Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 January, 2010, 03:07:57 pm

Title: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 January, 2010, 03:07:57 pm
First time back for years.
   
Not much changed, apart from using a wierd swipey thing to clean your arm.

Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!

I *definitely* don't remember getting 'blowback' round the needle. Nope, blood donation sessions didn't involve blood running down my arm before.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Moloko on 21 January, 2010, 03:21:29 pm
Bah! No chance of a "blowback" at my blood drop-in.
You'd be lucky to even get a cup of tea and a poxy digestive out of them.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 21 January, 2010, 03:22:33 pm
Well done for doing it.  At my place of work (15 people) I am the only one who is willing to donate. (One is forbidden due to health reasons).  Unfortunately the last 5 times the vampires have stopped locally I have had a cold.  I think it is not a coincidence that the office installed air conditioning around the same time.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 January, 2010, 03:32:38 pm
I used to be a frequent donor. Stopped when I started cycling so much, as it always takes me a while to recover.

So this was my 23rd donation (but the 19th on their records; records used to be regional).

I'm going to look into blood component donation. Should have less of an impact on my health than whole blood.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 January, 2010, 05:14:34 pm
They don't want mine and I don't care!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 22 January, 2010, 03:46:08 pm
Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!

That'll be the alcohol from the wipey thing going in with the needle. Suprised me just how much it did hurt (donation #1 two months ago, no previous donations due to anti-inflammatory drugs, visits to Malarial countries and, more often than not, apathy). Appointment #2 is booked though.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: saturn on 22 January, 2010, 08:32:42 pm
You'd be lucky to even get a cup of tea and a poxy digestive out of them.

Blimey, mine have started offering cakes in addition to the biscuits  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 January, 2010, 05:51:44 pm
Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!

That'll be the alcohol from the wipey thing going in with the needle.

I think it was the clumsiness of the woman who put in the needle. I don't normally ever bruise, and my elbow is gradually turning black.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Speshact on 23 January, 2010, 06:11:33 pm
As I go through the tick list before you are allowed to give blood I always wonder what percentage of the population is actually eligible to give....and whether I live too unadventurous a life
The National Blood Service - Can I Give Blood (http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/donor-health-check/)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 January, 2010, 06:13:10 pm
I had to stop when I started cycling a lot.  I need every corpuscle I can lay my hands on, just to get over the hill halfway to work.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 January, 2010, 06:19:30 pm
As I go through the tick list before you are allowed to give blood I always wonder what percentage of the population is actually eligible to give....and whether I live too unadventurous a life
The National Blood Service - Can I Give Blood (http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/donor-health-check/)

Interesting that test.   My specific exclusion is not included.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 23 January, 2010, 06:34:45 pm
It's quite a long list of exclusions.

Quote
Have you had a serious illness or a procedure in the past or are you on medication at present?

For this one, a yes gets you rejected - all medications?? How far back? I don't take any meds but I have had meningitis as an infant. If I include that, I'm out.

Quote
Have you been outside the UK (including business) in the last 12 months?

What, away from the UK at all?

Quote
If you have travelled outside Europe or to Ravenna province in North-east Italy, then you may not be able to give blood. For more information please call our 24 hour Donor Helpline

What's the problem with Ravenna, out of curiosity?

Quote
Have you ever stayed outside the UK for a continuous period of 6 months or more?

Another "no thanks" for me there.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kathy on 23 January, 2010, 06:43:24 pm
It's quite a long list of exclusions.

Quote
Have you had a serious illness or a procedure in the past or are you on medication at present?

For this one, a yes gets you rejected - all medications?? How far back? I don't take any meds but I have had meningitis as an infant. If I include that, I'm out.

Quote
Have you been outside the UK (including business) in the last 12 months?

What, away from the UK at all?

Quote
If you have travelled outside Europe or to Ravenna province in North-east Italy, then you may not be able to give blood. For more information please call our 24 hour Donor Helpline

What's the problem with Ravenna, out of curiosity?

Quote
Have you ever stayed outside the UK for a continuous period of 6 months or more?

Another "no thanks" for me there.

Answering "yes" to any of those questions doesn't automatically lead to an exclusion. Mostly it's for common-sense reasons - f'rinstance, they want to know if you've had any medications in the last five days so that if you've taken paracetamol they mark your donation accordingly so that it doesn't go to a person who has a paracetamol allergy.

Similarly, tell 'em that you've been outside the UK, and all they'll do is ask "where?" and check it off on their list of "places to watch". Most places are absolutely fine (Ravenna had a problem with Chikungunya Fever, according to Mr Google).

 :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Adam on 23 January, 2010, 06:46:50 pm
It's quite a long list of exclusions.

Quote
Have you had a serious illness or a procedure in the past or are you on medication at present?

For this one, a yes gets you rejected - all medications?? How far back? I don't take any meds but I have had meningitis as an infant. If I include that, I'm out.


They wouldn't reject you automatically just for answering yes, as it all depends exactly what you've had and when.

On their FAQs (http://www.giveblood.org/index.php?page=faqs), about half way down there's a link for a list of medications to check if they'd stop someone donating.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 23 January, 2010, 06:51:38 pm
It's quite a long list of exclusions.

They aren't exclusions, only questions that need following up and discussion with someone knowledgeable. Something that can't be assessed with a simple yes/no on a website.

I've had a skin graft and been on heavy anti-inflammatories that previously excluded me from donating (15 years ago). I've lived outside the UK for longer than 6 months in one go (lived in the US in 2001). I'd also been out of the UK in the last 12 months (France).

Most importantly I'd spent 2 months traveling around South America in the last 12 months (Chile, Argentina and brief visits to Uruguay and Brazil). The Brazil trip took me into a malarial zone.

So that was 3 or 4 questions that get me "rejected" according to the online test.

All this triggered was someone asking me about it in person, asking if I'd had any problems, or slept in mud huts (Chagas disease and Malaria) and then deciding that it was still ok since it been 10 months since I'd been back from S America with no problems. They just submitted an extra sample of my blood for a Malaria test (as well as the usual things they test for).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 23 January, 2010, 07:00:27 pm
They aren't exclusions, only questions that need following up and discussion with someone knowledgeable

Thought that might be a possibility. I tried putting in the "wrong answers" for most questions, out of curiosity, and I'm sure the wording of some of the rejections might put some people off investigating further:

Quote
Thank you for your time... but it seems that you are not able to give blood
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: L CC on 24 January, 2010, 03:21:48 pm
They wont take mine. Not only do I need it more, but it's contaminated with drugs.

My dad's given around 80 pints. I reckon he's done my duty.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tewdric on 24 January, 2010, 03:29:57 pm
The vampires of the Gwasanaeth Gwaed Cymru had another pint of mine on Thursday.  

I try to give them a pint every time they come over this way and never feel any ill effects.  They do very good tea and as many good quality biscuits as you can eat, and unlimited Kit Kats!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: FatBloke on 24 January, 2010, 05:03:55 pm
   
Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!



They used to give you a bit of local anaesthetic before putting the big needle in. They stopped that about 6 years ago.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kathy on 24 January, 2010, 05:15:59 pm
   
Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!



They used to give you a bit of local anaesthetic before putting the big needle in. They stopped that about 6 years ago.

Depends on location. I've been giving blood for about ten years, and have never been offered an anaesthetic.

Worst donation I ever made was in a mobile unit. The nurse attending was so busy gossiping that she spilled someone else's blood everywhere (which she mopped up with a tissue - the part of me that used to work in a haematology department in a hospital winced at that), and then forgot to wire up my needle correctly so that instead of draining my blood, she forced air into my veins. Which was excruciating. I've refused to go to the mobile units ever since.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 January, 2010, 05:31:25 pm
They still do give the anaesthetic if you ask for it. I haven't bothered for about the last 20 donations.

I now have a small cyst-like lump on the tendon near the needle site. I'm wondering if the nurse totally missed the vein first time and jabbed the needle into my tendon.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Androcles on 27 January, 2010, 10:55:01 pm
Due to go next week.  Not been for a year or so, seem to be stuck at 40something donations for ages now, seems like I'll never get to the 50.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2010, 09:41:27 am
I bow in respect to your blood donating-fu.

40 is quite an achievement. Aiming for 50 is definitely black-belt territory.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 28 January, 2010, 09:50:39 am
They seem to think I am already past 50, but I recon 7 years at 3/year and 4 years at 6/year* puts me just shy.

*That was 4 years in Birmingham going to the permenant centre and component doning, 1 + 1, platelets and red blood so the 4monthly visit counted twice.

Unless something goes horribly wrong, or they find an alternative tech, I should have another 30+ years of donations to go.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: tatanab on 28 January, 2010, 10:00:58 am
I went last night for number 22.  I started in 1984 because I needed to know my blood group.  The low number is explained by years out of the country followed by years of always seeming to have a cold when the blood bus came around.  Never had an anaeshetic but procedures have changed over the years; the most recent being to invite you to drink a big glass of water while you are waiting.

Tonight I will go for a ride to meet the Thursday pub ride to replenish some more liquid.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TheLurker on 28 January, 2010, 12:19:13 pm
Well, assuming the Hb isn't low again (twice in the last 18 months) I'm expecting them to take No. 45 from me next Friday.  We'll see.

I am however getting a little bit narked (but not rant level narked) with being chased by them when they told me very clearly to, "Go away and rest for a wee while to get the Hb levels back up before you make another appointment."  Yes I know ORh+ is very useful because, as it happens, I do remember my O level biology and all that 'universal donor' / 'universal recipient' guff. 

Sometimes one wonders if the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. Hey ho. Smile and wave, smile and wave.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hulver on 28 January, 2010, 03:09:01 pm
Yes I know ORh+ is very useful because, as it happens, I do remember my O level biology and all that 'universal donor' / 'universal recipient' guff. 

I thought it was ORh- that was the universal stuff, because you can't give Rh+ to an Rh- person.

Or have I got it the wrong way around?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2010, 03:18:46 pm
afaik, all Rh+ people can accept blood from ORh+

Rh- needs Rh-
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Moloko on 28 January, 2010, 03:26:02 pm
and then forgot to wire up my needle correctly so that instead of draining my blood, she forced air into my veins. Which was excruciating.

Halfords are now doing blood donation?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 28 January, 2010, 03:27:32 pm
Yes I know ORh+ is very useful because, as it happens, I do remember my O level biology and all that 'universal donor' / 'universal recipient' guff.  

I thought it was ORh- that was the universal stuff, because you can't give Rh+ to an Rh- person.

Or have I got it the wrong way around?

ooh work related question makes a change having been off for a month;

group O can be given to anyone; otherwise you cannot give A to someone who is not A etc (apart from AB who can have anything)

Rh is a bit different (top marks too for calling it Rh not Rhesus the connection between the blood group system and monkeys was disproved decades ago but it persists in terminology)

Rh is one of the most immunogenic of the other systems; nobody is born with antibodies to Rh but if an Rh - person has contact with Rh+ red cells thru either pregnancy (across the placenta) or transfusion they are likely to form anti-Rh antibody (most commonly anti-D but there are 4 other antigens in the system)

anyone still awake?

so if you give Rh+ blood to an Rh- male (or female beyond child bearing age) they may make antibodies which will require them to receive Rh- blood for life; no big deal ( all blood is screened for these antibodies before a transfusion is given and if they are found the appropriate negative donor blood is selected; there are dozens of other systems but they mostly behave just like Rh)

but if it's a woman who then becomes pregnant they will pass the antibody across to the foetus via the placenta; if the foetus is Rh+ (having got the gene from dad; 85% of the UK possess the Rh or D antigen) it can cause jaundice and general bad things even requiring intra uterine (or soon after delivery) transfusion, phototherapy; plasmapheresis of mum to get the antibody level down etc.


so we try to match Rh to Rh whenever possible but big Rh- bleeds who will not have babies go to Rh+ to conserve stocks of Rh-

we would normally only give out O Rh- to a non O Rh- in a dire emergency when we did not know the patient's blood group (usually A/E situations) as it takes about 30 mins to determine blood type and antibody status. We can get the blood group from a blood sample in a couple of minutes if they are gushing.

Rh- to Rh+ is fine (apart from cases of anti-c but you don't wan to know about that)

ps anybody know how long major surgery bars you for? just had my call up and it doesn't say.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2010, 03:41:12 pm
major surgery? If you've *received* a transfusion, I think you are barred for life.

"You should NOT give blood if . . . . .
You have received blood or think you may have received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure anywhere in the world since 1st January 1980."
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 28 January, 2010, 03:43:19 pm
major surgery? If you've *received* a transfusion, I think you are barred for life.

"You should NOT give blood if . . . . .
You have received blood or think you may have received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure anywhere in the world since 1st January 1980."

I checked; I didn't receive any. Still had a large hole dug out though.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 28 January, 2010, 05:54:45 pm
Martin, I suspect you will be caught by the waiting for a medical appointment other than a dental check-up. Which will prompt them to ask you more questions and probably send you to the long grass until your surgeon signs you off as fully recovered.

ps I think it was about 10 weeks from my orthopedic surgery to the next 1+1 donation. I was definately still in the physios care.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 28 January, 2010, 06:09:46 pm
given that they found quite a lot of the red stuff when they opened me up (not including what inevitably comes out in ops) I think I'll just voluntarily defer for several months. A diet of pizza curry pasta and no meat doesn't help/

I think after 77 units I'm allowed a break
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Palinurus on 28 January, 2010, 06:38:31 pm
Think I must've done 40 or so by now, cycling gets in the way quite often- I'm going to donate in the gap between the last 'cross race and the first TT.

I'll donate close to work, are the blood service ever funny about people riding to and from the venue? normally I walk back to work and change into my lycra so they never know- this time the venue is a bit further away so it makes more sense to ride and go straight home.

I don't have a problem with riding, wondering if they might.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 01 February, 2010, 03:16:33 pm
Just got back from #9. Cue the dozies for the rest of the day... :)

There was a bleeder today - poor chap; blood everywhere  :thumbsup:.

So that's one bleeder and one fainter I've seen in nine sessions.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Gaseous Clay on 01 February, 2010, 03:44:02 pm
I'm off to number 4 this Sunday.

The first time i went there was one person that fainted and at the second donation there was a claret fountain incident during tea and biscuits.

These seem like anomalous occurrences after reading the statistical info at the beginning of the session.  But after reading about Chris S's experience perhaps its just that the bleeders and fainters just don't get recorded very often.

Data recording's a bit slack..

How long do people take to pump a pint?  4 minutes and 8 seconds is my current record...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 01 February, 2010, 03:47:26 pm
I've never timed mine, but they often remark how quick it is. It's because I cycle to the session (10km each way) so I'm all pumped up and raring to bleed.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 01 February, 2010, 06:14:20 pm
Think I must've done 40 or so by now, cycling gets in the way quite often- I'm going to donate in the gap between the last 'cross race and the first TT.

I'll donate close to work, are the blood service ever funny about people riding to and from the venue? normally I walk back to work and change into my lycra so they never know- this time the venue is a bit further away so it makes more sense to ride and go straight home.

I don't have a problem with riding, wondering if they might.

I used to be quite open about my plan to ride the A38 from the centre of Birmingham back to the University campus in Edgbaston. It's only about 3 miles but full on urban duel carriageway for the whole trip and not entirely flat.

They were quite happy from the donating front but always doubted my sanity about the route.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Palinurus on 01 February, 2010, 07:49:12 pm
Ta,

I'll ride then.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 01 February, 2010, 07:52:02 pm
Bloody Hell!

A blood donation when well into a weight loss phase is a shock.

I'm wiped! Mrs S had to cook extra pasta tonight.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 03 February, 2010, 10:44:16 am
I rang up to make an appointement in Nov and got told I'd be turned away if I turned up, without even a having the Hb test done ('cos I 'failed' it 10 days after LEL).  So I'll wait for them to summon me again, presumably next August.  Knock on is I won't try so hard to get to 100 as if low Hb can happen once etc. (only forty mumble at the moment anyway, about where I should be given my age and being out of UK/gynacological banned for approx 9 years at various times).

Wonder why surgery is 10 weeks whereas even a natural birth is 1 year.  Oh well, it  would have been difficult donating with a very small person in tow anyway.

edited to remove possibly misleading figure
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2010, 01:30:55 pm
Arabella, it's a question of iron reserves. Even if you don't bleed much when giving birth, a small person has been formed, consuming much 'slack in the system'. The small person will have made itself a liver and all other organs out of you or your food.
After the small person escapes, you need to rebuild your reserves.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: noggy on 03 February, 2010, 07:17:22 pm
No 90 today - the century is in sight(2 1/2 years away)
HGb level 15.9 (Vs 13.5 "pass mark")
Had daily Ferrograd for last 5 days
and yummy black pudding and extra helpings of green veg over last few days
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 03 February, 2010, 07:24:21 pm
Wonder why surgery is 10 weeks

where did you hear that?

being O neg (rr K- CMV- to boot; prime baby blood material) I get badgered all the time; they rang a couple of days ago so I told them my recent woes and they said "that's OK as soon as the hospital sign you off come in and roll up your sleeve"

Fortunately I can test myself at work before the next time; Hb any less than 14.0 and it's no show
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 04 February, 2010, 11:08:38 am
Wonder why surgery is 10 weeks

where did you hear that?

