Blood Doners

jacko · 04-11-2005 12:31PM

yea using the fear of needles is pretty pathetic.
was having the discussion about donating at work and one guy said that he donated once... the only reason he donated is because he heard that if he needs a transfusion and he never donated blood before that the hospital expenses would be astronomical. but if he was a doner it would be a fraction of the cost (don't know how true this is but it's what i was told)....So he donated once a few years ago just to get his name on the registrar as a Doner and never ever even contemplated donating again .... what a slimeball

fjon · 04-11-2005 12:59PM

To determine your blood type a doctor will generally not use a needle. The will prick your finger with a medical lance and use a few drops of blood. In fact I think you can prick your own finger if you want. No excuse for not getting that done. I can understand the fear of needles, but this is quite different.
Just in case anyone doesn't know, this is generally how blood types work (note this is not taking into account + or -)

Type O - can give blood to everyone, can only receive O. Most common blood type
Type A - can give to A and AB, can receive O and A. Second most common
Type B - can give to B and AB, can receive O and B. Third most common
Type AB - can give blood only to AB. Can receive from everyone. Rarest blood type

I hope I got that right...

Hydroquinone · 04-11-2005 01:31PM

I've been a blood donor for 20 years and I give every three months. I've also been on the bone marrow donor register for about 10 years. I've never been called upon to do that and I hear it hurts something shocking, since they aspirate it out of your thigh bone with a MASSIVE needle, but if mine is found to be suitable for someone and they ask me to go and do it I will, course I will.

I'm O+ and I started being a donor when I turned 18. My Dad became a donor after he spent a hell of a long time in hospital and had a number of transfusions after numerous surgeries. He's been a donor now for more than 30 years and so I first went with him when I was old enough to do it. He'd be dead now if there were no blood donors, so I suppose that focusses the mind somewhat. I've never had an operation of any sort, but if I ever had to have one, you can bet your bottom dollar I'd be glad that someone else had donated blood for me to have the use of it to save me from dying.

I've never seen the needle when I've been giving blood, so quite why people say they're afraid of needles and that's what puts them off has always baffled me. Nobody likes needles surely to God and it's not as if they waft it in front of your eyes before they stick it on your arm. I agree with whoever said previously that it's the lance in the finger to determine if you're anaemic that hurts the most. I've been rejected for giving blood on a few occasions, because I always hover round the cusp of what's an acceptable iron level for donation purposes. I've never been pissed off because they rejected me for that because I reckon it's better to know, so you can go and have steak and chips for tea, to get your iron levels up!! And it's surely better to know when you're getting slightly anaemic than to never have a clue till the fainting spells or worse really cause you some medical problems.

Peteee · 04-11-2005 02:11PM

D wrote:

It is particularly important for expectant mothers to know their blood's Rh factor. Occasionally, a baby will inherit an Rh positive blood type from its father while the mother has an Rh negative blood type. The baby's life could be in great danger if the mother's Rh negative blood attacks the baby's Rh positive blood. If this happens, an exchange transfusion may save the baby's life. The baby's blood can be exchanged for new blood that matches the mother's.

from here:http://sln.fi.edu/biosci/blood/rh.html

This is what happened to me. Was 3 months premature

(28 weeks) and had 3 blood transfusions. Nearly died as a result.

Am not allowed give blood cos I lived in hte UK for 10 years. Bit miffed at that, cos obviously people giving blood saved my life

kaimera · 04-11-2005 02:13PM

jesus Pete, you do keep things well hidden doncha?

Peteee · 04-11-2005 02:20PM

keevita wrote:

i have that RH negative blood, i think the first child will be ok, but i will produce antibodies against the second one? am not overly worried yet, it will be a while before i pop one out. so what other reasons prevent you from giving blood? do they ask about drugs?

The first 2 children will be okay, I was the third and I turned out bad!

Civilian_Target · 04-11-2005 04:00PM

This thread reminded me that I hadn't given blood since april, so I went and gave some at lunch time.

I'm banned from giving in the south since they introduced that "Living in the UK pre-1996" rule, so I went to the the centre in Belfast, and I have to admit, its not great.

In Dublin, giving blood is actually quite enjoyable. They give you very nice food and [STRIKE]drive[/STRIKE] drinks, they're very pleasant and friendly and they nearly always hit the vein painlessly.

In Belfast, you're very much in a clinic, its very formal, there's virtually no talking or atmosphere, food extends to a couple of custard creams and a plastic cup of diluted orange, and I have to admit the needle in my arm was much more uncomfortable than I remember it being in Dublin (where I barely noticed it being there.)

