Should I continue to donate blood platelets?
Discussion
I was a whole blood donor, on-and-off, until this year when I finally decided to try donating platelets.
My blood group is A+ so there are no shortage of whole blood donors in my group. The whole blood I was donating was probably mostly only being used in part anyway for this reason. Giving platelets, I thought, was the best way for me to help and as a bonus I get to keep all the other blood components e.g. the red cells, the iron etc etc.
The downside is that I have to drive 45+ minutes to get to a donation center, and the process from door to door takes about three hours- 75 minutes of which is being hooked up to the machine.
It is a longer and less comfortable process than donating whole blood. It's a long time to sit there with a needle in your arm. It causes me to really empathise with those people who have blood, liver or kidney problems and have to spend hours hooked up to machines on a regular basis just to stay alive.
The process of having the blood drawn makes you feel cold but you have a heat pad under your donation arm to keep things flowing so that's an odd sensation- like you're in a cold sweat.
Anyway, here's the rub. As well as the heat pad, an anti-coagulant is injected into the blood as the unneeded blood components are returned. This has a side affect which I don't understand too well. Apparently it draws calcium out of your system. For some donors this causes a numbness or tingling of the extremities or in the mouth and lips. For me it is exclusively the latter. Half way into the donation I will begin to experience tingling in my lips and gums. It is disconcerting more than anything, and makes me worry what this anti-coagulant is doing to my body.
This is a well understood side affect which I am lead to believe is essentially harmless. If we are feeling this discomfort we are to simply alert one of the nurses who can pause the process or reduce the dosage of anticoagulant.
I am a dairy eater / drinker so I presumably have no calcium deficiency. Nonetheless I have drank a large glass of milk before the second and third donation to see if it might help.
So far I've been three times and have experienced the exact same thing. Each time at the midpoint I have felt the disconcerting tingling sensation, I've eventually drawn the attention of one of the nurses from my chair and the nurse has paused the draw for a few minutes or reduced the anticoagulant dosage. The rest of the donation then continues with less or no tingling.
However, the third time I had what seems to have just been a particularly grumpy nurse who was having a bad day. I eventually attracted attention which is stressful in itself when you are experiencing this concern and unable to move from the chair. The nurse came over and did the usual- but she curtly said something like "maybe this is not for you?". I asked her what she meant and she didn't really answer, just moved on. I later asked another nurse if what I was experiencing was uncommon or if it was anything which could stop me from donating platelets and she said it was not uncommon and is "not at all" something which should stop me.
I came away with a negative feeling about the whole thing. I had turned up three times and successfully donated three times. All I have asked for is for a pause or interruption in the middle to alleviate my discomfort- but I felt like I'd been treated as a 'problem patient' on this occasion. A bit of understanding and friendliness doesn't seem too much to ask considering that I am taking three hours out of my day at my own cost only to help others. However I have to temper that against the fact that the nurses are overstretched, underpaid etc.
I am going to call them now to discuss whether I should postpone my upcoming appointment due to this and also an irregularity I noticed at the needle insertion point for several weeks after the last donation- it was raised and looked bruised which is unusual in my experience.
Can anyone who knows about blood explain to me what the anticoagulant is doing to me and whether I should stop based on what I am experiencing? Is it negatively affecting my health in any appreciable way?
My blood group is A+ so there are no shortage of whole blood donors in my group. The whole blood I was donating was probably mostly only being used in part anyway for this reason. Giving platelets, I thought, was the best way for me to help and as a bonus I get to keep all the other blood components e.g. the red cells, the iron etc etc.
The downside is that I have to drive 45+ minutes to get to a donation center, and the process from door to door takes about three hours- 75 minutes of which is being hooked up to the machine.
It is a longer and less comfortable process than donating whole blood. It's a long time to sit there with a needle in your arm. It causes me to really empathise with those people who have blood, liver or kidney problems and have to spend hours hooked up to machines on a regular basis just to stay alive.
