Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

noonesperfect

lisyloo wrote: »

Anyone know what the situation is with iron tablets i.e. how long after you can donate.
Obviously I will consult my doctor but just wondered if anyone knew.

Sorry don't know offhand but if you ring 0845 7 711 711 (NBS) they will be able to tell you.

purplelotus

lisyloo wrote: »

Anyone know what the situation is with iron tablets i.e. how long after you can donate.
Obviously I will consult my doctor but just wondered if anyone knew.

I take an iron tablet the morning of or the day before giving blood cos I don't want to be short of it - I really wouldn't think it's a problem!

I gave blood yesterday, 17th donation and my record time of 4 mins 23 seconds... woo!

torbrex

lisyloo wrote: »

Anyone know what the situation is with iron tablets i.e. how long after you can donate.
Obviously I will consult my doctor but just wondered if anyone knew.

You should not take tablets of any kind before donating unless approved by the donor service. There are time limits for different pills and what is good for you may not be good for the recipient.

torbrex

I suddenly felt old at the donor session today when a 22 year old in the next chair was asking how long I had been donating to get to my total, happy to tell him 30 years and still going strong.

poppycracker

OH and I have finally got our cards to go to the local school and give blood on Sunday . I Think this will be my 25th pint, not sure. OH tells me when he first gave blood, he managed to do it twice in two days! This was recently but I'm not sure where... How would that happen?

hayleynicole

I have finally got round to making an appointment for next Wednesday, it will be my first time giving blood and I am actually looking forward to it. My nan did it all her life and I always said I would too but I spent my teen years constantly getting piercings and then have been pregnant pretty much since then!

hayleynicole

I have had a browse through the thread but I can seem to find what I was looking for.
When I go to give blood what exactly happens, I know there is a brief bit on the website but I want as much info as possible! How long does it normally take?
Any info would be great thanks.

Bob63

hayleynicole wrote: »

When I go to give blood what exactly happens, I know there is a brief bit on the website but I want as much info as possible! How long does it normally take?

When you arrive and register you are given a booklet to read and questionnaire to fill in. Do this, hand it in and then wait to be called for a blood test. Your questionnaire is reviewed, you are asked some basic questions and then a fingerprick test is used to check the iron level in your blood. Assuming you pass this you then go back and wait until you are called for the donation. When called you will be laid down on a narrow bed, be asked some more questions and then your arm will be sterilised. The needle is inserted and several sample vials are filled before you are left alone for 10-20 minutes for the actual blood donation to take place. When your donation is complete the needle will be removed, a plaster will be applied and you will generally be asked to lie still for a short while (especially if is your first donation) and will then be free to go and get a drink and some biscuits. The whole process can take between 30 minutes and one hour.

purplelotus

cheesy.mike wrote: »

When you arrive and register have your questionnaire from the appointment letter filled out ready you are given a booklet to read (and questionnaire to fill in). Do this, hand it in and then wait to be called for a blood test. Your questionnaire is reviewed, you are asked some basic questions like where did you go on holiday, have you come in contact with anyone with an infectious disease etc and then a fingerprick test is used to check the iron level in your blood. they put a small blue plastic thing to your finger after cleaning it, push, click and then squeeze a drop of blood out. the first drop isn't used, the next one they drop into a bottle of coloured liquid (copper solution). they give you a plaster on it whether you want one or not - the hole is so tiny you can barely see it. Assuming you pass this you then go back and wait until you are called for the donation. When called you will be asked which arm you want them to use, laid down on a narrow bed, be told off for crossing your legs, be asked some more questions just in case you've swapped yourself with a lookalike in the past ten minutes and then your arm will be sterilised with a sponge on the end of a plastic stick. The needle is inserted and this is where I look away so don't really know what happens!! several sample vials are filled before you are left alone for 10-20 minutes for the actual blood donation to take place. the harder and faster you squeeze and relax your hand the faster it happens, i managed just over 4 mins last time but in the past found out they won't let you carry on for more than 20 minutes. When your donation is complete the machine beeps for the nurse, the needle will be removed, you have to press really hard with flat fingers on a cotton swab for ?three minutes a plaster will be applied and you will generally be asked to lie still for a short while (especially if is your first donation) and will then be free to go and get a drink and some biscuits. as a first timer you won't be allowed a hot drink The whole process can take between 30 minutes and one hour.

Great reply Mike, just added some extra bits - hope you don't mind!

poppycracker

Been and done it And it was my 24th pint, not 25th. Had to have a second haemoglobin test again like last time, the drop they took for the finger !!!!! didn't go anywhere....