Won't be so enthusicatic about giving blood up here again (although I probably will because I'm still the only person of my blood group in the above poll)

rose of jericho · 04-11-2005 10:09PM

In UL, when they wanted to bring in the mobile blood clinic, there were protests because the IBTS 'discriminate' against gay people. It was totally ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous! What is ridiculous is that there are a whole lot of people out there who are forbidden to give blood and a result of which blood banks are running low and I think you'll find that there are greater numbers of HIV carriers etc in hetrosexuals than in homosexuals it makes no sense that all these people who are willing to give blood are refused.

chelle2ie · 05-11-2005 12:06AM

A+ for me. I hate the iron test although its a handy indicator for eating a bit better. I have donated 5 times now, went badly 3 times but I won't let it put me off. Introduced a girl at work to it. The screening process is a bit much with the questions, I have to say I found it hard keeping a straight face when the nurse asked me if I was a prositute or gay or if I had been in prision or on drugs or had slept with a man who had slept with another man - I mean its not a question you ask someone when you sleep with them! Still credit to the staff in dolier street they're lovely and make a not nice process much more bearable

Nightwish · 05-11-2005 12:17AM

robinph wrote:

Well if your anaemic then they probably won't be wanting you blood.

But seeing as a fear of needles is probably just down to things you've seen in the movies and our mothers being more afraid of the doctor than we were when getting vaccinations as a small kid then I still think that using the excuse of being afraid of needles is pathetic.

your entitled to your opinion but I'd appreciate you not mocking my fears. I'm not so impressionable that I'd be fearful of something out of a movie. Have you considered that I may have a reason for being petrified of needles? When I was 11, a public health nurse came to my school to give us a booster, and she injected the wrong stuff into me. I also had a reaction to the needle, a very bad one, I was sick for days, and to top it off I had to get the injection done again, due to the fact the 1st one wasnt right. Every injection I had has reacted with me in some way or other. I dont feel one bit guilty about not donating blood.

Civilian_Target · 06-11-2005 01:34PM

I've reacted badly to needles before. We got some vaccine in secondary school, menangitus I think, that reacted really badly with me, left me limp for a few days (which is really really unnerving when you're 16). I've had nurses miss my veins, with big needles too - it really hurts when they jab 'em in your arms.

But I still give blood, because I'm a rare blood group, and because it's really not that bad. There's no reason to be afraid of needles when they're in the hands of someone who's qualified to, and does, use them all day.

What happens when you go to get a filling at the dentist? Or you have to get a travel vaccine?

spiderlegs · 06-11-2005 03:33PM

I think it's a wonderful thing to do to give blood...technically you're helping to save someones life...now thats something to be proud of.

Aisling(",) · 06-11-2005 04:13PM

I can't give blood yet due to my age but i think my blood type is B- because there was a bigg fuss about not being able to find a match for me a few years back.Will probably turn out to be o or something now

Dizzyblabla · 06-11-2005 07:42PM

I'm O-ve aswell, it seems that although we have a "rare" blood type, it's all I ever meet in the donor clinic.
I've given 17 or 18 pints now, I have a lovely necklace which I got for 10 pints and I can't wait for the next pressie when I've given my 25th pint (which won't be for about 2 years I suppose!)
I give as often as I can, and I generally make sure that I've eaten n' stuff before I go 'cause I know they'll just send me home otherwise. (all reasons are here: http://www.ibts.ie/generic.cfm?mID=2&sID=79)

I love the feeling I get after I've given blood, I've never felt faint, although sometimes the needles hurt slightly, but that's cause my veins are buried deep within my arms and they can find it hard to find them!

I've introduced a few people to giving blood, but noone I know gives as regularly as I do really. It's good to know there's others out there!

Dave! · 06-11-2005 07:50PM

How does one go about finding out their blood type? Do you go to your GP or what? Thanks

SoBe · 06-11-2005 08:01PM

this thread reminds me of the last time i gave blood,the local traffic warden was there donating and whe he was done he got up walked about 5 steps and hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.it was quite amusing to all that saw it happen.

i used to donate regularly but now with this rule that you cant donate till 2 months after returning from the states has ruled me out

Dizzyblabla · 06-11-2005 08:32PM

DaveMcG wrote:

How does one go about finding out their blood type? Do you go to your GP or what? Thanks

Give a pint of blood, they'll send you a donor card with your blood type on it...

Dave! · 06-11-2005 08:48PM

I can't yet unfortunately

Civilian_Target · 07-11-2005 01:53AM

Aisling(",) wrote:

I can't give blood yet due to my age but i think my blood type is B- because there was a bigg fuss about not being able to find a match for me a few years back.Will probably turn out to be o or something now

Ah! You're the other B-, we're not *that* rare after all!