The process of having the blood drawn makes you feel cold but you have a heat pad under your donation arm to keep things flowing so that's an odd sensation- like you're in a cold sweat.
Anyway, here's the rub. As well as the heat pad, an anti-coagulant is injected into the blood as the unneeded blood components are returned. This has a side affect which I don't understand too well. Apparently it draws calcium out of your system. For some donors this causes a numbness or tingling of the extremities or in the mouth and lips. For me it is exclusively the latter. Half way into the donation I will begin to experience tingling in my lips and gums. It is disconcerting more than anything, and makes me worry what this anti-coagulant is doing to my body.
This is a well understood side affect which I am lead to believe is essentially harmless. If we are feeling this discomfort we are to simply alert one of the nurses who can pause the process or reduce the dosage of anticoagulant.
I am a dairy eater / drinker so I presumably have no calcium deficiency. Nonetheless I have drank a large glass of milk before the second and third donation to see if it might help.
So far I've been three times and have experienced the exact same thing. Each time at the midpoint I have felt the disconcerting tingling sensation, I've eventually drawn the attention of one of the nurses from my chair and the nurse has paused the draw for a few minutes or reduced the anticoagulant dosage. The rest of the donation then continues with less or no tingling.
However, the third time I had what seems to have just been a particularly grumpy nurse who was having a bad day. I eventually attracted attention which is stressful in itself when you are experiencing this concern and unable to move from the chair. The nurse came over and did the usual- but she curtly said something like "maybe this is not for you?". I asked her what she meant and she didn't really answer, just moved on. I later asked another nurse if what I was experiencing was uncommon or if it was anything which could stop me from donating platelets and she said it was not uncommon and is "not at all" something which should stop me.
I came away with a negative feeling about the whole thing. I had turned up three times and successfully donated three times. All I have asked for is for a pause or interruption in the middle to alleviate my discomfort- but I felt like I'd been treated as a 'problem patient' on this occasion. A bit of understanding and friendliness doesn't seem too much to ask considering that I am taking three hours out of my day at my own cost only to help others. However I have to temper that against the fact that the nurses are overstretched, underpaid etc.
I am going to call them now to discuss whether I should postpone my upcoming appointment due to this and also an irregularity I noticed at the needle insertion point for several weeks after the last donation- it was raised and looked bruised which is unusual in my experience.
Can anyone who knows about blood explain to me what the anticoagulant is doing to me and whether I should stop based on what I am experiencing? Is it negatively affecting my health in any appreciable way?
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 8th June 13:58
Not got anything to add, but bumping the thread to see if it helps with replies.
I registered for platelet donation a couple of years ago, but not heard anything since. Have to admit I'm not the best with this sort of thing anyway so would be interested in anyone elses experiences/input.
I registered for platelet donation a couple of years ago, but not heard anything since. Have to admit I'm not the best with this sort of thing anyway so would be interested in anyone elses experiences/input.
Sorry, of no help to your question but I applaud anyone that donates blood, having a partner who went throught treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and seen the amount of platelets she went through, it is very obvious that without you generous people she and others like her would not be here 
Again, can't add too much, but I do understand how you feel.
I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
Hardly an expert, but you're suffering from paresthesia. Never had it myself, but I do get cold. You're probably not going to die from it 
It's the citrate (the anticoagulant) not being completely filtered out by the machine as it flows round the circuit that your body reacts to.
It's the citrate (the anticoagulant) not being completely filtered out by the machine as it flows round the circuit that your body reacts to.
Edited by bigandclever on Wednesday 8th June 15:54
PistonBroker said:
Again, can't add too much, but I do understand how you feel.
I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
I've got the same 'disappearing vein' problem after decades of giving blood. Mine's both arms. I've been having a lot of blood test of late and dread a trainee nurse coming along with the hypo. I've nicked intravenous drug addicts with fewer puncture marks. I'm O+, so as common as my upbringing. When policing London we had frequent requests for emergency doners. It seems that fresh blood is better for wounds. I've given blood, in the full knowledge of nurses, three times in as many months, but my veins are showing their displeasure.I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
I, too, can add nothing except to express my gratitude to any donors out there. I was the recipient of around 16 units of red cells and 4 units of platelets over 5 months of chemo and stem cell transplant a couple of years ago. So, to the OP, I applaud you and trust you'll continue to donate because I can assure you there are a significant number of grateful folk who would not survive their treatment regimes without people like you.