Hmm, must have made it up, will edit to not confuse anyone.

Thx for explanation, Helly.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Karla on 04 February, 2010, 12:25:59 pm
Most importantly I'd spent 2 months traveling around South America in the last 12 months (Chile, Argentina and brief visits to Uruguay and Brazil). The Brazil trip took me into a malarial zone.

All this triggered was someone asking me about it in person, asking if I'd had any problems, or slept in mud huts (Chagas disease and Malaria) and then deciding that it was still ok since it been 10 months since I'd been back from S America with no problems. They just submitted an extra sample of my blood for a Malaria test (as well as the usual things they test for).
Whereas whenI tried (back in 2004) less than 6 months after I'd been to Kenya, I was rejected out of hand.  It's perfectly understandable, but is an interesting inconsistency with your treatment. 

A year later, I received transfusions and now I can't donate.  It's quite annoying actually, I feel like I'm in a debt that I can never pay back.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 02 March, 2010, 01:08:21 pm
Blimey! I don't remember the needle hurting like that!

That'll be the alcohol from the wipey thing going in with the needle. Suprised me just how much it did hurt

I'm not sure that it's just the alcohol. I gave on Sunday, and it was by far the most painful donation in the last 10 years. I told the nurse so, and (in addition to the alcohol thing) she said that they had concerns about the quality of the kits/packs they are using. Specifically, they think the needles aren't as good as they have had in the past. Their concerns were initially ignored, but she said that she thinks a review might be on the cards now.

I've emailed the blood service to complain. I think that if I'm giving up my time and my blood, foc, then they could at least make the process as painless as possible. If others have noticed a deterioration, can I suggest that they also email the service?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 02 March, 2010, 01:09:50 pm
No 90 today - the century is in sight(2 1/2 years away)

Chapeau.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tom M on 02 March, 2010, 03:34:06 pm
Might have just been unlucky and hit a nerve? Could be less sharp needles though I guess.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: David Martin on 02 March, 2010, 04:14:47 pm
Left a pint under the table at lunchtime.. You know when the session is about to start cos all the nurses stop smoking outside and head back to their stations. They have a new machine that weighs and beeps and moans if the flow is too slow or too quick.

This time I will not be out doing the club hilly chain gang in the evening. I learned my lesson last time.

Bit weary, but the needle wasn't too bad. apparently my Iron level is a little above average but in the normal range (15.5)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: nicknack on 02 March, 2010, 11:01:02 pm
Interesting. The last time I gave blood (a couple of months ago) was the first time in over 60 visits that I remember it hurting, and continuing to hurt for a couple of days afterwards.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 02 March, 2010, 11:06:11 pm
It hurts me nearly every time. Just not that much - enough to wince, but that's about it.

On about 50% of donations, I end up with a bruise at the extraction site.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Palinurus on 03 March, 2010, 07:20:58 pm
I was supposed to be going this evening but there was an estimated 45 minute wait for those with appointments so I left (forgot paperback and didn't fancy sitting in a corridor on one of those orange plastic chairs without one)

I'm disappointed, haven't earned my Guinness.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: David Martin on 03 March, 2010, 09:09:41 pm
Well, this time I feel so much better. Not going out and riding the club hilly chain gang that evening was definitely a smart move (once bitten, twice shy) and the run in this morning was fine - took it quite leisurely.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Aidan on 05 March, 2010, 06:35:50 pm
Just done number 20. I'm having cake as a treat now :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 March, 2010, 07:50:36 pm
I gave blood yesterday. Mine never gets given to anyone else though.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Aidan on 05 March, 2010, 07:52:37 pm
I gave blood yesterday. Mine never gets given to anyone else though.

Why?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 March, 2010, 07:55:00 pm
My arthritis is an auto-immune condition and they don't let the likes of me give blood. My "blood donation" was a mere couple of phials to see the state of my disease.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Aidan on 05 March, 2010, 08:00:08 pm
Not a pint then!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 05 March, 2010, 08:58:03 pm
They don't take a full pint, only about 470ml.

Have an appointment for next weekend, let's see if I can shift this cold sore before then (skiing and dehydration don't help).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: djmc on 06 March, 2010, 07:32:19 pm
I once gave blood just after coming back from the Alps and having a cold sore. They took my blood after checking with the doctor in charge. The next time after 6 months they were specifically requesting that they wanted blood with antibodies to Herpes simplex, I said that I regularly used to get cold sores after being exposed to light and that I had recently had quite a bad cold sore. They looked at their records and found that 6 months earlier I had given blood with a cold sore, they said thank you very much and took my blood again. Here in France they won't let me give blood as they think I might be contaminated with CJD.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 28 March, 2010, 02:16:30 pm
Have an appointment for next weekend, let's see if I can shift this cold sore before then (skiing and dehydration don't help).

Cold (and cold sore) now shifted so I'll look to book something local soon (St Georges Hospital are open all day for blood but next really local appointment is in July). They also park a mobile unit outside work but there's no info on the internal wiki about how to book for it...

Registered for online appointment booking system (via the Government Gateway) and it looks very useful. I can see donation history, book and cancel appointments without having to speak to someone or wait for a letter, etc. Nice.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 08 July, 2010, 09:08:02 pm
Woo Hoo!

What do pints make? Prizes - pints make prizes. I got a Bronze today for my 10th donation.

I celebrated when I got home by almost passing out in the shower  :thumbsup:. I was dashing about like a mad thing after cycling back from the session; and had to nip downstairs to find a clean towel for a shower. I ran back upstairs, got to the bathroom and realised I was right on the brink of keeling over. I had to have an emergency sit down on the loo with my head between my legs. What a wally  :facepalm:.

All better now.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 08 July, 2010, 10:29:39 pm
BTDT. Ended up buying a big bottle of fizzypop and sitting on the shop floor drinking it when I 'came over queer' cycling through Sheepscar in Leeds immediately after blood donation.
Well done on your Bronze. I think I had mine by 1980...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: pixieannie on 08 July, 2010, 10:32:17 pm
Oh my.  Head between your legs, what a sight :demon:  Seriously though, well done on your achievement. :-*
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: simonp on 08 July, 2010, 11:07:21 pm
"Have you had complicated dental work?" Yes.

Not very clear though that question.  Impacted wisdom teeth and GA to remove 'em.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 July, 2010, 11:12:07 pm
One of the more ... err .. interesting evenings of my life occurred at college when I was in my 3rd year I think. The blood donation van turned up the same day as the Scottish and Newcastle freebies van. I gave one pint but consumed several.

They won't let me give blod any more. I think I just about got to 10 sessions when my arthritis bit. Because it's an autoimmune disease they don't want my nasty blood tainting anyone else's.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 26 April, 2011, 10:21:43 pm
just given for the first time in 2 years now donation #78; I decided to wait at least a year to get my Hb back up after my prang and op (neither of which needed blood) also my local sessions are usually always on Friday which is not the best thing to do before a 200km (or more)

It's a bit like turning up at Wembley without a ticket these days; everyone seems to book an appointment and any waifs and strays like me who just turn up (despite having been sent a letter and questionaire beforehand) are made to go and sit in the corner for an hour while they bleed those who have got their act together (I made an appt for next time now watch some bastard organise a 200  ;))

note; if you've been in Greece Italy the US or Canada 28days before donating don't bother; something to do with West Nile Fever  ???
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: saturn on 26 April, 2011, 11:50:29 pm
I'm afraid I wasn't too keen on the 2nd class donor feeling I got last time I turned up without an appointment - you see your form placed at the bottom of the pile from where it seems only to make any progress towards the top if further non-conformists happen to turn up after you.  I find it difficult to predict more than a day or two in advance when I'll be able to attend (by which time all the slots are booked or it's too late to book) so I normally just drop into one of a number of local centres when I can. This used to work just fine but they seem to be finding it increasingly difficult to handle these days. It was probably disgraceful ageist stereotyping of me to observe that almost all of the other donors present with appointments appeared to be elderly retired types that quite possibly weren't in desperate need of a quick turnaround. I waited patiently and didn't complain of course but by the time I finally progressed to the blood test stage I was beginning to doubt the accuracy of the "our stocks are low, we really need your blood" adverts that were running on the radio at the time.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 26 April, 2011, 11:57:28 pm
Mrs Zoom (who's been turmed down several times in the last few years for a low Hb) was more or less told to piss off tonight having done the same as me; and as she didn't have a current blood MOT did just that  >:(


It was probably disgraceful ageist stereotyping of me to observe that almost all of the other donors present with appointments appeared to be elderly retired types that quite possibly weren't in desperate need of a quick turnaround.

It was; the regulars at my session tonight were all ages and one poor kid who looked about 15 had the screens round him for the whole time I was there after feeling faint;

I can't help thinking with today's Whatever generation that they'll be having to pay them in years to come  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 12 November, 2013, 05:27:57 pm
My first time with the new flippy space-age chairs. Kewl! Waaay better than the rickety  folding "beds".

I failed the CuSO4 test again  :facepalm:. Last time was two days after riding a 600, and I didn't bother with the proper test, but perhaps I should have; I let them test me today and it was fine (145g/L), so got to donate after all.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: AndyMorris on 18 November, 2013, 02:28:09 pm
My first time with the new flippy space-age chairs. Kewl! Waaay better than the rickety  folding "beds".

They are quite fun aren't they?

Somewhere over 50
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 November, 2013, 02:36:54 pm

I can't help thinking with today's Whatever generation that they'll be having to pay them in years to come  :facepalm:

Stop doing them down!

Stepdaughter (17) donated for her second time last week.

Tattoos are a problem. Piercings and tattoos are frowned on by NBS, so every time someone gets a tat, they can't donate for 4 months.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: saturn on 18 November, 2013, 07:09:45 pm
My first time with the new flippy space-age chairs. Kewl! Waaay better than the rickety  folding "beds".

My first experience of them today, I guess too many people couldn't manage the sit-up at the end since they introduced the requirement to do that while doing the 3 finger gauze pad hold  ::-)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 November, 2013, 11:37:23 pm
My lifetime ban still hasn't been lifted.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 November, 2013, 12:41:03 pm
Tattoos are a problem. Piercings and tattoos are frowned on by NBS, so every time someone gets a tat, they can't donate for 4 months.
It's a year in Scotland.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: nicknack on 20 November, 2013, 12:42:34 pm
My lifetime ban still hasn't been lifted.

Not dead yet then?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: L CC on 20 November, 2013, 02:44:47 pm
Tattoos are a problem. Piercings and tattoos are frowned on by NBS, so every time someone gets a tat, they can't donate for 4 months.
It's a year in Scotland.
I read mrc's post and thought "it was a year when I had mine done, they must be more desperate these days".... but I was in Scotland then.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 18 December, 2014, 08:00:36 pm
did my first donation couple of days ago (a combination of non-cycling season, blood.co.uk leaflet through the door and a bloodmobile nearby), all went fine. the next time they are around is in april, but i haven't promissed them on that.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: saturn on 21 December, 2014, 10:14:06 pm
I'm really struggling these days and I've just about given up trying. I can't book sessions far in advance because I'm not normally sure where I'll be working on any given day until a few days before, maybe a week at most. My attempts during the last couple of years at booking an appointment this far in advance have been unsuccessful due to all appointments being booked. Twice I've attended a session anyway and it was most unsatisfactory, I felt like a second class donor with my form firmly at the bottom of the pile with everybody who had appointments going on top. The reason this happens is because at each session people come to donors having their drink and biscuit inviting them to book an appointment in 3 or 4 months time. So, all the appointments are filled long in advance, possibly in many cases by people who have more flexibility about when they donate.

I've given this feedback to the service and I was phoned back but they're unable to offer a solution and frankly don't seem too bothered. Happily, it must mean they're not as short of donors as their adverts sometimes suggest. Hopefully I'll be able to start donating again when I retire.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 22 December, 2014, 10:59:33 am
Thanks for the prompt, I had forgotten when I last donated and found I am now due to give again.

As I have moved house I have had to search for the next appropriate and accessible session, looks like the 24th on my way home from work.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 05 January, 2015, 09:35:42 am
A case of the coughs, snuffles and sneezes means I've had to cancel this afternoon's appointment.

I seem to be stuck on 25. I couldn't donate in the autumn because of the heart palpitations in Germany in the summer. Or rather because of the time to check that the Herzrythmusstörungen shouldn't stop me donating. The NHSBT had to consult my GP and she (and they) had to refer to report from the Stadtkrankenhaus in Brilon, or rather my translation of it, which says I am perfectly healthy as far as their extensive tests could determine*. Anyway, eventually they decided I can donate and I have a letter which says so.


*coincidentally the report from the German hospital says the same thing
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 29 January, 2015, 06:51:45 pm
received a letter today stating that i apparently am "uniquely valuable as a platelet donor" due to my a- group. i did some reading upon that and it's a more complex process of draining, processing and transfusion of blood. the nearest platelet centre is 12 miles from my home. any platelet donors here?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Séamas M. on 29 January, 2015, 08:35:28 pm
That's interesting, I'm A-ve too and I'd never heard anything about platelets.

My donation last Tuesday takes me to 30.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Mike J on 29 January, 2015, 08:59:55 pm
I've considered it but the platelet centre is too far to get to easily on a regular basis unfortunately.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 29 January, 2015, 09:26:16 pm
When I was a student, and local to the nearest platelet donor centre, I was a 1+1 donor. Basically a unit of plasma and a unit of red blood separated at the point of donation. It's slightly slower than normal but the chairs are more comfortable and it will always be by appointment so that there is a machine available.

Platelet donors need to be tested for their platelet count to be suitable. Its an extra vial when you give an ordinary donation. Because they are not taking whole blood a platelet donor can be more frequent than the 12 weeks for men.

The 1+1 is also the reason why I am nearly 70 donations, as for 4 or 5 years in Birmingham every donation counted as two, one red blood and one plasma.

ETA: unfortunately my nearest centre is now ~40 miles away so no go there.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: PeteB99 on 02 February, 2015, 10:55:49 am
I used to be a platelet donor in the late 80's (it was called white cell donation then and as far as I remember was mostly O- people). It involved spending a couple of hours lying down with blood bring removed from one arm, processed through an IBM separator and the unwanted fraction put back into the other arm. Most of the afternoon off work and a couple of nurses to chat to, what's not to like?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 02 February, 2015, 12:14:21 pm
White cells are not platelets!
Platelets are not cell but are needed for blood to clot.
White cells are mainly involved in fighting infection.

I think platelet donation is more common and possibly less time-consuming.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: PeteB99 on 02 February, 2015, 01:09:23 pm
Ta for the correction. It was a long time ago!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 05 February, 2015, 04:08:03 pm
I'm booked in for my first platelet donation in a couple of weeks' time, having been assured that 'creaming off' part of my vital juice does not constitute a threat to my status as a highly-tuned athlete  ;D

We shall see.

btw - to those above who complained of the needle insertion being more painful than formerly - I noticed the same thing a few years ago when they stopped routinely using an anaesthetic.  Apparently you can now request an anaesthetic, but who wants to appear a wimp ;)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: tatanab on 05 February, 2015, 04:14:55 pm
I've been a donor for 30 years and never been offered an anaesthetic.  I have noticed trends that appear and disappear.  A few years ago you were encouraged to use alcohol wipe stuff on your hands, just before you picked up the centuries old magazines  - that's gone now.  In the last year or two I've been frowned at severely for refusing their offer of a large drink of water before giving blood - I hope that disappears or they stop frowning at me.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: jsabine on 05 February, 2015, 04:21:08 pm
I'm fairly sure our lot threaten to not let you donate if you don't take the drink.

(Not a problem for me - I normally neck it, then get funny looks from the staff when I want another. The blood does seem to come out in double-quick time when you're well hydrated though, so I tend to make sure I've had a couple of big mugs of tea before going to donate as well.)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 04:32:48 pm
I got odd looks on Christmas eve when they saw my cycling clothing, shoes, helmet etc. Before they stuck the needle in the the duty nurse was summoned to confirm he was happy. His face when I explained it was a 6 mile ride home and taking it easy I would be home inside 40 minutes...

I had to reassure him that I have previously utility cycled after giving blood without ill effect before they would proceed.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: jsabine on 05 February, 2015, 04:39:31 pm
The staff in the local mobile units recognise me now - last time they looked at the funny shoes a bit oddly, then looked at me, nodded and said "you've done this before, haven't you?"

I tend not to mention distance, just stick to "oh, it's only 20 or 25 minutes - I'll take it easy."
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 05 February, 2015, 04:46:57 pm
When I asked about the need to have a large drink beforehand I was told it was not about being well-hydrated but to fill your stomach, which apparently helps to ensure there's a good blood flow by increasing pressure in the abdomen, or something.  Related to the buttock-clenching advice, I suppose!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 04:48:50 pm
The staff in the local mobile units recognise me now - last time they looked at the funny shoes a bit oddly, then looked at me, nodded and said "you've done this before, haven't you?"

