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Donating Blood
I gave a blood donation this past weekend, and I am literally...drained.
I've googled this topic, I've found that the fatigue is pretty common, even among the extremely healthy young athletic types (which I am not, I'm healthy enough, but I'm not a young lean athlete)
Donating wrecks me for over a week, I'm lightheaded for a few days, and extremely tired all the time, have to force myself to follow through with any task.
They do have a new machine now, where they can take your blood, take the platelets and give you your blood back, they say it's easier on your body, but it takes quite a bit longer for the procedure.
That machine was always in use, so I went old school.
I don't think I could do this more than maybe twice a year really.
Do any of you go through a recuperation period after donating blood?
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| November 11, 2010, 19:18 |
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slowpoke2
52 / male
aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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Re: Donating Blood
as much as i would like too, i cant give blood
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| November 11, 2010, 19:28 |
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Re: Donating Blood
Yeah, allot of people can't, usually because of medications they are on.
I followed all the pre-donation and post donation recommendations, but still....I'm exhausted anyway, hope to fully recover real soon, I"m falling behind in allot of things
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| November 11, 2010, 19:35 |
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wantubad2
54 / male
white creek, New York, US
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Re: Donating Blood
I gave blood for the first time a few months ago,,I did not seem to have any problem with it.Just a faint bruise.
I have heard of many cases like you say though.Are you a very light wieght person,because that can have this type of effect.Wish you luck and it is great that you give.
I am a lucky one I have O+ blood
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| November 11, 2010, 20:56 |
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Re: Donating Blood
I'm O+ too, from what I've read, allot of people do feel the effect for a week or so, I'm slowly coming out of it.
My sister felt no effect last year, but this year, she had to lay down a few times. I guess it all depends on allot of things.
I hydrated well the day before, and continued that day and after. I just fell exhausted. On the up side, I'm sleeping deep and well at night.
A pint of blood does so much good, so in spite of the after effects, I'll donate at least once a year anyway.
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| November 11, 2010, 21:09 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: Donating Blood
Many people have feelings of being weak and it can be for numerous reasons. I would contact my doctor if it lasts more than a few days just to be safe. There are limits to how much and how often you can donate. I have donated for my daughters open heart surgery as well as for surgery for friends and other family members and even for myself. Fortunitly I and anyone else involved never got more than a bruise. You should keep the limits in mind if you have a person you were planning to donate to if they are going in for surgery in the near future. The times frame and amount limites can be different from agency to agency or hospital and in somecases the type of surgery the person is getting. In the cases I donated for they were very different than a normal blood bank donation but to complicated to go into here. PLEASE also check out who you are donating though. I don't think I'm allowed to name the agency I would love to trash but keep in mind just because they are the biggest doesn't make them good or safe. Also I would like to ask that you think about being a bone marrow donor and organ donar. If your not comfortable putting it on your licence you can let family know or do a living will ,which you can get for free online or at most hospitals. You never know who you might save.
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| November 12, 2010, 10:11 |
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Re: Donating Blood
I lost my brother two years ago, he was an organ donor. The blood drive is where my family and I set up an organ donation information booth, it's an all day event with food and live music. We are fortunate and thrilled to actually know the guy who received on of my brothers organs, he lives in the same area and he is the one that puts together and organizes the blood drive memorial events.
The blood drive is done by the Red Cross and the entire event is a memorial to my brother. From what I've read up on, it's not unusual to feel the after effects of giving up a pint. I just feel so tired for about a week after wards. I feel completely safe donating blood to the Red Cross, they do a fine job every year, I've had to chance to also work with the Red Cross during emergencies like severe flooding. The Red Cross in our area does wonderful things. It's a shame if the Red Cross doesn't have the same reputation everywhere else as they have here.
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| November 12, 2010, 12:07 |
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