Today I Gave Blood
Discussion
I gave blood today!!!
I now have a sore arm, a sore finger, and a sticker.
Overall it was a very good experience, if not one drowing in red tape. I got there and found that because I only signed up late on Tuesday night I didn't have any of the stuff I was meant to have, such as my donor number XD So I had to fill in a form about my entire history of everything, loads of stuff about HIV, Aids and Hepatitis, plus if I had ever had surgery, tests in a hospital, been out of the country in the past 12 months, lots of questions.
Then had an interview with a nurse who asked about the one box I hadn't ticked, which was about surgery and hospital tests. I had to have a tooth removed several years ago, and I had a blood test for rheumatism when I was 17, both of which were noted by the nurse.
Then I had to have a blood sample taken from my middle finger, which is annoying because I'm now trying to type without hitting that finger because it hurts. Once it was checked to make sure my haemoglobins were okay I was sent to a set of chairs and told to drink a big cup of water as quickly as possible to boost my blood pressure. With that done I sat down to wait and in less than a minute was called over by a nurse to one of the big chairs. She went over my form and then tried to find a vein in my left arm...no luck! My Mum has problems with veins being found for blood tests and for a few seconds I was worried that I had inherited the same problem. But she moved over to my right arm and soon found one that could be used.
She then summoned over a male nurse, who went over the form AGAIN (name and address, to make sure I hadn't substituted myself with another person on the day) and then needled me.
It did hurt, I'm not going to pretend that it didn't. I simply swore a little bit and then tried to relax. Three samples were taken and then I was hooked up to a bag. I had my iPod with me and sat back with a bit of Metallica on. They have a little machine with a counter that goes up, when the green light hits the top of the counter a big red light flashes and it means you're done. There are also smaller red lights which flash if your blood isn't going fast enough, I got that at one point so the nurse made a tissue paper thing that I could squeeze and move because you need to keep your fingers moving to make the blood go faster.
Eventually hit the big red light, needle was removed, I went ow, nurse apologised profusely for it hurting, then gave me a cotton wool pad to hold against the hole in my arm. She went through my form AGAIN, then thanked me for giving blood and wandered off with the bag I had filled. A few minutes after she came back and put a huge plaster on my arm, then got my coat and bag for me and sent me to another area for refreshments. I was given water rather than tea, which I asked for, because if you have a hot drink your blood moves to your stomach to cool it down and regulate your body temperature, but if you're a first time donor your body isn't used to coping with less blood and the side-effect of blood moving to your stomach is more likely to make you dizzy or faint.
So I had 2 cups of water and some biscuits and then texted Mum to ask her to pick me up. Spent the time chatting to the nurse and the other donors.
Overall it was a really good experience, if not a painful one. I've never been good with needles in the first place so I knew it would hurt, at least I was vaguely prepared. I felt a bit light headed halfway through, and at one point I made the mistake of looking at the needle in my arm which made me feel REALLY dizzy. But all the nurses were really nice, especially when they realised how bad I am with needles. The biggest problem I had was with all the red tape. I am absolutely sure that I am not a gay man who has had sex with another man, for one thing, I am a woman. I am also positive that I have never been to Africa or any other country that has an HIV epidemic. I was asked the same questions several times, and had my name and address checked constantly. When I was talking to one of the guys who had donated 60-odd times, he said that the process of taking blood was quicker, but the whole thing was twice as long as it used to be because of all the forms you now have to have.
My sticker says "Be nice to me, I gave blood", I chose it specially to wave at my siblings. My arm hurts, and the finger they used for the haemoglobin test hurts when I try to type with it. I am a mega pansy XD But it's still pretty cool to finish and realise you might have saved a life
Apparantly in a few weeks they'll send me a letter to let me know my blood type, which I've always wanted to know.
Overall, a very positive experience. If you're thinking of giving blood then definitely do it. There are loads of people that aren't able to do it for various reasons, so to me, being afraid of needles simply wasn't a good enough reason to not give any more. So if you're fine with needles, and you're healthy, go for it!
I now have a sore arm, a sore finger, and a sticker.
