Donating blood

beertons

Who does, and how many times have you gone? I've gone five times now. I'm off to Malaysia in October, so it'll be january 2010 when I get to donate again.

freedom of info

beertons wrote: »

Who does, and how many times have you gone? I've gone five times now. I'm off to Malaysia in October, so it'll be january 2010 when I get to donate again.

hi, i was told that i couldnt give blood, because i lived abroad for a few years, that was years ago, i dont think things have changed since

Alun

freedom of info wrote: »

hi, i was told that i couldnt give blood, because i lived abroad for a few years, that was years ago, i dont think things have changed since

Me too, lived in the UK for slightly too long, so no dice any more. It's a shame really, I miss being able to do my bit.

Max Power1

freedom of info wrote: »

hi, i was told that i couldnt give blood, because i lived abroad for a few years, that was years ago, i dont think things have changed since

I also was told i couldnt, due to not passing their requirements either.

sam34

im disqualified too

Gazza22

I donate but i only started last year. So i've donated about 5 times so far. I'll probably switch to Platelet donation sometime next year

ChewChew

I never dontated and I started in March before I went to NZ and then had to have an emergency endoscopy in June so cant donate untill December!! Gah! so irritating. But I really did feel awesome for doing it!

livvy

how much do you donate in one sitting? I tried to donate once but too soon after having baby. will try again.

Gazza22

Circa 470ml, just under a pint.

The Big Red Button

I did once about two years ago, and it was grand. Very little pain, no problems afterwards.

I tried three times since, but the vein sort of "collapsed" each time when the bag was only about half full and they couldn't get any more out of it so the bit they collected was no good to them. Also I felt terrible the day after - lots of dizziness and nausea. Last time I went the nurse told me I'd be best to leave it for a couple of years before trying again. I still get lots of texts and letters from them though asking me to donate!

If I could, I'd love to be able to donate, especially since my blood type is one of the rarer ones. The side-effects the next day wouldn't even put me off - although if I do it again, I'll arrange to be off work and stay in bed for the day! I'm always encouraging my friends to do it, although it's a bit hypocritical of me seeing as I can't do it myself :rolleyes:

Gazza22

chatterpillar wrote: »

I tried three times since, but the vein sort of "collapsed" each time when the bag was only about half full and they couldn't get any more out of it so the bit they collected was no good to them.

Was it in the same arm each time?

The Big Red Button

Gazza22 wrote: »

Was it in the same arm each time?

Left twice and right once. I've gotten blood taken by the doctor's a few times since and they had a bit of trouble getting enough there too ... I must just have weird veins or something! Usually if I squeeze my hand in and out lots they get enough.

Gazza22

I was going to suggest the other arm next time! Well since you have had this problem on a number of occasions with different techs/docs, i doubt it's poor technique on their behalf - although it could be.

My gf has the same problem, most of the time it just breaks down to your physiology. Your veins don't give up the blood easily as well as a few other factors.

If you do try to donate again or perhaps if you have a blood test in the future, try drinking lots of fluids the day before collection and see if you get better results.

Dinkie

I'm not allowed to give blood either.

TBH, I'm delighted as I'm absolutely terrified of needles, and it means I don't feel guilty!

KiLLeR CoUCh

I went three times and felt physically awful after but great for doing my bit. I'm disqualified now for good though :mad:

mardybumbum

I have only donated once so far.
Got my wee donation card posted out to the house today with my blood type on it.
I assume I can skip the regestration procedure now with this card?
Ill probably give blood next when Im back in college.
D'olier street is only a stones throw away from front arch.

DrIndy

I'm officially off the list too because "I have lived in the tropics" - defined as between the tropic of cancer and capricorn.

I hope that the IBTS does review their restrictions on a regular basis though to open up previously closed pathways as more and more people are being excluded from the donor pool now.

Larianne

So you get disqualified if you've lived in parts of Australia or travelled around Asia? Damn it!

kenon

I've given, 10 times I think.

I've kinda stopped of late as it has gotten harder and harder for them to find a vein and it got more and more painful and I got bad bruising a few times.

I plan to go back when my veins get back to their...former glory...

brian ireland

Don't wanna sound like a blow, but 30 times so far

kmurray

does having a tattoo disqualify you?
is that urban ledgend

Michellenman

My dads an Acupuncturist and I've had it done on a few occassions, does this eliminate me?

kenon

kmurray wrote: »

does having a tattoo disqualify you?
is that urban ledgend

You cant give blood till 6 months after you get your last tattoo.

kenon

Michellenman wrote: »

My dads an Acupuncturist and I've had it done on a few occassions, does this eliminate me?

