Have you donated blood ?

I have several times but not for a while. It makes me groggy for days and I couldn’t risk being dizzy for a week when my job involved driving my kids everywhere. A friend recently suggested I look into plasma donation instead since that’s less fatigue inducing. Turns out there’s a full time Red Cross location near me so it’s not that far out of the way. I had to wait for my last tattoo to be a year old, which just happened so I’ll make an appointment hopefully for the next school break since it takes longer than a regular blood donation.

When I was younger I did think about it but later due to being gay, could not because of AIDS. I think now there is a better view of giving blood regarding LGBT?

Yes a few times ,I try to do it every six Months

Yes, I have donated blood.

I did this year for the first time. I fainted! :O

Even though my CPA kept telling me I couldn't write off plasma for tax purposes, I used to donate on the regular anyway. I was in high demand by the Red Cross vampires due to my blood type, and what else did I have going on a Thursday night?

Then I accepted a certain 'temporary career position' overseas, and because of it I'm perma-banned from ever donating again, due to the geographic location. I didn't pick up any diseases or anything but them's the rules so farewell to those free Krispy Kreme donuts and the occasional cute vampirella technician drawing my blood.

I haven't yet but it's something I'm going to do as I think it's really important after all if I needed blood in an emergancy I would sort of expect it to be available. I would recommend everyone does it but can't really preach considering I haven't done it yet.

I gave blood when I was young, but I never saw an erotic aspect to this action, it was rather a chore. It is true that the questionnaire became more and more inquisitive, and asked about sexual practices.

Usually every month or so I go to the American Red Cross to donate platelets. Not a fun experience at all. Takes about two hours and you have needles in both arms, leaving you unable to move them. One draws the blood and sends it to a machine to extract plasma, the other sends the blood back in. Ironically, you can donate more frequently than you can whole blood. In addition to doing something good, they usually offer a reward like a t-shirt or an e-giftcard.

Donate as often as I can because it is an easy, good thing to do.

Many Times, always Double Red (Power Red)

What is a Power Red Donation?

Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.

Maximize your impact and schedule a Power Red donation today!

Usually every month or so I go to the American Red Cross to donate platelets. Not a fun experience at all..

I used to donate platelets, but I always enjoyed it. They had us in chairs a lot like at the dentist, in a reclined position, covered with blankets. They would put on a movie, and bring us something to drink, if we wanted, and hold the straw to our mouth, since we were hooked up at both arms. Some would even take a nap.

Back then, mid-90's, it was relatively new, and they did a special banquet each year to thank platelet donors, and we got t-shirts which were different than the ones traditional blood donors received.

Each donor was paired with a patient who would receive the platelets. Mine was a leukemia patient.

Interestingly, platelets could be donated more frequently back then, every 14 days. Now, it's 28 days between donations. I'm not sure why that is.

Now, they asked me to switch to donating red cells, (Power Red,) that being more valuable due to my O-negative blood type, which is only every 112 days. But, I do miss the more frequent donations, I always felt good about it each time.

One thing similar between platelets and red cell donations is that you don't lose volume in your bloodstream, so you don't need to drink more fluids. I didn't know this, and before my first platelet donation I drank extra glasses of water. The last hour during the donation, I was in increasing discomfort! I wasn't sure I'd be able to get out of the chair, afterwards, and I barely made it to the bathroom in time. Never made that mistake again!

(I've edited this from earlier, after checking with the Red Cross.)

I learned something interesting, while donating today. I'd never understood that you can donate platelets every 28 days, regardless of how recently you've donated whole blood.

The Red Cross staff explained this to me, saying it depends on your iron level, so it may not be possible for everyone. This also may vary from region to region, they set their own rules.

Now, because I donate the red cells, (Power Red or Double Red,) I'm not eligible to donate anything for 112 days. But, for whole blood donors, it is possible to donate platelets in between whole blood donations.

I have donated in the past but had a quad bypass in 2005 and am on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood thinners, and diabetes meds. I never checked but assume they won't want it with 5 or 6 meds in it. Is that correct?

I do so with some regularity. I am a donation shy of my 5 Gallon card. Its an important thing to do and they give you yummy snacks afterwards!

I have donated in the past but had a quad bypass in 2005 and am on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood thinners, and diabetes meds. I never checked but assume they won't want it with 5 or 6 meds in it. Is that correct?

I'd give the Red Cross a call. It may differ by region, so check with your local one.

I took myself out of donating for a while when I had skin cancer, although they said they were fine with my blood.

No, last time I checked, gay men are not allowed to donate blood in NL. Rather controversial really since it's about the most open-minded country in the world concerning gays. I think they don't formulate it as 'gays cannot donate' but 'men having had anal intercourse cannot donate'.