Overall it was a very good experience, if not one drowing in red tape. I got there and found that because I only signed up late on Tuesday night I didn't have any of the stuff I was meant to have, such as my donor number XD So I had to fill in a form about my entire history of everything, loads of stuff about HIV, Aids and Hepatitis, plus if I had ever had surgery, tests in a hospital, been out of the country in the past 12 months, lots of questions.
Then had an interview with a nurse who asked about the one box I hadn't ticked, which was about surgery and hospital tests. I had to have a tooth removed several years ago, and I had a blood test for rheumatism when I was 17, both of which were noted by the nurse.
Then I had to have a blood sample taken from my middle finger, which is annoying because I'm now trying to type without hitting that finger because it hurts. Once it was checked to make sure my haemoglobins were okay I was sent to a set of chairs and told to drink a big cup of water as quickly as possible to boost my blood pressure. With that done I sat down to wait and in less than a minute was called over by a nurse to one of the big chairs. She went over my form and then tried to find a vein in my left arm...no luck! My Mum has problems with veins being found for blood tests and for a few seconds I was worried that I had inherited the same problem. But she moved over to my right arm and soon found one that could be used.
She then summoned over a male nurse, who went over the form AGAIN (name and address, to make sure I hadn't substituted myself with another person on the day) and then needled me.
It did hurt, I'm not going to pretend that it didn't. I simply swore a little bit and then tried to relax. Three samples were taken and then I was hooked up to a bag. I had my iPod with me and sat back with a bit of Metallica on. They have a little machine with a counter that goes up, when the green light hits the top of the counter a big red light flashes and it means you're done. There are also smaller red lights which flash if your blood isn't going fast enough, I got that at one point so the nurse made a tissue paper thing that I could squeeze and move because you need to keep your fingers moving to make the blood go faster.
Eventually hit the big red light, needle was removed, I went ow, nurse apologised profusely for it hurting, then gave me a cotton wool pad to hold against the hole in my arm. She went through my form AGAIN, then thanked me for giving blood and wandered off with the bag I had filled. A few minutes after she came back and put a huge plaster on my arm, then got my coat and bag for me and sent me to another area for refreshments. I was given water rather than tea, which I asked for, because if you have a hot drink your blood moves to your stomach to cool it down and regulate your body temperature, but if you're a first time donor your body isn't used to coping with less blood and the side-effect of blood moving to your stomach is more likely to make you dizzy or faint.
So I had 2 cups of water and some biscuits and then texted Mum to ask her to pick me up. Spent the time chatting to the nurse and the other donors.
Overall it was a really good experience, if not a painful one. I've never been good with needles in the first place so I knew it would hurt, at least I was vaguely prepared. I felt a bit light headed halfway through, and at one point I made the mistake of looking at the needle in my arm which made me feel REALLY dizzy. But all the nurses were really nice, especially when they realised how bad I am with needles. The biggest problem I had was with all the red tape. I am absolutely sure that I am not a gay man who has had sex with another man, for one thing, I am a woman. I am also positive that I have never been to Africa or any other country that has an HIV epidemic. I was asked the same questions several times, and had my name and address checked constantly. When I was talking to one of the guys who had donated 60-odd times, he said that the process of taking blood was quicker, but the whole thing was twice as long as it used to be because of all the forms you now have to have.
My sticker says "Be nice to me, I gave blood", I chose it specially to wave at my siblings. My arm hurts, and the finger they used for the haemoglobin test hurts when I try to type with it. I am a mega pansy XD But it's still pretty cool to finish and realise you might have saved a life
Apparantly in a few weeks they'll send me a letter to let me know my blood type, which I've always wanted to know. Overall, a very positive experience. If you're thinking of giving blood then definitely do it. There are loads of people that aren't able to do it for various reasons, so to me, being afraid of needles simply wasn't a good enough reason to not give any more. So if you're fine with needles, and you're healthy, go for it!
Goon on ya, well done.
