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Original poster

Giving blood - how not to faint?

33 replies

BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 21:34

Some months ago, encouraged by a thread about blood donations, I finally booked an appointment, and the date is tomorrow, and I'm bricking it!

I used to give regularly for a while, so really shouldn't be scared to go back, right? I stopped because we were having fertility treatments, and there were other health issues, and then we moved to an area with no regular sessions. This is actually the first time in seven years that I think I'm okay medically to donate, and there's a session nearby for me to attend.

Problem is, I always used to get quite faint. Never actually fainted while donating blood, but I'm really scared that for some reason now I will! I dread that feeling when the room starts to tip over and I start to see swirling black dots. I've always done all the basic things they tell you to: eat, drink lots, do the muscle tension stuff. It doesn't seem to have made a difference. The almost-fainting feeling can last for hours afterwards, which is why I haven't wanted to go donate far from home. But I've never been told that I shouldn't actually keep donating blood, other health issues permitting, so it must be okay?

I'm not usually squemish, and blood tests and needles don't bother me, so I'm not sure what the thing with blood donation is (similarly I get apparently unusually lightheaded from sedation and sedatives).

Am I missing some trick I could try? Any extra thing I could do before, during or after the donation? (Assuming they'll let me donate.)

OP posts:
Crustaceans · 17/02/2019 21:39

Eat and drink lots before the donation. Drink as much water as you can tonight.

littleleeleanne · 17/02/2019 21:41

Think positive. Don't set yourself up for a fail. Well done for returning.

ErictheGuineaPig · 17/02/2019 21:42

That is odd. Can you ring the blood donation helpline and ask if they have any information on why this could be happening and how you can prevent it? It sounds like some kind of physical issue rather than psychological of it goes on for ages after.

twoheaped · 17/02/2019 21:46

The chairs have changed since you last went, encouraging blood away from the legs. That should help.
You shouldn't be ill for hours after and I doubt anybody would wish you to carry on donating if it makes you ill.
Is it worth your health?

Original poster
BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 21:47

Will do my best to think positive. I'll try to distract myself the best I can, but I've not really noticed a difference in how I feel depending on how relaxed vs anxious I've been going in.

I've talked about it in previous donations Eric, and they didn't seem to think it was all that unusual, and even the website does say it's possible to feel faint later on. They just give the basic, standard advice, and if I say I don't notice it making a difference, have mostly kind of shrugged and reminded me I don't have to give blood if it makes me feel unwell.

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 17/02/2019 21:48

I spent 2017 being a bit fainty, they were lovely about it. Prep yourself by having food and drink directly beforehand - set your appointment for straight after breakfast/lunch/elevenses/high tea/second supper/midnight snack/third breakfast. Follow the "drink a pint" mandate when you get there.

Tell the staff that you're liable to feel faint right up front. They'll keep an even closer eye on you to make sure you're okay.

Do the butt exercises while you're being vampired. Keeps the blood moving.

They'll have lower risk procedures in place for after the draw - more slowly bringing your chair up from horizontal, checking with you that you're okay, putting your chair back down again if you start to go grey to get more blood to the head.

Hang around at the tea and biccies place after for half an hour, choose crisps to keep your salts up.

It'll be fine! Good on you for continuing to donate.

ihearttea · 17/02/2019 21:49

I was a fainter and didn't donate for years. The chairs are different and so much better now & they give you exercises to do which really helps keep your blood pressure up. Keep moving your legs and clenching your bum cheeks, it definitely helps.

NaToth · 17/02/2019 21:49

The last time I gave, i was there for several hours, very week and faint afterwards and they told ,e I shouldn't donate again.

AhhhHereItGoes · 17/02/2019 21:50

Eat about an hour beforehand.

Be well hydrated.

If you're squeamish, don't look.

Sit up slowly after you're finished. Then turn your legs around and wait 10-30 seconds before attempting to stand.

Don't elrush straight out. Accept the biscuit and tea/juice.

Thank you so much for donating. I no longer can as I had a transfusion.

Original poster
BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 21:50

That's interesting twoheaped. They didn't have chairs at all in my previous donation centre, just kind of "beds" with adjustable backs. Will be interesting to see what they have now.

I don't know if it's "worth it". I guess it's worth it for the people who need donated blood? And I've never actually fainted while donating, or suffered any actual ill effects apart from feeling shit, so would ideally like to donate since I in theory can again.

OP posts:
AhhhHereItGoes · 17/02/2019 21:51

Also I felt a bit lethargic afterwards so if you can take it easy that evening.

ChakiraChakra · 17/02/2019 21:51

I've seen several people have to lie down when they feel feint by the coffee station time, it's fairly normal I wouldn't worry about it Smile

Hydration is king, as is eating blood sugar helping food and plenty of it. The newish chairs and drink a pint policy really do help.

ErictheGuineaPig · 17/02/2019 21:53

Well I suppose its reassuring that they're not concerned! And, yes, fair play to you continuing to donate. Hopefully they'll have the new chairs this time and they'll help.

Original poster
BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 21:53

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone, by the way! I'm dragging DH with me, since he's home tomorrow. He can't donate, but he can keep me company and see me home safe, at least. And maybe I can get some pity snacks served at home, too... :)

OP posts:
twoheaped · 17/02/2019 21:57

Good idea to take dh, at least he can drive if you're feeling squiffy.
Hope it goes well.
Only 6% of the population who are eligible to donate do so, your donation will certainly be appreciated by someone.

