giving blood

[Iknownothing]

I am 17 and have given blood twice, but on both occasion it made me feel faint. I really want to give blood and was wondering if anyone had any advice on how I can guard myself against feeling faint.

[krissy04]

I give blood all the time..I always make sure i drink alllllot of fluids and eat a lot of sugary foods the day b4 i give blood, and on the day that I do give the blood also. I find if i get up too quickly after giving blood that i do feel faint. But then i go sit down and eat some food..and after when im feeling fine i go home...then i relax for the rest of the day!!

[PurplePixie]

Make sure you weigh enough. I know I conked out once & later checked & found I was under the recommended weight for giving blood (which I believe is 8 stones, but not certain)

[sddsddean]

Agree with krissy. I wouldn't worry so much about a lot of fluids, but make sure you eat through the day. I usually have a Mars or similar about an hour before I go in. It's just to make sure there is something in your stomach. If you have only given blood twice, your body is not used to it yet. When you have given, stay laying down for at least 10 mins. Don't feel you have to vacate the bed just 'cos there is a queue. Donor sessions seem to have changed lately. You used to get put onto a recovery bed for your 10 minutes, but nowadays they don't bother and seem to want you out as soon as possible. Then sit and have your tea and biscuits. If you don't feel well, tell someone. Don't just brave it out. The nurses are there to help you. Keep at it if you can. As Tony Hancock said, its like any other bank. You put it in when you're flush and draw it out when you need it! (Which is hopefully never).

[nicola_red]

My mum has low blood pressure and after a couple of aborted attempts at giving blood they told her not to bother going back.  It's worth getting that checked out. 

[dirtyharriet]

Could you be slightly anaemic?

[krissy04]

If Iknownothing was anaemic then he/she wouldnt even be able to give blood..because when they prick your finger and take a sample of blood, then they drop it in that solution, if it doesnt sink then they wont let you give blood. BUTT also if it doesnt sink they give you another test to see if your blood has enough Iron in it.. This is how they do it in Canada and the US...im not sure about the UK tho?!

[smudge]

krissy you are right. When I used to give blood, the nurse always pricked my finger first & tested to see if I was able to give blood. If you weren't up to scratch, you were asked to make an appointment with your GP for an examination.

[dirtyharriet]

I'm afraid you're wrong there.

I used to be a regular blood donor and passed the finger prick test each time, however I WAS slightly anaemic and given iron tablets by my doctor. As I said if you are SLIGHTLY anaemic then it won't always be picked up.

[smudge]

dirtyharriet - I'm confused. You tell me I'm wrong, then echo in agreement with what I've already posted, regarding anaemia & visiting the doctor for further investigation & treatment. I also used to be a regular blood donor, along with my husband & two daughters. I can assure you, that if any of us girls were ever anaemic, it would show up on the pre-test. If it didn't, we were was told we were fine & able to give blood.

[smudge]

* delete was after were!

[dirtyharriet]

It's perfectly simple SMUDGE.
If you reread what I posted you will see that I said I did give blood regularly and ALWAYS passed the finger prick test.
What I didn't mention is that due to feeling ill and tired I visited the doctor who diagnosed anaemia. OK?

[krissy04]

dirtyharriet-I just dont get how if you were slightly anaemic how you could pass the finger prick?!? The solution is made to keep blood low in Iron floating!!! Maybe the solution was skewed whenever you went? But oh well.. I'll take your word for it.. :) 

[smudge]

dirtyharriet - I've just read what you failed to mention before & now know that your visit to the Doctor was nothing to do with you actually giving blood. Hope you're no longer anaemic, the symptoms can be quite debilitating. :)

[dirtyharriet]

Hi Smudge, unfortunately yes, I am still anaemic after nearly a year on iron tablets. Thanks for asking.


Krissy04 I have no idea why I kept passing the finger test. However I haven't been to give blood now for a long time due to feeling very tired and shaky afterwards, that's why I wondered if Iknownothing may have a very slight deficiency that wan'y picked up on.

Just trying to be helpful that's all.

[smudge]

dirtyharriet - I do sympathise with you, as our eldest daughter was very anaemic & suffered terribly when expecting her second baby. She ended up staying in hospital for a month before giving birth, having several blood transfusions, before & after. She is still not 100% & is constantly tired, even though her little daughter number two, was born two years ago! Hope you feel better soon.