Improving veins for donating blood

[MrsMarrio]

Booked my first blood donation for today, drank plenty, got there and when it came to the vein check the only vein they could find is only good enough for blood samples apparently. Was told it was common among young women (I’m 28) and veins can change so try again in 2 years if it is something I’d still like to do. I’ve had blood samples taken regularly over the last 2.5 years and phlebotomists always have a little moan about me not having great veins so I know in over 2 years my veins haven’t changed so is there anything I can actually do to improve my chances of donating?

I've got terrible tiny veins too. Blood tests are frequently a disaster.
Trouble really starts when I have to have infusions. Takes forever.

@Significantown god that sounds painful!
@BlackCatsRule88 yes and I get more annoyed with the fact I can’t do something. Very frustrating.

maybe they just didn’t want to outright disappoint me by telling me not to bother coming back

TBH I was quite relieved. Blood tests are always challenging and leave me with plasters all over so I didn't mind being told that blood donation wasn't going to work for me. Maybe the nurse could tell!

One memorable A&E nurse refused to remove any needle that had gone through the skin but not found a vein so I ended up with them hanging out of both arms and ankles plus one in the back of each hand. I should have been more assertive about it as it was bloody uncomfortable. He didn't succeed and had to take them all out in the end. It took so long that I ended up being admitted for a condition that shouldn't have required that so they could avoid going over the time limit and then spent a jolly evening on a ward while various people up there had a go. Got there in the end though.

Years ago I had to go to hospital for a procedure which needed an IV. My veins are shocking after a lot of cannulas over the years and a big scar that rules out the inner arm on my left.

They pulled out this vein light scanner thing - they shone it on my arm, it showed up the vein, in first time.

That was about 10 years ago and I’ve never seen one since... would love my own 😂

@Loopylobes that is hilarious! I’m sure it wasn’t at the time though

Last time I went for a blood test they got the needle in then nothing came out except what sounded like a puff of air 😂 they have to get tiny childrens butterfly ones for me now.

I had the same OP and also had issues with bloods being taken during pregnancy. I've never tried blood donation again, but have signed up to the bone marrow register as an alternative, have you considered that? You just have to send off a saliva sample and will only be contacted if you're a possible match.

@SinkGirl omg! I’m pissing myself at puff of air 🤣🤣

@superking isn’t bone marrow extraction quite painful in comparison to blood though? That’s the only thing that puts me off that

This is what I’m not understanding now ...it’s not an horrendous experience for me getting blood like some of these other stories except for the time I was in hospital and severely dehydrated. Usually it’s quite straight forward apart from them mentioning it’s hard to get because it goes off at an angle. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Maybe I should have asked why my vein was unsuitable 🤣

@mrsmarrio I believe that if you are a match then 90% of the time they can get what they need from your bloodstream. But yes, I imagine a bone marrow extraction would not be as straightforward. BUT you would only get to either stage if there was an actual individual in need who you matched with - to get on the register it's just a saliva sample - so if it got to that stage you would potentially be saving someone's life. For me that would be worth the discomfort. I have been on the register for nearly 10 years and was once contacted to say I had been identified as a potential donor, but nothing came of it in the end. If you google Anthony Nolan there will be much better information!

These days we don’t do bone marrow extractions in 99% of cases. Instead donors donate stem cells via a machine a bit like a dialysis machine. It would mean having a cannula in both arms, but the needles needed for that are smaller than for taking blood transfusions. Potential donors have their veins assessed by the experts who run the machines. But as mentioned above, that’s way down the line after someone has been proven to be a tissue type match. Bone marrow harvests, where performed are fine under GA. There are some very needle phonic donors who actually prefer that.

Partner and I regularly donated blood in another country without ever a problem but in the UK we both go through an ordeal. The pain is almost unbearable when they keep trying to insert the needle, it is horrendous. But I remember that in other country they use a snall amount of local anaesthetic that they 'shoot' into the arm with a tiny 'pistol' and after that you don't feel a thing. Not sure if it also helps show veins better, I never had the problem people not finding one but in the UK a regular issue.
Strangely same goes with smear test and with teeth hygienists, both much more painful in the UK than elsewhere, I don't know why, probably different methodologies used or something.

I've always been OK and when asked which arm tend to say either, but last time I got into the chair the nurse couldn't find one in the first arm and rolled her eyes a bit and had to move everything to the other side. They told me to stick to that side next time (problem is I can't remember which it was, hopefully they put it on the notes). I get the impression the sessions are so fully booked and so thinly staffed now that they just can't afford any extra time to look for awkward veins or anything out of the usual, so they just tell people not to come back. I once felt dizzy (20 years ago), that is still on my notes and I have also been told that if it happens again they will no longer have me as a donor. Which even after many years and many donations makes me feel a bit sad. The staff do an amazing job IMO, always cheerful and kind despite being so, so busy.

When I first started donating the nurse sat with you through the whole donation, then another one kept an eye on you while you lay down in a rest area for 10 mins before getting your drink, it has changed a lot.

I have tiny veins and get a roll eye from nurses when l have to have blood taken. I donated last year, my advice would be drink plenty of water before hand to get the veins up and lots of sugary and salty food before too, to help rebalance afterwards, they have them at the clinic.

Interestingly enough when l donated another time the veins were as usual hard to get, they tried 3 different times but the nurse stopped and said, no sorry l'm not going going to be able to get a huge amount here, we have a policy that after the 3rd attempt we don't go again.

Ah well, l got a free "donate blood" pencil out of it.

[quote MrsMarrio]@DownWhichOfLate not as much as I’d like since having my son in June! Funny enough I was going to go for a run today but read that you should be fully recovered before giving blood so I opted not too just in case I fainted [/quote]
The problem with running is that it can bugger your iron levels if you’re not careful.

I'm the same as you and have never been able to donate blood.

I'm like this I've had it written in my notes to not attempt getting blood from my arm, nobody has managed to do it for about 15 years despite many attempts. I've passed out and been sick from it. I've tried drinking and keeping warm, doesn't help. Can't donate anyway because I've had a blood transfusion.

@superking @Spudina thanks for the info! I will look into that then!

@EventuallyDeleted it took me weeks to actually get an appointment and I agree it was busy and the staff were running round like headless chickens. I think that was why they didn’t even bother to try.

They’ve suspended my online blood account 🤣 need to ring them up apparently...

[quote MrsMarrio]@EventuallyDeleted it took me weeks to actually get an appointment and I agree it was busy and the staff were running round like headless chickens. I think that was why they didn’t even bother to try.[/quote]
I've given blood twice in lockdown and they have hss as d to change their procedure to you having to stay in the chair for your drink and rest. I assume this means that they can't get through as many people

I was there on Fridaycand the whole process from arriving to leaving was only 20 minutes

I probably have no place here, but no one ever has an issue getting blood from me. Am also a bit competitive about the time it takes to donate....5 mins 37 seconds is my best time

I do bruise like a peach though and it's very rare I do not have a sizeable bruise after any needle poking!
One memorable occasion I had to have a pressure bandage after donating, and then I had to try drive 15 miles unable to bend my left arm, as dd had missed the train that stopped in our town and I had to go collect her from the next town!

@LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow get off my thread! 🤣🤣 us useless veined people don’t want to hear about how successfully vascular you are! 🤣🤣

I should put that on my CV...."successfully vascular" :o :o