I donated blood about a year ago, and I really want to again, but I am so scared.
They are having a drive at my apt complex tomorrow, and I know I should give, and I actually want to, but I get so terrifed!
I mean logically, I know I will be fine, but my utter fear of needles is making me think I am going to back out.
I keep getting weak thinking about it.
Do you think the blood-takers mind dealing with scared little chickens like me? I mean so you suppose, they assume it “just part of the job” or would they rather I just stayed home?
And to clarify, I am very polite about it all. I try to make jokes and stuff about how scared I am, but I know they can tell I am terrifed.
As a lab tech in a former life (the people who take ALL the blood in a hospital are lab techs), if you are just scared, but not likely to pass out or puke, go for it. Nothing kills fear like facing it.
If you pass out and/or puke, please don’t. I had a guy faint on me once (literally on me - he collapsed forward in the chair, and there I stood with an incredibly sharp dirty needle in my hand), and it was a bad scene.
And good for you for donating blood. I used to donate regularly (being A- means I’m kinda rare).
Do it. In addition to feeling good because you might actually help someone, you’ll be so proud you got over your fear. Took me years to actually get up the courage to do it, and not only wasn’t it painful, I felt really good.
Here, they are so kind to people donating blood, and they are even more encouraging with first-time donors. The technicians at blood services are infinitely better at drawing blood than the technicians at the hospital lab in my city - I didn’t feel a thing.
Drink a lot of water beforehand and make sure you’ve eaten sometime that day. It’s easier to find a vein (and it will take less time to donate) if you’re well hydrated, and the food help to make sure you don’t get lightheaded.
I’ve only given blood a few times, but they’re usually very helpful with people who are new or nervous. They probably deal with a lot of people who are a little jittery, so they should be used to it. If you tell them when you go in that you’re afraid of needles, if they don’t act like they’re willing to go easy on you, you can just leave.
I’m more afraid of passing out than I am of the needles. The first time I gave blood, I think I hadn’t eaten for a long time before I gave blood, and I felt woozy for a while. It was much better the second time.
featherlou, I am A neg also. I did fine last time I gave. I was scared but I did not puke or passout. I just got a little hot and they put an ice pack under my shirt. I felt much better after that.
I made myself last year for the reason Cyros mentioned. Just to defeat my fear of it, and it was not bad at all.
I think I get myself too worked up dreading it, for no real reason.
I am gonna go work out before I give ( I felt too weak after last donation to work out that day), eat a bite and drink alot of water!
I was still nervous the second time I gave, even though the first time was perfectly fine. Once it became a habit (I was donating every 2 months) it was like breathing. It takes a while to break the fear pattern, I think.
Sometimes it helps to think about who will benefit from your donation. To wit: Somewhere out there in the US Midwest, there is a woman whose life was saved by a skillful surgeon, a fast lab tech in the blood bank (me), and 25 donors. And it took all 25 donors to save her. Everyday in the US there are dozens of people in the same situation, and your blood could go toward saving their lives. You could be a hero twice; once for donating blood, and once for overcoming your fear of needles to help someone you will never meet.
You can do it, Mint Julep. It’s a brave thing to face your fear to benefit someone else.
I could donate every eight weeks but I’ve only been donating three times a year when we have campus blood drives, because the blood center is a bit far for me to walk. When I’m able to get there when I want, though, I’m definitely going as often as I can.
Back when I was donating regularly, I felt like I was healthier after donating - like my body was full of fresh, healthy, energetic new blood. It could have been all in my mind, but who knows? Maybe those old quacks that bled people for every problem were onto something.
“Logic clearly dictates - the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
and
“Lie back and think of Britain.”
I hate needles and I love giving blood. Even though it chews up my lunch hour, I can think of no better way for me to help a stranger. Unlike donating money to charity, I’m reasonably confident that my blood won’t be mis-appropriated or used needlessly.
Look away when the needle comes, and think of something else when you start to feel a big prick.
What?
I’ve been borderline anemic all my life. Not sure what my H and H is now, but I don’t think I can pre-donate for my upcoming surgery. So I wanted to thank all of you who take the time and endure the discomfort to donate, over and over or even just one time. You are all heroes to me.
Anyone know how many units I’ll get during total hip replacement? I heard the possibility of 3 units, which is totally freaking me out right now. I know it’s a brutal
surgery, but sheesh, that’s a lot of blood.
BTW, I’m a dialysis educator who thinks nothing of sticking 15 Gauge needles into patients but gets a little dizzy at the thought of the 18 G they’ll be putting in me soon. So much for practice what I preach…
Totally go! Aside from the suggestions made above, would it be easier for you if you went with a friend? You could both donate, or the person could just sit with you while you were donating.
Beckwall - dialysis uses 15 gauge needles?!? :eek: You could drive a truck through those!
My mom (0 neg) always donated too, even though she is also chronically anemic. Last time she tried, they told her if her hemoglobin was any lower, she’d be getting a unit.
Serious, serious, SERIOUS suggestion: make sure you eat a completely full meal before you donate.
I didn’t and fainted when there was a blood drive at work a few years ago. I was totally embarrassed when it happened because I’d been attempting to convince a few younger co-workers to volunteer.
That actually needles sticks were barely noticeable.
I have a freaky phobia to needles in veins. Give me shots in the arm all day long and I’m fine but if you stick a needle in my vein I freak out.
It’s the damnist thing.
Because of this I can’t give blood without a nice big shot of Versed first. That said, if they gave Versed to people at blood drives, I’d be giving 3 pints a week.
Do what I do. Get one tattoo a year. Then you can’t give blood and you have a valid excuse.
I am totally afraid of needles but I give blood at least twice a year. Do make sure you have eaten and are very well hydrated - if you are dehydrated it is more dificult to find the vein. Tell the techs that you are afraid - they will get the one with the steadiest hand to do your stick. If you feel at all dizzy during/after the donation - tell them! Don’t just stand up because there is a possibility you could faint. I have to rest at least 15 minutes after a donation - I honestly think it is more in my head than from the physical effects of the donation. Enjoy some juice and snacks and think about what a wonderful thing you have done to help someone else!
Our local SPHL hockey team sponsors a blood drive every year. It really helps distract you from the needle if you have a delicious young hockey player or two holding your hand!
hugs
