were blatently refusing to do it, and openly critising the management for trying to make them. I won't be sitting up until I've stopped feeling giddy.

torbrex

The donor staff will let you lie as long as you need to, after a while they will ask if you are ok and at worst would ask you to move to another bed away from the donating area but they will not force or do anything that would cause you harm.
It is always a good idea to let the attendant know beforehand that you require a little extra time after the donation to recover, you might also want to inform them at your interview so that it might get put on your notes.
Whilst I would not recommend having a full meal immediatly before you go, I would stress that it is not good to donate on an empty stomach, a light snack with a glass of fruit juice an hour or so before you go will help your body cope with the loss of fluid.
My platelet donations are slightly different in as much as I get some of the fluid back and the process takes longer (90 mins) but even after all my donations I am still conscious of what my body loses and have something before I go.

from tealady: I have donated for over 30 years and I STILL can't watch them putting the needle in my arm.

I am the opposite, I watch them like a hawk because after all this time I have learned that the flow from my arm can depend upon the entry of the needle, it can be difficult to keep squeezing that damn ball for 90 mins and I have the habit of dozing off during my donation which if it is a slow flow day can set the machine alarm bells going.

countrymusicfan

I want to give blood so badly it hurts, but they won't take me because I am a diabetic. I wish more people would give, but I can't.

noonesperfect

surreysaver wrote: »

Last time I gave, the staff were blatently refusing to do it, and openly critising the management for trying to make them. I won't be sitting up until I've stopped feeling giddy.

I wouldn't go so far as saying the staff openly critisized (sp) the management but they used their discretion with me!!:j The donor carer even brought me a cold drink to the bed yesterday.
The person who stuck the needle in my arm had an axe to grind with someone tho, my arm still hurts today.

However it was nice to see a lot of youngsters (looked like school-leavers to me, but maybe I'm just getting old ) queueing up to donate :T

LouBlue

I donate regularly. Only one in my family to. I often mention it to them and its the usual thing, yes you're right, I must get round to it. :rolleyes: I do know some people can't donate for medical reasons etc but apathy does annoy me.

I just always think, why should I expect there to be blood at the hospital for me or a loved one if we need it, if I can't be bothered to donate myself!