My wife is on a break from platelet donation at the moment due to the pain she gets from the needle for the duration. (And like you it's a pain in the arse to get to, using a half day at least.) It's not easy so fair play to you for persisting this far.
It's worth talking to them about the possibility of long term side effects, but I'd be very surprised if there was any risk. Not least because they should have told you about it before you started if there was and they'd be properly in the s
t if it turns out they didnt
It's worth talking to them about the possibility of long term side effects, but I'd be very surprised if there was any risk. Not least because they should have told you about it before you started if there was and they'd be properly in the s
t if it turns out they didntThanks all. I nearly didn’t post on here because I wouldn’t want to deter people- but you know what PH is like, there’s definitely a ‘blood doctor’ on here somewhere.
My Mum needed four pints during an operation when I was a kid which probably put the idea in my head. I got booked in when I turned 17. I managed to get myself to 19 or 20 whole blood donations over the next 15 years. Not a great hit rate considering you can donate whole blood every three months! But there are many more to come from me hopefully.
After I made my post I phoned NHS blood and transplant. According to them I’ve done four platelet donations not three, so that’s a four from four record of fizzy face. I am experiencing a reaction to the citrate. Nobody knows why some people experience this reaction- some people have donated hundreds of times and have apparently never had it. Some people swear by a glass of milk but I’ve tried that. The advice from the nurse was that if I am getting it every time I should perhaps take it as a sign that I should stick to whole blood donation and leave platelets to those who can donate without this side effect.
I think I’m going to do one more before possibly taking her advice.
My Mum needed four pints during an operation when I was a kid which probably put the idea in my head. I got booked in when I turned 17. I managed to get myself to 19 or 20 whole blood donations over the next 15 years. Not a great hit rate considering you can donate whole blood every three months! But there are many more to come from me hopefully.
After I made my post I phoned NHS blood and transplant. According to them I’ve done four platelet donations not three, so that’s a four from four record of fizzy face. I am experiencing a reaction to the citrate. Nobody knows why some people experience this reaction- some people have donated hundreds of times and have apparently never had it. Some people swear by a glass of milk but I’ve tried that. The advice from the nurse was that if I am getting it every time I should perhaps take it as a sign that I should stick to whole blood donation and leave platelets to those who can donate without this side effect.
I think I’m going to do one more before possibly taking her advice.
)Zetec-S said:
Not got anything to add, but bumping the thread to see if it helps with replies.
I registered for platelet donation a couple of years ago, but not heard anything since. Have to admit I'm not the best with this sort of thing anyway so would be interested in anyone elses experiences/input.
Thanks for that- it worked!I registered for platelet donation a couple of years ago, but not heard anything since. Have to admit I'm not the best with this sort of thing anyway so would be interested in anyone elses experiences/input.
I presume you've donated whole blood before as they won't let you do platelets unless you have.
Soon after starting on whole blood I received a leaflet telling me that I had a high platelet count and would be a good platelet donor. It probably had something to do with the fact that my A+ red cells are common as muck. I believe that most people have a platelet count that is in the allowable range and I don't think they get any more out of me that they would from any other male of my height and weight (2 units in my case).
I did have to be quite persistent to enroll. The method by which you go from whole blood to platelets is not well publicised. I registered and nothing happened, and nothing continued to happen until I started telling them that I wanted to change to platelets on arrival at whole blood donations. The nurses at donation centers are always so busy that they don't need the additional hassle of doing the paperwork and taking the extra sample etc etc, but they did and then I was contacted to make my first platelet appointment.
PistonBroker said:
Again, can't add too much, but I do understand how you feel.