No.

DrIndy

one big issue is haemachromatosis - some people need 300 units take off them to reach normal equillibrium and that is one per week, every week until they normalise.

But the IBTS has been refusing to take anyone on for this and perfectly good blood goes in the dumpster as it is removed for "medical purposes" and is not a "donation" of surplus through open choice.

IBTS have started taking haemachromatosis patients on for their maintenance phase is some places of the country - but are very slow to take part in the massive depletion phase where 10 O- haemachromatosis patients could nearly keep the blood supply running alone. AND they get (very rightly) so pissed off when they discover their blood has been going in the bin for years.

nesf

Michellenman wrote: »

My dads an Acupuncturist and I've had it done on a few occassions, does this eliminate me?

Yes if he's not a qualified doctor, nurse or physio iirc.

Michellenman

nesf wrote: »

Yes if he's not a qualified doctor, nurse or physio iirc.

How do you mean? Is it because he works with needles or because I've had it done?

nesf

Michellenman wrote: »

How do you mean? Is it because he works with needles or because I've had it done?

You'd need to get a form signed by him stating that he used sterile needles while doing the acupuncture, the form also requires him to state that he is a qualified doctor, nurse or physio. Apparently they can only take a doctor's/nurse's/physio's word on it or something. It only applies if you've had it done in the past 6 months though.

The form: http://www.giveblood.ie/Become_a_Donor/Give_Blood/FAQs/BT343-2_Acupuncture_Form.pdf

freedom of info

Larianne wrote: »

So you get disqualified if you've lived in parts of Australia or travelled around Asia? Damn it!

anybody know the reasons why they are so strict, i can understand coming from some countries high rates of aids and other unpleasant diseases, but what's the problem with the uk

Gazza22

freedom of info wrote: »

anybody know the reasons why they are so strict, i can understand coming from some countries high rates of aids and other unpleasant diseases, but what's the problem with the uk

The UK reported cases of vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) in 1996. The risk years were between 1980 and 1996 when BSE was active in the UK's argriculture.

Thus anybody who lived or even visited the UK, inc. N.Ireland during those years may have been exposed to vCJD through contaminated animal products, even though the risk is really small and there have only been about 160 cases to date.

These measures are in place as currently there is no diagnostic test for vCJD in blood.

freedom of info

Gazza22 wrote: »

The UK reported cases of vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) in 1996. The risk years were between 1980 and 1996 when BSE was active in the UK's argriculture.

Thus anybody who lived or even visited the UK, inc. N.Ireland during those years may have been exposed to vCJD through contaminated animal products, even though the risk is really small and there have only been about 160 cases to date.

These measures are in place as currently there is no diagnostic test for vCJD in blood.

cheers gazza, i thought we had that problem here as well?

Enii

DrIndy wrote: »

I'm officially off the list too because "I have lived in the tropics" - defined as between the tropic of cancer and capricorn.

I hope that the IBTS does review their restrictions on a regular basis though to open up previously closed pathways as more and more people are being excluded from the donor pool now.

http://www.giveblood.ie/Become_a_Donor/Give_Blood/Can_I_Give_Blood/Can_I_Give_Blood_Question_1.html

I can't see any mention of the tropics/australia being a reason to be disqualified.......

The Big Red Button

DrIndy wrote: »

one big issue is haemachromatosis - some people need 300 units take off them to reach normal equillibrium and that is one per week, every week until they normalise.

But the IBTS has been refusing to take anyone on for this and perfectly good blood goes in the dumpster as it is removed for "medical purposes" and is not a "donation" of surplus through open choice.

IBTS have started taking haemachromatosis patients on for their maintenance phase is some places of the country - but are very slow to take part in the massive depletion phase where 10 O- haemachromatosis patients could nearly keep the blood supply running alone. AND they get (very rightly) so pissed off when they discover their blood has been going in the bin for years.

That's absolutely mental! It would be bad enough to have to go through the hassle and discomfort of getting blood taken every single week, but I can only imagine that knowing that it's going straight into the bin would make it even more frustrating.

PeterMC

DrIndy wrote: »

one big issue is haemachromatosis - some people need 300 units take off them to reach normal equillibrium and that is one per week, every week until they normalise.

But the IBTS has been refusing to take anyone on for this and perfectly good blood goes in the dumpster as it is removed for "medical purposes" and is not a "donation" of surplus through open choice.

