I'm thinking of giving Blood
Discussion
As per title, any tips/tricks?
I've been throught the websites etc but looking for some practical PH advice
I'm terrified of needles so not looking at what's going on is a definate (do you just lie there and do nothing)
My last injections were at School & Dentist and I fainted / felt faint.
How long is the recovery? Do you feel fine after the juice & bisuits and is it safe to drive, if not how long after? (I might prefer to have a session outwith my immediate area first if possible)
Is it advisable to have eaten immediately before or after and if so any particular foods better than others.
As you can see I'm a bit of a worrier!
I've been throught the websites etc but looking for some practical PH advice
I'm terrified of needles so not looking at what's going on is a definate (do you just lie there and do nothing)
My last injections were at School & Dentist and I fainted / felt faint.
How long is the recovery? Do you feel fine after the juice & bisuits and is it safe to drive, if not how long after? (I might prefer to have a session outwith my immediate area first if possible)
Is it advisable to have eaten immediately before or after and if so any particular foods better than others.
As you can see I'm a bit of a worrier!
Needles have got better, while not being a fan of injections they are never as bad as you think they will be.
Having said that i was in A+E the otherday with a doctor trying to take a special type of sample from my wrist. (blood coming from the heart and not going back to the heart if i understood it correctly) This involved insterting the needle into my arm and then searching for the sweet spot.
Once he inserted the needle and started rooting around, he informed me that i would have to relax in order for this to work..it took a little while , i can tell you
ETA: btw emsman, they have moved the reception at MK A+E, just turn right when you go in.
Having said that i was in A+E the otherday with a doctor trying to take a special type of sample from my wrist. (blood coming from the heart and not going back to the heart if i understood it correctly) This involved insterting the needle into my arm and then searching for the sweet spot.
Once he inserted the needle and started rooting around, he informed me that i would have to relax in order for this to work..it took a little while , i can tell you
ETA: btw emsman, they have moved the reception at MK A+E, just turn right when you go in.
Edited by Hedders on Tuesday 5th October 15:17
Do it, it's no bother at all.
Just make sure you've had a good meal before hand, and have a drink when you get there. Recovery can differ between people, but for me I feel fine after a cup of sweet tea, a couple of biscuits and 10 minutes or so. I usually drive there and back.
If you feel faint afterwards just let the nurses (I think that's what they're called) know and they will look after you.
Just make sure you've had a good meal before hand, and have a drink when you get there. Recovery can differ between people, but for me I feel fine after a cup of sweet tea, a couple of biscuits and 10 minutes or so. I usually drive there and back.
If you feel faint afterwards just let the nurses (I think that's what they're called) know and they will look after you.
CoolC said:
Do it, it's no bother at all.
Just make sure you've had a good meal before hand, and have a drink when you get there. Recovery can differ between people, but for me I feel fine after a cup of sweet tea, a couple of biscuits and 10 minutes or so. I usually drive there and back.
If you feel faint afterwards just let the nurses (I think that's what they're called) know and they will look after you.
This - just do it. Hardly any effort on your part but it could literally be the difference between life and death for the recipient!Just make sure you've had a good meal before hand, and have a drink when you get there. Recovery can differ between people, but for me I feel fine after a cup of sweet tea, a couple of biscuits and 10 minutes or so. I usually drive there and back.
If you feel faint afterwards just let the nurses (I think that's what they're called) know and they will look after you.
Edited by Zippee on Tuesday 5th October 15:18
Easy peasy. I've been giving blood since I was 18 and recently got my gold medal for 50 donations.
The needle is just a little bit sore as it goes in and that's it. They don't like giving local numbing anymore so just look away and grit your teeth.
Recovery is a breeze. Tea and biscuits (mmm Bourbon creams!) and able to drive straight away. No heavy lifting for the rest of the day or ladders apparently.
Always have meals as normal but nothing specific. Try not to eat immediately before the donation as it slows down the blood flow.
In recent donations, I've had a bit of a post donation bleed. Usually because i've had ibuprofen a few days before I think. Affects the clotting rate and makes bleeds easier. Nothing to worry about but a bit of a pain when eating my borbon cream!
