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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that giving blood

93 replies

Sinkingfeeling · 13/10/2010 21:26

is the most relaxing 45 minutes I've had since the last time I gave blood? Grin

OP posts:
RockBat · 14/10/2010 16:14

Bum, can't do bone marrow as am overweight. :( And am 39 so even if I lost loads of weight I'd be too old by the time I did.

izzybiz · 14/10/2010 16:30

I've just been on the blood donation website and answered the questions to see if I can donate, it seems I cant as I have had an operation in the past, Confused
I didn't receive any blood, so why would having an op make me unsuitable?

smileyhappymummy · 14/10/2010 16:34

Thanks to all of you who donate - you saved my life!
I always wanted to but first was too light, then got a needlestick injury at work so couldn't for a year, then pregnant, then massive transfusion - 10 units blood, 2 platelets, 6 FFP and 2 cryoprecipitate. So that's thanks to at least 20 of you that I'm still here!

SuperSoph73 · 14/10/2010 16:42

I would love to give blood but am not allowed. I now live abroad and because I lived in England during the "mad cow" episodes I'm excluded. The most ridiculous thing is that I've had 2 children over here and multiple blood tests where I've been tested for everything & there's nothing wrong with my blood!!!

Muser · 14/10/2010 19:17

izzybiz the quiz on the website is a bit black & white. If you look here it says you may not be able to give blood. I think they need to check what your operation was for and how long ago so they can ensure it's ok.

HeadlessLadyBiscuit · 14/10/2010 19:22

I like giving blood too but don't pump the ball too fast or you might find you faint when you stand up Blush

I have a weird blood type as does my DS so it's blood in the bank so to speak Wink

SoupDragon · 14/10/2010 19:22

This is on my list of things To Do but local sessions have always clashed with something. i was saved at birth by a blood transfusion so I do owe a pint or two Thankfully my transfusion was so long ago that I am OK to donate.

funtimewincies · 14/10/2010 19:24

I think that it's important but blimey does it make me feel light-headed and sick (and I'm well within the weight limit)! I can't drive safely for a few hours afterwards.

So, what should take an hour and a half (including biscuits Grin) takes an entire morning/afternoon. Throw in trying to arrange this around childcare, when they're in my area, etc. and I find that I haven't given blood since the children were born Blush.

But not what I'd call relaxing, no Confused.

AnnieBeansMum · 14/10/2010 19:27

I love giving blood. Have been donating for 13 years (with a break when I had DD) and will continue to do it as long as they keep accepting me.

It is partly selfish too - I love the natural high I get afterward! Grin

Caz10 · 14/10/2010 19:30

I have tried soooo many times - was underweight until a few years ago, then was pg and bf-ing, then went again and my iron was too low, now am pg again!

I am mid 30's and have yet to be able to give blood despite trying since early 20's on regular basis! Garrr

Matsikula · 14/10/2010 19:31

I've only given blood once. They had to stop as the blood wasn't coming out fast enough. Then I fainted. Now I am scared to go back. I guess the slowness thing could be because they didn't find the right vein, but has anyone fainted, and then been okay the next time?

nannynobnobs · 14/10/2010 19:37

I always intended to give blood as soon as I was old enough, but when i was 17 at uni the campus nurse had to give me a blood test, she hadn't done one on a real person before, and did it so badly I now have a phobia :( I have horrible feelings of nausea, panic and terror if I have to have a blood test so actually giving blood is surely out of the question :( it makes me feel very inadequate.

MrsVincentPrice · 14/10/2010 19:43

I'm due to give on Monday, wish me luck, because I keep coming down with colds or coldsores and having to cancel. I'm currently on a strict no- cake diet, but blood donation days don't count, and there may be fish and chips for tea as well.
Also on bone marrow register, got called up once as a possible match but got no further. The thing about bone marrow is that they always prefer to take a male donor, so it's important to pester your DPs to sign up as well. People of mixed race are also desperately needed, male or female.

Shhhh · 14/10/2010 19:44

Although in my case, not so relaxing last time I donated(5 ish months ago).... I felt funny towards the end of donating, told the nurse who proceeded to finish my donation first, remove the needle just at the time that I proceeded to vomit.. And...feint.! I was soooo embarrassed !

I haven't been the last time as was anaemic but I'm back tomorrow for a session I'm booked in for. I'm taking my mum this time!