I tend not to mention distance, just stick to "oh, it's only 20 or 25 minutes - I'll take it easy."

I'd just moved house so it was my first donation at that location...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: seasider on 05 February, 2015, 06:52:29 pm
I'm a platelet doner in Lancaster and usually attend every month.It takes a little longer than just blood circa 90 mins .The time passes quite quickly (read a book, watch afternoon telly, you are in a reclined position) .The staff are pleasant, thankful and keep you supplied with drinks and snacks .The feeling that you have done a sick person a favour is worth the time spent travelling etc.The Blood people are looking out for fit people to donate.Seems like a no brainer for cyclists.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 06 February, 2017, 09:30:29 pm
younger guy just made his first donation.

I am A+.  one child is A- and the other is O+, so I can have their blood but they can't have mine.  This seems wrong, somehow.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 13 February, 2017, 08:08:29 am
I'm o pos, a useful blood to have since it can go in a lot of people. I got told 83% of uk population but that sounds a bit high to me.

Not sure of the number of donations but I've got a 25 to 49 card for a long time now. Stopped donating because of difficulty getting in. Appointments fill up and I've even been turned away once with an appointment. I'm afraid I've become annoyed with the service near me. Nothing to do with a case of stitched without anaesthetic giving me a phobia over needles at all. I have given blood a few times after that fear kicked in. Have never even flinched at having needles stuck into me until those stitches, even fought a nurse to watch a cannula going in. Nurses shouldn't slap your face away several times when you're a kid right? Still i got to watch the needle going in.

Anyway, what do you think the service should do in busy donation centres? Appointments for almost all so those who cannot guarantee being free have to make sure they're first in or no donation. What would you suggest they do? No appointments? Guaranteed donation even if they have to b stay late? More sessions in busy areas? More donation beds and staff? they've lost me years ago because of this. I wasn't even 40 years old so had potentially 30 plus years of donation left in me back then. At 3 times a year that's 90 pints.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2017, 11:11:19 am
It sounds like they made more appointments than they could honour. I agree messing donors around should be a last resort as it is people giving up blood, time and putting up with some hassle for a good reason.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: jsabine on 14 February, 2017, 01:00:15 pm
I've never (36 last week) been turned away having made an appointment, and I've only once been turned away at the door having gone there on spec, though I've had to wait for 90-odd minutes once or twice when I've not had one. I've found appointments with just a few days to go several times, presumably because someone has cancelled - fairly sure the sessions had been fully booked when I'd checked online a little earlier.

They've just got rid of the bloodmobiles round our way though, so just waiting to see what the knock-on effect on session availability is.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 14 February, 2017, 09:24:48 pm
I once booked for the next session while sat at tyre refreshments. I booked for a time about 1 hour into the session. I got there 15 minutes early and prepared to wait. I waited almost 2 hours.

The session before i turned up at the same time and didn't take any longer time to get through the system.

Perhaps I'm at an over subscribed session or a town which is busy enough to warrant additional sessions but isn't given any. Whatever the issue they need to sort it out. It's not just me who has an issue with these sessions, I've heard other donors complaining quite loudly at most sessions I've been to.

Whatever the cause I've given up giving blood. I'll possibly give it another go every few years to see if it's any better. If not then i disappear for a bit longer. Shame since i believe everyone who can should give blood. A civic duty.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: SoreTween on 16 February, 2017, 12:23:04 am
It sounds like they made more appointments than they could honour. I agree messing donors around should be a last resort as it is people giving up blood, time and putting up with some hassle for a good reason.
This. 
Respect the people giving up their time, effort and blood.  Make less appointments so that when someone walks in with an appointment they sit down and get on with it.  I resent waiting 45 minutes to start the process when I have shown you the respect of turning up at the agreed time.  Where the centre is large enough have a separate stream of beds for walk ins.

Have less variation in the main donation centres.  Some main donation centres you can walk in (e.g. Horsham), others you cannot (e.g Gloucester) and there is sod all in the web site to tell you which is which.  Horsham it is pointless booking, you just join the same queue as the walk ins, Gloucester you can't walk in, it is appointments only.  To me the permanent locations should be more focussed on the drop ins, the mobile events should be geared towards maximum convenience for the donor.   What is the point of the mobile service if not to attract those that cannot spare the time to get to a fixed location centre?

Take the narrow minded prongs who schedule locations round the back of the barn with one round chambered.  I've ranted about this before but really, scheduling all the donations in a given locale on the same day of the week?  FFS.  They work on priority 1) convenience for office based salaried scheduling staff.  2) Convenience for the salaried donation staff. 3) venue availability 4) the unpaid volunteers without whom there'd be no damn service in the first place.  It's Tuesday or FO round our way.  I have now FOd & donate in Wales.

I don't do it for the thank you letters, the SMS messages, the cards or the X donations trinkets.  Bin all that crap and spend the money running one more vampire bed per county.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2017, 12:48:06 am
I've never been allowed to give blood, so I've never had the experience to compare.  It sounds like they're operating as if there is a donor shortage, when that isn't actually the limiting factor (I assume because of budget cuts).

Trinkets and cards probably do have some effect on average, even if it's just reminders, otherwise they wouldn't bother.  Again, makes sense if donors are the bottleneck.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Dibdib on 16 February, 2017, 09:11:22 am
I don't think donors are the bottleneck, even though there's a near-constant shortfall. I've been getting a lot of reminders lately, more so than usual. It's just that (IMO) the funding provided is an even tighter bottleneck.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2017, 09:20:03 am
I bet that staffing is the bottleneck, that is, funding for staffing is the issue. Same as hospital A&E etc.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Dibdib on 16 February, 2017, 09:26:28 am
Exactly. I occasionally get a bit woozy after donating, and while I don't mind it - me feeling light-headed for ten minutes versus a potentially life-saving transfusion for someone isn't really an inconvenience - the staff have told me in the past that they just don't have the resource available to deal with regular fainters, as it's time spent not getting someone else through the process.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: trekker12 on 16 February, 2017, 10:07:27 am
I haven't given blood for some years now. I nearly fainted the last time I gave blood and they were very good about it but it left me holding up the bed for a further ten minutes or so. I guess it can cause a bottleneck.

The last time I tried I wasn't allowed in as I have eczema on my hands and that day was particularly bad so they saw it as an open wound. I guess it's fair enough but I didn't particularly like the attitude from the nurse running the desk but I understand she has a fairly hectic job. I could have bandaged up my hands and gone back in I suppose.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 17 February, 2017, 12:02:03 am
If it's a funding issue then why did it all go wrong under Labour when the NHS was getting a lot of money thrown at it and there wasn't a crisis?

Round here i was nearly turned away one time before appointments. The next donation session i got told about appointments. Took one and it took just as long to get through. Then a few sessions down the line you couldn't get in without an appointment. Then appointments got taken so you couldn't get in unless you're in when they open up each session

Stuff that!

I don't mind the inconvenience of turning up and waiting a couple of hours. I hate doing that when I've got an appointment. Scrap appointments. Give everyone a number and they get called up in turn. That's fair and egalitarian IMHO.

Still giving blood is a good thing to do
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: jsabine on 17 February, 2017, 12:41:59 am
Strikes me that there must be a lot of local variation in, well, something, because although I'm quite happy to whinge about bits of the service round here (SE London/NW Kent), it seems fundamentally OK.

My experiences are clearly at odds with those of other posters, but I'm reasonably happy with everything from finding convenient sessions to making appointments and being seen in a timely manner. The past couple of sessions,  it's been about an hour from walking in to leaving, having eaten my fill of biscuits; the session before that took a bit longer, but that was down to a backlog caused by about three donors in a row having health problems which meant they each needed an extended phone consultation with the offsite doctor, and meantime were occupying the privacy cubicles so no-one else could be processed ... 
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 February, 2017, 08:01:09 am
If it's a funding issue then why did it all go wrong under Labour when the NHS was getting a lot of money thrown at it and there wasn't a crisis?

Your experience is completely at odds with mine. I was a regular donor back then and never had those problems.

Can't donate anymore, my blood is contaminated with strange drugs.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 17 February, 2017, 08:30:53 am
At odds with your experience but still a valid question. Even if it wasn't going wrong in your venue/area it's been poorly managed in my area. Funding, IMHO, seems to be an easy excuse for mis-management. It won't be that simple.

BTW with one communication you're getting letters saying your donation is so very important because your blood can be used in 83% of recipients then another communication over the phone saying there's no appointments left so try your luck on the day. The way the blood service person n said that left me in no doubt the person didn't expect I'd make a donation if i turned up. Then i get turned away. Then i get another letter telling me i had missed a session there's another one on such a date...

Sorry but IMHO they need to consider the donor more. Right now it's hard to free up the time to make the sessions. I have a young child with about an hour at night to see him. He sometimes doesn't get up to see me off in the morning. It's a big deal for me to give up spending time with him for an extra 24 hours to make the session. At the time of my last successful donation i had to drop work to make one of the very first appointments. Then pressure at home too...i mean family life is more important than blood donation to my partner.

Anyway, sorry about the rant. It's just that the way it got here and hearing that it's going ok elsewhere just set me off. It must just be my poorly run area. I can easily understand a poor manager at some level results in poor service but that should really get reported back by donation staff and be rectified. Adding another session, perhaps on a first come first served basis? It can't be that hard to sort out surely?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: barakta on 17 February, 2017, 11:14:21 am
Sounds like your area is especially poorly run. Labour did put money into the NHS but they also did constant changes and it may well have been those trickling down and management somewhere in your area being bad for a long time.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 19 February, 2017, 08:45:54 pm
Don't get me started about Labour and the NHS. Something scary i got told involved the very expensive appointments computer system. Since waiting times was part of Labour's imposed targets the software gave priority to new referrals to clinics. In the cardio department this resulted in a patient with worrying results needing further investigations and consultant appointment. Since his appointment delay had no negatives in terms of targets he didn't get the follow-up within 2 weeks like he would have under the old system. By the time he got his follow-up his condition had deteriorated beyond the point that simple drug regime could sort out. Resulted in a hastily arranged surgery during which he died.

The computer system was later turned off and scrapped quietly. The case i heard about wasn't the only one just the most severe. All because Blair's target culture led to blind focusing on a limited metrics. Clinical need sometimes came second. This case just makes me think the NHS isn't safe under any political regime.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 21 February, 2017, 04:01:09 pm
Labour & NHS: P&OBI --------------->

They've just got rid of the bloodmobiles round our way though, so just waiting to see what the knock-on effect on session availability is.

That's what's done it for me. I used to be able to sneak out of work for 45 minutes with a bloodmobile about a 5 minute walk away (back of County Hall).

Now that's gone there's nothing I can get to in a short enough time to justify doing it on a work day, and the donations local to home clash with something else.

It's also quite incompatible with running training except for a rare rest (or at least low mileage) week.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ian.r.mcdonald on 21 February, 2017, 06:37:46 pm
my experience is reasonable in Stoke with the only issue when I used one of the travelling centres rather than my normal trip to the donor centre.

the staff are trying their best and the possible effect of taking a ( perfectly reasonable) choice of stopping donations could result in a patient in danger

use the occasional grief as a badge of honour to feel good about donating!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 21 February, 2017, 10:26:12 pm
Grief? No grief here i just can't get in unless I've booked an appointment at a previous session whilst sat around the refreshments. So I didn't book a session because I knew I'd be away. The session after i turned up with my form only to be told it was full. I phoned up to book an appointment at another session once i received a session letter/form but there were no more appointments left at a time i could get there by. IIRC I'd have to be at the session at the time i leave work which was half an hour ago.

So I am no longer a donor. So no grief here. I'll try again one day but not fit for awhile. Give it a few more years to get better.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Phil W on 21 February, 2017, 10:44:39 pm
I used to be a regular donor. A blood wagon used to park outside office. Advertised in advance. Could make appointments or turn up.  Didn't have to wait long, if busy could return later. Done in work time and work didn't mind if you were gone for a while to give blood. Wagons withdrawn. Advertising posters no longer sent or put up. Several mix ups with my details. Weekday I can no longer give blood as just doesn't work. Several poor experiences of weekend attempts that felt like the old waiting in all day for a delivery etc. So I no longer give blood.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Martin on 21 February, 2017, 10:52:28 pm
younger guy just made his first donation.

I am A+.  one child is A- and the other is O+, so I can have their blood but they can't have mine.  This seems wrong, somehow.

well actually the A- can have your A+ if he's male; but correct the O+ can never have yours;

the reason all this incompatibility exists is due to bacteria in our guts which have molecules on their surface very similar to blood groups on our red cells; and we form antibodies to the molecules we don't possess. We were never evolved to share blood so it only became apparent from 1900 onwards. Although mothers and babies have had blood incompatibility since the start; and still do have but we are now a lot more geared up to prevent it and deal with it when it happens.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 22 February, 2017, 09:49:28 am
The online booking system (https://www.blood.co.uk) is great (I used to use it when it was protected by the Government Gateway credentials rather than email/password credentials).

I used to have at least two sessions booked in advance (more than 12 weeks apart obviously) and after a donation I'd make my next appointment (24+ weeks ahead) as required. This meant I always got the appointment I wanted that suited me.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: jsabine on 22 February, 2017, 12:22:34 pm
That's fine (and similar to what I do, though I'm not quite so organised), but only works if you've either got certainty about what you're doing three or six months in the future, or enough flexibility to plan your life around the appointment. You also need a reasonable choice of sessions.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: rogerzilla on 28 February, 2017, 09:20:17 pm
My mother is almost up to 75 donations, at which point they give you a statuette of Nosferatu or something.  She reckons she might stop there.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 28 February, 2017, 09:51:47 pm
Platelet donation is the way to go if you have an audax-like tendency to collect points. Each donation counts as two (your platelets can be shared around, or summat), and you can donate monthly instead of 3-monthly. After many years of giving full blood I got my certificate for 50 donations, but since I changed to giving platelets a couple of years ago I've raced to over 100.  Or, in AUK terms, since I started the RRTY I've become a sort of Ultra Ran-donor  ;D   My collection of certificates, pens, gongs etc seems likely to outstrip my AUK goodies. And all it takes is a couple of hours a month in a chaise-longue being attended to and fed tea and biccies by nice nurses. What's more, people I tell seem far more impressed than they ever did when I spent my weekends riding silly distances.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 14 March, 2017, 09:06:46 pm
I went this evening.  It seems there are now 2 types of appointment - normal ones and provisional ones which aren't really appointments at all 'cos you have to go and make an appointment as well.  Or something.

There was a long queue, so possibly I wasn't the only person to be caught.  And there were 2 trainees, I got one of them, it seems she put the needle in a bit skewed as the blood came out at snail speed (usually I'm done in about 5 mins, this time I was still going slow at 7-8 mins...)

I feel stuffed, I'm sure I didn't use to.  Only another 5 years to my next medal.

A note on platelet donation - the lower weight limit is about 9 stone, ie higher than for blood donation.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: SoreTween on 12 May, 2017, 06:16:58 pm
Failed the haemoglobin test today :-(  That's an unwelcome first.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 12 May, 2017, 07:05:34 pm
I've been turned away from sessions 3 or 4 times over the years, usually in the summer when I'm doing more riding.  It seems this may be something called 'athletic anaemia'.  Some explanation to be found here (and elsewhere on the web): https://breakingmuscle.com/fuel/what-athletes-need-to-know-about-iron-deficiency.  I do sweat a lot, thereby losing iron apparently, and endurance exercise is supposed to increase your plasma stores, which has the effect of 'diluting' haemoglobin.

I've tweaked my veggie diet a bit to include fish, and more greens and dried fruit. Although I've been happy to do this, I find the advice to avoid tea and coffee around main meals a bit of a pain. My Hb levels do seem to be keeping up though, so maybe it works.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: SoreTween on 13 May, 2017, 01:51:32 pm
Thank you for that link, I had no idea it took so long to improve iron levels.  This is my first attempt at donation since I started going to the gym, the amount I sweat there is way above anything I do in the real world.  I'm not saying it is that, there's a few other things mentioned for me to think about and the Welsh blood service have a high threshold for the test.  The gym could be the proverbial straw, thinking back it was a slow sink last time.

I'll see what the test results show.  (Do they do a blood test if you fail in England?)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 13 May, 2017, 07:57:17 pm
I'm not really sure of the threshold levels, but it's certainly true that they are higher than those that would cause concern at a routine blood test at the doc's.

My last experience of this was about 11 or 12 months ago at a platelets session. When my blood drop failed to sink convincingly enough at the initial pin-prick test, they tested it with a portable piece of kit, which I believe gave a reading of 132 (mmols?), which was just acceptable.  However, a few days after my platelet donation I received a call to say that, on more thorough testing, I registered 129, and I was asked not to donate for 3 months; it's usually monthly for platelets. I'd been every month for nearly 2 years, which can lead to Hb levels falling but, as in my previous post, I think there may have been more to it than that.  After 3 months, and some dietary adjustment, it was up again (134?). 