I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
It's a great pity that you feel that way because without getting political I feel that it is probably symptomatic of the fact that the sessions are probably short-handed.I gave blood the other week, for the 33rd time, and I think I just encountered a grumpy chap on a bad day. But it did make me rethink the whole thing.
My veins are a struggle to get into and having always given a wishy-washy response to the 'which vein do you prefer' question, I was told a few sessions back that I should say my left.
This time I said my left and, having struggled, the chap decided to try the right and got in. But he pointed out that if I presented myself as a new donor they'd have screened me out!
I've booked again, as I always do, but I wasn't too sure immediately after the session. But I figured one grumpy chap's view shouldn't stop me from helping. But I am now worried that I'm more of a hindrance than a help!
caiss4 said:
I, too, can add nothing except to express my gratitude to any donors out there. I was the recipient of around 16 units of red cells and 4 units of platelets over 5 months of chemo and stem cell transplant a couple of years ago. So, to the OP, I applaud you and trust you'll continue to donate because I can assure you there are a significant number of grateful folk who would not survive their treatment regimes without people like you.
I've been on the Anthony Nolan register for a couple of years and your post has reminded me to finally send off this oral swab to update my details on the register. It may be that I can't continue to do platelets but in that case will get back on whole blood.
I wish you good health
Just want to add my personal experience and as always your experience may differ from mine.
I went from being a whole blood donor to give platelets and have now returned to whole blood.
There were numerous reasons for returning to whole blood;
I went from being a whole blood donor to give platelets and have now returned to whole blood.
There were numerous reasons for returning to whole blood;
- Distance- it was over an hour's drive to donate platelets as there's only 27 centres in the UK
- Difficulty donating - in 4 donation sessions I had 1 aborted half way through, 1 successful, and 2 where they couldn't get the needle in!
- Pain when donating - I didn't get the tingling, but the needle was uncomfortable during donation.
bigandclever said:
Hardly an expert, but you're suffering from paresthesia. Never had it myself, but I do get cold. You're probably not going to die from it
It's the citrate (the anticoagulant) not being completely filtered out by the machine as it flows round the circuit that your body reacts to.
You are exactly right, and paresthesia is a useful word for googling. I can't believe that I could be deficient in Calcium unless there's something wrong with me, but vitamin D is much more possible considering that all my platelet donations so far have been in winter / early spring. It's the citrate (the anticoagulant) not being completely filtered out by the machine as it flows round the circuit that your body reacts to.
I am thinking to book a 5th appointment for July and make absolutely sure in advance that I can't be deficient in Calcium or vitamin D.
I ask again, any phlebotomists in da house?
After a hiatus I received a call from the NBS asking if I would like to book an appointment.
I went on Wednesday. I told the nurse that I always got the tingly mouth and that I had this time dosed up on calcium supplements to see if it would improve it. I said it might be my last time on platelets, depending.
There seems to have been a bit of a change in attitude at Tooting. I asked them if I could have a glass of milk as I donated this time as I had seen offered before, however the nurse said they don't do that anymore because it 'only masks the issue'. The same then is true of my supplements.
I did experience a reaction to the anticoagulant (AC). Maybe not as bad as on previous occasions. As usual one of the nurses turned the AC down and the reaction reduced. I lied that it had gone completely. I probably shouldn't have because maybe they'd turn it down another notch.
I held the second nurse's attention long enough to ask again whether it is harmful and whether I should stop donating. Maybe everyone experiences a reaction of sorts and I'm just being sensitive? The nurse said that many people don't experience a reaction at all but that if the reaction is stopped by turning the AC down then basically if it's not a problem for me then it's not a problem for them. I asked if it was ok for the process if I systematically get the AC turned down each time and he said no. I asked again about long term impact and the nurse said "well if you're ok after you leave each time..?"
Inconclusive really, I've had differing messages from different people. I'd really love to know whether I am just enduring a bit of discomfort when donating or if the reaction presents a risk to my health in the short or long term?
After a hiatus I received a call from the NBS asking if I would like to book an appointment.
