I’ve never made it past the screening before - mostly for anemia. So I may not make it past again. But if I do, I’m a bit freaked out.
Last time I was in the hospital for a kidney infection, they stuck IV drugs in my arm. I nearly passed out, and was moaning. So I’m a bit nervous now.
Reassure me it isn’t all so bad.
Ava
I used to sell plasma twice a week, kinda the same but without the initial weakness. Just keep telling yourself you may help save a life and any adverse reaction will pass within an hour, max. Tell us what kind of cookie you get! 
Naw, it’s not bad at all. Thinking about it is a lot worse than doing it. The poke never bothered me, really. But that first moment the blood starts going, when the tubing goes from room temperature to body temp, it’ll freak me out if I let myself think about it, and the next thing I know they’ll be picking me up out of the floor. If I find something else to focus on for that thirty seconds, though, I’m fine. Clear sailing all the way.
Relax. It’s going to be okay for the following reasons:
You will be fine. I’m sending all my positive energy your way–I’ve been in that chair myself all my life. This too shall pass.
Good on you for donating!! It really doesn’t hurt as bad as an IV. A little stick and about 10-20 minutes of lying back watching TV. Then Cookies!!!
And if you tend to be anemic, please start taking a daily multi-vitamin. Even if you don’t donate it’s a good idea.
Really, it isn’t. CrazyCatLady has it exactly right: Thinking about it is much worse than doing it.
For years I was too scared, but I had surgery a long time ago when I had needed several units of blood. Eventually I decided that I really needed to “pay forward” on that. Before I stopped being able to give blood, I had given more than a gallon.
The first time can be scary, but the nurse who does it is very experienced, trust me. (((((avabeth))))) Just think of the person(people) you’ll help!
First of all, congratulations and thank you for even trying to give blood. I’m always the one running around the office trying to get people to go. So, big thank you.
Now, you will be fine. The nurses do this all day, every day. They are absolutely the best at drawing blood as painlessly as possible. Tell them you’re nervous (though they’ll probably be able to tell) and they will help you through it. Basically, you just have to lay there and think of where you’d rather be. I always use that time to daydream about my future farm. Just don’t try to move your arm at all while you are giving. If you do, you’ll feel the needle and it will not be comfortable. So, just lay there and take it easy. And know that someone out there is very happy that you are doing this.
good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Okay. I’m calming a little. Thanks for the good advice.
I guess my biggest worry is when the blood starts coming out and into the tube. Is THAT gonna make me feel lightheaded?
I’ve checked and my various and sundry medications (for anxiety and arthritis) are legal, so it looks like clear sailing from here.
It’s actually in a van outside of the office - but man, I hope they have a TV. I’ll be just in time for the end of Springer.
Ava
Pinch yourself in the crook of your elbow. Now do it again. Do it two or three times. Doesn’t really hurt, does it?
That’s about all you’ll be feeling. Either close your eyes or look away, and it’ll be nothing.
I had a period in my life where I had to get a blood workup on a bi-weekly basis. Some of these techs were so good at what they do that I literally did not know they had even put the needle in when I was told they were done.
Chin up, and good luck!
Go Ava! Go Ava! You can do it!
waves virtual pom poms around
Are you giving blood to donate, or are you giving blood for medical testing? If the former, ask them if they’ll give you lidocaine (if you’re not allergic, that is) and after the sting of the lidocaine shot, you won’t feel any of the needle/blood giving stuff. Remember to just breathe slowly and look elsewhere if it bothers you to see blood.
It’s a work blood drive - and I’m a lot calmer now:). I’m going in a couple of minutes and I’ll be sure to ask for the lidocaine - I’ve had it before, so I know there are no allergies.
I’m taking a book if there’s no TV. I should ask to borrow my boss’s wireless laptop so I can surf the Dope while I’m in there.
Ava
Donating blood is something I do as regularly as possible. In fact I’m able to donate in a week, so I need to make a schedule to go do it.
In any case, I’m nearing my two gallon donation point. And even though I hate looking at the needle in my arm, I know something is very special about what I’m doing. Not only is my blood going to help some child or adult who might need my A positive blood, but as it turns out I also have a lack of a virus that most adults have. My not having that virus allows my blood to be put to a special use. One pint of my blood is split into 8ths and held in reserve for new born babies who might need it.
That’s an incredible motivator for me, and I used to hate needles. I had an allergic reaction such that in a matter of three days I visited the emergency room more than once a day and had over 11 shots in those few days. And as a kid, that’s traumatizing.
But donating blood is something I feel strongly about.
The pain and uncomfort for you is only temporary, the death of someone else from a lack of blood for a transfusion is permanent
Just a quick little reminder to those who give blood: MAKE SURE TO EAT BEFOREHAND! This is very important. If you don’t skip any meals the day you donate, you should be fine. When I helped out at a blood drive at our school, the only people who had problems were those who had skipped meals. Everyone else was fine.
Like me! I have had to have a total of 5 units tranfused in the past six months, and I am incredibly grateful to all the A positive donors that made it possible for me to receive my transfusions easily and with no delay or problem. I used to give blood when I was younger, and once I am in remission from the illness that makes me need transfusions, I’ll donate again. I always knew it was good and important, but since I’ve been on the recieving end, I realize all the more what a great thing it is, and how many different ways you can make a difference by doing it – it’s not just to dramatically drag people back from the brink of death, but, like in my case, to help someone who is very anemic, feels terrible, exhausted and sick, and make them feel energetic and like themselves again.
yay blood!
Ugh. I got turned down. I passed the blood test, the blood pressure, the temp, and my pulse was too high. They waited and tried again and it was even higher - and I felt totally calm. I guess I’ll just mention it to my doctor tomorrow, but I guess I was more nervous than I felt. I’m kind of disappointed - I watched a woman do it, and it was fine - I think it would’ve been totally fine. And I didn’t get a cookie!
But I’ll keep an eye out for another one in town, at work or not, and I’ll keep trying. I really am disappointed that I got turned down.
Ava
Not an MD or anything, but I think stress/anxiety can increase heartrate. Completely out of your control. Involuntary, but maybe someone can give you tips on helping to lower the pulse?
Anyone? Blood is desperatley needed in many cities. Oh, and keep us updated on those cookies! 
I went to donate just yesterday, too.
I was rejected because my temperature was too high. 100 the first time, waited 10 mins, then 99.6. The cutoff is 99.5. I kind of wish they’d do the finger stick last since, for me, its the least pleasent part of the process. They said I could try again after one day. They gave me a 2 gallon pin to mark my 16th pint before I was rejected and I forget to give it back. Now I’m a little guilty.
This is the third time I’ve been rejected…The first time was for an unlicensed piercing in highschool (nearly 10 years ago) and the second was for travel in a high risk area in Mexico. Each time I was deferred for one year. Just being safe, I guess. At least I tried!
How old do you have to be before you can give blood? I am really calm around needles and blood, so that wouldn’t bother me, and I would like to help out others. Once I stop taking all my drugs( I HATE prednisone :mad: ) for all my aliments, I’ll ask my mom about it. BTW, when I was younger and I was nervous around shots, the nurses always told me to look away and think about the beach. The sun, the sand, the waves…etc.
Generally, 17 with parental permission, 18 without.