Blood donation nerves!!!

[ynot slow]

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Once the needle is in and they tape the hose on etc you just lie back and relax.

And perve at the nurses hehe,well they were young recruits when I started to donate.

And when they say lie down for a minute,it pays to do so,saw a guy jump off the bed almost as soon as the needle was removed,the nurse just got the plaster on and next second,thud,he colapsed and hit his head on the side of the trolley.3stitches later from doc and he was back at work 30 mins later than if he had taken heed of the nurse.

[McDuck]

And perve at the nurses hehe,well they were young recruits when I started to donate.

Where do you donate?

[maxworldbiker]

And perve at the nurses hehe,well they were young recruits when I started to donate.

And when they say lie down for a minute,it pays to do so,saw a guy jump off the bed almost as soon as the needle was removed,the nurse just got the plaster on and next second,thud,he colapsed and hit his head on the side of the trolley.3stitches later from doc and he was back at work 30 mins later than if he had taken heed of the nurse.

Yeah, I'd endorse that. One time I gave a drop of the good O while in the UK, and they let me go - on my own insistence - straight away back to work. The last thing I remember (before waking up on a stretcher behind a curtain near the row of donor beds feeling sure I'd already left...!!!) was sliding down the wall of the elevator as it took me to the ground floor. A guy getting in caught me just as I was about to hit the deck and crack my head open, whizzed me back upstairs (fireman's lift, I'm no shrimp!) and gave me to the nurse on the desk.

Lesson: nothing is so important that you can't take the necessary time to make sure you're ok before leaving. Oh, and if you're on your way out of there and you suddenly don't feel quite right? It probably means you aint, and its sooo okay to go back and lie down!

[karla]

The quickest I have done it in is 4 minutes 34 seconds ( quicker than average ). It's no stress. Once the needle is in and they tape the hose on etc you just lie back and relax.

Yay - joined the donor club yesterday ~

4 minutes?! I wondered why the guy who came in after me pulled out before me (just). He had obviously done it before, but I still couldn't see why he was faster. Not that it took a long time for me, was quite quick really once it started.

I didn't read the instructions properly - drink plenty of fluids on the day, Jen. I skulled a litre about an hour before but it's probably better to have a few glasses of water throughout the day. And, next time I'll probably push bike in.

You'll be fine Jen

[Livvy]

Fark, I know how ya feel gal, I've had over 25 piercings and I still felt like I was gonna wet myself first time I went in for a blood test. Can't donate though, because I've had so many piercings and some very recently, but I remember being amazed when she said she was done taking samples... I was like, what, I got myself all worked up over THAT?

I will donate one day though, should I a) ever weigh enough and b) stop getting needles shoved through various body parts.

[PrincessBandit]

I'm with Kickaha and Donor - no worries at all, watch the needle go in, watch the blood etc. etc. Was starting to think I was weird, but now I know I'm not alone! Good reminder, I haven't donated for quite a while so will make an appt. I'm O pos, and have some vague idea that that's pretty much user-friendly for most types. Maybe Donor can shed some light on that? But hey, not matter what your type it's gonna be in demand so let's all make some appointments ay? Maybe we could descend en masse at the clinics on our bikes? (or if there is already something like that organised let me know!)

[Beemer]

I am in involuntary blood donor - I have haemochromatosis which means my body stores iron at a dangerous level and blood removal is the only treatment. Thankfully I have got to 46 without needed venesection but my iron saturation is now 100% so I had to have some blood taken off last month.

I must confess I was as scared as hell as I loathe needles, but the needle didn't hurt at all. However, they had to stop before they got the 500mls or so I was meant to have removed as I just about passed out. I couldn't decide if I was going to throw up or pass out! I have never felt so ill in all my life! They dropped the head of the bed and left me like that for a good half hour before I started to feel any better. I got out of there an hour and a half after arriving and am not looking forward to my next visit in two months.