It's a few years since I gave 'full blood', so things may have changed but, if you failed the drop test, I seem to remember that you were just asked to miss that one session.  Of course, full blood is only taken at 3 or 4 month intervals anyway.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: SteveC on 13 May, 2017, 08:11:15 pm
We had a long discussion about this some time ago when I wasn't allowed to donate.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5624.msg96269#msg96269 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5624.msg96269#msg96269)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 15 May, 2017, 12:11:32 am
Haemoglobin is measured in grams per litre.
Men average around 150 and women around 135 g/l.

Blood banks have different rules for men and women.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 22 December, 2017, 01:51:18 pm
Got my emerald award today.  :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 22 December, 2017, 02:42:22 pm
Got my emerald award today.  :)

Congratulations (from a mere silver)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 22 December, 2017, 08:50:56 pm
the last time i went (about a month ago) a young chap couldn't pierce my vein. after some probing he asked me to arrange another appt once it fully heals. a bit of waste of my time, and a learning opportunity for him.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 25 December, 2017, 07:49:48 pm
Got my emerald award today.  :)

Nice.  Congratulations.  About 6 months ago I was at a platelet session where one of the other donors was at 997.  The staff were planning a celebration for hitting the big one. Anything over 15 shows quite a lot of commitment, but that was something else.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 December, 2017, 09:50:14 am
I got to about 10 donations before I wsa told they didn't want my blood any more (rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune condition).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2017, 01:42:08 pm
I got to about 10 donations before I wsa told they didn't want my blood any more (rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune condition).

I had my Silver (I think I'd made 33 donations) before MS was diagnosed and I had to stop.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: runsoncake on 27 December, 2017, 12:16:42 am
Did about 18 donations but was rejected due to borderline anemia and then various medications/health concerns. Still at least in Wales I'm a presumed organ donor😁
Any bits you want? (Apart from missing ball bladder!)

Free to good OR bad home. NSA.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: runsoncake on 27 December, 2017, 12:59:36 am
*ball bladder* ffs . Right autocorrect! That's it! I've told you before (insert rest of rant, I can't be arsed!)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2017, 01:04:35 am
*ball bladder* ffs . Right autocorrect! That's it! I've told you before (insert rest of rant, I can't be arsed!)

'ball bladder' did make I larf...

Then I thought foopball originated by kicking a filled animal urinary bladder...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: runsoncake on 27 December, 2017, 01:10:47 am
*ball bladder* ffs . Right autocorrect! That's it! I've told you before (insert rest of rant, I can't be arsed!)

'ball bladder' did make I larf...

Then I thought foopball originated by kicking a filled animal urinary bladder...
To someone who has experienced the fun and mirth of epididymitis this is a less than joyful imagining young Helly 😨😨
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2017, 01:47:08 am
Apologies!

I am sure the bladders' erstwhile owners were beyond pain before they were repurposed.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 03 January, 2018, 12:43:21 pm
Got my emerald award today.  :)
Congratulations!

Nice.  Congratulations.  About 6 months ago I was at a platelet session where one of the other donors was at 997.  The staff were planning a celebration for hitting the big one. Anything over 15 shows quite a lot of commitment, but that was something else.
they count them both together then?
I don't qualify for anything other than the 3 whole bloods/year (lightweight and female) so aiming for 100 (whatever that is), or to donate 1 arabella weight of blood, or at least a hundred weight (cwt).  Emerald is next but not for another 5 years or so.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 03 January, 2018, 03:56:56 pm
Reaching 1000 is pretty extraordinary - well done, that person!

Platelet donation makes point-chasing easier, with at least 2 for each session, and the possibility of monthly, or even fortnightly, donations - depending, I believe, on your platelet level. Also, they've recently started asking people to donate plasma at the same time (making 3 points a session), and are talking about bringing this up to 4 by taking red blood corpuscles(?). So, you could theoretically accumulate 100 a year, and qualify for some sort of PDRTY award ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: TPMB12 on 04 January, 2018, 12:04:47 am
OK I'll ask, what does PDRTY stand FOR? Google didn't find anything about what this means. Why use acronyms like that? If ppl can't understand or translate it then there's no communication. No communication then what's the point?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Auntie Helen on 04 January, 2018, 05:20:58 am
I guess he was coining an Audax-style ‘Platelet Donation Round The Year’ award.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 04 January, 2018, 09:53:04 am
I guess he was coining an Audax-style ‘Platelet Donation Round The Year’ award.

Yep.

Sorry if it was confusing, but I'd mentioned points-chasing earlier in this thread, and assumed, perhaps wrongly, that readers would be familiar with AUK acronyms.  I often have to look up stuff like DAMHIKT - which is within the ken of google - but I can't expect it to know what I'm thinking.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: SoreTween on 25 May, 2018, 04:40:11 pm
Woo hoo! Blood sufficiently magnetic to donate today  :) Just over a year since I failed the test. I had another go 9 months ago and failed there too. Happy.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 11 June, 2018, 06:23:39 pm
Blood drop failed the copper sulphate solution test but came out as fine (156g/L) when tested with the little red machine that goes *ping*.

Need to arrange next one but I think I'll wait until a few weeks after Swim Serpentine as I'll inevitably have a cold for a couple of weeks after that...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 17 September, 2018, 08:14:24 pm
Need to arrange next one but I think I'll wait until a few weeks after Swim Serpentine as I'll inevitably have a cold for a couple of weeks after that...

On cue they've been badgering me by email and phone. (I could have donated from the 16th). Have arranged next appt for early October which should give me time to recover from drinking some of the Serpentine.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 07 October, 2018, 11:48:11 am
#16 tick.

Next date I can donate is 30/12 but I'll leave it until after the New Year. I'll also be starting the 16 week marathon training programme around then so I need to work it in to that schedule.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 11 October, 2018, 04:56:20 pm
First failure, blood stopped flowing after 290 ml :'( :'(
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ElyDave on 11 October, 2018, 08:00:56 pm
I'm not allowed - T1D

Don't see why not really as it's not catching  ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 11 October, 2018, 08:10:10 pm
First failure, blood stopped flowing after 290 ml :'( :'(

That sounds a lot worse than your posting on here would suggest...   :o

(Pardon my ignorance, I've never been allowed to give blood.)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Feline on 11 October, 2018, 08:13:15 pm
I give blood pretty regularly and they asked me to go to the main Bristol donor centre this week to see if I could be a platelet donor. I am A negative which is the universal donor type for platelets, and they are trying to recruit 50 more donors in the area. Unofrtunately although my blood was great, they don’t like the look of my veins very much so had to reject me  :-[

Apparently the platelet harvesting machine things puts your blood back into you under fairly high pressure and if you don’t have a big central vein in your elbow it can go horribly wrong (well big bruise and knackered vein kind of wrong). So they won’t take the chance. Its a shame as I would have been very happy to go regularly for it. They took my blood anyway, and were glad to get is as A- stocks are very low.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Gattopardo on 11 October, 2018, 08:36:09 pm
I'm not allowed - T1D

Don't see why not really as it's not catching  ;D

It is because you are on Insulin and the effects it can have on you.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ElyDave on 11 October, 2018, 08:43:09 pm
that's the theory, yet to be proven.

It was also problematic pre T1D when I was travelling to Indonesia and Vietnam every 6 months, apparently just being there, even with no open wounds, no IV drug use and no unprotected sex, I was a high risk.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 11 October, 2018, 10:24:01 pm
First failure, blood stopped flowing after 290 ml :'( :'(

That sounds a lot worse than your posting on here would suggest...   :o

(Pardon my ignorance, I've never been allowed to give blood.)

I've had blood stop half way. No underlying health issue, just red stuff went from slow trickle to slower trickle to stop.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: quixoticgeek on 11 October, 2018, 10:30:51 pm

Not allowed to give blood in the UK, the same reason I can't in the UK doesn't apply in the Netherlands. Went to see about donating blood here, only to find that cos I grew up in the UK in the 80's and 90's, I can't give blood here. Turns out they are scared of BSE/vCJD.

Noone wants my blood...

J
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Auntie Helen on 12 October, 2018, 05:08:33 am
Same here QG.

I couldn’t give blood in the UK because I had cancer (25 years ago now) but I can’t give blood in Germany because of the mad cows.

I haven’t even done one donation in my life, and it is something I am quit sad about.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2018, 02:08:55 pm
I bet the USAnians would have it.  They're notoriously non-fussy about such things.   >:(

Similarly, as a recipient of a transfusion in the 80s, I'd love to be able to donate.  I make do with encouraging other people to, and hope that if it comes to it they might be less fussy about organ donation.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2018, 02:13:38 pm
AIUI the USAnians won't take blood from those who ate BRITISH beef in the '80s.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ElyDave on 12 October, 2018, 02:46:03 pm
I bet the USAnians would have it.  They're notoriously non-fussy about such things.   >:(

Similarly, as a recipient of a transfusion in the 80s, I'd love to be able to donate.  I make do with encouraging other people to, and hope that if it comes to it they might be less fussy about organ donation.

I'm on the register, they can take any bits they want
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 October, 2018, 02:52:36 pm

Thats a point, if I snuff it on Dutch soil, will they accept my Organs... I should investigate...

J
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2018, 03:45:39 pm
I reckon that most people in need would leap at a chance of receiving a healthy heart/lungs/liver from someone with a vanishingly small chance of carrying CJD.  You might get a bit more fussy about less critical organs like corneas.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ElyDave on 12 October, 2018, 05:22:09 pm
In my case I'm not sure what effect T1D has on acceptability of body parts
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2018, 05:54:36 pm
In my case I'm not sure what effect T1D has on acceptability of body parts

They probably don't want your pancreas.   ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: ElyDave on 12 October, 2018, 06:40:21 pm
In my case I'm not sure what effect T1D has on acceptability of body parts

They probably don't want your pancreas.   ;D

That's fine, nor do I  :P
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 12 October, 2018, 08:48:34 pm
AIUI the USAnians won't take blood from those who ate BRITISH beef in the '80s.

Indeed. I couldn't give blood in the US when I lived there in the late 90s, despite being able to give blood in the UK with no problems.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2018, 09:08:20 pm
AIUI the USAnians won't take blood from those who ate BRITISH beef in the '80s.

Indeed. I couldn't give blood in the US when I lived there in the late 90s, despite being able to give blood in the UK with no problems.

Not just the USAnians either; my brother, who is O Rh- ('universal donor'), can't give blood in Israel, where he lives.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 13 October, 2018, 04:03:04 pm
Just on my way back from donating platelets.

"Have you done anything strenuous today?"
" I rode my bike last night." An FNRTTC is exactly strenuous, more drawn out. The large breakfast took a bit of eating mind.

Normally they take two bags but apparently my platelet level is down, so they only took 9ne. They don't normally bother if it's just one bag but I'm A neg so am a wanted man.

There's a column on their paperwork for haematocrit. Mine is 46 so I explained to the crool nurse I was ok to race my bike.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 November, 2018, 02:42:35 pm
I've never donated blood, to my shame, but been meaning to for a while. Just found out they're coming round here tomorrow and I could pop out in my lunch break. I actually have no idea what my blood type is, but I'm eligible to donate according to the website so I assume they should be able to take some.

I normally go to a spin class straight after work on a Tuesday evening - if I donate at lunchtime, would that be likely to cause any problems? (Or is this one of those "it depends on how you react" things...?)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 19 November, 2018, 03:05:02 pm
spinning class should be fine, especially when you can turn the resistance knob to any suitable intensity. for me i feel it takes 1-2weeks to be back at 100%.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: bludger on 19 November, 2018, 03:10:26 pm
I've never donated blood, to my shame, but been meaning to for a while. Just found out they're coming round here tomorrow and I could pop out in my lunch break. I actually have no idea what my blood type is, but I'm eligible to donate according to the website so I assume they should be able to take some.

I normally go to a spin class straight after work on a Tuesday evening - if I donate at lunchtime, would that be likely to cause any problems? (Or is this one of those "it depends on how you react" things...?)

I think you need to register first. The NHS are picky about whose blood they take so best to do as much in advance as you can

https://my.blood.co.uk/preregister

There is also a very good app on the smartphone appstores just called 'NHS blood.'

I am personally donating tomorrow can't wait to smash some.oreos  ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sib on 19 November, 2018, 03:10:44 pm
@phantas

I think the volume is replaced quite quickly but the red blood cells take weeks to regenerate. This might leave you more breathless for the same effort.
The instructor may decline you (if you tell them). Personally I'd leave it 24hrs.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2018, 03:45:45 pm
As others have posted, you make up the volume PDQ but make sure you do drink a decent volume after donating.

I used to feel under par for the first 48 hours and take 10-14 days to feel fully 'back to normal'.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 19 November, 2018, 04:11:17 pm
I believe the policy now is that you get a pint of liquid (water or squash, not hot drinks) before donating, which has been shown to be more effective for keeping blood volume up and having issue free donations. Plus the drinks and biscuits afterwards.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2018, 04:47:10 pm
Makes sense, given the minor issues I had in the past!

Set off at high speed en vélo, felt faint, went to shop, bought BIG bottle of pop, sat on floor, drank it then set off...

...no issues thereafter....
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 20 November, 2018, 10:34:37 am
I normally go to a spin class straight after work on a Tuesday evening - if I donate at lunchtime, would that be likely to cause any problems? (Or is this one of those "it depends on how you react" things...?)

They don't recommend it: https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor-magazine-autumn-2017/before-you-donate/

Quote
Exercise – don’t do any vigorous exercise or heavy lifting the day of your donation, either before or afterwards. Keeping your body rested helps it to replenish lost fluids.

I used to donate at lunchtime and then 35 minute cycle home later that evening (which felt harder work than normal) and then play an hour of 5-a-side football later that evening (again it felt harder than normal). Never had a problem but I guess I could have just been lucky, I'm reasonably fit so I may not be affected by it as much as some.

If you ask anyone today (Blood Nurse or Spinning instructor) they'll almost certainly err on the side of caution and say no, and to take it easy for 24h.

(The mobile donation truck stopped coming so I have to go elsewhere to donate now and can't fit in with work.)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: whosatthewheel on 20 November, 2018, 10:46:40 am
There are two positive outcomes of donating blood

1) it's good for others and society

2) you get regular blood checks

Everything else about it is not particularly good.
I belong to the 5% of "selfish blood owners", my AB+ is not particularly desirable and anyone with my blood type can take any other type, which makes it next to useless

So I never bothered
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 20 November, 2018, 12:19:12 pm
Everything else about it is not particularly good.
I belong to the 5% of "selfish blood owners", my AB+ is not particularly desirable and anyone with my blood type can take any other type, which makes it next to useless

There are lots of non-clinical uses for donated blood: https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/how-blood-is-used/non-clinical-use/

I belong to the 5% of "selfish blood owners", my AB+ is not particularly desirable and anyone with my blood type can take any other type, which makes it next to useless

Without enough "not particular desirable" blood there may not be enough for all of the non-clinical requirements given that the really desirable blood would go for clinical usage as a priority. Them having too much blood is not going to be a problem.

It is a free choice at the end of the day though, doing it or not doing it is up to you.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: whosatthewheel on 20 November, 2018, 12:34:07 pm
Actually 2.5% of the population in the UK... much more common in Korea, apparently

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type_distribution_by_country
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 20 November, 2018, 12:44:38 pm
I can't remember ever transfusing blood of the 'wrong' blood group in any non-(DIRE)emergency.

I think there are reasons why this is the case, though I don't remember them accurately.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 20 November, 2018, 02:40:23 pm
Well, it didn't happen after all! The pop-up blood donation place near work was too busy, and the only time they could fit me in was too late. :( Might give the permanent place in town (where it's possible to actually pre-book appointments) a go.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Adam on 01 December, 2018, 06:34:16 pm
There are two positive outcomes of donating blood

1) it's good for others and society

2) you get regular blood checks

Everything else about it is not particularly good.
I belong to the 5% of "selfish blood owners", my AB+ is not particularly desirable and anyone with my blood type can take any other type, which makes it next to useless

So I never bothered

I'm AB+, and several times when I've been donating, the nurses have commented about how pleased they were someone with that blood type was donating, specifically due it being rare.  Over the years I think I've also had 2 or 3 pleading letters asking me to specifically make a donation due to them wanting more AB+.


I can't donate any more, so there's a vacancy. ;)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 01 December, 2018, 07:10:35 pm
AB- "One doesn't like to hog it all"

https://youtu.be/zcZChdM0OiI?t=160
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 December, 2018, 07:35:59 am

I can't donate any more, so there's a vacancy. ;)

I cycle 25-30 miles a day to work and back... it's not a doddle ride at 10 mph around the flat streets of the capital. I can't really afford to have a couple of weeks of being tired and out of breath.
Slowing down means my commute becomes more dangerous, as more cars would take their chances at overtaking around bends... if I keep 20-25 mph they seem to be OK to wait until they find a suitable gap.

The vast majority of people out there do nothing physically demanding and could probably afford to donate blood more than I can.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Adam on 07 December, 2018, 08:44:41 pm

I can't donate any more, so there's a vacancy. ;)

I cycle 25-30 miles a day to work and back... it's not a doddle ride at 10 mph around the flat streets of the capital. I can't really afford to have a couple of weeks of being tired and out of breath.
Slowing down means my commute becomes more dangerous, as more cars would take their chances at overtaking around bends... if I keep 20-25 mph they seem to be OK to wait until they find a suitable gap.

