Want to donate blood but...

blackraspberry · 05-06-2014 04:42PM #1

When I was 18, I went to donate blood for the first time. About halfway through, I started to feel really faint and I almost passed out. For some reason, it really freaked me out and I never went back again.

It's nearly 10 years on now though and I'm feeling like I really, really should donate blood - but just thinking about the last time makes me feel nauseas. Does anyone have any tips about how I can overcome that and just man up?

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 05-06-2014 04:44PM

Are you a man who has ever had sex with another man?

Tilly · 05-06-2014 04:45PM

Take a spoon of cement.

saucyleopard · 05-06-2014 04:48PM

Eat a good meal about 2 hours before hand. I gave blood loads of times with no problems until I had to give up due to having a bad allergic reaction and they wouldn't take my blood any more. Its a good thing to do.

El Weirdo · 05-06-2014 04:48PM

I gave blood once about 10 years ago, but soon after I received a letter telling me that I couldn't donate any more as I had spent too long in the UK and they were afraid of Mad Cow Disease.

Mad Cow Disease?! I'm a fecking panda.

Bill Lee · 05-06-2014 04:49PM

I don't give blood. Because I won't give blood.

toastedpickles · 05-06-2014 04:50PM

saucyleopard wrote: »

Eat a good meal about 2 hours before hand. I gave blood loads of times with no problems until I had to give up due to having a bad allergic reaction and they wouldn't take my blood any more. Its a good thing to do.

So for all you know now hundreds of people are going around with some allergic reaction you've given them, and they're like what is this?? Why me lord why meeee?! :pac:

Larianne · 05-06-2014 04:53PM

Sometimes the mind and body just say 'no'.
I've tried to observe two surgeries. Both times I've felt weak and nauseous.
No problem with working on cadavers though.
Go figure!

So, it's not really a case of manning up! Maybe give it another go though. And just focus on the nurse(s) instead of the needle.

Kovu · 05-06-2014 05:00PM

I had the same reaction the second time I gave blood. Went really faint headed and white and they stopped the transfusion at about 3/4 of the amount to be taken. But I hadn't eaten anything in 4-5 hours and have low blood pressure anyway so it was my own fault.

Last time I went in I had a bottle of lucozade beforehand and told the nurses what had happened to me on the previous visit. Listened to music and talked to the nurses as they checked me numerous times to see if I was feeling ok. Not a bother that time! Also signed myself up to be tested to be a bone marrow donor as well. Just try it again OP, and keep your mind occupied during it.

Knasher · 05-06-2014 05:01PM

Eat a good meal beforehand, drink plenty of water and avoid coffee for the day. From my own experience, the first time I donated I felt faint, and the first time I donated platelets it was bad enough that I had to get them to stop half way through. But after that I was 100% fine. Hopefully you will be in the same boat.

Awkward Badger · 05-06-2014 05:03PM

Believe in yourself.

eisenberg1 · 05-06-2014 05:05PM

Bill Lee wrote: »

I don't give blood. Because I won't give blood.

Make sure to sign a waiver to say you don't want any, in case you ever need it.

Little CuChulainn · 05-06-2014 05:06PM

I use to donate regularly until something similar happened to me. The attitude of the nurse was really annoying. Like I slowed down my blood flow on purpose to waste her time.

yawhat! · 05-06-2014 05:06PM

Pugsly wrote: »

Believe in yourself.

Believe in the Shield.

The_Captain · 05-06-2014 05:12PM

I faint about 90% of the time I give blood, and even when I don't I get really light-headed.
I've been told if it happens again I'm on the banned list.

That being said, I haven't given blood in about 3 years due to travelling to the tropics

Mr. CooL ICE · 05-06-2014 05:19PM

I never had a problem doing it myself. Just think of the free taytos at the end.

Mmm, taytos. Must give blood again soon.

The Backwards Man · 05-06-2014 05:26PM

I got turned down last time because my iron count was 0.1 too low (coming off a long shift). Next time I'm going to eat a fortune of spinach beforehand and if that's no good, well, I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam.

danniemcq · 05-06-2014 05:32PM

I had to give blood for tests years ago and felt very faint and really woozy after but I always wanted to give blood so when i turned 18 I did. It was a bit odd as I remembered before and all that but its only a pint they take and as long as you are fed and watered before hand you should be grand.