I still have a huge red spot where the needle went in and that was about two or three weeks ago! My sister has had to have blood taken off more aggressively than me and her arms are scarred now. But I hate her so I don't care, and the nurse said mine will never get like that as they can keep it under better control because they have caught it so early.

I felt sick all that night as well, and really tired. I hadn't eaten much before going and hated the biccies (we only eat home made ones!), plus the cordial was vile, so that didn't help! Next time I will have a good meal first and drink plenty of water - but I'm also taking Andy with me as I felt so crook driving home from Palmerston North hospital last time. They can't take it here in Levin unless the blood donor bus is visiting so I have to travel up there.

I've got four tattoos and I have NO problem with those needles as they don't shove them into your veins!

[MyGSXF:Me]

well.. "D" day (D for donation.. ) has arrived so I am getting ready to head off to my appointment.. I've had several days to get used to the idea now.. so the nerves aren't toooo bad this morning..

but they're still there... a little..

Wish me luck...

[McDuck]

well.. "D" day (D for donation.. ) has arrived so I am getting ready to head off to my appointment.. I've had several days to get used to the idea now.. so the nerves aren't toooo bad this morning..

but they're still there... a little..

Wish me luck...

Good luck.

And it is bad luck if you get inside the nedil.

[peasea]

well.. "D" day (D for donation.. ) has arrived so I am getting ready to head off to my appointment.. I've had several days to get used to the idea now.. so the nerves aren't toooo bad this morning..

but they're still there... a little..

Wish me luck...

It's nothing; we give blood regularly and once you're on the books you don't even need to remember the appointments; they ring you in advance.

I'd encourage everyone to give blood as you never know when you might need it back or when someone's life might be saved using your donation.

Good on ya, and that goes for all donors.

[MyGSXF:Me]

Hi honey.. I'm home. All done!! was easy peasy!!! The ladies attending to every one were fantastic! I said I was a noobie & also have low blood pressure (often see starts if I stand up too quick..) & they looked after me real well!! thoroughly explained the whole process & made me feel very comfortable throughout! Took just on 5 minutes to collect! not bad for a noobie! Will definitely be going back to do it again!!

Even got chocky bikkies with my coffee afterwards!!!

Thanks to all for your support!!

Would thoroughly recommend to everyone who can, to pleeease go & donate!!!

[MyGSXF:Me]

I feel a challenge coming on......

All done & dusted at this end how you doin???

[scumdog]

It's nothing; we give blood regularly and once you're on the books you don't even need to remember the appointments; they ring you in advance.

I'd encourage everyone to give blood as you never know when you might need it back or when someone's life might be saved using your donation.

Good on ya, and that goes for all donors.

Wot 'e sed, they're always crying out for donors, do it.

Besides:The life your donation saves might be your own.

[ynot slow]

See painless and no worries,good on ya joining the club,bestest one to belong too.Did ya get a sticker to say I donated blood today?

Blood saved my life under surgery,about 8 units pumped in in seconds,doc hit a vein,apparently wasn't good for the heart lol,woke up after 6 hours surgery to have an ecg.Worst part was having to have chemo stuffed me giving blood again,mind you donated for 23 yrs prior,so good to even the ledger so to speak.

[klingon]

I used to be a regular plasma donor until I got cancer and they told me they didn't want my blood any more

My plasma used to get made into Factor VIII and Factor IX for haemophiliacs so I was always happy to help. I enjoyed donating plasma because they would take out the whole blood, put it through a machine that separated all the components, put the plasma into the donation bag, then mix the red cells with saline and put it all back into me again!

The whole process is done with clear tubes and clear containers so you see it all happening right in front of your eyes. The only problem was in winter when the saline was cold and you'd feel the pump reverse and start putting all this cold fluid back in your veins! Brrrr!

With plasma you can donate more often because you don't have to wait for your body to re-stock its red cells. I used to donate every 4 or 5 weeks. I still have arms full of track marks as a souvenir!

Donating blood is definitely a good thing to do. Wish I could still do it.