Should I Stop Donating Blood?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Here’s the deal…

I’ve been going to donate regularly for about 2 or 3 years now. I’m a very large person with deep veins. The first few times I went, I met with enthusiastic phlebotomists who had no problem finding my veins. I actually gave double red most of the time after that, and from what I heard, the people running the aphresis station are generally more skilled phlebotomists.

But after a while, every time I went in and offered double red, they said they’d rather have my whole blood. I’m at their whim so whatever.

This is when I started running into problems with actually being able to donate. Sometimes I’d have 2 or 3 people digging into my arm to try to get some blood out. They put a BP cuff on my arm and pump it so tight that my arm goes numb. They have me squeeze the ball so much that my arm cramps up.

Sometimes they get blood, sometimes they don’t. A few times the blood would start but not finish filling the bag.

I keep going back, tho. Every so often I get a phlebotomist that trusts me when I say “they tell me it’s right in the middle of my [right] arm and you just have to go for it” and they go for it and get a whole pint and we’re all good.

It’s getting to be that I am only able to donate completely once every 3 times I go. This last time I only filled half of the bag and I ended up with a bruise 3" away from the needle site.

I don’t mind the pain if they are having trouble hitting my vein. But I wonder if I’m not just wasting the Red Cross’s time, and wasting the time of people coming after me (altho I try to go when it’s not very busy). If there’s happy, confident phlebotomists working then I usually make out just fine. But lately it seems like there’s a lot of bored, tired people working and no one is confident enough to stick me properly.

Should I keep trying? I love giving blood because it can help so many different people, and it’s something you can’t just throw money at. All the money in the world can’t replace a pint of real blood.

For the record, I do make sure I’m well hydrated, well fed, and well rested before I show up. I’ve also made sure to skip some cycles, in case my vein is damaged. From what I see, other than losing 100#, I’m doing everything I can do to be a good donor.

I just wonder if I’m wasting everyone’s time.

2

My opinion is that you have done your share. Now it’s not working for you. You have put up with much more than I every would. Maybe the weight loss altered something and perhaps you will adjust down the line. I would suggest at a minimum of giving it a rest of at least six to twelve months. Them try a different center, perhaps a church having a weekend drive. If it happens again, give it up entirely.

3

I have the same problem with getting blood drawn. A long time ago, a phlebotomist told me to announce upon going in “I’m a hard stick”. Several times the phlebotomist who was ready to draw my blood (presumably new) stopped and went to get someone else. I would try tis if I were you. I don’t think you should have to go through the pain and discomfort, especially when it’s not necessary and I would explain this to them.

4

Good point, Anna. And I do tell them I’m a hard stick. This either gets me a good phlebotomist who gets it right in, or someone who wratchets up the bp cuff and pokes me until I turn purple.

5

Something that has worked for me: it is not enough to hydrate yourself the morning of or even the day before. If you start drinking a lot of water at least 48 hours in advance it may go much easier. It did for me when I drank a gallon of water a day for two days ahead.

If you’re already doing something like this, never mind.

6

Yea, I would have said to make sure to drink plenty of water, but you said you already do that. I drink about a gallon everyday, but on the days I donate, I drink closer to 2.

Maybe you could try donating at another blood bank in the area? The staff somewhere else just might be a better fit for you, have more experience, etc. .

7

If you get a tattoo, you’ll have a legit excuse not to donate for a while…

8

That’s no longer true in many states.

In a state that regulates tattoo shops, you can donate immediately after getting a tattoo.

9

Funnily enough, I was thinking maybe you should get a bulls-eye tattoo. :slight_smile:

10

Speaking as both a Red Cross nurse and a regular blood donor, I don’t think you should feel bad either way. Choosing not to donate because it hasn’t been working out for you is certainly a reasonable decision. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with trying again if you want to. The staff have the option of not sticking you at all if they can’t find a suitable vein, so it’s not like you’re making them do it.

11

Thanks for your replies. I think I am going to work more on hydration, that might be where I’m failing. I used to drink a lot more water when I first started donating so that might be why it was easier then. I just need to keep better track of my donation days and start 48 hours beforehand, instead of waking up and thinking “Ok, going to donate today, got to drink.”

Thanks again!

12

I myself have stopped donating, even though I want to. My veins are very hard to see. You’d be surprised, I am not very brown at all, but just brown enough on the inside of my arm that it is harder to see them, and I hate having people poke around.

It is, of course, your choice, as it is mine.