They lay you down when they do it so you don't have to worry about falling and when you need to stand up again just take your time and then take a seat (and some drinks and crisps as i think they got rid of the Guinness now)

If its the sight of blood that made you woozy you don't have to look, all you feel is a sting.

danniemcq · 05-06-2014 05:33PM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I got turned down last time because my iron count was 0.1 too low (coming off a long shift). Next time I'm going to eat a fortune of spinach beforehand and if that's no good, well, I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam.

Or Guinness, way more fun!

**Timbuk2** · 05-06-2014 05:35PM

I felt very faint after donating blood the very first time. The trick is to eat something substantial beforehand and drink plenty of water - start drinking lots of water even the night before, as well as morning of.

I'm now on 16 blood donations without any problems - drinking water is key!

Anonamoose · 05-06-2014 05:35PM

Make sure you've had a good breakfast / lunch before donating....
Works for me....

Nash Bridges · 05-06-2014 05:40PM

Sounds like you had low blood sugar that particular day. Next time:

- Drink plenty of water in the hours beforehand.
- Have a good meal 1 or 2 hours beforehand.
- Have a bar of chocolate or fizzy drink immediately beforehand, they are freely available there.

I have given blood numerous times, the only time I have gotten lightheaded afterwards is when I'm donated on an empty stomach. Eat and drink lots beforehand and you'll be grand.

It is a pity the Guinness is gone however :-(

Little CuChulainn · 05-06-2014 05:43PM

Nash Bridges wrote: »

Sounds like you had low blood sugar that particular day. Next time:

- Drink plenty of water in the hours beforehand.
- Have a good meal 1 or 2 hours beforehand.
- Have a bar of chocolate or fizzy drink immediately beforehand, they are freely available there.

I have given blood numerous times, the only time I have gotten lightheaded afterwards is when I'm donated on an empty stomach. Eat and drink lots beforehand and you'll be grand.

It is a pity the Guinness is gone however :-(

I've also been told that getting your heart rate up and keeping yourself warm will make it easier and faster to find a vein and collect enough blood. So wear a jacket, stick a hot water bottle in the sleeve and run around for twenty minutes before you go in.

murphjohn121 · 05-06-2014 05:44PM

Ive done it many a time and have felt faint a few times. I think it is just natural, but the majority of it I have been fine.

Try again and you will be fine!
JM

Bill Lee · 05-06-2014 05:48PM

eisenberg1 wrote: »

Make sure to sign a waiver to say you don't want any, in case you ever need it.

Tis a lyric from the latest Rubberbandits number.

I am actually willing to give blood.

MadYaker · 05-06-2014 05:48PM

I tried to give blood a while ago but they wouldn't let me because I spent a few months in Africa. My blood is grand like I don't have any diseases or anything but they don't care, the flat out refused me purely because of the country I was in.

losthorizon · 05-06-2014 05:49PM

El Weirdo wrote: »

I gave blood once about 10 years ago, but soon after I received a letter telling me that I couldn't donate any more as I had spent too long in the UK and they were afraid of Mad Cow Disease.

Mad Cow Disease?! I'm a fecking panda.

No offence El Wierdo but technically, your life isn't worth insuring.

JanaMay · 05-06-2014 05:59PM

Don't worry about it OP. I've given blood quite a few times and only once did I have the reaction you described. It doesn't happen every time. I was mortified when it happened to me, I kept saying sorry, as if it was my own fault. Take the advice given here, make sure you've eaten well beforehand (at least an hour or two). You'll probably be ok the next time. To be honest, we should all do it as often as we can. Having said that, I haven't donated in a while....

keano_afc · 05-06-2014 06:09PM

I gave blood today, my third time doing it. Felt woozy the first time but good preparation makes all the difference. Drink plenty of water before you go - at least a litre. Also eat a decent meal in the couple of hours before you go, it'll make things easier.

Good luck if you do it.

daveohdave · 05-06-2014 06:16PM

First time I gave blood I got it into my head out was a medical procedure, so I shouldn't eat beforehand; and of course it's the other way around with donations. Never happened again.

Links234 · 05-06-2014 06:18PM

blackraspberry wrote: »

Does anyone have any tips about how I can overcome that and just man up?

Have you tried donating someone else's blood?

Want to donate blood but...

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