I've donated about 8 or 9 times now, but I must be a bit of a girl because on a couple of occasions I've gone very light headed during the tea and biscuits stage and had to lay down. The last time I was a full on blood gusher too at the tea and biscuits stage, that took some mopping up
Having said that, I am still booked for another session in a few weeks, and once you've been a fainter or a gusher the fuss around you at the next session even more
I've donated about 8 or 9 times now, but I must be a bit of a girl because on a couple of occasions I've gone very light headed during the tea and biscuits stage and had to lay down. The last time I was a full on blood gusher too at the tea and biscuits stage, that took some mopping up
Having said that, I am still booked for another session in a few weeks, and once you've been a fainter or a gusher the fuss around you at the next session even more
I couldnt do I! I feel dizzy when they take a blood sample at the doctors let alone a pint!shakotan- Just because it's common doesn't mean they don't need it. The nurse I was talking to said that they only use a small percentage on emergency surgery nowadays, a lot of it goes to people that need a regular supply for various health problems.
CoolC- There were no fainters or gushers while I was there. I didn't realise how I would feel after though, I just went up the stairs at my usual speed and I was horribly breathless at the top XD A pint of blood doesn't sound like a lot but clearly my body is starting to miss it.
Mike- I made the mistake of looking at the needle once it was in and felt very dizzy so I had to look away. The problem is there isn't much else to look at, you either look at yourself or look at the people around you XD
CoolC- There were no fainters or gushers while I was there. I didn't realise how I would feel after though, I just went up the stairs at my usual speed and I was horribly breathless at the top XD A pint of blood doesn't sound like a lot but clearly my body is starting to miss it.
Mike- I made the mistake of looking at the needle once it was in and felt very dizzy so I had to look away. The problem is there isn't much else to look at, you either look at yourself or look at the people around you XD
O+ Blood can also be used in about four or five groups. I amn a regular donor, and I have never ever heard of them turning someone away for having the wrong blood.
They also often remove the antigens and just make it into plasma (universal)
Well done OP, nothing to it. I never have a problem with it, but I still never look when the put the needle in.....
Make sure you have eaten a decent meal before you give blood.
Last time I gave blood I keeled over shortly after. One min I'm sitting eating a biscuit, next thing I come round to find I'm lying on my back on the floor. Hadn't eaten for 6hrs. Doh!
Echo others comments otherwise - its a hassle free exercise.
Last time I gave blood I keeled over shortly after. One min I'm sitting eating a biscuit, next thing I come round to find I'm lying on my back on the floor. Hadn't eaten for 6hrs. Doh!
Echo others comments otherwise - its a hassle free exercise.
Well done MentalSarcasm, it's nice to do your bit and you might need to get some back one day.
I've been giving blood for a while now (Monday this week was the last donation) and it's definitely turning into more of a process than it used to be but where things like this are concerned I don't mind a few more steps and a bit more care.
I have annoying veins that are deep and sideways so they have to dig about a bit but it's normally no worse than a dull ache for a bit, I try and get compensation with biscuits and orange juice at the end.
For me the worst bit is pulling the plaster off 6 hours later, do they really need to be that sticky?
Well done MS. It's thanks to people as generous as you that means that I and a fair few other PH'ers are still here to type our inane nonsense.
Shatokan, O group blood is the most important as it is the "universal" type. Not everyone can have it, but it's the most useful and often the one they need the most, so get in there and give some. You'll never be turned away unless you don't meet the requirements.
I'm never allowed to give blood again, but I've seen the good it does and I urge anyone who's even contemplating it, to help out. It's really, really appreciated.
Shatokan, O group blood is the most important as it is the "universal" type. Not everyone can have it, but it's the most useful and often the one they need the most, so get in there and give some. You'll never be turned away unless you don't meet the requirements.
I'm never allowed to give blood again, but I've seen the good it does and I urge anyone who's even contemplating it, to help out. It's really, really appreciated.
well done. first time is a pita but from now on they will send you the forms pre-filled in so all you have to do is tick the boxes and stick the needle in.
i give blood every 3 months as they come and set up in our main office building for the day. blood for them, 30mins off work and a cheap night out for me
once did medical testing at uni. they had to take a blood sample every couple of hours so fitted a tap into my vein. very tempting not to play with that i can tell you!
also once had the a trainee nurse take my blood. she didn't press long or hard enough to close the vein and i ended up with a golfball sized lump of blood on my arm. now that was weird!
