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Ever given blood?

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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 09:23 PM
  #31  
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I've also done it for years now.
I really, really hate needles but after both my kids needed transfusions, both in the womb and when they were born, I decided to stop being a complete wuss and started to be a regular donor. It's when things like that happen you realise how short blood stocks are.
Just remember, what you are doing can and will save someones life.
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 09:29 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by SJ_Skyline
Not so much worried about giving it, just more concerned about holding it together throughout. How people get through it in other words.
Its easy i have done it loads of time no pain at all
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 09:34 PM
  #33  
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I used to and they had trouble finding veins the first couple of times but on swapping arms it was fine.
Very worthwhile and rewarding thing.
I had to stop when I started having tattoos done by sub-Saharan gay prostitutes
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 09:46 PM
  #34  
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I used to give blood, not that keen on needles myself, but as others have already said, just don't look since it doesn't really hurt when they put the needle in.

I don't give blood anymore as the last time I did, I ended up with needle entry and exit holes. This happened when the, IMO incompetant fool, put the needle in, along the vein and back out the vein and skin in one fell swoop.

Sure it will have been a very rare occurence, kind of put me off giving blood TBH.
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 10:20 PM
  #35  
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one mishap
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Old Aug 28, 2007 | 10:54 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_



And no, it's not a typo. I'm up to about 380 now though.


M
Platelets?
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 01:02 AM
  #37  
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Good for you mate

Good luck someone coming near me with a needle, id be out the window faster than you could say see'ya


I have no fear of anything other than needles and blood, big girls blouse springs to mind
Oh and my missus wanting me to go shopping with her
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 07:45 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by OllyK
Platelets?
Yes - for over ten years now (with a short break).


M
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 08:13 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
Yes - for over ten years now (with a short break).


M
Well didn't think it was going to be whole blood otherwise you'd be a tad anaemic by now
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 08:22 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by *Jamie*
one mishap

I had something similar happen to me at hospital,nurse managed to put the needle right through the vein.She then wanted to have ago on the other arm.

Used to give blood regulary a few years ago, they used to set up in the local gym sports hall. you even got a free cuppa and hob *** biscuit
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 08:35 AM
  #41  
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Thanks everybody for your encouragement, I'm booked in later next week. I'll see how I manage trying to read an 1100 page book with one hand, failing that, the iPod sounds like a good idea

And a big, big to you guys that have already given! 300 pints!!
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 09:16 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
Yes - for over ten years now (with a short break). M
I've just been accepted to do platelet donation too - how often do you go Meridian?
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 10:04 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Iwan
I really look forward to giving blood, even though I don't particularly like needles. I have a rare-ish blood type so I know I'm helping a lot, which feels nice.

Just tell the staff you've never given before and they'll reassure you, and try to look the other way when they're fiddling about with your arm - don't try and watch what they're doing! Once it's in its fine, and you just lie there and (try to) relax, then after a few minutes it's free tea and biscuits.

Some people get a bit dizzy afterwards. I usually don't and never used to bother with the tea and biscuits, then one day I drove out of the car park and felt all light headed and had to pull over and stop. These days I always have a cuppa and chill out for 10 minutes afterwards, just to be safe.

Well done for deciding to do it.
I've been giving for 25 years - I've rareish blod ( A Rh-ve) so try and go whenever I get a chance. Doesn't worry me in the slightest - I even watch the needle going in
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 10:26 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Chris L
I've just been accepted to do platelet donation too - how often do you go Meridian?
Every four weeks. I used to go every two (which is how I racked up the huge score) but after about five years I became anaemic. The problem is, every time you do apheresis about 100ml of whole blood gets left behind. That works out as about 800ml every sixteen weeks if you go fortnightly. And whole blood donors only lose 450ml every sixteen weeks - and aren't allowed to give more often. Eventually your body simply can't keep hold of the iron and your Hb levels drop.

Cambridge at least now no longer allow donations more often than four weeks, and I believe a number of other centres are the same.