The vast majority of people out there do nothing physically demanding and could probably afford to donate blood more than I can.  :thumbsup:

Fair enough - that sort of speed you'll need all your blood.  At 15 mph commuting & doing long rides a few days later, I didn't really notice much effect.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: whosatthewheel on 08 December, 2018, 03:09:12 pm
Fair enough - that sort of speed you'll need all your blood.  At 15 mph commuting & doing long rides a few days later, I didn't really notice much effect.

There's more... my dad became a donor and a couple of years later he developed a heart enlargement that doctors could not explain. Eventually with therapy things improved, but it changed his life.
Sometimes I have this simplistic view of the circulatory system as "basic plumbing" and I can see how suddenly removing a large quantity of fluid from the system can damage a pump...

It's stupid, but it's there at the back of my mind
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 December, 2018, 03:35:30 pm
Fair enough - that sort of speed you'll need all your blood.  At 15 mph commuting & doing long rides a few days later, I didn't really notice much effect.

There's more... my dad became a donor and a couple of years later he developed a heart enlargement that doctors could not explain. Eventually with therapy things improved, but it changed his life.
Sometimes I have this simplistic view of the circulatory system as "basic plumbing" and I can see how suddenly removing a large quantity of fluid from the system can damage a pump...

It's stupid, but it's there at the back of my mind

Seems unlikely as there are thousands of donors and millions of donations are year.  If it does worry you, go and donate platelets. It takes longer but they put most of the blood back and you'll need to find a platelet donation centre.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2018, 03:35:43 pm
Sometimes I have this simplistic view of the circulatory system as "basic plumbing" and I can see how suddenly removing a large quantity of fluid from the system can damage a pump...

It's not a closed system thobut:  Blood vessels change volume all the time to regulate pressure and body temperature.  Kidneys remove fluid to regulate the concentration.  The digestive system adds fluid as it becomes available in the bowel.

AIUI, never having given blood, the idea is to only take what can be compensated for by the normal mechanisms without affecting the blood pressure.  They get more than a bit twitchy if you exhibit signs of hypotension (as some people are apt to do at the sight of needles, irrespective of any change in blood volume).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Feline on 11 December, 2018, 05:33:14 pm
Fair enough - that sort of speed you'll need all your blood.  At 15 mph commuting & doing long rides a few days later, I didn't really notice much effect.

There's more... my dad became a donor and a couple of years later he developed a heart enlargement that doctors could not explain. Eventually with therapy things improved, but it changed his life.
Sometimes I have this simplistic view of the circulatory system as "basic plumbing" and I can see how suddenly removing a large quantity of fluid from the system can damage a pump...

It's stupid, but it's there at the back of my mind

As Kim said, it's not that simple.

Assuming you've not had a splenectomy your spleen will contract after a donation to replace a bunch of the red blood cells you donated. Your kidneys will hang on to a bit more of the water you drank before and after the donation to replace total body water lost, some of which makes up blood volume. All you're really missing then is some white blood cells and platelets that your bone marrow makes pretty quickly, and some blood proteins that your liver makes. Any weakness you felt exercising would be very temporary as the body homeostatic mechanisms put all this right very quickly.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 31 March, 2019, 07:47:04 pm
Meanwhile it becomes ever more difficult to book a donation slot, unless you do it w-a-a-a-y in advance - which assumes no changes to plans etc. which is why I am trying to rebook.
It's reminiscent of getting a slot for a driving test.

edit: new personal best donation time: 4:41
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 22 May, 2019, 07:19:45 pm
Blocked for a year due to terbinafine. Boo.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: FifeingEejit on 22 May, 2019, 07:30:35 pm
The stock level page for the Scottish Transfusion Service shows what's in stock here
https://www.scotblood.co.uk/about-blood/current-blood-stock-levels/

A+ is the most common and we're short of it.
I'm A+ but have issues with getting to donate, last time I managed to keep my sinuses clear and otherwise be not fatigued and went along they wanted me to tank up on liquid and sugar both before and after, as both help with the donation process.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 23 May, 2019, 01:15:59 pm


No 80 :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 23 May, 2019, 01:50:23 pm
No 80 :)

Well done! Great that you're fit enough to achieve this!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Phil W on 23 May, 2019, 06:49:12 pm

Not allowed to give blood in the UK, the same reason I can't in the UK doesn't apply in the Netherlands. Went to see about donating blood here, only to find that cos I grew up in the UK in the 80's and 90's, I can't give blood here. Turns out they are scared of BSE/vCJD.

Noone wants my blood...

J

Well hopefully you do ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Phil W on 23 May, 2019, 06:53:51 pm
Haven't given blood for ages. Mostly because they no longer come round with the blood waggon to near our work place. They removed  the ability to just walk in, and made getting an appointment difficult. They no longer email reminders of when sessions are on. I'm somewhere between 40-50 donations but have lost track it's been so long.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 24 May, 2019, 08:19:17 am
No 80 :)

Well done! Great that you're fit enough to achieve this!

Thanks

I’m about 10 behind where I wanted to be (life etc). The aim was 100 before 60.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 24 May, 2019, 03:56:01 pm
I got about ⅓ of the way there before MS.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 24 May, 2019, 04:15:43 pm
I need to book in. I'm O- so they love me and I can get special appointments apparently. Didn't miss one for about first eight years from 16 but then had jobs where couldn't book in as never knew what time I would leave work. Know lucky enough to have them visit a football stadium 5 minutes from my work so book in around lunchtime


I love the appointment scheme, I realise it's hard for those with less predictable schedule as you can't get a walk in anymore but means I can allow and hour and it takes less rather then sometimes being around 2 hours
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 24 May, 2019, 05:36:19 pm
I like the text you now get a week or so after donation.

(https://i.imgur.com/9yYqmfWm.png)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 May, 2019, 11:52:31 pm
It's more than 12 years since I gave blood. Rheumatoid arthritis means they don't want my blood any more. Autoimmune disease.

When I was at college, there was a very poor juxtaposition of visiting vehicles one day: the blood service, asking for students' blood, and the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery's mobile bar, giving away free beer. I gave a pint of blood and then had 5 pints of something. Not to be recommended.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 15 August, 2019, 03:52:40 pm

Blood given today, but, currently the coffee they are doing is de-caff
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 15 August, 2019, 04:00:38 pm
Is the tea also de-caff?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 16 August, 2019, 07:33:37 am
Didn’t look as don’t drink it. Will try the hot chocolate next time for the sugar hit
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 21 September, 2019, 02:54:06 pm
all went well this time except for the  hb level that was on the low side (140g/l). could that still be the effect from a 240k ride six days ago?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 25 September, 2019, 12:45:23 pm
I had a lowish hb once (137 I think). That was the week after a 600.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Thor on 25 September, 2019, 06:14:58 pm
No hot drinks at all today  >:(

Was informed that my blood goes to the neo-natal unit cos I don't got cytomegalovirus (https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor/special-blood-for-babies/). 
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 03 January, 2020, 02:20:17 pm
Blocked for a year due to terbinafine. Boo.

Should be off it by the end of Feb and I think they need 2 weeks of being clean before donating again, so looks like mid-March should be good to go.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 16 March, 2020, 03:44:31 pm
#17 done.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2020, 07:49:32 pm
No hot drinks at all today  >:(

Was informed that my blood goes to the neo-natal unit cos I don't got cytomegalovirus (https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor/special-blood-for-babies/).
My son got that when he was 7 weeks old (not from a transfusion). It's incredibly nasty in babies.  :( Fortunately it's also easy to cure, once it's been identified. And in adults it goes unnoticed.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 16 March, 2020, 08:46:07 pm
No hot drinks at all today  >:(

Was informed that my blood goes to the neo-natal unit cos I don't got cytomegalovirus (https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor/special-blood-for-babies/).
My son got that when he was 7 weeks old (not from a transfusion). It's incredibly nasty in babies.  :( Fortunately it's also easy to cure, once it's been identified. And in adults it goes unnoticed.

Can also damage unborn babies.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: aidan.f on 20 March, 2020, 10:41:01 am
I am guessing that a lot of blood is used for elective and trauma surgery so the inevitable covid-19 supply drop may be matched by less demand ? Will still sign up as am a lapsed donor.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2020, 05:24:15 pm
They still won't take mine, as people who are on epilepsy meds are not suitable.  :demon:

I'm on a tiny baby dose now, can't wait to get completely free of the stuff.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 26 March, 2020, 08:32:24 pm
Got a phone call and booked in for good Friday. Im O Neg and the stuff they can give to neonatal so they generally chase me to give blood. Could have donated next week but due to most staff working from home or furlonging or whatever its called I can't wander down the road to the football stadium where they do day time blood donations.

My comment of book me in whenever it's not like we can actually go anywhere at the moment got a laugh and apparently they're taking precautions with distancing etc.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 26 March, 2020, 08:52:07 pm
About a couple of weeks ago I received a letter urging me to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.  I was unable to respond because I was about to have the second phase of treatment for dental implants. When my dental appointment was cancelled due to the Coronavirus epidemic I expected to be able to resume giving blood. However, yesterday I got a letter to say that donations from over 70s are suspended for the next 3 months at least. 
Pity, I quite enjoy my  train rides to Leeds, free tea and biscuits, and chatting to the nurses. Actually, it would be nice just to be free to 'wander abroad' without constraint at the moment.  Did manage a nice bike ride in the sunshine today, though.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 26 March, 2020, 09:12:49 pm
I'm an A- outlier, so always popular - but I'm also CV high risk, so really cannot bring myself to go out in public and donate - otherwise I think I probably would.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 27 March, 2020, 07:28:00 am
Currently not able to donate until late may. Hb was too low last visit.
But have taken Fe/vitB/VitC supplements, and also looked at diet
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Edd on 27 March, 2020, 09:34:22 am
Thanks for reminding me! My 12 weeks is up 15th April, next appointment now booked in for 16th April
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 16 May, 2020, 08:01:08 pm
Just done #70
I turned up in my (yacf) buff and was asked if I minded removing.  'Only put it on 'cos I thought you'd want me to' quoth I.
A bit quieter than usual - I assume fewer beds.

May prod my 2, one is A- and the other O+, so reasonably popular.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 17 May, 2020, 08:55:13 am
Before I gave blood last week I had several texts, including at least one saying not to turn up early. At the door was a sign with instructions not to check-in more than 5 minutes early. There was a separate waiting room with very well spaced out chairs and noticeably fewer people waiting than normal. Very little time to wait between the screening and being shown to a "bed". I think there were the same number as normal, and nearly all occupied.

While I was waiting it was decided to send new arrivals to wash their hands in the toilets rather than use the hand sanitiser as I had done, as they suspected that sanitiser was suspected of interfering with the blood drop test. The doors on the toilet were wedged open so no need to handle handles.

My arm had been emptied and I was having squash (no hot drinks) and crisps 40 minutes after my appointment time - normally anything under an hour is very good.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 May, 2020, 09:05:23 am
I was due to give platelets on Friday but had a phone call earlier in the week cancelling it. The platelet beds are being used to obtain plasma from Covid19 recovered patients to investigate its theraputic properties.

More info here: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/convalescent-plasma-clinical-trial/ (https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/convalescent-plasma-clinical-trial/)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 26 May, 2020, 02:52:57 pm
O bollocks

Donation declined for 2nd time in a row. Hb too low. Lower than first time, now just in normal range.

Gp messaged

 :'( :-\ >:(
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 21 June, 2020, 10:52:10 pm
#18 today.

PPE on display was interesting.

Initial triage where 2m distance was strictly enforced but once I'd said I had no symptoms or hadn't mixed with anyone who had recently had symptoms/etc then it was all a bit more relaxed.

3/4 of the nurses had masks on but, obviously, 1/4 didn't have anything, including the nurse who did my screening and Hb test.

About half of the donors had masks (I took mine) but obviously you have to take it off to drink the electrolyte drink or eat an orange club biscuit afterwards.

Busiest I've seen the centre though, and all of the platelet bays were in use too.

They took 3 separate vials of blood (they usually take 2) so I wonder if they're also using this for random/anonymous antibody testing.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 21 June, 2020, 11:47:18 pm
it looks like they are all busy. i had a call recently asking whether i can donate. then they checked several donor centres and the nearest appointment would be in two months. i said that's too far out, give me a call if there are any cancellations within a week or two.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 22 June, 2020, 08:10:51 am
#18 today.

Top tip of the day - don't attempt hill intervals (running) the day after giving blood. I did this 2 weeks ago. It got to the very hard stage pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 22 June, 2020, 01:20:04 pm
#18 today.

Top tip of the day - don't attempt hill intervals (running) the day after giving blood. I did this 2 weeks ago. It got to the very hard stage pretty quickly.

BTDTGTTS.

Now I usually schedule at least 2 days of no running after a blood donation. Next 5k is Wednesday after Sunday's donation and will be gentle.

When fitter I was able to cope better. A few years ago I did a marathon on a Sunday then cycled to work (12km but flat) on Tuesday, gave blood, cycled home, then played 1h40 of 5-a-side.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mllePB on 05 July, 2020, 12:02:17 pm
Benefit of having been in blood donor - knowing your blood group.

Good news for all of use 'O' type - there's evidence emerging that O-people are better at resisting COVID19.

I heard this on the BBCR4 inside science but it's also elsewhere on the media.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: neilrj on 05 July, 2020, 01:17:25 pm
Benefit of having been in blood donor - knowing your blood group.

Good news for all of use 'O' type - there's evidence emerging that O-people are better at resisting COVID19.

I heard this on the BBCR4 inside science but it's also elsewhere on the media.

O- or O+? Is that thin/young/fit type O+/- people, or is it just perhaps that type O+/- is a caucasian group, and as we know BAME minorities are hardest hit.

If O+/- does make a difference then you could deliberately get Covid so your super O+/- antibodies could be used for the masses of less fortunate blood types as O+/- grouping is universal in the - and + groups at the very least.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 13 July, 2020, 02:06:45 pm
went for donation today, all checks passed, but there was internal bleeding/bruising after a needle insertion which meant they couldn't proceed with collection. at least a young nurse learned something new.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 17 September, 2020, 08:09:42 pm
My appointment is a week on Sunday. Booked oh so many months ago. Treating me as new donor as they lost over 30 years of donation history.  Hey ho.

I’m presuming face coverings etc.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 September, 2020, 08:21:32 pm
My appointment is a week on Sunday. Booked oh so many months ago. Treating me as new donor as they lost over 30 years of donation history.  Hey ho.

I’m presuming face coverings etc.
I did platelets a couple of weeks ago at St George's Tooting, which shares with whole blood donating. Yes, face covering plus a few questions about whether you have The Disease and so on.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 12:16:49 am
Had to cancel mine earlier this week as I'd been ill (not Covid) over the weekend. Need to rebook for #19.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: quixoticgeek on 18 September, 2020, 12:19:50 am

Got a letter about the Dutch organ donor registry. Not sure there's much point, being British, my organs and blood are not acceptable for donation in this country.

I don't know if in the event of me snuffing it they can get organs on a plane to the UK where they are accepted...

:(

J
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 12:29:34 am
I used to get badgered relentlessly by the US blood donation people (Red Cross?) when I worked there. Every single time I said (in an umistakeably British accent) "I take it you still don't take British blood" (for fear of CJD) and they said "Yes, sorry, we can't".

Yet a week or two later I'd get harassed again to do it (sometimes in person at work, sometimes on the phone, sometimes by post, sometimes by email).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 12:31:52 am
Had to cancel mine earlier this week as I'd been ill (not Covid) over the weekend. Need to rebook for #19.

Less talk, more booking.

Sunday 4th October is the next appointment at my preferred location.

Booked.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 18 September, 2020, 09:40:39 am
My appointment is a week on Sunday. Booked oh so many months ago. Treating me as new donor as they lost over 30 years of donation history.  Hey ho.

I’m presuming face coverings etc.
I did platelets a couple of weeks ago at St George's Tooting, which shares with whole blood donating. Yes, face covering plus a few questions about whether you have The Disease and so on.

Oh I didn’t know they were doing specific parts of the blood. Last time I went you just gave about 3/4 pint and they’d sort the constituents out as necessary.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 09:47:03 am
Separate machine that takes blood out, separates it, and then sticks the bits they don't want back in you.

More info on the dedicated site: http://platelets.blood.co.uk/
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 18 September, 2020, 09:53:42 am
And are you invited to take part from regular blood donation or is it something you have to ask / volunteer for?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 10:25:41 am
And are you invited to take part from regular blood donation or is it something you have to ask / volunteer for?

Let me check the website I linked to for you.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 10:27:37 am
I can confirm you will find the answers on the aforementioned site, hidden in plain view under the "Can I donate?" link in the nav bar at the top.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 18 September, 2020, 12:19:21 pm
Note there is a higher minimum weight for platelet donation than for blood donation
(though this probably doesn't effect most people)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 18 September, 2020, 06:30:58 pm
I can confirm you will find the answers on the aforementioned site, hidden in plain view under the "Can I donate?" link in the nav bar at the top.