Starryskiesinthesky · 17/02/2019 21:58

Not sure if this applies to you or not but blood phobias are different to all other phobias! For most phobias relaxing is important but for blood / needle phobias it is the opposite and you want to keep arousal levels high. So, thinking angry thoughts and blood pumping is important!

CheerioHunter · 17/02/2019 21:59

I had issues 50% of the times I did it.
I don't faint but feel light headed and flushed.
They lower the chairs again till I feel okay.
Last time went fine though and I found a few things out.

I always eat and drink plenty before I go, but this has little affect - Until one member said you should eat at least 2 hours before, otherwise it sits in your stomach. - This ties in, usually I'd get home from work, eat a big meal, relax half an hour then go and donate, but last time I ate earlier and felt fine.

They can bring the chairs up slow, taking time between each stage, they usually do this and it helps, but I would still sometimes start feeling funny.

But I think the thing that helped the most was when the attendent last time slowed the machine down, meaning it took the blood slower, and i felt perfect.
Afterwards I realised that each time I had "got done" quickly, I felt really bad, the slower times I felt better.

So, the my advice starting with the obvious;

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Do leg and bum exercises in the chair
  • Eat around 2 hours before donating
  • Ask them to keep you laid down a few minutes longer, and bring you up slower
  • Request they set the machine to draw the blood slower.
Original poster
BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 22:06

Starryskiesinthesky - that's fascinating! Never heard of that! I don't know if what I have is phobia related, but I've always tried my best to be super relaxed, so let's see if the opposite will work better!

Thanks CheerioHunter, too. I'll make a note to have my lunch a bit early, so it'll have time to get to work before my 2 pm appt. I'll ask about the machine speed, too. Didn't realise they could change the speed!

OP posts:
c75kp0r · 17/02/2019 22:11

You give blood sitting up? When I gave blood (not UK) it was lying down and I fainted the first time (and the blood stopped coming out) - but they allowed me to put my legs up after that which prevented fainting - I don't think I'd have been too good in a chair. Though I've put on a bit of weight since then so I'd probably be fine now.

CheerioHunter · 17/02/2019 22:11

Me neither, until she tweaked with it after reading my notes that I sometimes go light headed and I asked her what she did and she explained it sometimes helps. I guess it's less of a shock to the system suddenly losing a pint or so of blood if it's done slower.
Still have a bite to eat a short while before you go in, but have your bigger meal a little earlier.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine! And, as I keep telling myself, as crap as I felt for those few hours was nothing compared to those who were receiving it.
So kudos for battling through Smile

Original poster
BadlyAgedMemes · 17/02/2019 22:16

And, as I keep telling myself, as crap as I felt for those few hours was nothing compared to those who were receiving it.

That's what I try to remind myself about (in my less pathetic moments at least).

Right. I'm going to start hydrating myself, even if it means getting up to loo all night!

OP posts:
pinknsparkly · 17/02/2019 22:21

BadlyAgedMemes I used to get this badly too. The first two times I gave blood, I passed out at work the following day Confused Still can't work out why I'm fine on the day of blood donation and not fine the day after though!! What helps me is:

  • Drink an absolute ton of water all through the day. Literally, don't stop drinking! They'll tell you to drink a large glass of water whilst waiting to donate - drink two! Also, avoid caffeinated drinks - if you want tea or coffee, stick to decaff.
  • Eat a carby snack every hour throughout the day. Perfect excuse for biccies or crackers or pringles :)
  • Do all the exercises they tell you do in the info booklet the whole way through the blood collection process - clenching and releasing your buttcheeks and circling your feet/wiggling your toes.
  • Take FULL advantage of the snacks provided afterwards. You may feel like a greedy wotsit, but get a packet of crisps AND some biscuits AND a penguin bar down you and sit around for as long as you need to. When you think you're ok to get up and leave, wait a few minutes longer. Drink plenty more at this point too (at a minimum a cup of tea AND a glass of squash/water).

I should say - I always donate in the evening after work. Personally, even if I had the day off and could donate during the day, I'd still stick to donating after work to give me the day to get my fluid and carb intake up nice and high!

Touch wood, since doing the above I've not passed out again and recently got my 10th donation badge! I've only ever passed out on one other occasion in my life (my very first gig which was ridiculously hot and crowded) so I'm 100% sure it was due to the blood donation and not a random coincidence.

pinknsparkly · 17/02/2019 22:24

And yes, you're 100% spot on about getting your husband to go with you. I've finally got mine to sign up to donating. Prior to that I used to make him come and meet me after the session and walk me home to be sure!

Starryskiesinthesky · 17/02/2019 22:25

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/all-patients/overcoming-your-fear-of-needles.pdf

This is good advice and has the tension thing that I mentioned although it has you doing muscle tension. I remember as a trainee psychologist though having a presentation where they got people to think angry/tension inducing thoughts as well!

Good luck anyway!!

UselessTrees · 17/02/2019 22:27

You give blood sitting up?

No, it's like a hard plastic chair that tips back to a horizontal position. Once you've donated they raise you back up in a couple of steps to reduce the chance of you feeling faint.