Unfortuantely, if you live in the republic you'll not be getting my blood, I'm banned from giving in Dublin for being a potential mad cow....

Nightwish · 07-11-2005 12:38PM

Civilian_Target wrote:

What happens when you go to get a filling at the dentist? Or you have to get a travel vaccine?

Well the last time I got an injection was when I was getting teeth removed for my braces, and I got them taken out on 2 separate days, and yes I hit the floor for both of those. And I've never been anywhere exotic enough to have to get travel vaccines.

robinph · 07-11-2005 12:50PM

Nightwish wrote:

your entitled to your opinion but I'd appreciate you not mocking my fears. I'm not so impressionable that I'd be fearful of something out of a movie. Have you considered that I may have a reason for being petrified of needles? When I was 11, a public health nurse came to my school to give us a booster, and she injected the wrong stuff into me. I also had a reaction to the needle, a very bad one, I was sick for days, and to top it off I had to get the injection done again, due to the fact the 1st one wasnt right. Every injection I had has reacted with me in some way or other. I dont feel one bit guilty about not donating blood.

It seems that your problem is more to do with previous encounters with incompetent medical staff then, rather than the needles themelves. Unless your allergic to steel?

Raytown Rocks · 07-11-2005 01:03PM

I'm B-
I don't donate blood, but I do donate Platelletes.
I donate once a month in James's Hospital in Dublin.
Basically they take platelettes from your blood, by machine.
Your blood is removed by the machine,this machine separates the platelettes
from the blood, and then your blood is returned to your body.( takes 1 hr roughly)
Sounds a bit mad, but its quite easy.

Being B- my platelettes are used on new born babies suffering with cancer (makes it all worthwhile).

Usually when you donate blood they ask if your willing to do platelettes, they always seem to be looking for donors.

Chef

ArphaRima · 07-11-2005 01:24PM

No idea of blood-type. But its illegal for me to give blood. It would make me unfit to work. Only way I could is at the start of a long-ish vacation and with prior approval from a specialist.

finlma · 07-11-2005 02:26PM

fluffer wrote:

No idea of blood-type. But its illegal for me to give blood. It would make me unfit to work. Only way I could is at the start of a long-ish vacation and with prior approval from a specialist.

What do you do for a living - are you a vampire? Blood is replenished in a matter of hours.

Civilian_Target · 07-11-2005 05:17PM

chef wrote:

Being B- my platelettes are used on new born babies suffering with cancer (makes it all worthwhile).

Really - they've never asked me for platelets, but I have no idea what they do with my pint of fresh B negative...

I didn't realised the blood replenished in a few hours, I always presumed it took a few days, certainly I'm no good for exercise with my donor arm for about 48 hours after giving blood....

Nightwish: I guess fear of needles isn't something that uncommon, they are sticking stuff in you after all, but I guess its something you overcome by having to be injected... I have a friend who was scared of them for years, and was scared enough to puke before getting his meningitus jab, but when he had to be injected repeatedly when he got ill, he got over it very quickly...

rainbow kirby · 07-11-2005 05:48PM

I'm A positive...
I've never given blood though, I'm absolutely petrified of needles. I know I should at some point, my mother's always suggesting it every time the donor clinic is in our area.

Hugh Hefner · 07-11-2005 05:52PM

Civilian_Target wrote:

I didn't realised the blood replenished in a few hours, I always presumed it took a few days, certainly I'm no good for exercise with my donor arm for about 48 hours after giving blood....

Well the liquid part of the blood takes about a day while the red blood cells take about 8 weeks, or so says the IBTS FAQ page.

Nightwish · 07-11-2005 08:11PM

I refused to get the meningitis one in school. my bf went to get it done in the clinic when he returned from the UK, and the nurse offered to give it to me, and as soon as I thought about it getting the injection I felt very very sick and when I saw it, I fainted and had to brought outside.

I doubt every person who has successfully injected me, was incompetent, there was only the one. But I just get sick after I get them, or my arm goes numb for days, or I faint before I even get injected. So, again, I dont feel guilty about not giving blood.

Blondie86Star · 07-11-2005 11:39PM

I'm AB negative, rarest type,and have given 4 times since last year. They told me they have me on their 'emergency list' so they can call me if someones in hospital n they have none. Never done it, but do it religiously every 3 months. I'd want someone to do it for me...

TheIceMaker · 08-11-2005 04:33PM

I have never givin blood, I don't know what type i am either.

Blood Doners

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