I always feel great afterwards. Not sure if the lower blood levels reduces my stress levels or just that I think i've done something good.
The needle is just a little bit sore as it goes in and that's it. They don't like giving local numbing anymore so just look away and grit your teeth.
Recovery is a breeze. Tea and biscuits (mmm Bourbon creams!) and able to drive straight away. No heavy lifting for the rest of the day or ladders apparently.
Always have meals as normal but nothing specific. Try not to eat immediately before the donation as it slows down the blood flow.
In recent donations, I've had a bit of a post donation bleed. Usually because i've had ibuprofen a few days before I think. Affects the clotting rate and makes bleeds easier. Nothing to worry about but a bit of a pain when eating my borbon cream!
I always feel great afterwards. Not sure if the lower blood levels reduces my stress levels or just that I think i've done something good.
I once managed to donate a pint of my finest, but I am now banned from doing it for the next 3 years.
St John's Ambulance reasoning was that it's all well and good giving a pint, but if you pass out on the walk back to the office and smash your face open on a bench and then need more than you gave in order for them to put you back together again it's not really a good investment!
St John's Ambulance reasoning was that it's all well and good giving a pint, but if you pass out on the walk back to the office and smash your face open on a bench and then need more than you gave in order for them to put you back together again it's not really a good investment!
sherman said:
monthefish said:
Hedders said:
AndyAudi said:
Also I saw something about a local Anaesthetic being an option.
Is this something folk take and if so does it make a big difference?
I always have a good few beers first.Is this something folk take and if so does it make a big difference?
x 2 = 
As students, when times were hard, we'd often give blood before a big night out - very cheap way of getting drunk.
I've been giving blood for years and now donate blood platelets every 5-6 weeks.
The needle looks worse than it is.... it took me a long time to actually watch it going into my arm
Yes you lie there for a while.... sometimes you lie next to nice looking females
Recovery is forced on you - sit for 5-10 mins and have a drink and biscuits or crisps - but not needed at all unless you are ginger
Do it, it's needed and makes you feel special
The needle looks worse than it is.... it took me a long time to actually watch it going into my arm
Yes you lie there for a while.... sometimes you lie next to nice looking females
Recovery is forced on you - sit for 5-10 mins and have a drink and biscuits or crisps - but not needed at all unless you are ginger
Do it, it's needed and makes you feel special
I haven't done it for a while now so may have changed but they used to check your haemoglobin levels first (tiny drop of blood needed from tip of finger) if ok can give blood, if too low you have to go back and you get a leaflet showing the sort of foods to increase it
Needles aren't so bad, just don't look, even when they did one on me that wasn't sitting right it wasn't painful just pinched a bit, I told them, they adjusted it and all fine. EMLA cream is a local cream that could be applied but takes 20mins to work and they usually need to move people on faster then that (not sure if they'd even have some)
After tea and biscuits are nice to have, I did feel light headed once for a few secs but I think it was just because I got up too quickly to get to my biscuits. I remember doing aerobics once after giving blood, not recommeneded but I was fine.
Good on you for thinking about it, hope you manage to.
Needles aren't so bad, just don't look, even when they did one on me that wasn't sitting right it wasn't painful just pinched a bit, I told them, they adjusted it and all fine. EMLA cream is a local cream that could be applied but takes 20mins to work and they usually need to move people on faster then that (not sure if they'd even have some)
After tea and biscuits are nice to have, I did feel light headed once for a few secs but I think it was just because I got up too quickly to get to my biscuits
. I remember doing aerobics once after giving blood, not recommeneded but I was fine.Good on you for thinking about it, hope you manage to.
Edited by becksW on Tuesday 5th October 15:40
The Blood Service bring a wagon to my office, so I normally donate there. I have done some travelling to India for work recently though, which means innoculations, which means that I am not allowed to donate for 1 year after I return from the Subcontinent.
It is easy though, just lie back and relax. Can't look at the needle going in, but it is OK when it is positioned properly!
It is easy though, just lie back and relax. Can't look at the needle going in, but it is OK when it is positioned properly!
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