Dh can't understand why I out myself through it, mil expained to him that as mad as it sounds maybe being a sahm it's the only peace I get lol! She is spot on !!!

girlsyearapart · 14/10/2010 19:51

used to give blood until I was diagnosed with MS then got told 'you need the blood yourself' so couldn't do it..

Had a transfusion after dd2 was born so def can't now but made dh promise to give.

Bit pissed off though, he registred months ago, took forever for acknowledgement then he finally got a sheet with a time for local session.He rang the next day an they were all full up already. Now back to waiting for his next session...

FetchezLaVache · 14/10/2010 21:37

izzybiz Not sure what that's about- I had my appendix out in 2003 and I've been fine to donate since then.

onimolap · 14/10/2010 21:50

izzybiz: they check previous operations to establish when, where and what for. If the answers do not indicate anything relating to barred conditions, you can donate.

This thread has reminded me to go (will do as straight after half term). I loved the Blood Service's previous ad slogan:

"You're never too busy to receive blood"

Beaaware · 14/10/2010 22:37

On the subject of blood November 12th 2010 is "International CJD Awareness Day" a group of families affected by CJD/vCJD will be gathering at Downing Street at 2.00pm to hand in letters to David Cameron asking what he is doing to safeguard our blood supplies and protecting people from vCJD.

izzybiz · 15/10/2010 06:37

Thanks guys, will look into it further.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 15/10/2010 09:05

Gastrognome, I gave blood in Belgium last week. Maybe it differs from area to area? In Oman, I had to get three units donated in order to deliver DDHmm. I went on to give eight myself. In Bangkok I gave about 20 units and in Switzerland they refused me. I am a bit cross about that, I have relatively rare blood (B+) but it is their loss.
I was always worried in case DD needed a transfusion, she is AB+. I had visions of phoning my mum and asking her to come and exsnaguinating herself. (she would)

MrsC2010 · 15/10/2010 09:07

I'm not allowed to give blood, my blood pressure is way too low apparently. Sad

thefirstmrsDeVeerie · 15/10/2010 11:09

I am in bed with a stupid little cold (lucky I know but OH is at home). I am awful when I am ill. It makes me very weepy and makes me think of how much my DD suffered. Imagine feeling this crap even on your GOOD days.

Blood tranfusions made her feel better. They gave her good days. She was so brave. I mean really, not just saying it. She was so brave and took whatever she had to.

I love those people who gave their blood and platlets. Because what the did was so precious to us. By her second year of treatment she had become allergic to blood products. She had to have single donor tranfusions. I didnt realise that one bag is made up of multiple donors.

So one person gave their blood and the person who came in regularly to donate platelets - I dont think they will ever understand what they did for us. They along with the wonderful community nurses, allowed me to hold my darling girl when she died.

Because her body had stopped making them she would have bled to death and her end would have been dreadful.

But she had platelets every other day and slipped away with me and her dad at her side.

NEVER underestimate what donation is. What it really means.

I know lots of people cant do it. But you can encourage other people to. Get your teenage kids on the case, if you work with young people get them interested. Use my DD iif you want to. Download her photo and show it to them, I dont mind.

TandB · 15/10/2010 11:26

Mrsdevere - you have given me a kick ind the pants. I used to donate regularly (actually more regularly than you are supposed to - I am b+ like kreecher and there was a time when they were dangerously short) but I had to take a break as there was an error in the lab with my blood and I had to wait and re-test and haven't got round to going back since.
I will do so asap.

ginnybag · 15/10/2010 11:39

MrsDeVere - you've made me cry at work...

I donated for years before I got pregnant - I'll be going back as soon as I can.

I've never been able to make my husband go. I did make him promise that if I or our DD needed blood he would go and give back at least the same amount but we didn't so he's wiggled out of that.

I may show him this thread and see if he still says no.

And I work with a youth group. I'd never thought to bug them about it. Guess what I'll be doing next week...?

thefirstmrsDeVeerie · 15/10/2010 11:56

I know I am shamless in using my DD as an example. I know it can be upsetting and it may even seem exploitative.

But I will do it because it matters so much.

I am not heartless and dont like to think of you sobbing at work ginny Smile

But its so easy to be complacent isnt it? I was. I didnt have a clue. I do now I its my job to bother other people to have a clue too.

Thanks kungfu.

Thanks everyone Smile

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