Yeah not the most obvious place to look. Glad you didn’t fall into the LMGTFY

Interestingly it take 2 weeks to come back with your platelet count assessment. For other reasons I know my platelet count from two weeks ago.  Anyway firstly give some blood after a gap of a few years.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 18 September, 2020, 06:45:44 pm
They have never wanted my blood.  I was born in the wrong place.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: FifeingEejit on 18 September, 2020, 08:44:12 pm
I'm being Spambarded more than normal by scotblood, since they switched to prebooking appointments rsther than drop in sessions about 10 years ago my rhinitis has made it difficult to go because I never know what state my nose will be in until I wake up.
Though what's stopping me most right now is I slipped while taking a pedal off a drive side crank and have a chain wheel tooth sized hole in my hand...

I guess they're desparate for A+ blood.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 19 September, 2020, 08:52:49 pm
Session cancelled due to Covid (not my end). No option or suggestion of alternate dates. Oh well likely be a few more months till can get another local booking. That’s if they aren’t in meltdown by Nov / Dec.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 21 September, 2020, 02:01:52 pm
I guess they're desparate for A+ blood.
They'll get mine tomorrow (also A+).
fx: checks appointment: around dinner time.  I'd better take a sarnie so I don't scoff too many crisps/biscuits etc.  Going to be emptying out my work desk tomorrow so random folks can use it, so early dinner not an option.  Which might be interesting for them as it's a sensible-sized-person (aka below average height) desk.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 September, 2020, 04:04:29 pm

Got a letter about the Dutch organ donor registry. Not sure there's much point, being British, my organs and blood are not acceptable for donation in this country.

I don't know if in the event of me snuffing it they can get organs on a plane to the UK where they are accepted...

:(

J

That's interesting. What's the rationale behind that?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: quixoticgeek on 21 September, 2020, 04:05:31 pm
That's interesting. What's the rationale behind that?

BSE/vCJD.

J
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Auntie Helen on 21 September, 2020, 06:50:36 pm
Same here in Germany - I can’t give blood or organs because of BSE.

I couldn’t in the UK either because of having had cancer, even though it was 26 years ago.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 22 September, 2020, 11:18:42 am
Had to cancel mine earlier this week as I'd been ill (not Covid) over the weekend. Need to rebook for #19.

Less talk, more booking.

Sunday 4th October is the next appointment at my preferred location.

Booked.

Cancellation letter but incomplete:-

"We regret to let you know that we have had to cancel your appointment to give blood at Donor Centre, 75 Cranmer Terrace (Tooting), Tooing, London, SW17 0RB on ."

Website still has my appointment on it, will check in a few days to see if that changes otherwise I'll give them a ring (still 12 days to go until that appointment).
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2020, 03:57:47 pm
Got a letter about the Dutch organ donor registry. Not sure there's much point, being British, my organs and blood are not acceptable for donation in this country.
I don't know if in the event of me snuffing it they can get organs on a plane to the UK where they are accepted...
:(
J
That's interesting. What's the rationale behind that?

The USA and many other countries do not accept blood from those who ate beef in Britain in the 1980s due to BSE/prion risk.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 24 September, 2020, 02:34:06 pm
Reason for cancellation arrived in a letter today.  There are new social distancing guidelines so they’ve had to reduce number of donors per session. So I didn’t make the cut...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 24 September, 2020, 02:41:40 pm
Just back from giving blood locally to me. Bit of a backlog at the door / waiting to be screened so I think the staffs lunch break was fast disappearing.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 24 September, 2020, 02:43:25 pm
Got a letter about the Dutch organ donor registry. Not sure there's much point, being British, my organs and blood are not acceptable for donation in this country.
I don't know if in the event of me snuffing it they can get organs on a plane to the UK where they are accepted...
:(
J
That's interesting. What's the rationale behind that?

The USA and many other countries do not accept blood from those who ate beef in Britain in the 1980s due to BSE/prion risk.

USA is a joke since they didn’t even test their own beef for the stuff causing BSE back then. Don’t know if they test now, probably not.

I was out travelling round world during the entire BSE episode, so missed whatever was happening back here in UK.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 24 September, 2020, 03:08:02 pm
I have been a bit lapse but also due to a lot of staff being furloghed I've not been able to get to my usual lunch time donation venue

Being o neg and I'm missing something which means noe natal can have my blood. Basically My blood is the vampires equivalent of domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru.

They always tell me I can get a booking whenever. Booked yesterday. For December....... I havent given since Easter so we'll outside the 3 months
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 25 September, 2020, 05:14:45 pm
Cancellation letter but incomplete:-

"We regret to let you know that we have had to cancel your appointment to give blood at Donor Centre, 75 Cranmer Terrace (Tooting), Tooing, London, SW17 0RB on ."

Website still has my appointment on it, will check in a few days to see if that changes otherwise I'll give them a ring (still 12 days to go until that appointment).

Just got a couple of texts from them:-

"
We're very sorry for the confusing letter you received from us recently, we have identified and fixed the bug that caused it.
"

"
All sessions are going ahead as usual and we still need you to donate. Please visit blood.co.uk or give us a call on 0300 123 23 23. Thank you!
"

That means I'm still on for next weekend.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 27 September, 2020, 11:50:24 am
I got turned away from my last one (after almost an hour’s wait) because of a slightly too-recent bout of conjunctivitis, which was news to me!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 04 October, 2020, 10:22:35 am
That means I'm still on for next weekend.

#19 done.

Now relaxing watching the marathon on telly whilst waiting for the nurse to come round to do the next ONS Coronavirus test.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 10 October, 2020, 06:51:22 am
After a couple of misses due to low Hb (seemed to be them, their machine said 126, but GP test said 136) now back donating. No 86  :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 10 October, 2020, 10:21:06 am
I went on Wednesday. Faster through than usual, due to no waiting at any stage. First time in ages that I didn't have a trainee. Number 29 done.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: bairn again on 28 October, 2020, 02:41:13 pm
Received a letter the other day as a reminder with a pre printed form attached and everything.

Pre lockdown I gave blood at work which made it easy not to forget but the letter has been the prompt I needed. 

Ive booked in for Monday 9th November at the donor centre in central Edinburgh, just in case I do a long ride on either the Saturday or Sunday before.  It will officially be my 40th donation - though I think the real total might be a bit more, when I started giving blood in the 1980s it was in the West of Scotland and Im sure their records have never been aggregated.   

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: yoav on 28 October, 2020, 03:25:27 pm
I’ve recently started giving blood in Edinburgh after a 25 years of donating in England and Wales. Prior to that, I donated in various parts Scotland but never in Edinburgh. Fortunately, I have kept all my donor records so I could tell them because they had no idea as they not only not share records with England or Wales but also it seems, not with other centres in Scotland.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: FifeingEejit on 28 October, 2020, 04:07:40 pm
SNBTS is a national service and seems to always have been, the problem is the migration to electronic records, the usual approach is not not do the migration and leave the paper records hanging around somewhere.

As for cross nation data migration, I'll just laugh.
Well OK I won't, different services from day 1 and different record keeping requirements and processes, not sure if the GP practice data providers manage it where the provide software to various places but I've had a CD of patient data exported from some German system land on my desk before because "your IT you must know what to do with this".

Dàta migration was easier when it was all on paper because you'd just need to shove the wadge of paper in the patients record folder.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2020, 04:46:26 pm
Back in the day, I just presented my little blue stickie album for a new stickie, whether I was in England or Scotland. I have a little Israeli blood donation certificate too...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 25 November, 2020, 11:23:44 am
I went to give blood today. Never again. They ask far too many questions.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 27 November, 2020, 08:47:54 am
Ha.

Booked #20 for just after Christmas (12 weeks and a day after my previous donation).

Setting up nicely for #25 in early 2022.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 18 December, 2020, 01:11:45 pm
Donated very nearly an armful of B+ yesterday. Only when I looked closely at the letter did I realise that it was the 4th time this year. I think 5 in a year is theoretically possible if you have one at the beginning of January and then every 12 weeks after that, if you can get the appointments.

Last night when I tried to book the next appointment, all the nearby venues (within about 10 miles) were fully booked, no matter how much I extended the date range. If I extended the range there were slots available at Slough and Petersfield. No thanks. But this morning by magic there are appointments available at Basingstoke (a little bit more than 10 miles) in March,  so I'm in.

Edit: no hot drink with my biscuit (Club) because covid. Hot drinks take longer to drink than cold, and seating is more spaced out with fewer chairs, so they don't want people to hang around sipping their tea. That's what I was told, anyway.

Also covid: Because everything is so controlled (e.g. not letting people in until their appointment time) everything seems to flow much smoother with less waiting and I think I've been in and out within an hour every time this year except in pre-covid January.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 18 December, 2020, 02:16:34 pm
That's been my experience. Much less waiting, no hot drink, hard to book anywhere except for the main centers.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 18 December, 2020, 02:23:30 pm
How do you guys find cycling after giving blood?

I always avoided because the consensus seems to be that there is a 2-3 week period of poor performance afterwards, which is annoying if you do structured training and even worse if you have races planned.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: L CC on 18 December, 2020, 03:01:14 pm
I'm not allowed to give blood, but I certainly suffered had to take up the slack on the tandem if Mr Smith had done his part.

Lasted at max a week, I think.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: mmmmartin on 18 December, 2020, 03:13:57 pm
when I tried to book the next appointment, all the nearby venues (within about 10 miles) were fully booked, no matter how much I extended the date range. If I extended the range there were slots available at Slough and Petersfield. No thanks. But this morning by magic there are appointments available at Basingstoke (a little bit more than 10 miles) in March,  so I'm in. I'm the same group as you:     
I'm the same blood group and often find when I try to book, there are no slots. When I asked about this i was told at a donation session that if they have a lot of blood of one group, donors with that group find slots to donate become very much fewer. When you sign in the website knows your group. I bet if you were a rare group you'd have no problem finding a slot. Which when you think about it, does make sense.
Also I was told that blood is used much less nowadays - covid means fewer planned operations happen, but in the long term there is a structural decline in the amount of blood needed as operations tend to use much less now than in the past.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 18 December, 2020, 04:00:29 pm
when I tried to book the next appointment, all the nearby venues (within about 10 miles) were fully booked, no matter how much I extended the date range. If I extended the range there were slots available at Slough and Petersfield. No thanks. But this morning by magic there are appointments available at Basingstoke (a little bit more than 10 miles) in March,  so I'm in.   
I'm the same blood group and often find when I try to book, there are no slots. When I asked about this i was told at a donation session that if they have a lot of blood of one group, donors with that group find slots to donate become very much fewer. When you sign in the website knows your group. I bet if you were a rare group you'd have no problem finding a slot. Which when you think about it, does make sense.

I'm sure this is true.  I suspect they have become very good at matching supply to expected demand. And that's why walk-in donations with a random group seem to be a thing of the past.

This explanation (https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/demand-for-different-blood-types/) ends "We only collect what we need to avoid wasting any donations."

Also from blood.co.uk
Quote
There are three reasons why you might not get an appointment straight away:

- we only collect the amount of blood that's needed and don't want to waste your donation.
- we prioritise the most needed blood types and your blood group is not yet known
- as a safety precaution, we've reduced the number of donation chairs per session to give more space between donors - this means there are fewer appointments available

How do you guys find cycling after giving blood?

I always avoided because the consensus seems to be that there is a 2-3 week period of poor performance afterwards, which is annoying if you do structured training and even worse if you have races planned.

I rode a 1000 (Great Eastern)* in about 1990 3 days after giving blood. I don't remember having any ill effects, but who knows, I might have finished earlier and/or more easily if I hadn't. I don't think I'd wouldn't do it now.

*the only reason I remember this is that the organiser Noel Simpson asked what the plaster on my arm was for, and was it any good.


Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 18 December, 2020, 04:59:35 pm
I'm not worried about cycling 12 hours.. it's more the 3 minutes at 350 Watt that is a concern, after giving blood. You need all the oxygen you can muster and if the blood is low in red cells, then inevitably you are going to be below par...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 18 December, 2020, 05:31:09 pm
How do you guys find cycling after giving blood?
I always avoided because the consensus seems to be that there is a 2-3 week period of poor performance afterwards, which is annoying if you do structured training and even worse if you have races planned.

I haven't donated for over 20 years but felt my performance was sub-optimal for up to a fortnight after donation.

I don't think this would decondition you in the long term and as many blood donations are needed as possible.

I'd suggest donating but expecting a little reduced performance for a few days. Athletes elsewhere train at high altitudes to acclimatise to lower oxygen tension in the air. Training with lower haemoglobin will help stimulate your marrow to produce MOAR red cells.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sojournermike on 18 December, 2020, 05:39:23 pm
How do you guys find cycling after giving blood?
I always avoided because the consensus seems to be that there is a 2-3 week period of poor performance afterwards, which is annoying if you do structured training and even worse if you have races planned.

I haven't donated for over 20 years but felt my performance was sub-optimal for up to a fortnight after donation.

I don't think this would decondition you in the long term and as many blood donations are needed as possible.

I'd suggest donating but expecting a little reduced performance for a few days. Athletes elsewhere train at high altitudes to acclimatise to lower oxygen tension in the air. Training with lower haemoglobin will help stimulate your marrow to produce MOAR red cells.

And then you can put the blood you took out back in as well, just before your next big race...


On a more serious note, yep when I was running competitively giving blood would leave me unable to perform at normal level for anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Plus I seemed to find myself more vulnerable to colds for a couple of days as well. The nurse told me there would be no effect, but she may have had a different idea of what normal performance was.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 18 December, 2020, 05:40:26 pm
Athletes elsewhere train at high altitudes to acclimatise to lower oxygen tension in the air. Training with lower haemoglobin will help stimulate your marrow to produce MOAR red cells.

If it was a way to boost performance, you'd have a queue... I think it's different removing red cells, so that the body needs to rebuild them, from training at altitude, so that the body needs to adapt and produce extra. The latter will give you a boost in haemoglobin that will last for a few weeks and enhance aerobic performance, the former will simply restore you to your normal numbers over time.

I suppose this time of the year I could give blood, but for 9 months I am involved in some form of racing or training for said races and I wouldn't want to throw away a lot of work.
Besides, I am AB+, not exactly the most in demand blood type
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 18 December, 2020, 05:42:23 pm
according to studies it takes 4-6 weeks to rebuild the red cell count after donation. personally i find i'm back to full strength after ~2-3 weeks.

i haven't practiced keto diet, but from what i gather the effect might be similar - not a lot of difference endurance-wise, only hard efforts feel much harder.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 18 December, 2020, 05:47:24 pm
according to studies it takes 4-6 weeks to rebuild the red cell count after donation. personally i find i'm back to full strength after ~2-3 weeks.

i haven't practiced keto diet, but from what i gather the effect might be similar - not a lot of difference endurance-wise, only hard efforts feel much harder.

The more oxygen is needed, the more the performance will be affected.

Keto diet will have similar effects, if you mainly burn fat, you'll be fine, but if you need the rocket fuel, you won't have enough.
I find keto diets absurd, but each to their own... and of course off topic
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sojournermike on 18 December, 2020, 06:19:44 pm
according to studies it takes 4-6 weeks to rebuild the red cell count after donation. personally i find i'm back to full strength after ~2-3 weeks.

i haven't practiced keto diet, but from what i gather the effect might be similar - not a lot of difference endurance-wise, only hard efforts feel much harder.

Memory suggests that blood donation had a far greater effect in the first few days than keto on burst capability. However, time makes actual comparison harder. Plus, I was running 800m up to 5,000m so oxygen transport was pretty critical and I wasn’t doing any sort of keto.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sojournermike on 18 December, 2020, 06:20:19 pm
according to studies it takes 4-6 weeks to rebuild the red cell count after donation. personally i find i'm back to full strength after ~2-3 weeks.

i haven't practiced keto diet, but from what i gather the effect might be similar - not a lot of difference endurance-wise, only hard efforts feel much harder.

Memory suggests that blood donation had a far greater effect in the first few days than keto on burst capability. However, time makes actual comparison harder. Plus, I was running 800m up to 5,000m so oxygen transport was pretty critical and I wasn’t doing any sort of keto.

For clarity, nor was I blood doping!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Chris S on 18 December, 2020, 07:09:18 pm
I'm not allowed to give blood, but I certainly suffered had to take up the slack on the tandem if Mr Smith had done his part.

Lasted at max a week, I think.

Yeah, worst for the first three days or so; mostly just feeling like being at altitude - you can breath OK, but it just doesn't seem as effective.

For reference, it doesn't work the other way round - I've failed a blood donation because my blood was basically rubbish a couple of days after a 600. I believe I posted about it here somewhere, but it was years ago.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 19 December, 2020, 07:49:04 am


For reference, it doesn't work the other way round - I've failed a blood donation because my blood was basically rubbish a couple of days after a 600. I believe I posted about it here somewhere, but it was years ago.

