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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

mumatron · 28/06/2011 20:09

Sorry should of said, I can't donate as I have had a blood product transfer in the past.

Cutelittlecatlover · 28/06/2011 20:28

I'm donating for the first time tomorrow, been meaning to do it for ages!

PelvicFloorOfSteel I'm pretty sure you have to wait 9 months after having a baby but I might be wrong

mousymouse · 28/06/2011 20:34

I have to wait another two years before I can give blood again. have received medicines derived from blood (anti d).

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 28/06/2011 20:36

I'm hoping to be able to start donating again soon.

Had years off now after having our dc (not got around to going ) and now I'm waiting for my thyroid hormones to level out with treatment before I can go again.

Hopefully once that's done I'll be able to go again regulary as ds2 starts nursery in September.

OP - YANBU for feeling sad, but well done for giving it a go, hopefully a pint of water before going next time will do the trick.

prettybird · 28/06/2011 20:50

The other thing you could do, if you really want to give blood (but I don't know how practical this is) is have a nice warm bath just before going.

The only time I have been able to have blood drawn easily was when I was pregnant. However, I had to go back into hospital a few weeks after ds was born with a nasty infection and was on IV antibiotics. Quite apart from the fact that my vein where the IV line was inserted was collapsing and getting progressively more painful, over the week they found it more and more difficult to draw blood to test me. I ended up being sent for warm baths prior to testing!

TooImmature2BMum · 28/06/2011 20:50

It is 9 months after having a baby, which rules me out too. The bloodmobile is coming to work tomorrow and I always feel guilty if I don't donate! Have been turned down before on basis of tummy bug within the previous 2 weeks, though.

PelvicFloor0fSteel · 28/06/2011 20:57

Thanks cutelittlecatlover however I also had anti-d, hadn't thought about that. Rats.

So it's 2 years after anti-d?

mousymouse · 28/06/2011 21:31

couldn't find anything on the uk website.
but the german red cross says 4 months after receiving blood or blood products.
but also 6 months after birth and not whilst breast feeding.

mousymouse · 28/06/2011 21:33

so I actually could go.
will check out where I can go to give blood soon.

PelvicFloor0fSteel · 28/06/2011 21:36

If you can't give while breastfeeding that probably rules me out for longer anyway. I might have to badger DP to go for both of us, annoying though as I only had to have the anti-d because I'm a universal donor and he's not!

oldraver · 28/06/2011 21:43

Mousy I take it your not in the UK ? The Blood Service told me they are not bothered about Anti-D

mousymouse · 28/06/2011 21:46

I'm in the uk, but couldn't find info about anti-d on the uk website, only transfusions. that's why I looked other sites as well.
but good to know that I can give blood again.

headfairy · 28/06/2011 21:47

I'm giving for the first time next month.. It hadn't even occured to me that I couldn't give because they couldn't find a vein. I've had problems giving blood samples before but that was usually from midwives etc, phlebotomists never seem to have a problem. Fingers crossed! I will drink a pint of water while sitting in a hot bath beforehand :o

brightwell · 28/06/2011 21:47

I'm on a 2 year ban because my veins collapse at the thought of a cannula, a few years ago I had a years ban following a needlestick injury.

lostinwales · 28/06/2011 21:50

DH and I went last year and gave our arm fulls only to have DS3 come out in the biggest chickenpox rash the next day. When we phoned them up to ask if it was a problem they said they would have to throw both lots away , I felt like crying. Went last week and made up for it, had a penguin biscuit after, it was lush

oldraver · 28/06/2011 21:51

I started to give blood as soon after birth as possible and they knew about my Anti-D. I think the site a bit hard to navigate ad I'm currently trying to find somehing I know is on there

lostinwales · 28/06/2011 21:52

Oh and if you are new and worried about them finding a vein do as headfairy suggests, or if not practical make sure you are well hydrated and your arms are nice and warm before you go! And don't worry, it's easy and the biscuits are great (see above)

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 28/06/2011 21:53

If you're in any doubt about your suitability give them a ring. They've been really helpful to me in the past and don't mind at all.

clucky80 · 28/06/2011 21:55

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who has (or wants to donate blood). I have had a kidney and pancreas transplant and needed to receive 4 pints of blood 12 hours after as I needed emergency surgery as I was hemorrhaging and the blood donations I received really were life saving. I have had type 1 diabetes for years and have definitely found if I haven't drunk enough in the day my veins will collpase so making sure you are very well hydrated beforehand will help.

mousymouse · 28/06/2011 21:56

just called them. I am ok to give blood

catwoman2011 · 28/06/2011 22:03

KatyMac - I have ME/CFS, my blood pressure is too low to give blood, the swelling in my brain restricts blood flow (diagnosis is now done by MRI scan). ME is awful, no one else can see the exhaustion and it restricts activity and medically helping others.

I am also needle phobic and really wish I could give blood, But having ME has put a stop to that.

I would like to applaud anyone who walks through the doors to donate blood, regardless of success or amount given. You can have a biscuit for me!

oldraver · 28/06/2011 22:05

I've jsut found the info I need and can still go so long as the medication I'm on has been the same dose for 4 weeks

RhinestoneCowgirl · 28/06/2011 22:09

I felt really gutted when I went recently and couldn't give because my iron levels were too low :( - something that's never happened before, and have been going since I was old enough.

They were v nice about it and said I could stay for tea and biscuits if I wanted

Northernlurker · 29/06/2011 18:07

Well I went. They were running half an hour behind so I had to sit outside teh caravan as it was full inside. Got through half a pint of orange squash whilst waiting so definately well hydrated as had been swigging water all morning. Finally got in and found iron level ok so moved on to couch. We tried the left side first and found the vein was rubbish so swapped to the right where the vein was very helpful. Needle straight in, blood donated, took maybe about 15 minutes? Sat up, felt fine. Had juice, felt fine. Left and worked all afternoon - still fine. Am really chuffed actually as I was really quite convinced I would be passing out

SuburbanDream · 29/06/2011 18:18

Well done Northernlurker!! I donated on Monday - it was v.quick as such a hot day, I think the blood was flowing fast . I'm always a bit nervous when donating as a couple of times I've had low iron and not been able to. V frustrating when you've made the effort to get there - and the walk of shame as Bluebell said ...
Anyway, well done to everyone who donates, my dad and sister have both received transfusions which is why I feel it's my duty to donate.

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