M
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 12:09 PM
  #45  
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Interesting - thanks Meridian.
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 12:50 PM
  #46  
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my wife used to give blood although it used to knock her about - Several times I've had to pick her up off the pavement as we walked through town afterwards.......its a bit embarrassing when your looking in at a jewellers shop window and your wife falls against it and slowly slides down the glass, and the shop assistants all come running out and fussing round.....

She doesnt do it anymore as she was often anaemic when they did the ***** test......she sort of put me off & I've never done it.
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 05:15 PM
  #47  
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How long does it take for the platelet donation Meridian?

I've often considered it but I don't think I really have the time.

Dave.
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 05:18 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by matchmaker
I've been giving for 25 years - I've rareish blod ( A Rh-ve) so try and go whenever I get a chance. Doesn't worry me in the slightest - I even watch the needle going in
Ah well I've only been going for 4 years, so I'm not brave enough to watch them putting the needle in yet.

I'll watch them doing the finger ***** though - hardcore!
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 05:31 PM
  #49  
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I've done it and I'm VERY squimish. Prob is the nurse always says I'm slow in filling up the bag with blood. Must be cause Im Scottish and dont like giving anything away for free! lol
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 06:58 PM
  #50  
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If anyone around Luton is thinking of going, I heartily recommend the Donation Centre next to the Library.

Walk in, go over your details and you're seen straight away, no appointment necessary.

Dave
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 08:16 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by Phantom_Flan_Flinger
How long does it take for the platelet donation Meridian?

I've often considered it but I don't think I really have the time.

Dave.


Depends on various factors including body-weight: the heavier you are, the quicker. See - it pays to be a lardy ****er! But for me a double (two units) takes about 90-100 minutes from arriving to leaving the centre. If your count is high enough for a triple then add about twenty minutes. Actual time on the machine for me is about 73 minutes.


M
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 09:39 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
Depends on various factors including body-weight: the heavier you are, the quicker. See - it pays to be a lardy ****er! But for me a double (two units) takes about 90-100 minutes from arriving to leaving the centre. If your count is high enough for a triple then add about twenty minutes. Actual time on the machine for me is about 73 minutes.


M
I've also thought about doing this.
Is it done the same way as normal blood donation?
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 11:21 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by zip106
I've also thought about doing this.
Is it done the same way as normal blood donation?


Not exactly:





The machine on the left draws a load of blood, spins it down in a centrifuge, then returns everything except the platelets and a small amount of plasma. It does this over and over for seventy odd minutes, resulting in the bag on the right of the array - the one that looks rather yellow. The other bags are saline and glucose drip-feeds. It's still a needle in the arm, but that's the only real connection. The good bit is waitress service from the attendants: "Would you like some tea or coffee?" "Biscuits?" "A sandwich?" Much more civilised than whole blood.


M
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Old Aug 29, 2007 | 11:38 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by SJ_Skyline
I'm giving blood for the first time in my life next week and I'm bricking it.

Any advice on how to get through it without:
a) Passing out?
b) Throwing up?
If you got kids, take them with you.....after all you wouldn't want to be collapsing and screaming out in front of them would you now Don't let them have your biscuits though
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Old Aug 30, 2007 | 10:55 AM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
Depends on various factors including body-weight: the heavier you are, the quicker. See - it pays to be a lardy ****er! But for me a double (two units) takes about 90-100 minutes from arriving to leaving the centre. If your count is high enough for a triple then add about twenty minutes. Actual time on the machine for me is about 73 minutes.


M

OK thanks, I had an idea that it was somewhere around the time you've quoted.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:09 AM
  #56  
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Oh well, that was rather embarasing last night. My blood's not good enough - not enough Iron.

So it's a diet of spinach for the next month and I'll try again.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:14 AM
  #57  
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Well I've heard some excuses.........

But you must have given some for them to find out? So you did give some after all
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:16 AM
  #58  
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Just a scratch (or so Hancock was told). Enough to see that it didn't sink in one of their potions, indicating low iron in the blood.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 09:40 AM
  #59  
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Shame, good luck with the iron building then. Nice to see someone trying rather than shrugging their shoulders and saying oh well.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 04:17 PM
  #60  
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inspired by this thread, donated at lunchtime today.

blood service were in town by chance..

cheers matt
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