Interesting... I always thought long distance is basically self-destruction... running or cycling, same thing. Our relative apes don't seem to be too keen on long distance stuff, maybe there is something to learn there
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sojournermike on 19 December, 2020, 11:05:07 am


For reference, it doesn't work the other way round - I've failed a blood donation because my blood was basically rubbish a couple of days after a 600. I believe I posted about it here somewhere, but it was years ago.

Interesting... I always thought long distance is basically self-destruction... running or cycling, same thing. Our relative apes don't seem to be too keen on long distance stuff, maybe there is something to learn there

Yes and no, I think. We ‘are’ persistence hunters, so long and slow is built in. However, there is no question that very long can have some adverse impacts. I’m not sure if these persist or lead to further problems down the line though. There is evidence that regular running is protective for knee joints, for example, but also that high volumes of (intense?) aerobic training can lead to cardiac damage. Obviously, no aerobic training causes damage just as well!!

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 19 December, 2020, 11:41:38 am
High volumes of high intensity is key to the cardiac damage. At the least that’s what the evidence presented is.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 19 December, 2020, 01:47:19 pm
High volumes of high intensity is key to the cardiac damage. At the least that’s what the evidence presented is.

Got you... no pyramid intervals then... ;D

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 19 December, 2020, 01:58:01 pm
My haemoglobin was 15.3 when I was first diagnosed with MS. This is pretty high for a girl under 40. I was commuting by bike and donating blood (which had to stop). I'd done an overnight 200 a fortnight before.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Lightning Phil on 19 December, 2020, 02:44:17 pm
High volumes of high intensity is key to the cardiac damage. At the least that’s what the evidence presented is.

Got you... no pyramid intervals then... ;D

I think it’s to do with having continual high levels of cortisol rather than just after the odd high intensity session. So if you do it every day for an extended period you’ll end up with chronic inflammation amongst other things. There also links between sustained high levels of cortisol and Alzheimer’s.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: sojournermike on 19 December, 2020, 03:29:59 pm
High volumes of high intensity is key to the cardiac damage. At the least that’s what the evidence presented is.

Got you... no pyramid intervals then... ;D

I think it’s to do with having continual high levels of cortisol rather than just after the odd high intensity session. So if you do it every day for an extended period you’ll end up with chronic inflammation amongst other things. There also links between sustained high levels of cortisol and Alzheimer’s.

Plus the research paper suggested 4,000 hours of it - that’s quite a lot of high intensity work!

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 28 December, 2020, 12:04:37 am
No. 74 today. That includes some 1+1 donations that count for two and I believe the records from prior to uni got muddled up and double counted.

First time I have had the carer go hunting for a better vein. Left arm centre vein has a habbit of drying up, left outside vein is disliked by the 1+1 machine. Right middle vein is not much good so right inside vein it was, obviously not popular but it is the same vein that I have been donating from for the last 15 years.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 28 December, 2020, 12:48:00 am
Inside vein is close to Important Nerves and Artery, so blood takers are schooled to Avoid to prevent Trouble.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 28 December, 2020, 08:02:36 am
No. 74 today.

First time I have had the carer go hunting for a better vein. Left arm centre vein has a habbit of drying up, left outside vein is disliked by the 1+1 machine. Right middle vein is not much good so right inside vein it was, obviously not popular but it is the same vein that I have been donating from for the last 15 years.

Having donated for a number of years, I “rest” my preferred arm for a couple of sessions every few years.  It does seem to help me
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Greenbank on 28 December, 2020, 12:33:21 pm
#20 today. Will hope to get  to the 25 award in early 2022.

Just booked #21 for late March.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Geriatricdolan on 28 December, 2020, 02:50:00 pm
#20 today. Will hope to get  to the 25 award in early 2022.

Just booked #21 for late March.

Is this fast becoming the fix for the lack of Audax awards?  ;D
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 13 January, 2021, 02:46:28 pm
Obvs.
In another year I will get a emerald award :-)
I plan to continue past ruby and stop once I have given my own weight in blood (fsvo 'my weight')
I'll never get the higher awards as I don't weigh enough (& ain't male) to get in the required frequency of donations for them.  A bit like audax where I don't have the time/speed for some badges/medals.  I now have more time but less speed (& less drive tbh)

Interestingly with the current rules I'd probably never have started donating blood as they like female teenagers to have some additional checks etc..  & I think the min weight has gone up since 1986 (& possibly the max frequency, unless it was just they only visited $workplace every 6 months)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2021, 05:16:57 pm
I started donating in 1976 and was near enough 10 stone at the time so weight wasn't an issue.
I donated at the national HQ. I think they took blood from my male friends every 12 weeks and  about every 5 months from the women.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: zigzag on 18 January, 2021, 07:40:58 pm
all went smooth today; a club biscuit and three kitkat's earned :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 19 January, 2021, 04:21:06 pm
gah! you have a better donation centre than I do.  :'(
limited to one snack I was, and only cold drinks, sob.  Having a leisurely chat & cuppa with multiple snacks makes it worthwhile/enjoyable, now banned.

thought: has anyone else wondered if they donate more slowly if the room is chillier?  I'm suspecting there's at least as much contribution to speed of donation from how well the needle was inserted tbh.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 19 January, 2021, 04:47:31 pm

thought: has anyone else wondered if they donate more slowly if the room is chillier?  I'm suspecting there's at least as much contribution to speed of donation from how well the needle was inserted tbh.

Yes, I definitely do. I used to donate platelets (too far from the donation centre now) and it was a massive factor. The staff will give you a heat pad if you are donating slowly. I used to take a blanket with me too.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 19 January, 2021, 08:28:17 pm
gah! you have a better donation centre than I do.  :'(
limited to one snack I was, and only cold drinks, sob.  Having a leisurely chat & cuppa with multiple snacks makes it worthwhile/enjoyable, now banned.

thought: has anyone else wondered if they donate more slowly if the room is chillier?  I'm suspecting there's at least as much contribution to speed of donation from how well the needle was inserted tbh.

I am sure you are right, though cold donors won't have the nice big veins of warm folk if they have just come off the street, especially if they have not cycled or been running!

A warm waiting room, as well as donor hall, could improve 'flow'. I doubt this has been audited, though it should!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 10 May, 2021, 02:07:00 pm
I'm due to donate again next week. I find the process a little uncomfortable these days. The 'slight scratch' (why do they say that? It's not like a scratch at all. It's much more like a needle being stuck into your arm, which isn't - to my mind - something that requires a simile, much less an inaccurate one) is now a painful* jab, which remains painful throughout the donation, including the removal and shortly thereafter.

One member of staff told me that this is likely due to scar tissue. Another (different occasion) suggested a duff (cheap) batch of needles.

Whatever it is, I'm going to ask them to use the other arm next time, to see if that improves things.

(*FSVO pain. It's more painful than it used to be, but still only, say, 1.5 where renal colic = 10)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: neilrj on 10 May, 2021, 02:31:18 pm
I find painless donation give the biggest bruises, the ouchy ones never bruise? Not really pain as such but naggingly uncomfortable for half an hour. I've incidentally changed arms and it made no difference so I think it's the skill of the vampire.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 May, 2021, 02:53:05 pm
We tried using my right arm once, but the veins there are weedy pipe cleaner jobs, compared to the drainpipes in my left. (They have trouble finding a pulse in my right wrist too, I think I must be part robot).

Giving platelets seems to be more time critical, so just hanging around a bit longer doesn't appear to be an option.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 10 May, 2021, 03:07:25 pm
My left arm means using a vein on the outside of the arm, the vein in the middle dries up. When I started 1+1 donations as a student they changed to a vein on the inside of my right arm, but I have had nurses recently who didn't want to use that one*. The variation hasn't had any perceptible differences in pain, though the time that they nicked the far side of the vein on a 1+1 was uncomfortable when the return started and that donation was stopped early.

Anyway thank you for bringing this thread back up as it reminded me that I am overdue to give blood as my last appointment was between christmas and new year.



*I understand it is too close to some nerves so more risky.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 19 June, 2021, 08:22:30 am
I understand that this month a change in the 'rules' as to who can donate means that lots of people who previously couldn't give blood now can, such as this man (https://twitter.com/falcoretweets/status/1406051108485804034) and this one (https://twitter.com/EvertonGreens/status/1405505528114073602).

More details here (official blood.co.uk site) (https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/news-and-statements/landmark-change-to-blood-donation-eligibility-rules-on-today-s-world-blood-donor-day/)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 19 June, 2021, 11:11:47 am
I understand that this month a change in the 'rules' as to who can donate means that lots of people who previously couldn't give blood now can, such as this man (https://twitter.com/falcoretweets/status/1406051108485804034) and this one (https://twitter.com/EvertonGreens/status/1405505528114073602).

More details here (official blood.co.uk site) (https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/news-and-statements/landmark-change-to-blood-donation-eligibility-rules-on-today-s-world-blood-donor-day/)

Yup.  About bloody time (pun intended).

I'm banned on account of receiving a transfusion of a dodgy vintage, which doesn't seem likely to change.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 19 June, 2021, 10:07:48 pm
I'm due to donate again next week. I find the process a little uncomfortable these days. The 'slight scratch' (why do they say that? It's not like a scratch at all. It's much more like a needle being stuck into your arm, which isn't - to my mind - something that requires a simile, much less an inaccurate one) is now a painful* jab, which remains painful throughout the donation, including the removal and shortly thereafter.

One member of staff told me that this is likely due to scar tissue. Another (different occasion) suggested a duff (cheap) batch of needles.

Whatever it is, I'm going to ask them to use the other arm next time, to see if that improves things.

(*FSVO pain. It's more painful than it used to be, but still only, say, 1.5 where renal cholic = 10)
Success! Right arm and Almost pain-free! The guy I had was so lovely, though, that I think he could have stuck it in my neck and I’d have been okay.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 28 June, 2021, 04:03:16 pm
These days they tell you where your blood ended up too. Mine went local: Royal Derby Hospital. That's about 11 crow miles. However, it went via Sheffield, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, so travelled 160 miles!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 July, 2021, 03:06:59 pm
36th yesterday. First this year as March appointment cancelled and despite being o negative and neo natal blood it takes an age to be booked in.

Mildly embarrassed myself saying hello to a friend who when I saw take her mask off for a drink wasn't anyone I knew


Also a young lady in a fairly short shirt dress who hadn't considered she'd be laid back on a reclining chair. One of the staff pointed this out to her. She hadn't made it to donate by the time I left but think they were looking for something to spare her dignity
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 16 July, 2021, 05:37:59 pm
These days they tell you where your blood ended up too. Mine went local: Royal Derby Hospital. That's about 11 crow miles. However, it went via Sheffield, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, so travelled 160 miles!

These are the destinations of my last 8 donations. I think mine go via FIlton nr. Bristol.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51315564143_52f9ca1e79_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mbzFpV)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 14 September, 2021, 02:56:47 pm
Don't think I've ever heard where my donation has gone. 
Though I did get no fewer than 4 texts to remind me to attend.  And a 5th to thank me for having done so.

We are now allowed to sit round a table afterwards.  But still water/squash only, no tea.  :'(
And a revolting/disgusting isotonic drink in advance.

Edit: and a 2nd thank-you and finally: apparently this one went to Barts.  That's 7 texts for a single donation.  I'd rather have a cup of tea.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Kim on 15 September, 2021, 07:55:51 pm
Thanks-by-proxy to all contributors to this thread (along with whoever the steely-eyed biomedical engineer was who came up with the cell saver), as barakta recently made good use of a couple of pints of O+...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: philip on 15 September, 2021, 09:38:55 pm
Don't think I've ever heard where my donation has gone. 
Though I did get no fewer than 4 texts to remind me to attend.  And a 5th to thank me for having done so.
I get a text telling me which hospital got my blood, usually 2-3 weeks after donation. I donate in Hampshire and my last donations went to London, Birmingham and Dudley.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 28 September, 2021, 01:19:22 pm
Sunday’s attempt failed. My vampire missed. He jiggled it around a bit and then stopped. It was odd because he located the vein easily enough visually, and seemed very capable.
Then he said they aren’t allowed two stabs at it, even when I offered my other arm, but told me that I could book myself in again straight away (I have an appointment this evening).
It’s frustrating.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 28 September, 2021, 11:04:28 pm
Nice. 6 mins 9 secs!
Uncomfortable skin where the plaster was though. I had to take it off after an hour because it was driving me potty. Raised red lumps. I wonder if I’ve become sensitive to the plasters, or if they are using different ones?
The one I had after Sunday’s aborted attempt was fine.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 08 October, 2021, 05:02:37 pm
Arrowe Park hospital in Birkenhead got that last unit. Sip it, people, don’t swig!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 09 October, 2021, 01:30:50 pm
Nice. 6 mins 9 secs!
Uncomfortable skin where the plaster was though. I had to take it off after an hour because it was driving me potty. Raised red lumps. I wonder if I’ve become sensitive to the plasters, or if they are using different ones?
The one I had after Sunday’s aborted attempt was fine.

I'm beginning to wonder if blood donation made me allergic to Elastoplast, as I seldom used stickies other than for blood donation.
It started with Elastoplast but I'm now having grief with Micropore.
Had a blood test yesterday. Removed Micropore about 90 minutes later. Still had rash by bedtime.

Hydrocortisone cream is your friend!
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 10 October, 2021, 08:27:32 pm
Hydrocortisone cream is your friend!
Me and hydrocortisone have been close for many years.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 11 October, 2021, 02:50:26 pm
Hydrocortisone cream is your friend!
Me and hydrocortisone have been close for many years.

I am VERY sparing with my steroid use, having seen the paper-thin skin of 'steroid wrecks' as a junior doc.

I started using it in March 2019 and am not quite halfway through my second 15g tube of 1% hydrocortisone cream...
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 18 November, 2021, 02:17:02 pm
Have made it to 90 :)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: JellyLegs on 24 November, 2021, 08:05:14 am
I managed 50+ donations before I had to give up due to a brush with cancer in my 40s almost a decade ago.  I used to enjoy doing my bit and hope it was of some use as it was all prior to this modern ability to see where donations have been used.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 24 November, 2021, 09:01:24 am
I am awed by such numbers. I started late and then had a period off due to health. If I stick with my current rate I might manage 50 by my 65th birthday.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 24 November, 2021, 09:12:08 am
Hydrocortisone cream is your friend!
Me and hydrocortisone have been close for many years.

I am VERY sparing with my steroid use, having seen the paper-thin skin of 'steroid wrecks' as a junior doc.

I started using it in March 2019 and am not quite halfway through my second 15g tube of 1% hydrocortisone cream...
Similarly. My 30gm tube of canesten HC was prescribed in 2016 and has some applications left. It’s still efficacious too: just dispatched an outbreak of (I think) angular cheilitis.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2021, 05:39:32 pm
Angular cheleitis CAN be (but not necessarily is) caused by iron deficiency or high blood sugar.

Might be worth checking or watching.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 24 November, 2021, 10:36:40 pm
Interesting. For the first time at my last donation, I was told that my iron level was just sufficient to let me donate.

Can I get these things checked at a pharmacy, or must I go through the anguish of trying to see speak to exchange pixels unsatisfactorily with my gp, might you know?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 25 November, 2021, 08:07:28 pm
Suspect your pharmacy can check your sugar but haemoglobin and iron might need a GP.

Suggest: a few days' Canesten.
Pharmacy sugar check.
A few days' observation off Canesten.

GP in 2nd week of December if cheleitis recurs or sooner if blood sugar higher than desirable.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Paul on 25 November, 2021, 10:54:58 pm
Thanks Helly
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Edd on 08 February, 2022, 02:01:13 pm
Donation #20 today. Painful with the needle this time around. I have been giving small amounts of blood recently for research purposes and they all went for the same vein. I did suggest that the blood collector try my right arm this time, he took one look at it and went for the usual vein in my left. I was in and out in about half an hour though, so very quick and efficient today. I think I lucked out at arriving in a lul period despite it being booking only
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 February, 2022, 07:33:19 am
I donated yesterday in the Gudwara in Leamington. I much prefer giving at the dedicated centre in Brum, but it was easier in Leam yesterday.

I've recently found out that my O- blood always goes to a maternity unit. Is that because it's O-, or is there another reason?
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 12 February, 2022, 07:38:56 am
I donated yesterday in the Gudwara in Leamington. I much prefer giving at the dedicated centre in Brum, but it was easier in Leam yesterday.

I've recently found out that my O- blood always goes to a maternity unit. Is that because it's O-, or is there another reason?

I have the same my blood. Its explained in this link. Basically our blood is awesome


https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/the-donor/special-blood-for-babies/
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 February, 2022, 11:16:41 am
Thanks for the link. Good to know.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2022, 02:37:02 pm
My brother is O Negative.
He'd be an ideal blood donor.
He cannot give blood in Israel, where he lives.
He ate beef in Britain in the 1980s.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 05 May, 2022, 07:18:39 pm
Just waiting to give 38th donation. Should have been a few months back but had the covid

Annoyed I had a good few years of unpredictable work hours so could never book in as think was mid 20s when missed my first possible donation having started at 16.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 11 July, 2022, 04:56:25 pm
I'm due to donate again next week. I find the process a little uncomfortable these days. The 'slight scratch' (why do they say that? It's not like a scratch at all. It's much more like a needle being stuck into your arm, which isn't - to my mind - something that requires a simile, much less an inaccurate one) is now a painful* jab, which remains painful throughout the donation, including the removal and shortly thereafter.