I have donated in the past but had a quad bypass in 2005 and am on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood thinners, and diabetes meds. I never checked but assume they won't want it with 5 or 6 meds in it. Is that correct?

No, they will still take your blood. I had quad by-pass in 2001, prostate cancer surgery in 2007, take cholesterol meds, kidney meds, blood pressure meds and use an insulin pump; and, they still take mine. They will give you a list of meds (or types of meds) that will prevent you from donating. I am still able to donate and I would assume you would be, too. Just check the list of meds very good.

I donated blood a few times and during my last visit, when they checked my hematocrit, I was below the minimum requirement. The next time I went to the doctor, they checked my iron levels and they were all screwed up. I had to start taking iron pills and lasted for 6 months. My GI doc was also concerned and has been checking my iron and ferritin levels every three months. I just had it done, and the results are fine, but not really stable. He wants to check it again in 3 months.

So my GP told me that donating blood was probably not my thing. It gave me a good sense of contributing to help others, but sadly I have been sidelined.

Emjaybe - don't give up. It might just be a temporary blip.

Back in the years when I donated whole blood once every two months and blood plasma up to every three days, I was once rejected for low iron.

While shopping for liquid Castile soap at a local health food shop (my only reason for going there) 😃 , I happened to notice a product that appeared made for the occasion (see link below). I tried it and henceforth used it on a regular basis. My blood iron level never again tested low. The stuff is great tasting. The only downside apart from the cost is that it will stain your teeth much as red wine will (only faster).

When I mentioned it to my doc, he said all the liquid iron supplements he knew about were somewhat foul tasting. On my next visit to see him, I presented him with an unopened bottle, accompanied by a spoon, for him to try for taste and he put it on his recommended list for patients needing iron supplements.

https://www.amazon.com/Floradix-Vitamin-Formula-Liquid-250ml/dp/B002F5EUQ8/ref=sr_1_10_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1530721247&sr=8-10&keywords=floradix%2Biron%2Bplus%2Bherbs&th=1

Note that a regular intake of foods containing vitamin C is necessary as a "catalyst" for the body to absorb and use iron.

Nope, I’m not allowed (diabetic)

I think about it a lot but that huge needle scares me !

Yes, I have. I donate double reds. Several times I have been side lined because of low iron. I just eat iron rich foods 4 a week.

I gave over 5 gallons. I gave every time I could until they came out with that flock hepititis b test, lot of people got booted, I was one. Ten years later they wanted to retest me, was okay but once your in the system that you can't your done. I now have had open heart surgery I can't. It was a great feeling to give

I have donated blood , but now I have a lot of tattoos im told I cant donate if ive had one in the last 12 months but I get work done quite a few times a year

You can't donate blood if you engage in risky behaviour or have engaged in it within a certain time frame. It's to keep transfusions as safe as possible. It's not discrimination.

@bbw4doc said

You can't donate blood if you engage in risky behaviour or have engaged in it within a certain time frame. It's to keep transfusions as safe as possible. It's not discrimination.

Yes, absolutely. The safety of blood products is paramount.

@cutmedfanuk said

... more upsetting, i feel, is that the blood service in the UK has been set up as a business to sell freely donated blood to the NHS trusts, that to my mind is just plain wrong.

No, it isn't wrong. The costs are balanced out.

An extract from this statement -

https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/news-and-statements/statement-nhs-blood-and-transplant-reassures-blood-donors-that-governments-sale-of-pruk-does-not-affect-them/

All NHS organisations recover costs from each other for the services they provide to each other. In NHSBT’s case, hospitals give NHSBT money for each unit of blood they receive. This money covers NHSBT’s costs, such as blood donation nurses, blood testing, transport, and much more.

I've donated blood many times and at one time used to donate platelets at Bart's Hospital, one of the main teaching hospitals in London. I had to have a medical and a blood test for HIV etc. before being allowed to donate the platelets as they are not screened at all but given straight to the leukaemia patients. Sometimes one of the nurses would take the bag and literally run with it to the leukaemia ward as their need was often so urgent. In the regular blood donation sessions there would be a list of questions about possible sexual partners that got gradually longer and more complicated as the years went on...'Are you a man who has had sex with another man' but also questions quite focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. I always passed the test though, and they like my blood as I'm 'O' rhesus negative and that type of blood can be given to anyone apparently, so handy in an accident type situation I guess.

Yes, many times. I currently stand at 7 gallons. My blood type is O+ and is in high demand as it is the most common blood type in the population plus being able to be given to any person with + (A+, B+, AB+). Also I am CMV- so that made me even more desirable.

Unfortunately I have had blood pressure issues the last few years (taking medication) but it has a habit of spiking and I was often rejected due to elevated blood pressure. At this point, I figure they got 7 gallons and should be happy. I would like to eventually make it to an even 10. We'll see...