IBTS have started taking haemachromatosis patients on for their maintenance phase is some places of the country - but are very slow to take part in the massive depletion phase where 10 O- haemachromatosis patients could nearly keep the blood supply running alone. AND they get (very rightly) so pissed off when they discover their blood has been going in the bin for years.

How do they get around the excess Iron though or is it not an issue at smaller quantities?

Gazza22

freedom of info wrote: »

cheers gazza, i thought we had that problem here as well?

Yeah we did but to a much less extent, we had a total of 4 cases afaik. The potential levels of exposure were much much higher in the UK as it originated there and we consumed mainly Irish animal products during those years as we had a healthy agriculture, plus we didn't have the money to import too much so that saved us from contaminated products.

Similarly the blood product contamination of the 70's/80's in the UK prevents people who received any blood products in or from the UK donating.

Enii wrote: »

http://www.giveblood.ie/Become_a_Donor/Give_Blood/Can_I_Give_Blood/Can_I_Give_Blood_Question_1.html

I can't see any mention of the tropics/australia being a reason to be disqualified.......

If you have been in Asia, you are deferred from donating for 12 months as it is a predominantly Malarial area. If you have been in the tropics, you are deferred for 6 months. Afaik, it's only if you have been in the northern territory of Australia that the tropical rule applies. For more info see here

Gazza22

DrIndy wrote: »

one big issue is haemachromatosis - some people need 300 units take off them to reach normal equillibrium and that is one per week, every week until they normalise.

But the IBTS has been refusing to take anyone on for this and perfectly good blood goes in the dumpster as it is removed for "medical purposes" and is not a "donation" of surplus through open choice.

IBTS have started taking haemachromatosis patients on for their maintenance phase is some places of the country - but are very slow to take part in the massive depletion phase where 10 O- haemachromatosis patients could nearly keep the blood supply running alone. AND they get (very rightly) so pissed off when they discover their blood has been going in the bin for years.

Yeah when you think of the exceptional number of Irish who have haemachromatosis, in the 000's, it's ridiculous that the IBTS refuses to allow their blood enter the supply. Blood affected by haemachromatosis has been deemed safe for donation for a number of years now. They have/had a few pilot programs and yet have failed to roll it out nationwide.

It's similar to what i mentioned in the other thread re: organ donation. They still refuse potential organ donations from deceased people with Cardiac related death, which could increase annual transplants by over 20%.

It doesn't make sense when the means are there to enhance blood/organ donation levels and untimately save more lives.

aidan.connolly

Hi, I have always been afraid of needles but always wanted to give blood. I signed up a couple of weeks ago in D'Oiler Street. Very nice people and very supportive.

I have just sent in the form for giving platletts.

Amnesiac_ie

Any man who has ever had sex with another man is banned from giving blood in Ireland. It's a ridiculous and flawed rule that sees someone in a monogamous relationship for 10 years banned from making a donation whereas a straight man who has had unsafe sex in the past week is free to donate.

Every patient I've ever met who has had haemochromatosis has also been perplexed and frustrated that the recurrent phlebotomy they endure has never benefited anyone else.

The IBTS might be archaic and inept but if you are eligible to donate blood, or can convince friends of yours to do so, please, please do!

WeeBushy

Amnesiac_ie wrote: »

Any man who has ever had sex with another man is banned from giving blood in Ireland. It's a ridiculous and flawed rule that sees someone in a monogamous relationship for 10 years banned from making a donation whereas a straight man who has had unsafe sex in the past week is free to donate.

I agree, the anti-homosexual rule is very outdated at this stage. It's a terrible pity considering how in need of blood they are and that they are cutting off a huge group out of ignorance/stubborness/apathy.

Unfortunately I can never give blood again as I have spent a lot of time working with monkeys and they now consider my blood tainted
It's sad as I think giving blood is one of the most incredible things you can do. They may be right to not take my blood, but I would love to be able to donate. I shall have to try and live vicariously through other by making them donate instead!

locum-motion

DrIndy wrote: »

one big issue is haemachromatosis - some people need 300 units take off them to reach normal equillibrium and that is one per week, every week until they normalise.

But the IBTS has been refusing to take anyone on for this and perfectly good blood goes in the dumpster as it is removed for "medical purposes" and is not a "donation" of surplus through open choice.

IBTS have started taking haemachromatosis patients on for their maintenance phase is some places of the country - but are very slow to take part in the massive depletion phase where 10 O- haemachromatosis patients could nearly keep the blood supply running alone. AND they get (very rightly) so pissed off when they discover their blood has been going in the bin for years.

