Blood donation nerves!!!

[MyGSXF:Me]

crikey.. just got the call to make an appointment to donate.. so goin in next Tues..

but I gotta tell ya.. I just broke out in a sweat, am all shaky & feel very apprehensive bout it.. why is that?? it's a good thing, to donate.. specially coz I have an uncommon blood type that can be used for other even less common types as well! but the nerves are now completely shot..

anyone else felt like this..?? or am I just weird?!!

oh.. hang on.. don't answer that last bit...

Jen

[Nasty]

Hey .. I think it is great that you are able to donate .. I was told once diagnosed with MS that I couldn't anymore ... and its a disease that is nothing to do with the blood ... oh well

Personally I went for a long walk (got the blood flow going) prior to donating .. made it go so much faster!!! ... oh and have the cookie and tea after!

[MyGSXF:Me]

I was told once diagnosed with MS that I couldn't anymore ... and its a disease that is nothing to do with the blood

Bugger! doesn't really make sense though does it.. it sounds like they are screaming out for people to donate.. then say, thanks no thanks..

Personally I went for a long walk (got the blood flow going) prior to donating .. made it go so much faster!!!

Good idea! a nice distance to walk from my place.. not toooo far, but enought to get the heart rate up cheers

[FruitLooPs]

One of these days i'll donate, I will!

*feels faint from reading this thread*

[vifferman]

but I gotta tell ya.. I just broke out in a sweat, am all shaky & feel very apprehensive bout it.. why is that??

It took a few times of giving blood before I stopped getting clammy, shaky and apprehensive. I go into shock very easily, and the finger prick used to make me nearly faint each time. I've never actually fainted from that, or from giving blood, but have fainted a few times for other reasons (having my face mashed, allergy to anaesthetic and/or pain. etc...)

Part of the reason I decided to donate blood was that the one piece of advice I remember from my father was this: "If something makes you scared, then tackle it head on." Basically, if you give in to fear, it makes you weaker, but if you don't it makes you stronger.
When he told me this, it was in relation to giving blood! That was the thing he first feared the most, and becoming a donor helped him overcome a fear of needles, which stood him in good stead, as he became diabetic in his 20s, and had a life-long appointment with needles thereafter.

Anyway, good for you, deciding to become a donor! It will get easier and less scary each time. And the tiny finger prick is usually the worst bit!

[Gubb]

The last 6 times i've tried to donate, they've turned me away.

Always seems to be something wrong with my blood.

[MyGSXF:Me]

It took a few times of giving blood before I stopped getting clammy, shaky and apprehensive. I go into shock very easily, and the finger prick used to make me nearly faint each time. I've never actually fainted from that, or from giving blood, but have fainted a few times for other reasons

lols.. yeah, the finger prick done in the mall last week.. made me feel woozy... I have naturally low blood pressure too.. so even just standing up too quick can make me see stars! Good to hear from someone that felt the same way.. that these feelings will pass though!!

Part of the reason I decided to donate blood was that the one piece of advice I remember from my father was this: "If something makes you scared, then tackle it head on." Basically, if you give in to fear, it makes you weaker, but if you don't it makes you stronger.
When he told me this, it was in relation to giving blood! That was the thing he first feared the most, and becoming a donor helped him overcome a fear of needles, which stood him in good stead, as he became diabetic in his 20s, and had a life-long appointment with needles thereafter.

A wise man, your dad!! Most definitely tackle fear head on!! Actually.. I've just realised something.. you said your dad had a fear of needles.. I had 21 local injection in my 2 big toes, in a year.. they hurt like hell! I've had blood tests etc since, & been ok.. but "donating" is a biggie!! (well.. tis to me anyway) so maybe that's it!! the thought of a needle being stuck in me for such a long period of time.. gives me the shits! by crikey.. I think you've cracked the case!

It will get easier and less scary each time. And the tiny finger prick is usually the worst bit!

The finger prick hurt...

YES I am a wuss!