One member of staff told me that this is likely due to scar tissue. Another (different occasion) suggested a duff (cheap) batch of needles.

Whatever it is, I'm going to ask them to use the other arm next time, to see if that improves things.

(*FSVO pain. It's more painful than it used to be, but still only, say, 1.5 where renal colic = 10)

That sounds a bit like my experience. Twice in the last two or three years the insertion has been particularly uncomfortable, and on both occasions the flow of blood has dried up before the minimum amount had been collected (U for underweight* on my record) . The first time it was suggested I hadn't drunk enough, although I'd drunk the same as normal. In April the needle inserting person found great difficulty in inserting it into a vein, and it was suggested that it could be scar tissue after 40+ donations.

So today Donor Carer Alison used the preciously untried right arm, and everything went smoothly.


* the amount of blood was underweight not me. At my very first donation (arranged by work - we'd been 'volunteered') I waited for the screening with a very nervous colleague who really didn't want to donate. She was delighted to be turned away on the grounds that she didn't meet the minimum weight allowed. Anyway, that colleague became Mrs nuncio, but nuncio has said it would be inadvisable for me to point out to her that there would be nothing preventing her donating now.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 17 July, 2022, 09:06:26 pm
Slowest donation I had was with a novice donor carer, I think the needle wasn't in quite right; they were about to tell me to bog off but much wriggling around in the chair by me upped the flow above whatever the minimum is.  I think I was luckiy in that usually I'm a fast bleeder (sub 5 mins, the only thing I've ever been fast at, take my glory where I can get it), so a fast bleeder going slowly is just about fast enough.

Meanwhile, I've never had a favourite arm so they randomly use whatever arm they feel like.  It appears from above posts that this is a good thing.

I'm delighted not to weigh enough for platelet donation.  Though luckily the minimum weight when I started (esp for teenage girls/women) was higher, else I'd never have been able to donate and wouldn't have gone back when older.  Will stop once I have given my weight in blood is the plan.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 03 August, 2022, 02:57:10 pm
39th today I think

At the mighty Colchester United ground. In and out within 30 minutes as with it being warm and being a fast bleeder took hardly any time. Mostly men giving but would figure as lunchtime

More normal this time and the stickers are back so girls will be happy
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2022, 03:44:53 pm
As a lapsed blood donator I was asked if I would consider giving Plasma at the local donation centre. So off I trot for an appointment last Friday afternoon, unfortunately my veins which are fine for blood and were fine in the past for 1+1 (red blood and platelets) were not sufficiently robust for plasma donation. So now I have to wait for them to reset me to a blood donator and then see if I can find a local appointment for my blood type.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 07 December, 2022, 05:42:04 am
they are currently chasing me to make an appointment.

I’ve had a some failed donations as their test said Hb too low, but my GP kindly did blood test. The results were 2+ higher than the finger prick test.

Will arrange appt soon
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 December, 2022, 04:31:13 pm
Hit 40th last month. They had just brought back in mask wearing which was between appointment and letter so no one had masks but they did provide

For some reason blood test failed to sink so had to use a proper machine but my irons were fine as usual. Only complaint is the chairs point away from windows so have a wall to stare at rather then outside
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: John Stonebridge on 10 December, 2022, 11:03:59 am
Ive got a booking next week for what I think will be my 43rd donation.   

Finding a vein has been increasingly problematic in recent donations with one appointment being abandoned entirely so fingers crossed.  I really want to get to 50.   

 
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 01 February, 2023, 06:03:00 pm
I went today, only just over the minimum HB level, perhaps that's why I've been feeling not-so-energetic.  Or perhaps I'm getting old.
They still love my veins.

...  Will stop once I have given my weight in blood is the plan.
Apparently I was misinformed as to the weight of a donation and I passed the "given my weight" point at least 3 years ago.  Today's answer was that a filled pack weighs 828g.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 01 February, 2023, 07:06:16 pm
Ive got a booking next week for what I think will be my 43rd donation.   

Finding a vein has been increasingly problematic in recent donations with one appointment being abandoned entirely so fingers crossed.  I really want to get to 50.   

I'm in a similar situation.

Since this (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28919.msg2735608#msg2735608) donation, which convinced me that the right arm was the one to use:

1. In mid October the carer inserted the needle but failed to find a vein in my right arm, summoned someone senior, who summoned someone even more senior (Dennis) who made the decision to abandon the donation before it had really started (which meant I didn't have to wait 3 months which would have been the case if the donation had been abandoned half way through).

2. At the end of October (Halloween, some of the carers had dressed up appropriately) the carer cuffed up both arms during the screening, poked about with his finger and declared the biggest juiciest vein was in my left arm and the donation was successful.

3. And today, Dennis performed the screening bit, and said that failures such as I'd had were more to do with the person inserting the needle rather anything to do with my veins. So the left was tried again. Successfully.

So that's 49.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 30 March, 2023, 06:45:44 am

95th donation yesterday  :)

Having looked back in this thread, the issue of painful/difficult cannulation is discussed.
I have found that after a number of donations the vein becomes more painful/irritable and difficult to cannulae, at this point I request the other arm is used, and do this for the next 3 - 4 donations. This seems to solve the problem for me.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 March, 2023, 09:52:21 pm
177 units here, quite a few of which are platelets.  I tried using my other arm once but because I'm part robot my right arm appears to have smaller veins (it's harder for the Crool Nurse to find my pulse in my right arm too), the session had to be abandoned.

The last session I did was pretty uncomfortable, presumably because the vein in my left arm that gets tagetted is a mass of scar tissue. The nice donor carer tweaked the needle position which helped as bit but didn't completely fix it.

Platelelet donation can be as frequent as every two weeks, as most of the blood gets returned to the donor during the donation process. I tend to go evey four weeks, to give my vein a better chance of healing up.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 30 March, 2023, 10:23:22 pm
I gave platelets for a while, so I'm over 150 units - and, no doubt, some scarring in my veins. I've been used to going to the main Leeds centre for platelets, and have continued to do so now I just give whole blood. Last session, though, I decided to go to a mobile session which is closer to home. Not really sure why, but there was a problem getting the needle properly located in the vein, and some swelling as a result, although I completed a full donation. In future I'll be going back to Leeds, with its regular staff and permanent set-up. Somehow the local session felt a bit amateurish and make-do; rather like going to temporary field hospital compared to a fully-equipped teaching hospital. Maybe I was just unlucky?
Anyway, I quite enjoy a train ride to the big city, lunch, art gallery etc. ;)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 10 May, 2023, 05:12:03 pm

So that's 49.

Now 50.

First time I've donated in a listed building (Reading Fire Station). I had plenty of time to admire the tiling while the needle was in my arm. As I was arriving the traffic lights all went red and a bright red vehicle emerged from behind the building towing a boat on a trailer, and headed off towards the Thames.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 01 August, 2023, 01:36:50 pm
Went again yesterday.  Currently experiencing my septennial (approx) sideswiping/utter exhaustion, mostly I'm OK afterwards.

I tried going about 10 days ago, but apparently cutting my finger with the bread knife that morning (not cutting bread - trying to hack open an hrt container to recycle the ball bearing separately from the plastic) meant they didn't want me so I was postponed for a week. 
(Other donors take note, I don't recall a "fresh" cut being mentioned anywhere as a contra-indication, but maybe it should have been obvious (not to me it wasn't).)

By the time I was told to come back in a week or so, I'd had 2 hb tests: one didn't sink quickly enough so they did a 'proper' one, answer being 131.
Same again yesterday with the not-sinking, but the new answer was 141.  Obviously the liver* I'd bought to eat after the postponed donation did the trick (and I should have bought some more for yesterday). 


* It looked a lot when I got it home.  The cat was delighted to reduce my portion size.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 01 August, 2023, 06:50:50 pm
Have never donated since being turned away because I was born in sub-Saharan Africa.  Given the difficulty the inexpert have just getting a sample out of me, it’s just as well. I have low blood pressure, although not dangerously so, they reassure me. I do like to drink plenty of water.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 11 August, 2023, 11:29:09 am
Number 51 on Tuesday.

Blood drop test was odd - it sank then changed its mind and some or all of it went upwards (I didn't see it, that's what the carer said). The little gadget said 171 so it went ahead.
Donation itself was quick and easy.

Then I got home and must have slept for 12 hours.
On Wednesday I didn't do much.
Yesterday I felt fine and went for a long (but slow) walk, searching for insects to photograph, then went out on my bike to buy food (4 miles max). I got home and felt completely exhausted, and went to bed early.

I'm coming to the conclusion that recovery is taking too long for it to be worth it. Nevertheless I've booked for November and no doubt I'll go through the experience all over again and come to the same conclusion again.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: FifeingEejit on 11 August, 2023, 01:56:20 pm
Had to cancel on monday, nose decided to go nuts.
the good news is the booking system in use now makes it considerably easier to wander into work on a wednesday and decide on a post work vampire visit to ninewells.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 12 August, 2023, 06:02:21 am
Currently now having to take a break from donation. Classed as anaemic, iron based.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 09 November, 2023, 12:33:42 pm
Number 51 on Tuesday.

Blood drop test was odd - it sank then changed its mind and some or all of it went upwards (I didn't see it, that's what the carer said). The little gadget said 171 so it went ahead.
Donation itself was quick and easy.

Then I got home and must have slept for 12 hours.
On Wednesday I didn't do much.
Yesterday I felt fine and went for a long (but slow) walk, searching for insects to photograph, then went out on my bike to buy food (4 miles max). I got home and felt completely exhausted, and went to bed early.

I'm coming to the conclusion that recovery is taking too long for it to be worth it. Nevertheless I've booked for November and no doubt I'll go through the experience all over again and come to the same conclusion again.
Again the blood drop test 'failed', twice, but the gadget measured 154, so donation went ahead.

No sign of  fatigue this time.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: yoav on 09 November, 2023, 03:05:30 pm
Are they still using the blood drop method? I've had my blood measured using the gadget (Hemocue to give it's proper name) for at least the last 4 years. This is in Scotland.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 November, 2023, 03:16:10 pm
Are they still using the blood drop method? I've had my blood measured using the gadget (Hemocue to give it's proper name) for at least the last 4 years. This is in Scotland.
When I go to St George's in Tooting it's normally blood drop. They have a gadget too, which I've had a go on once(out of many many times)
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 14 November, 2023, 08:18:52 pm
It's the blood drop method unless it fails and then they do a proper test.  I'm guessing that the false-OKs by the drop method are low-to-nil.  I've had the bouncing drop on a number of occasions.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 22 November, 2023, 06:21:41 pm
Well, today's first drop refused to exit the pipette thingy
The next one sat on the surface and eventually sunk, but by then another finger had been sacrificed (forefinger, more painful than the usual index/3rd fingers).
I got rejected as it was only 11.9   :-(
Try again in 3 months.  It's not as if I've particularly been doing anything since the last donation at the end of July.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 November, 2023, 06:58:40 pm
I'm still banned for life.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 23 November, 2023, 12:44:05 pm
I got rejected as it was only 11.9   :-(
Try again in 3 months.  It's not as if I've particularly been doing anything since the last donation at the end of July.
As a regular donor, it could be worth twisting your GPs arm to have FBC and ferritin levels done. I've had to have abreak from donation as I had become anaemic,  Following multiple blood tests, and poo stick, it was found to be iron based, with very low ferrin levels (20). Further discussion with the GP found the only possible cause was frequent regular donations (3+ per year over a decade) had depleted the iron stores, hence not able to make sufficient haemaglobin.

I've been on prescription iron for a couple of months, and am to continue to the end of the year, and then I'm allowed to start donating again.

When discussed with the transfusion service, they were not suprised.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 23 November, 2023, 03:48:24 pm
I got rejected as it was only 11.9   :-(
Try again in 3 months.  It's not as if I've particularly been doing anything since the last donation at the end of July.
:
the only possible cause was frequent regular donations (3+ per year over a decade) had depleted the iron stores, hence not able to make sufficient haemaglobin.
:
there could be something in that, thanks.  I've been doing around 3 per year for the past couple of decades. 
The only other time I had low Hb was a fortnight or so after I did LEL.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: philip on 23 November, 2023, 04:03:07 pm
Me too. I gave bood three times a year for fifteen years and then started failing the test. I didn't feel ill and didn't notice any effect while exercising. My GP arranged a blood test which showed ferritin at 3, indicating practically no iron reserve. I took iron tablets for a month and didn't give blood for about a year. A second blood test showed ferritin levels had improved. I resumed giving blood about three years ago, and have been donating twice a year without a problem.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 23 November, 2023, 05:01:44 pm
Apparently it's not unkonwn as a donor impact, though it's a US study: Iron Deficiency and Blood Donation: Links, Risks and Management (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9749410/)
ho hum.  So I should probably find some iron tablets and not rush back, well I have to wait at least 3 months anyway. 
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: slowfen on 24 November, 2023, 06:30:36 am

My GP was very disparaging about the standard over the counter iron tablets (16 - 20mg iron), the prescription ones start at 200mg, and can be got without prescription by talking with a pharmacist, but they do look for symptomatic anaemia, or direction from gap
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Jasmine on 08 January, 2024, 08:50:18 pm
I had a text this morning from the Welsh blood service about low stocks, inviting me to a session today. A quick look in my diary told me it's just been 16 weeks, so I booked in for this evening. Quite a few people must have had the same, as it was quite a busy session, despite the appearance of a lot of slots when I booked. I'm always a little bit annoyed if when I arrive the person with the appointment after me (or several after mine) has turned up early and been slotted in, making me late. It's appointment only, so I do feel that allowing people to rock up and be seen early (last time one bloke was 50 min early), you might as well just have walk-ins.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Salvatore on 16 February, 2024, 10:29:23 am
Number 53 yesterday.

I'd checked on the blood.co.uk website and the helpline that I was OK to donate after a biopsy had revealed only benign changes. At the screening blood drop was fine and the carer referred me to nurse Tereza. I showed her the letter from the urologist, and she noted the final sentence which mentioned that they would keep monitoring me  and I should have a blood test in 6 month's time. In other words I hadn't been completely signed off, and if I hadn't been signed off I couldn't donate. Anyway, she decided to consult someone higher up by phone, and after a lengthy discussion she was given the go-ahead. You have to wait 4 months after a flexible colonoscopy or endoscopy, so I had to assure them that there's nothing flexible involved in a transperineal biopsy - just complete removal of one's dignity.

Everything then went smoothly, the bag was filled very quickly and I was soon into the squash and biscuits, and despite the lengthy consultation I was in and out in about 50 minutes total (it was one of the first slots after lunch, so no sitting about before starting).

I cycled home OK (12 km or so) but was very tired when I got home and had an early night.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: offcumden on 16 February, 2024, 09:16:38 pm
I was due to make donation no. 157 earlier this week but, having had a totally unexpected DVT a fortnight ago (no long haul flights, decent diet, plenty of exercise etc) I am now on Apixaban for life. So I'm now an ancien donneur de sang, which is sad. I did get a nice letter from the Blood Service, but I had rather hoped to go on and on ...

Where that DVT came from I really don't know, nor do the docs. Some talk of Protein S deficiency (either inherited or acquired, apparently). Anyway, out on the bike today for the longest ride for some months. Life goes on.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 16 February, 2024, 10:26:00 pm
I donated plasma for the first time a few weeks ago. I’m somewhat uncertain about doing it again, as I am fairly sure I had a mild citrate reaction. In any case, as I am 0+, I wonder if my blood is more useful than my plasma.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: Tim Hall on 18 February, 2024, 11:57:21 am
Currently in Tooting, hooked up to a machine that goes ping. Units 188 and 189 almost done. And I've just finished reading my book.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: arabella on 12 March, 2024, 01:08:15 pm
I passed the HB test last night.  Though I will probably drop down to every 6 months or so anyway.  I may or may not make it to 100 donations.  I'm thinking I might reduce the frequency due to above mentioned low HB and I don't weigh enough for plasma nor platelets.

Yesterday's session included a long wait during which I read the latest arrivée cover to cover.

Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: matthew on 12 March, 2024, 10:34:05 pm
Donation no. 80 last friday. The nurse didn't like my veins, after checking both arms, so they called a colleague to stab me. After that all proceeded as normal. Next appointment booked for the location I can walk to.
Title: Re: Blood donation
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 13 March, 2024, 05:41:48 pm
Bugger, just failed the iron test. Its odd as always hsd really good iron levels and once had to be retested as the nurse was noting something and my sample had dropped to bottom of liquid before she looked back, however last couple of times that hasn't worked so needed to go on the machine for an accurate result. This time they went to that and came in at 127. Said nothing to worry about but as always been good am a little. I eat well etc. Did do a 2 hour ride today so don't know if that affected