I went on Wednesday. I told the nurse that I always got the tingly mouth and that I had this time dosed up on calcium supplements to see if it would improve it. I said it might be my last time on platelets, depending.
There seems to have been a bit of a change in attitude at Tooting. I asked them if I could have a glass of milk as I donated this time as I had seen offered before, however the nurse said they don't do that anymore because it 'only masks the issue'. The same then is true of my supplements.
I did experience a reaction to the anticoagulant (AC). Maybe not as bad as on previous occasions. As usual one of the nurses turned the AC down and the reaction reduced. I lied that it had gone completely. I probably shouldn't have because maybe they'd turn it down another notch.
I held the second nurse's attention long enough to ask again whether it is harmful and whether I should stop donating. Maybe everyone experiences a reaction of sorts and I'm just being sensitive? The nurse said that many people don't experience a reaction at all but that if the reaction is stopped by turning the AC down then basically if it's not a problem for me then it's not a problem for them. I asked if it was ok for the process if I systematically get the AC turned down each time and he said no. I asked again about long term impact and the nurse said "well if you're ok after you leave each time..?"
Inconclusive really, I've had differing messages from different people. I'd really love to know whether I am just enduring a bit of discomfort when donating or if the reaction presents a risk to my health in the short or long term?
From my perspective, if I had these concerns I would stop donating.
It’s very valid to have concerns and you don’t seen to be reassured or feel that the answers they give are reassuring enough.
I also want to thank you and anyone who has donated platelets as my son has had to have platelet transfusions at GOSH since 2 years old and it’s kept him alive
It’s very valid to have concerns and you don’t seen to be reassured or feel that the answers they give are reassuring enough.
I also want to thank you and anyone who has donated platelets as my son has had to have platelet transfusions at GOSH since 2 years old and it’s kept him alive
My suggestion is that the citrate is binding calcium ions in your blood which is therefore causing a reduction in the free calcium in your tissue fluid and blood.
This change in electrostatic charge from loss of positively charged calcium ions causes a potential difference change across nerve cell membranes which eventually causes them to reach a threshold potential and the nerve cell then 'fires'. You experience this firing as pins and needles
Once you have mobilised more calcium and the blood level returns to normal, then the resting potential of your nerve cells can return to normal and pins and needles should stop.
The major issue is the short term drop in calcium in your blood. The citrate will have no long term effects and will be rapidly excreted by your kidneys.
This change in electrostatic charge from loss of positively charged calcium ions causes a potential difference change across nerve cell membranes which eventually causes them to reach a threshold potential and the nerve cell then 'fires'. You experience this firing as pins and needles
Once you have mobilised more calcium and the blood level returns to normal, then the resting potential of your nerve cells can return to normal and pins and needles should stop.
The major issue is the short term drop in calcium in your blood. The citrate will have no long term effects and will be rapidly excreted by your kidneys.
ucb said:
My suggestion is that the citrate is binding calcium ions in your blood which is therefore causing a reduction in the free calcium in your tissue fluid and blood.
This change in electrostatic charge from loss of positively charged calcium ions causes a potential difference change across nerve cell membranes which eventually causes them to reach a threshold potential and the nerve cell then 'fires'. You experience this firing as pins and needles
Once you have mobilised more calcium and the blood level returns to normal, then the resting potential of your nerve cells can return to normal and pins and needles should stop.
The major issue is the short term drop in calcium in your blood. The citrate will have no long term effects and will be rapidly excreted by your kidneys.
What a brilliant and informative response. There is no thanks button here but you would get one if there was. This change in electrostatic charge from loss of positively charged calcium ions causes a potential difference change across nerve cell membranes which eventually causes them to reach a threshold potential and the nerve cell then 'fires'. You experience this firing as pins and needles
Once you have mobilised more calcium and the blood level returns to normal, then the resting potential of your nerve cells can return to normal and pins and needles should stop.
The major issue is the short term drop in calcium in your blood. The citrate will have no long term effects and will be rapidly excreted by your kidneys.
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