donating giving blood

shopndrop

I have just gone through the questions to see if I can give blood and was asked "am I on any medication". My answer is yes as I have quite bad asthma and tend to need steroids 2 or 3 times a year as well as regular use of inhalers. Does anyone know if this would stop me giving blood? Only currently using inhalers, no steroids.

Penny-Pincher!!

torbrex wrote: »

There has yet to be discovered a replacement for blood and it cannot be made artificially

I dont think this is entirely accurate!

I am unable to recieve blood transfusions and my blood count is normally between 5-8 so am a regular visitor at the haematology department.

PP
xx

Fritha_2

shopndrop wrote: »

I have just gone through the questions to see if I can give blood and was asked "am I on any medication". My answer is yes as I have quite bad asthma and tend to need steroids 2 or 3 times a year as well as regular use of inhalers. Does anyone know if this would stop me giving blood? Only currently using inhalers, no steroids.

Your best bet is to give them a quick call they're very friendly and will be able to tell you if you're ok or not :-)

The number is 0845 7 711 711 (posted above as well by no ones perfect so thanks to him/her )

Jue_xx

dora37 wrote: »

Just enrolled myself & OH online and waiting for confirmation of appointments....never done it before!

Well done you!!:T :T

vixarooni

I would love to give blood but i have the biggest phobia of having an injection in that zone that i just cant do it. I tried to overcome it and i asked my boyfriend to donate blood and i would watch (to hopefully overcome my fear and donate) but when we went it was the biggest fiasco ever. I had to pay for the car park, we went in and you can imagine what i was like, then we were told it was just too busy and there would be a couple of hours wait. So aswell as wasting a few quid i got into a right state for nothing.

Then a week later we got some mail in the post with a free parking permit and lots of other info. Now why that couldnt be sent in the same package as the last one i dont know. We havent been back since.

Im not trying to put people off here, but they keep going on about blood shortages yet people were being turned away left right and centre at the local hall we were at.

Id love to donate more than anything, my father wouldnt be here today without the people who donated blood. I just wish the service (that i recieved) was better.

dobs

There is an alternative called EPO (shortened form) as jws can use it, however in an emergency it is no good at all as it can take up to six weeks to have an effect, think it stimulates your blood cells to produce more but can't remember precisely. There are no alternatives to blood in an emergency situation.

noonesperfect

vixarooni wrote: »

I would love to give blood but i have the biggest phobia of having an injection in that zone that i just cant do it. I tried to overcome it and i asked my boyfriend to donate blood and i would watch (to hopefully overcome my fear and donate) but when we went it was the biggest fiasco ever. I had to pay for the car park, we went in and you can imagine what i was like, then we were told it was just too busy and there would be a couple of hours wait. So aswell as wasting a few quid i got into a right state for nothing.

Then a week later we got some mail in the post with a free parking permit and lots of other info. Now why that couldnt be sent in the same package as the last one i dont know. We havent been back since.

Im not trying to put people off here, but they keep going on about blood shortages yet people were being turned away left right and centre at the local hall we were at.

Id love to donate more than anything, my father wouldnt be here today without the people who donated blood. I just wish the service (that i recieved) was better.

Why not find out (from the website) when they next local blood donation session is on and make an appointment. If you explain when you get there that is your first time and are really phobic of needles they will understand and take extra good care of you and allow extra time to reassure you your fears are groundless [without making you feel a proper nana!].
You're to be applauded that you're keen to give :T .

Not sure it's a good idea to watch anyone giving blood, it makes me feel yukky to look , I just concentrate on talking to the person who's taking my blood. You can't actually see the needle in your arm or anything.

Glitzkiss

I attend my local church hall to give blood and it's great. It's the only time I can guarantee getting an hour or two away from work/housework and if I'm really lucky I'll meet someone I've not seen for a while and catch up on some gossip too :T :rotfl: . If not I always have a book with me to fill in the waiting time

consultant31

nicola1982 wrote: »

I was a regular blood donor up until getting pregnant. I think I can donate a year after the baby is born. I do find it quite shocking, however, that homosexual men still can't donate - one of my close gay friends has been in a monogamous relationship for over 4 years and still can't donate, yet some of his promiscous friends donate no questions asked.

But questions are asked and it's worrying to think those "promiscuous friends" are not telling the truth on their forms and may, therefore, be putting someone's life at risk :eek:

I have been going since I was 18 with time out for pregnancies etc and have just given my 59th pint. I always feel really well after I've donated and it's one thing we can do to put something back into the health service.

madison's_mum

I almost bled to death giving birth to my DD & had to have a lot of blood & clotting agents aswell. Thank you to everyone who is donating.

MM