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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel sad that I couldn't donate blood today?

50 replies

Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 19:06

synced myself up to go and donate blood today, got thro questionnaire, pin prick test, all fine, on the table ready to go and they couldn't find a big enough vein. Really disappointed. She said to try again next time as veins do change. Walk of shame of the table and out the door, and no biscuit or cup of tea :(

OP posts:
NoWittyName · 28/06/2011 19:23

Not unreasonable at all. You were trying to do a wonderful thing, and through no fault of your own were unable to.

From someone whose daughter had over 100 transfusions in her 15 month life I thank you for even trying.

xxx

girlscout · 28/06/2011 19:24

You went thats the main thing, everyone gets knocked back once in a while.
Did you have to make a hugh effort to get there,its anoying isn't it?
My bloods not good enough anymore,and my dd1 got knocked back as she had just had her ears pierced! never mind next time both you and she will give a really good donation.
Nexrt time foget the rich tea and demand hobnobsGrin

mumatron · 28/06/2011 19:31

I can't donate either :(

Does anyone know if you can donate bone marrow if you can't donate blood?

MotivatedSperm · 28/06/2011 19:38

I went on Friday after years of psyching myself up only to be told I'm not allowed to give blood ever :(

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 19:39

thank you, Nowittyname. So sorry to hear about your daughter. Your message has made me determined to try again next time. The nurse said to drink 1 litre of water before I go , so hopefully that will make a difference. And I will try to persuade dh to go.
Girl scout, it was disappointing as I had been anxious but determined! And a bit of a waste of time, with no result. Snack table looked inviting too!

OP posts:
girlscout · 28/06/2011 19:40

ms means you cant do it.
My name came up afternearly thirty years for bone marrow, and when i mentioned it they weren't interested. Check on the website to see if your condition is mentioned.
My mum gave blood and it was the first thing i did when I turned 18,it was like a mark of being a responsible grown up. Its not nice when you cant help .

Meow75 · 28/06/2011 19:41

You were told you couldn't even have a cup of tea?!?!?!?

That's awful. I often have trouble with getting a vein that is usable, and once or twice, usually in the winter there isn't one. I've never been made to feel bad at my veins misbehaving when I've tried to give blood.

If you weren't told you couldn't have Brew + Biscuit, then you should have stayed. As NWN and Girlscout said, you went with the intention of giving blood. Don't feel bad, just have another go in a couple of weeks and it'll be fine.

Meow75 - proud owner of a silver 25 donations badge despite some rather contrary veins. My 25 donations took more than 17 years.

girlscout · 28/06/2011 19:42

Snack table looked inviting too!

a woman after my own heart Grin

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 19:42

I did ask if she could take it from somewhere else, but she just laughed and said she couldn't take it from my jugular.

OP posts:
WhoAteMySnickers · 28/06/2011 19:43

mumatron it depends on the reason you can't donate blood? If it's because you weigh less than 8 stone then you can't donate bone marrow either.

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 19:48

Well done meow75. They didn't say I couldn't have a snack :) but I would have felt a bit of a fraud after just giving my pinprick :o I will drink loads next time and try again.

OP posts:
mumatron · 28/06/2011 19:49

whoate I WISH! My left leg weighs more than 8 stone! Grin

EmmaBemma · 28/06/2011 19:51

Never mind! You can always go back next time. Try having an autoimmune condition that means you won't be ever able to donate your poxy blood for the rest of your life, or your bone marrow, or your organs. That sucks, believe me.

Northernlurker · 28/06/2011 19:52

Oh crumbs - I have an appointment tomorrow to give blood for the first time. I'm really quite nervous............I really want to do it because not only do I work in a hospital (good incentive) but my lovely sil is having a big op tomorrow. If I can give blood it will feel like I'm doing something for her - in a totally not logical way iyswim?

pantaloons · 28/06/2011 19:55

I have always given, but have failed a few times because they have tried (and bruised) both arms but got nothing out.

Now I have epilepsy and cannot give unless I stop relying on meds to stop the seizures. Can't really this sadly and I do feel bad about not being able to give anymore.

KatyMac · 28/06/2011 19:57

I have CFS, they can't find it, or see it or test for it; a lot of doctors aren't sure they believe in it. But if you have it you can't give blood Hmm

prettybird · 28/06/2011 19:57

Did you offer your "working" arm, ie if you are right handed, did you offer your right arm?

I am left handed and have to offer my left arm as they struggle to find a vein in my right arm.

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 19:57

I was nervous too northernlurker. In fact she nearly didn't let me donate as I said I was feeling light headed which was purely nerves! Good luck!

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 28/06/2011 20:00

Don't feel bad about it, it happened to me too a couple of years ago. I'm booked in to try again in a fortnight. One thing that the lady on the phone did say is to ask for a vein check when you first arrive so you don't have to wait around queueing for the pinprick if they can't find a vein. fingers crossed it goes well for both of us

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 28/06/2011 20:00

Pretty bird they tried both arms, my right was better than left (am right handed) but neither good enough.

OP posts:
ViolaTricolor · 28/06/2011 20:00

The guidelines rule me out because of where my DP is from Sad. Does anyone know if they negotiate on this if you give them more detail?

wonkylegs · 28/06/2011 20:00

No YANBU , I'm really sad I can't do this (toxic meds) Sad but well done for trying and don't be put off for the future
I'm a pin cushion after 12yrs of monitoring that I can spot a good vein a mile off Grin

KlarkyKat · 28/06/2011 20:04

Don't feel bad, you tried!
Although I've managed to donate lots of times the last time I went I didn't manage quite enough blood. I felt really upset, out of all proportion and it put me off because I felt like I was wasting their time.
I'm going to try again this week after a years break but if I struggle again I might have to stop trying, my veins are very awkward apparently!

Marrow · 28/06/2011 20:05

Not unreasonable at all. Hope you have better luck next time. Thank you for trying. I'm only here after multiple transfusions when I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. People who donate really do save lives. I'm just sad it means I can't donate anymore Sad

PelvicFloor0fSteel · 28/06/2011 20:05

Does anyone here know how long do you have to leave it between having a baby and giving blood? I've been meaning to find out, and probably could google, but this seems like a good place to ask. Smile