SJ_Skyline

I'm giving blood for the first time in my life next week and I'm bricking it.

I have a fear of needles and I feel ill at the sight of blood (especially my own).

Any advice on how to get through it without:
a) Passing out?
b) Throwing up?

Please PM if you don't feel comfortable posting here.

Many thanks in advance

davegtt

Never done it personally but always thought I should do it. Should imagine theres some satisfaction after doing it. Dad used to do it years back. I hear you go light headed for an hour or 2 after though

^OPM^

Good on you for volunteering to give blood -but surely if u are that worried etc about it-u shouldn't be giving blood

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.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Yes loads of times. Everyone should, you'll feel dead good about it.

Best tip - don't look just says yes to the painkiller (which stings) and then look the otherway. Just lay back and relax. It is a weird sensation but i'm not a needle fan and i've managed it plenty of times now. Got guilt tripped into the first one, student i shared with had haemophilia (blood doesn't clot) and he just kept saying "if you don't do it, i might die" the gimp!

enjoy the tea and biccies afterwards and don't go to the pub unless you want to be a really cheap date. Less blood = getting very drunk very quick!

5t.

jiffthejiffmanjaffa

iTrader: (10)

How do, I give blood all the time. It really is nothing to worry about.

To be truthful, it is a little uncomfortable when the needle goes in, but once it's in you don't feel it, 4-8mins and its all done, and you've helped save a life.

On occassion I have felt alittle sick afterwards, but I managed to find out why. I make sure I've had plenty of fluids through the day, and afterwards. And I've had something to eat a hour of so before.

I always have a nap afterwards too, don't know if thats cos I'm lazy or what. but I feel completely normal after an hour or so.

Good luck

Chris L

It's not that bad really. I've given blood for ages - always makes me feel very good - so take a positive view! The best thing to do is not to look at the needle as it is put in. It only takes a second, you won't feel more than a light scratch and it will be over very quickly.

Very few people actually pass out or throw up. In all the years I've been going, I've only ever seen one person be treated for feeling faint when they have finished.

Make sure you take 10 mins afterwards to have a drink and a biccy - they always provide them.

Good luck and well done for doing it - only about 7% of the people who could give blood actually do.

SJ_Skyline

Cheers Guys, you make it sound easy which is some comfort. I was planning on a nice big steak dinner followed by an early night afterwards!

wrx-kris

I seem to always have too much cocaine pumping round my blood.

Chris L

Just need to take a year off Kris, then you can give blood

David Lock

As said, just look the other way and mention beforehand that you don't like the sight of needles - I am sure you will get a sympathetic nurse.

I have blood tests regularly (warfarin levels) and luckily don't mind the needle. It hardly hurts so don't worry about that. And they really are very good at it.

I've even had some fun when they have a trainee nurse is who is learning and they ask in front of her if I would mind her having a go. "Fine", I say "I just hope I don't collapse like last time"

Well done and good luck. dl

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.

David Lock

No Hancocks quotes yet then?

"That's very nearly an armful!"

Sonic'

I used to give blood many years ago, but could no longer do it through having the Big C

Nothing to it really, pretty much the same as everyone else has said, just lie back and wait till it is over

SJ_Skyline

Cheers David, I feel so much better now

scoob_babe

Already done

Dave1980

i am on my 26th pint currently (gold card). and also donate platelets as well which takes longer.
nothing really to worry about it doesnt hurt and you have the knowledge that you are helping others. and it only takes about 15-20 minutes.

platelets take upto 2 hours but they are used for even more important things. I feel proud to do it.

worst thing that can happen is that you feel slightly woozy after the first time.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Regarding feeling dizzy. If you still feel a bit tired after the resting period then don't try to be a hero and get up. They are happy for you to lay there for as long as you need!

5t.

Devildog

I do it when I can, as blood group one of the less common ones.

Never had a problem

Don't get the anasthetic and its never been more than a "pushing" sensation, to be honest.

Wife is O neg, so in huge demand. She regularly feels faint and has passed out a couple of times so we always go together. It just happens to some people, but she's always fine an hour or so afterwards.

what would scooby do

I can't give blood they said there's too many werewolves around already

SJ_Skyline

Do you generally feel ok and back to normal the day after? In other words, am I going to be fine going to the gym 24 hours later or is that a little ambitious?

Iwan

Yeah you'll be fine the next day. Me and a load of guys from the rugby club gave blood one afternoon and went to rugby training a couple of hours later once. I felt a bit weak but still managed ok.

That's not really reccomended though...

wrx-kris

A YEAR!!??

astraboy

Giving blood is easy mate, but if you want to go the whole nine yards and get yourself on the Bone Marrow register.
The procedure is ****ed up, but you'll be saving someones life if you get "the call"
astraboy.

Bug Eyed Peas

Well done on your decision. Although you are dreading the prospect of a sharp scratch, just think of the rewards as you may save a persons life. For what? A few minutes of your life could give a lifetime to someone else.
Just my personal thoughts.
Anyway well done to everybody on here that donates blood.

Ant

Just think of the choccie Hobnobs afterwards

Lydia72

As above - don't look at what they are doing, let them know you are nervous, maybe take MP3 player with you and listen to that to take your mind off it. Good luck

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

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


M

scoob_babe

The ipod is a good idea Lydia - I'll remind him!
I am very tempted to take the mick out of him about the quantities etc after all the comments he's made about the amount of blood that's been taken out of me in the past few months!!!!!!!

Markus

What? Mr "Pain is just weakness leaving the body..." is being a ***** about an ickle needle and a bit of red stuff

Just kidding Rich (as if I need to say that!).

As others have said, close your eyes, listen to music on an iPod or read a book, anything that will focus your mind elsewhere. Deep breaths might help as well, perhaps even humming to yourself (Rose did this when having surgery on her foot, the doctors found it most amusing )

As for the gym, you should be ok to go the following day.

You'll do fine anyway, so don't fret. Anna, you *must*, ruthlessly take the mick out of him, it's the done thing doncha' know

sherlock

iTrader: (1)

Good effort mate

I haven't given for a while because i've been out of the country, but i think i can give again soon.

Don't worry about it the nurses are really good, and as already said, tell them it's your first time they will look after you.

Sherlock