Blood transfusions

[Idideridest]

I needed a blood transfusion two weeks ago, I got out of hospital on Good Friday and have just started thinking about the treatment I had but having 2 units of other people in my veins is making me feel weird. In a psychological, not medical way.

I’ve always been a blood donor and proud of my O neg blood but never even contemplated being a recipient.

Anyway, thanks for the O neg RhD pos whoever you are. Made me feel like a different woman.

Anyone else had this feeling?

It could be my O neg blood, they are always pestering me to give it ! I too am a blood donor but also think I would feel similar to me, I would feel weird receiving it.

I’ve donated many times but never had a transfusion. I can see why you feel a bit squicked about it, I think I would to!

NHSBT no longer want my blood after I declared my POTs to them, they made me sign all these forms to consent to their background team contacting my GP to check that it didn’t pose a risk to me, but the referral team didn’t even go as far as contacting my GP, they just sent me a letter a few days later saying I couldn’t donate anymore.

It is my understanding that once you have had a transfusion you can't donate anymore. Is that still the case?

Not true.

I understand OP. I had multiple after my last birth. I asked for any and all alternative options and said 'gross', but in the end, I am grateful for it. I believe the transfused blood is out of your own body within 6 weeks.

It is still the case in the UK.. From the UK blood transfusion website:
Can I give blood if I have had a blood transfusion, or received blood products?
If you have had a blood transfusion or blood products anytime since 01 January 1980, you are not able to give blood.

I stand corrected. I am not in the UK.

That's correct. I used to be a regular donor in my 20s but no longer able to after a transfusion.

I’m going through chemo and had a blood transfusion last month. The thought of it made me feel a little squeamish but I needed it.

Yes, 100% in the UK.

I had about six units of plasma beforehand as well so thank you whoever they came from and that would have nixed me getting over 30 donations done - that doesn't make me feel squicky though. It looked more like medicine than anything else!

I had a blood transfusion too, and I felt exactly the same, I still do now, if I let my mind wander to it, but I just try to distract! I was also told I couldn’t donate blood going forwards, so good to hear that may have changed! In time you will think about it less op.

Oh sorry, just read the thread properly and seen that hasn’t changed for the uk.
Im still half asleep.

I had a couple of blood transfusions last year and felt weird about it at the time. I was very unwell and needed them though so it was necessary. I don’t think the weird feeling lasts for too long.

I've had a couple of transfusions, did feel very weird about it at the time each time but not since

I had 3 with dd1 and 1 with dd2. Didn’t feel weird about it and grateful for those who give so I didn’t die.

It relates to the BSE mad cow disease.

Interesting. One of my main drivers for donating (I am O Rh Neg) is that I would need to receive the same blood type if I needed it (being the universal donor has its drawbacks). I’ve obviously never been in the position but always assumed I would just be grateful (not a dig at you). My mum has had several life saving units and for that I am eternally grateful.

I’ve seen my son receive blood a couple of times and wondered whose blood it was, would be so nice to say thank you.

I managed to donate over 50 times before cancer put a stop to it. I liked getting the texts to say my blood was used at such and such hospital.

Same feeling! I thought give and take, you know but I wonder if part of it made me realise how poorly I was and part of it feels like I enjoyed knowing I’d helped people but at the same time, who was this stranger who decided to help me?

Like getting an invaluable gift in the post and never knowing the sender but on a very personal level.

I am of course incredibly grateful.

At one point I was completely "filled" with other people's blood as I had exchange transfusions at birth. It is kind of odd when you think about it - the same with a transplant. Truly amazing though!

Yep, 100% this.

I am a very ordinary blood type which is never in great demand, A pos, but I do regularly donate and am close to approaching 50 donations so it's lovely to read some of these posts.

Blood donations saved my life after my daughter was born.

I sometimes feel like I could have a super power?! Like maybe I got transfused both blood but all the other people's skills and abilities and personalities.
(To be clear I'm not in psychosis!! The birth was v traumatic and it's been an alternate way for me to look at the process as one of rejuvenation and starting again)

X

Thank you @mooncloud1 and other donors, my daughter is A positive and needs the blood transfusions to get her through her Chemo. She was squeamish at first and then realised she had no choice.

They do quite like A+, because a lot of recipients are also A+, because of it being a common group.