i give blood every 3 months as they come and set up in our main office building for the day. blood for them, 30mins off work and a cheap night out for me
once did medical testing at uni. they had to take a blood sample every couple of hours so fitted a tap into my vein. very tempting not to play with that i can tell you!
also once had the a trainee nurse take my blood. she didn't press long or hard enough to close the vein and i ended up with a golfball sized lump of blood on my arm. now that was weird!
tapeworm- The nurse told me to soak it in the bath or shower before I even attempt to take it off, so we shall see how that battle goes tomorrow morning XD
IforB- I know a lot of people that can't give blood, 2 have had glandular fever, 1 is underweight, and several are gay men, and now you yourself to add to my list. In the end I realised that "I really hate needles and tend to swear a bit when one goes near me" is no longer a good enough excuse XD
IforB- I know a lot of people that can't give blood, 2 have had glandular fever, 1 is underweight, and several are gay men, and now you yourself to add to my list. In the end I realised that "I really hate needles and tend to swear a bit when one goes near me" is no longer a good enough excuse XD
thetapeworm said:
For me the worst bit is pulling the plaster off 6 hours later, do they really need to be that sticky?
I have just taken mine off! Got it soaked in the shower first of all and it came off without a problem, so next time have a bath or shower and then take it off. The biggest problem now is that the crook of my arm still has loads of the stuff that makes it stick on it XDAlso put a new tiny plaster on over the little scab and got called a "baby" by my Mum, how's that for parental support? Knowing me if I don't have a plaster I'll end up carrying my laptop in that arm and knock the bruise, which will hurt!
So, the day after. Well so far my arm hasn't started bleeding again, which is good. I'm quite tired, go up and down stairs several times in one go makes me a bit breathless, and I have woken up feeling absolutely starving. I could probably eat everything in the house at the moment and still have room to spare.
I'm assuming being incredibly hungry is normal, body is trying to do it's normal jobs AND replace the missing blood ASAP so that using stairs is no longer an exhausting chore. However there is NOTHING about this in the leaflets they gave me yesterday. There's lots of stuff about phoning them if I become ill in the next 2 weeks, what to do if my arm starts bleeding, how I can make another appointment to give more blood, but nothing that says "simply going to the first floor of your house will tire you out and you'll be so ravenous that you want to eat your pet chickens, while they're still alive" XD
Right, I'm off to eat an entire loaf of bread on my own.
Well done for making the effort! I'm giving blood on Tuesday, I absolutely hate it but I know it's a minor irritation for me but might mean life or death for someone else. (and as I'm such a hero for going, I get a takeaway on the way home!!)
My veins are rubbish so every time I go we have a big debate about which arm to use, then they dig about in both, get the new girl to try so she can practice, then get the expert nurse along to sort it out. They always laugh at me for having such a slow blood flow so I have to do the squeezy thing before the machine times out.
I now go to the local hospital unit to give blood as it's a bit nicer that the church hall, and I feel a bit more relaxed about being there (which is silly as the same staff go out and and about in the vans). I did ask about registering for platelet donation but the nice nurse just laughed and said "not with those veins love" - I understand that is quite a commitment and a lot more regular but would be great to do.
Only once have they sent me away without being able to get anything, and last time the nurse thought I wouldn't be able to give too much more due to my veins being completely pants
I'll still keep going whilst they'll have me though, but my advice is NEVER look at the needle going in 
My veins are rubbish so every time I go we have a big debate about which arm to use, then they dig about in both, get the new girl to try so she can practice, then get the expert nurse along to sort it out. They always laugh at me for having such a slow blood flow so I have to do the squeezy thing before the machine times out.
I now go to the local hospital unit to give blood as it's a bit nicer that the church hall, and I feel a bit more relaxed about being there (which is silly as the same staff go out and and about in the vans). I did ask about registering for platelet donation but the nice nurse just laughed and said "not with those veins love" - I understand that is quite a commitment and a lot more regular but would be great to do.
Only once have they sent me away without being able to get anything, and last time the nurse thought I wouldn't be able to give too much more due to my veins being completely pants
I'll still keep going whilst they'll have me though, but my advice is NEVER look at the needle going in Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff