donating giving blood

Rikki

melissa'smoney wrote: »

Virgin blood donor here! :rolleyes:

I've signed up today but i have a reservation...

I have low blood sugar and when i have blood taken i'm a fainter! (i'm also a nurse and were always the worst ones!!)

Will it be ok for me to donate or is it just to much for me to have taken, i don't want to be passing out everywhere!?!

x

When you go along to give blood for the first time, they will spend time answering any questions and explaining as much or as little as you need /want to know.

They won't just leave you own your own, no donor is ever left on their own. You will get excellent treatment and have someone with you every step of the way.

Also all regular donors have had a first time and understand your fears and will pinch all the chocolate biscuits before you get to the refreshment area.

Its not for everyone but you won't know until you try.

gremlin

naughty_10382 wrote: »

I donated for the first time today - was a little nervous but the 2 nurses who dealt with me were lovely.

One question - I was told to stay laying there for 5 minutes after I was all plastered up, but the guy on the bed next to me was allowed to get up straight away. Is this normal for first time donors, or did I maybe go grey?!?!:o

I was also told to have a cold drink not a hot one while everyone else had a warming cuppa!



Only bit that hurt was the needle going in, but even that was fine. I did feel a tiny bit sick almost immediately after the needle was removed and this lasted about 1/2 hour - maybe I did go grey!

Feel quite pleased with myself now :rotfl:

Hi I was a blood donor virgin until last week and they did exactly the same to me, the nurse told me it was to be on the safe side cos no-one knows how youre going to react the first time. I got a cold drink too (I was looking forward to a nice cuppa as it was snowing outside and I was blummin freezing lol).

I am prone to low blood sugar levels too and I was able to give blood. I did feel very slightly wobbly in the legs after, but it passed after a sit down for my squash.

Cant wait for the next one and a nice cup of tea

Jane x

noonesperfect

melissa'smoney wrote: »

Virgin blood donor here! :rolleyes:

I've signed up today but i have a reservation...

I have low blood sugar and when i have blood taken i'm a fainter! (i'm also a nurse and were always the worst ones!!)

Will it be ok for me to donate or is it just to much for me to have taken, i don't want to be passing out everywhere!?!

x

Hi Melissa,
maybe you would be best getting one of the first appointments of the session. Say a 2.15pm appointment. Have a reasonably high carb lunch, you're a nurse I don't need to make meal suggestions :rolleyes: , about 12.30 then hopefully you won't feel faint.
As long as you are above the minimum weight for donating you should be fine, but like Rikki says, there are alot of questions to answer before you can give, so I'm sure any problems would be picked up.

Just adding this link to videojug - gives would-be donors an idea of what goes on.....(nothing too scary)
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-give-blood

drowningnotwaving_2

Congratulations to all first time donors - it really is an easy and relatively pain-free thing to do (I say relatively pain-free cos I have a huge needle phobia so always use to tense up when they put the needle in!!). I have given 17 times, but have been unable to give for the last 4 years due to fertility treatment - and now (finally!) a pregnancy!

My hubby has given over 20 times and his dad over 50! It is shocking that so few people give - even with all the caveats in place there are still millions of healthy individuals who could give if they could be bothered.

Good on you all!

patchwork_cat

Melissa - what about taking a glucose c tablet to suck while they take blood or some lucozade for after- not sure if that would be allowed, but can't see why not. I suffer from low blood sugar and have a 3 o'clock slump sometimes - I keep glucose sweets in the car and then have some cereal as soon as I can after.Or what about a chocolate bar! ( doing school run at 3 - it only happens if I am not proactive and don't think ahead)

mumofjusttwo

they normally give blood virgin and those that feel queazy after old drinks because hot drinks can make you feel worse.


I gave blood just before Christmas after not being able to give for a few years and as it was Christmas we had biscuits, crisps and mince pies

shopndrop

noonesperfect wrote: »

Hi Melissa,
As long as you are above the minimum weight

Is there a chart anywhere showing what the minimum weight is for different heights?

robnye

as a regular blood donor for nearly 25 years (53 donations), i would heartily recommend people becoming blood donors....

my view it is, that it is a small thing to give to others, especially those who you may never know and always give me a warm feeling after my donation has finished......

also make use of the appointment system...... it is there to make the length of your donating session quicker.... trust me..... i didnt last time and got most miffed at the length of wait....

Rikki

shopndrop wrote: »

Is there a chart anywhere showing what the minimum weight is for different heights?

You must weigh over 50kg (7st 12)


CLICK HERE for a list of questions they ask.

Hippychick

I used to be a donor but then I got sick and actually needed blood myself, so from me can I say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated it has made a big impact in my life and many many others for sure.

Can I also flag up if you are asked to give a sample of blood for the bone marrow register please do it, my husband was a donor last year.

His experience was actually quite pleasant, we were put up in a hotel in Bristol given free meals and on the day of the donation his blood was actually filtered through a machine rather than with general anaesthetic and a huge needle, he was awake the whole time.

His marrow went to someone in Italy, as my husband was donating a motorbike courier was waiting outside ready to take the marrow to Bristol airport then on a flight to Rome. We were told the recipient would have died within days had he not received my husbands marrow.

Savings someone's life is the most amazing gift anyone can give, please don't hesiate and do it if you're asked, it's worth it.

I would give now if I could but as I have received I can't :embarasse .