I was recently diagnosed with HH myself, and I used to donate regularly before they changed the living in the UK rules. I've had 2 venesections for the HH so far, and, yes, Indy is 100% right. makes my blood boil (excuse the pun) to see if go in the waste bag. IBTS are so far only taking maintenance HH patients in their Stillorgan centre, for two hours each friday! Woefully inadequate! Ireland has a very high incidence of HH (it's also known as the Celtic Disease, according to the nurse that took my blood on Tuesday morning.) so we should be the world leaders in the management of the condition.

nesf

locum-motion wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with HH myself, and I used to donate regularly before they changed the living in the UK rules. I've had 2 venesections for the HH so far, and, yes, Indy is 100% right. makes my blood boil (excuse the pun) to see if go in the waste bag. IBTS are so far only taking maintenance HH patients in their Stillorgan centre, for two hours each friday! Woefully inadequate! Ireland has a very high incidence of HH (it's also known as the Celtic Disease, according to the nurse that took my blood on Tuesday morning.) so we should be the world leaders in the management of the condition.

Yeah, if I remember correctly the original ancestor with the gene(s) lived relatively recently (in genetic terms) on this island.

Dublinstiofán

Last time i went they wouldn't let me because i was on presecibed asthma meds.

I'm off them now for a good few months would you say i can give blood now that i only use an inhaler?

sam34

Dublinstiofán wrote: »

Last time i went they wouldn't let me because i was on presecibed asthma meds.

I'm off them now for a good few months would you say i can give blood now that i only use an inhaler?

not sure, tbh.

they have a phone no on their website, you could give them a call and check

Gazza22

Dublinstiofán wrote: »

Last time i went they wouldn't let me because i was on presecibed asthma meds.

I'm off them now for a good few months would you say i can give blood now that i only use an inhaler?

Usually if you are on non-steroidal medication you are ok to donate. You are not allowed to donate while on prescribed asthma medications as they are generally quite potent anti-inflammatories and can have some side effects which complicate a safe donation.

You should be fine now, the best way to know for sure is to visit your local blood clinic for another consultation.

I got a blood test about a year or two ago, and that's the only time a needle has ever touched me like that, so needless to say, I never gave blood. Wouldn't mind doing it though. I'm a fat bastard, but don't have any real medical/fitness issues or anything, and never left the country.

How would I go about giving blood anyway? Is there a set procedure or guideline you've to follow? (I'm in Drogheda, Louth by the way).


Also just out of curiosity, i assume that giving a blood test is the only way to actually find out what blood type you are? I'd like to know what I am, but I never heard back when I did the blood test before.

Gazza22

Deleted User wrote: »

How would I go about giving blood anyway? Is there a set procedure or guideline you've to follow? (I'm in Drogheda, Louth by the way).

Also just out of curiosity, i assume that giving a blood test is the only way to actually find out what blood type you are? I'd like to know what I am, but I never heard back when I did the blood test before.

You can check where the nearest clinic to you is here. As far as i know, there is a regular clinic in Dundalk.

Yeah well you would have to have a blood test to determine type. It may be on file as it is common enough for blood type to be noted, ask your GP the next time you visit as (s)he should have received your results.

Alternatively, if you are really curious just buy a home blood group test kit. They are available in some pharmacies and online. You just lance your finger tip and place a small drop of blood on a card containing different blood group reagents. Instant and reliable, make sure the test you buy is CE marked however or you're wasting your time & money.

dungeon

This has just reminded me. I have a rare blood type and I was told some years ago that my blood would be valuable as I could also be a universal donor (to those with negative type blood). Must donate again soon!!

Miss_Moneypenny

I gave blood twice and then they changed the rules regarding people who had previously had blood transfusion. Because I was given plasma in 1994 I am ineligible to donate blood.

Piste

I gave blood a few weeks ago. Wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, didn't really hurt and the free food was great

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Where I work they organise a bus to take us up to where the clinic is set up (usually the Clayton hotel in Galway) and for that reason I can't comprehend how people I work with not bothering to go up and donate. It costs them nothing and we get time on the clock for it so it's not like they have to make the time back up. Grinds my gears in a big way. I know some can't donate for whatever reason but last time out of 180 people, 8 went :mad: bullsh*t

Crumble Froo

i'm not allowed give blood on the grounds that i received a couple of blood transfusions before they started screening for hep c.

irritates me, when i can produce blood results from the lab saying i do not have any of the nasties they are looking for, and have not had potential exposure to them for several years. yet i still can't give blood, despite the fact i'd be dead if i hadn't received it in the first place.


although i did just discover that, at least in the states, it can happen that because organ donations are so low, the organs of people with hep c can be donated to other people with hep c :eek: