Donate Blood = NO STRENUOUS ACTIVITY

[Sledman]

Mental note to self: Never donate blood when you have a volleyball game that same night.

Wow!!! I donated yesterday at noon and drank plenty of water and ate but did I ever run out of gas on the court last night. Absolutely no “hops” or quickness. Couldn’t cover the blocks… was reaching for the ball instead of moving my feet…

We won 2 out of three but I take responsibility for the loss. It’s a bad sign when Sledman has his hands on his knees waiting for the other team to serve.

I thought I was going down last night. It took 15 minutes before I could walk out of the court area and sit down after we finished. I’m still a wreck today. It feels like I went on a drinking marathon till 2 am. Body is sore, I’m listless…

They told me the first time I donated it wouldn’t be a problem as long as I drank plenty of water and had at least 4-5 hours in between donating and playing. And it hadn’t been a problem till last night.

So take heed and don't push yourself too hard after giving blood fellow Dopers.

[andygirl]

I can't give blood. I have a low iron count... I remember the time that I had to get bloodwork done and then went to school.

Everyone thought I was drunk (at 8 in the morning, no less.). The oddest part was apparently when, in the middle of history class, I asked the teacher, "Mr. Walls? Can you make the room stop spinning?" After which I promptly fell asleep on the desk.

I don't remember any of it, and the next day when people were asking me questions... sometimes damage control is a little rough.

[Scotticher]

Might have had to do with some other things that were going on in your life on this particular day, Sledman.

I donate blood ever other month. It is such an easy thing to do to give back to the community, and I have never felt any ill affects.

An interesting thing---I do a lot of volunteering in my community, and some of my friends have commented to me that they would volunteer if they had the time, etc. I always say "Well, if you don't have TIME to volunteer, maybe you could donate blood~~it is easy, and takes little time, and won't be detrimental in any way unless you are not well to begin with." They usually look at me with consternation, and start the old hem-hah thing.

What is the big deal, I would be interested to know?

[KimKatt]

I tried to donate blood three times over about 6 months at my University blood drives. After the third unsuccessful attempt, they told me I should stop trying. See, the little bag that is supposed to fill after about 15 minutes or so? I was there thirty minutes each time, and it never filled more than a third of the way.

It turns out I have a Factor 8 deficiency, which may or may not contribute to my inability to donate blood, depending on which doctor I ask. This is quite unfortunate, as it's something I actually want to do!

[Gazoo]

I have to agree with Scotticher, giving blood is relatively easy. I was never really keen on the idea, but about a year and a half ago I donated for the first time in honor of a co-worker who had a serious car accident. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was no big deal at all. I've never really even felt drained afterwards, although I do make sure to drink plenty of fruit juice before and after.

I can attest to Sledman's difficulties last night. He was pretty pale for a good hour after playing and was unable to indulge in a few beers with the rest of us.

In his defense, he still puts in more effert than anyone else I've ever seen on a volleyball court and his exhaustion was certainly not the sole reason we dropped a game.

[Gazoo]

Damnit, Gazoo, proofread!! effort not effert!

[Diane]

Oh yeaahhhh, I hear ya!

We have a blood drive at work a few times a year. There were a few times (I am a slow learner) that I donated blood and then went directly to my aerobic class or kick boxing.

The first time I thought that maybe I just wasn't into my workout. The second time I didn't know if I was going to last the hour without dropping to the floor. The third time my instructor told me to hit the bicycle about 2/3 of the way through class because I looked a little pale. She said she would kick my butt if I didn't start donating blood after class.

It feels like every ounce of energy is spent within the first few minutes.

[wring]

thanks Sledman both for donating blood and warning about a potential problem. Do you keep track of how much blood you've donated over time?

Scottchier I find most people prefer the concept of volunteering to be much more attractive than the actual action .

[Scotticher]

Yeah, well, what I DON'T understand is this.

I bust my butt volunteering for numerous charities. American Cancer Society, local things. I do this because I WANT TO, not because I think I should be praised.

So why bring it up if you don't really want to give back? I mean, it is not as though I EVER indicate that I think my friends SHOULD do anything like that. I believe it is a totally personal thing, and while I do think that we owe it to ourselves to give, I never say so. Or even imply it. Trust me, I really don't.

So, why bring it up if you are going to get all weird on me? When I suggest you donate blood, should you look at me like a deer in the headlights, or as though I told you to go visit Jeffrey Dahmer's apartment? This may sound extreme, but I really have had these types of reactions.

Sorry, I guess I am ranting. But I really don't get it.

Scotti

[obfusciatrist]

I don't give blood regularly, but I tend to do it whenever I stumble across one of the donation buses (once got to see a movie for free that I was on my way to anyway).

I have given blood on my way to soccer games and never felt any ill effect. In fact, I usually don't even take any of their juice and cookies (unless one of the workers is particularly insistant) because I don't like to sit their looking at the people who are really uncomfortable with giving blood.

Is it weird that I like to see that first squirt of my blood into the bag?

[Sledman]

Originally posted by Scotticher


So, why bring it up if you are going to get all weird on me? When I suggest you donate blood, should you look at me like a deer in the headlights, or as though I told you to go visit Jeffrey Dahmer's apartment? This may sound extreme, but I really have had these types of reactions.

Sorry, I guess I am ranting. But I really don't get it.

Scotti

I think an easy answer is that giving blood freaks a lot of people out. That is why it usually does not take very long.

However, I had an appointment for 11:15am yesterday and didn't hit the hot seat until 12:15(so much for appointments). Luckily my boss is understanding about the giving blood concept and allows for things like that. Takes about 5-10 minutes once I hit the chair.

I agree it is a quick and easy thing to do and if it saves a life...

[Fairy Princess Kitty]

Scotticher, it might not be just because your friends don't want to help out. I for one would never be able to donate blood, I volunteer at church and I tutor at my school but even though they have blood drives at school and it would be easy to go over there I couldn't do it. Some people just don't like blood, the sight of it freaks me out, especially my own blood. My siblings would laugh at me when I was little because when I got hurt I'd be okay for that little while between "ow" and when I saw my own blood, after that I would just start bawling my eyes out. I hate blood and I hate needles, the last time I got my hep boosters and a tetanus shot I passed out cold in the doctor's office, the last time I was in a hospital just while my cousin got a shot, I passed out, years ago when we were talking about IVs in class I fainted. So you see some people just aren't quite cut out for giving blood.

Kitty

[racinchikki]

I wanted to give blood last year at the annual school blood drive, but you have to be 17 and it was a week before my birthday.

At one point I was in the mall with my mom (this is about two, three months ago?) and there was a blood drive, and I wanted to donate, but mom said no because it would take too much time and I'd have to fill out paperwork. I just looked at her. "Mom? You're basically saying 'No, don't save a life, you don't want to have to WRITE do you??!?!' That's not right." She won that time though.

Next time I hear of a blood drive I'll give. I've had my blood taken for blood tests so many times that it doesn't phase me anymore (I just can't look at it while it's being drawn). Plus, I know I don't have any blood disease because of all the tests!

[Sledman]

I'm still not "right" two days later.

Gazoo's being nice...I couldn't cover balls I should get to and I couldn't get out of the sand to hit or block.

[Nacho4Sara]

What is the big deal, I would be interested to know?

I've donated blood about 12 times since I turned 17 (I am 19 now). I have a relatively rare blood type, or so the nurses told me - it's A pos - so I feel obligated. However, it does put me out of commision for a day or two. EVERY time I have donated, the bag fills quickly for about 5 minutes and then slows to a drip. Next thing you know, it's half an hour later and the bag is full. Usually afterward my arm is bruised underneath (you know, about 1 square inch of blood beneath the skin near the prick spot), my arm aches, and it swells up. All the doctors say it is fine, so I deal with it.

If it takes you 10 minutes and you are fine the day after, you had better donate.

[Jesus Christ, Son of God]

You don't know the half of it.

[Nocturne]

I've only donated once...but I turned 17 in March and there's only one blood donation in my town each year, and my school runs it.
I'll donate again this year, too. It didn't take me long to fill my little bag. Five minutes, tops. And no, I'm not a hemophiliac.
It was interesting to find out my blood type. O negative.

[The Mermaid]

It's a piece of cake.

I donate regularly, the next time will be 4 gallons (that's 32 units) I have never felt bad after, and the cookies and juice are always nice. You are always instructed to drink plently of fluids and rest afterwards. Unless you want to get carried out knee-walking drunk after about one tenth of what it usually takes to get you drunk, avoid the bar that night. I believe this is called a vampire drunk. apparently quite a few people sell their blood and use the money to drink on. It only takes a fraction of the usual drink and you get a little left over. Cheap drunk.

Not that I would ever engage in that sort of behavior

[Sledman]

Alright Nacho!!

A-positive here also. They gave me the litle CMV hero sticker too. Something about the blood or a portion thereof being useful for premature babies. How's that for a damn good reason to donate.

Great I finally feel better and I have to go to Decayed-er, Illinois tomorrow for three days.

[Barbarian]

Originally posted by KimKatt
I tried to donate blood three times over about 6 months at my University blood drives. After the third unsuccessful attempt, they told me I should stop trying. See, the little bag that is supposed to fill after about 15 minutes or so? I was there thirty minutes each time, and it never filled more than a third of the way.

this may be exceedingly obvious, but do they give you a squeeze ball to pump as you are trying to fill the bag. I'm a slow bleeder myself, and this does the trick every time.

And for all you folks in the US... do they check your hemoglobin levels when you give? (It's amazing what happens to your blood system after the gov't takes it away from the Red Cross)

[Sunshine]

I'm not allowed to donate either, as I'm anemic and need to keep as much iron in my system as I can. About 10 years ago, I donated at my senior class blood drive, and all was well for about the first 15 minutes afterward. I was sitting at the little table, having my cookie and juice and talking to the girl across from me. After a bit, I started sweating and feeling hot/cold at the same time. Then the girl got this weird look on her face and asked me if I was all right. I asked why and she said I was green. "Green?" I asked and then fell out of my chair and blacked out.

When I woke up, the nice little old blood-drive lady was sitting with me and when I looked at her, she said, "Are you sure you drank your juice?" Anyway, after that I didn't give blood again for a long time because I was afraid to. When I did it again about 5 years ago, the exact same thing happened.

Shortly thereafter, I had to have quite a bit of bloodwork done at my doctor's office, and the first time, all they took was the two little vials and the same thing happened again! Anyway, the doctor forbade me to donate ever again, and when I have to do my regular bloodwork, I have to take a whole day off to recover--from the two little vials! And I also get the swelling and bruising and my arm is out of commission for a few days. When I have a dr. appt that requires bloodwork, they always have juice and a nurse ready to take care of me in case I pass out.

And it just occurred to me that with all the problems I have had regarding donating/taking blood, I don't have any idea what my blood type is. I guess I just don't remember. I'm calling my doctor right now.

[CrankyAsAnOldMan]

Originally posted by obfusciatrist


I have given blood on my way to soccer games and never felt any ill effect. In fact, I usually don't even take any of their juice and cookies (unless one of the workers is particularly insistant) because I don't like to sit their looking at the people who are really uncomfortable with giving blood.

My husband is the same way. He hops up there, squirts out a pint, hops down, and is highly annoyed that he is expected to spend canteen time.

As for me? I have to tank up on tons of water beforehand, eat well, take my time getting up after the donation, sit at the canteen for 1/2 an hour, and then I can barely climb steps for the rest of the day. No kidding.

My husband is a skinny little thing. I outweigh him.

And yes, as Kim indicated, some people are slow bleeders, even with the squeezing. The sad thing is, they end up discarding all of it! If it isn't a full pint, they don't use any. What a bummer.

[andyman]

So far, I've given whole blood 18 times, and sold plasma 4 times. I have O- (universal donor) so if there's a blood drive going on the blood bank I go to usually sends a card. It takes me maybe 10 minutes or so, I very rarely feel it, and yes, it make getting drunk that night easier!

[KimKatt]

Barbarian:

Yep, tried that. Doesn't make a bit of difference.

Cranky:

And that's the big thing. All that effort, and they end up tossing my blood away. It's not just a slow bleed, it's weirder than that. The blood flows fast for the first minute or two, fills the bag about a quarter of the way that quick. Then it almost stops. My mother has the same blood disorder that I have, and as she has phrased it, it almost appears as if our bodies are trying to suck the blood back in. For her this even happens when doing bloodwork - they have trouble filling more than one vial. So far I haven't had that problem.

And on getting dizzy - oh my, I had forgotten about that. On all three donation occasions, I got incredibly dizzy, and ended up having to sleep for the rest of the day. If I get bloodwork, even only a vial or two, I can't drive afterwards.

At least I'm not one of the rare blood types. Then I'd feel really guilty.

[The Mermaid]

And for all you folks in the US... do they check your hemoglobin levels when you give? (It's amazing what happens to your blood system after the gov't takes it away from the Red Cross) [/b][/quote]

When they put that little drop of blood in the blue solution and it floats for a while and then drops to the bottom of the jar, they are checking your hemoglobin level. I forget the exact chemistry but something in the solution reacts with the iron bound to the hemoglobin. It should take a certain number of seconds to drop if your hemoglobin is adequate. If it drops too fast, your blood contains too little iron, thus a low hemoglobin level.

If the timing is borderline, they will put the blood in a centrifuge and spin it out to get an exact Hgb level. Anything over 37-38 is OK. (normal is about 45% for males, slightly less for premenopausal females for obvious reasons)

Ok now tell me what you think happens to your blood system AFTER the gov't takes it away from the Red Cross?

Are you suggesting that the donation process has some retroactive power to negatively affect the body's circulatory system even after the needle is removed? Is the Red Cross involved in some kind of evil plot? Does the government actually take the blood from the Red Cross? You sound just a little bit paranoid, my friend.

OTOH All blood products whether sold or donated is subjected to a battery of test to acertain that it is safe for transfusion. These test include, HIV, hepatitis, many viruses, antibodies, and blood and antigen typing. I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm not suggesting that people are dishonest in answering all the questions put to them by the blood bank workers, I'm saying There is no way to be sure what you have been exposed to whether you know it or not.

[Myron Van Horowitzski]

Type A+ is rare? Huh. I didn't know that, and I'm almost on my third gallon. I'll have to ask about it next time I go in. They do call me a lot, but I thought it was just because I always say yes.

[Gazoo]

Myron - I was a little leary about that as well (I'm also A+), as I seem to know way too many people with that type, so I looked it up. Accordine to the American Red Cross:

O Rh-positive 37 percent
O Rh-negative 7 percent
A Rh-positive 36 percent
A Rh-negative 6 percent
B Rh-positive 9 percent
B Rh-negative 1 percent
AB Rh-positive 3 percent
AB Rh-negative 1 percent

*All figures are based on 1995-96 data.

Yep, A+ is actually the second most common type. It's because it's so common that they are always looking for more of it. It gets used up quicker.

[dwyr]

Originally posted by mojo57
If the timing is borderline, they will put the blood in a centrifuge and spin it out to get an exact Hgb level. Anything over 37-38 is OK. (normal is about 45% for males, slightly less for premenopausal females for obvious reasons)
[/b]

Actually when they spin your blood it is a hematocrit that they're checking which is proportionally related to the hemoglobin level. I usually have a hct that is too low to donate. However I work in a hospital blood bank and on the behalf of our patients I thank all you wonderful people who can donate blood; it seems that there is never enough of the stuff. I purely hate the nights I work when I have to decide who gets transfused and who has to wait because I don't have enough units on hand at the time.

Keep bleeding for your fellow humanoids!

[Myron Van Horowitzski]

Ah. Thanks for the info, Gazoo. It makes sense now.

[Opengrave]

It is a world of coincidence – I gave last night and I’m also A+, CMV-. Another recent blood donation thread is http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...hreadid=40837.

Lots of good info can be found at http://www.redcross.org/ca/socal/edu...dBasics5.html.

[Stella*Fantasia]

I'm giving blood today!! I'm an A+ as well...not sure about my CMV status.

The last time I did it, I felt totally fine afterwards. So fine, in fact, that I forgot by that evening that I had given blood, & I was lying in bed, casually propping myself up on the elbow of my donating arm. Blood abruptly began squirting out of my arm. An astonishing amount of blood for such a tiny hole. It didn't hurt a bit, but the stain is still on my pillow. I have been more careful since then.

[The Mermaid]

Originally posted by dwyr

Actually when they spin your blood it is a hematocrit that they're checking which is proportionally related to the hemoglobin level [/b]

Did I say that? I guess I did. Believe it or not I really am an RN and I KNOW you spin a 'crit. I guess I was just so damn thrilled to reply to a question that I had a little knowledge about that I temporarily lost my head.

BTW A pos here too.

[dwyr]

mojo57, I know what you mean. My mouth is always strewing words about with abandon without checking in with what's left of the old brain.

And I'm an O positive.

[screech-owl]

I miss giving blood. (Temporary hiatus due to health problems.)

Both Roommate and I were pharesis donors (Roommate still does when not driving cross-country). Hour and a half hooked up to a machine and you get most of the blood back. Platelets are used for cancer patients and burn victims. Check with your local blood bank. If you can donate for pharesis, do it.

Good point: serious warm fuzzies from doing a good deed.
Drawback: having to ask someone to scratch your nose for you.

(Pharesis donors - the few, the proud, the machined)

[Nacho4Sara]

Yep, A+ is actually the second most common type. It's because it's so common that they are always looking for more of it. It gets used up quicker.

I wonder why the nurse lied to me? I keep going back, even though it hurts and I hate it...I guess she was misinformed (she also ruptured a vein, which led to some uncomfortable needle movement, which didn't make the pain any less). Anyway, sorry about the incorrect info!