Thanks babe xx

[007XX]

One thing I have always found helpful in dealing with stress, pain, fear...
is deep, calm breathing.

Basically just focus your mind solely on taking deep breaths through your nose slowly, and then expelling (slowly again) through your mouth.

Closing your eyes also may help. Do that 3 times in a row slowly and make sure to keep your focus. It might pay to practice a couple of times beforehand..ie: whenever you start thinking about the donation meeting and start getting clammy about it. It'll give you a headway for the day.

Hope that helps...it is mind over matter, so it won't happen overnight, but practice is your friend.

[Sully60]

One thing I have always found helpful in dealing with stress, pain, fear...
is deep, calm breathing.

Basically just focus your mind solely on taking deep breaths through your nose slowly, and then expelling (slowly again) through your mouth.

.

That's exactley what they taught us at ante natel class. It worked really well for for the labour, I felt no pain at all!

No seriously this technique is the best I've tried for dealing with uncomfortable situation wether they be pysical or emmotional. It requires focus like V says but that's what makes it work.

[Number One]

I'm shit scared of needles so I get your apprehension.

Can't donate blood though...I don't weigh enough

[Toaster]

crikey.. just got the call to make an appointment to donate.. so goin in next Tues..

but I gotta tell ya.. I just broke out in a sweat, am all shaky & feel very apprehensive bout it.. why is that?? it's a good thing, to donate.. specially coz I have an uncommon blood type that can be used for other even less common types as well! but the nerves are now completely shot..

anyone else felt like this..?? or am I just weird?!!

oh.. hang on.. don't answer that last bit...

Jen

Good on you, go for it and donate! Well done for having the courage. It's fairly painless and easy process and the cuppa and free biscuits always go down well.

Its a good reminder to me that I haven't done it in a while too.

[007XX]

That's exactley what they taught us at ante natel class. It worked really well for for the labour, I felt no pain at all!

That's exactly where I got to practice it (14 hours of labour with my son), but I certainly got to feel it anyway...8.6 pounds, Lovely!

I also stop hiccups like that...neat party trick when you get someone to get over a nagging hiccup by just regulating their breathing instead of them standing on their head with a spoon in their mouth...

[McDuck]

1
Normal, dont worry. Once you are done you will feel like 'what the hell was a scared for?'

[Minnie]

good on you for going to donate, I actually did it for the first time yesterday in the spur of a moment decision cause my mate was off to do it so i said will, pick me up then and ill go too, i did try many years ago to donate but wasnt heavy enough, no problems there now though, its very quick and easy, just dont plan an adventourous afternoon i went off to my dance class that evening and could not concentrate very well and was just knackered, guess i needed more than the couple of hrs of taking it quietly

[MyGSXF:Me]

One thing I have always found helpful in dealing with stress, pain, fear... is deep, calm breathing. Basically just focus your mind solely on taking deep breaths through your nose slowly, and then expelling (slowly again) through your mouth. Closing your eyes also may help. Do that 3 times in a row slowly and make sure to keep your focus

this technique is the best I've tried for dealing with uncomfortable situation wether they be pysical or emmotional. It requires focus like V says but that's what makes it work.

Brilliant!! Cheers guys! just been sitting quietly doing that & feel better & calmer about it already!! will keep practicing!!!!

I'm shit scared of needles so I get your apprehension

It's fairly painless and easy process and the cuppa and free biscuits always go down well.

free bikkies!! hope they're chocolate!!

Its a good reminder to me that I haven't done it in a while too.

0800 448 325

Normal, dont worry. Once you are done you will feel like 'what the hell was a scared for?'

Will let ya know!

I actually did it for the first time yesterday

WOOHOO!!! you GO girl!!!

its very quick and easy, just dont plan an adventourous afternoon i went off to my dance class that evening and could not concentrate very well and was just knackered, guess i needed more than the couple of hrs of taking it quietly

will keep that in mind! thought I'd take a book down with me.. & then maybe read some more when I get home..

Thanks folks.. your input has helped a lot!!

Jen