Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that 95% of people...

290 replies

PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 19:14

...do not have a significant phobia of needles?

So why do only 4 or 5 in 100 of us who are medically capable actually bother to give blood? Where are the rest of them?

It took 30 minutes of my afternoon, and they deliberately stay open late so people can pop in on the way home from work and have an excellent excuse to slob on the sofa for a bit

Oh, and apparently the registers are now cross-referenced do my Anthony Nolan sample is relevant to both Grin

www.blood.co.uk

OP posts:
Avenged · 08/02/2012 19:42

Can't give blood because of a transfusion in 2007. I was told that anyone who has had a transfusion after 1980 cannot give blood due to vCJD and other contaminants being a risk. If I was allowed to give blood regardless of transfusions, then I would have no problem and would be giving blood as soon as I possibly could after each session. Since I can't give blood, I signed up years ago to be on the organ donor list.

thepeoplesprincess · 08/02/2012 19:42

I've never given blood. I usually have various manky open cuts up and down my arm, and I just can't picture a situation where they'd be desperate enough to take it.

rogersmellyonthetelly · 08/02/2012 19:43

I would love to and have often in the past, even aphoresis as I'm o neg but I take painkillers for my arthritis now so they wont have me. I've tried not taking meds for a couple of days but then I cant walk so I'm knackered. There are many reasons why people dont give blood so please don't judge everyone like that.

McHappyPants2012 · 08/02/2012 19:44

Wish I could but with a history of anaemia and vertigo my bloOd is not welcomed

ArtVandelay · 08/02/2012 19:45

Being pregnant got me over the needle fear pretty sharpish - I can give samples all day long now!

I've enquired about giving blood here (in Germany) but they don't want my nasty mad cow-ridden blood unfortunately. I'm sad about that because I've had other peoples blood during an operation and I'd like to give some back.

TheOneWithTheHair · 08/02/2012 19:45

I can believe the stats. No one on my side of the family gives blood except me and I know they are eligible. It makes me Angry.

I turn it into an excuse to see dh and go for lunch because the donation centre is opposite his office. I have been turned away because of low iron and had to wait 3 months but I did go back and will carry on.

Kayano · 08/02/2012 19:46

Can I ask about
O-Negative?

I'm o neg. is that a desirable blood type or something? This thread is freaking me
Out just thinking about needles but my therapist says I need to not use avoidance Blush

MrsHoarder · 08/02/2012 19:47

I didn't say they were bad people mini. Its entirely your choice, but I hope that not everyone will agree with you for obvious reasons.

Kayano · 08/02/2012 19:47

I'm pregnant now and due in one week and need anti D so you can imagine what my week will be like!

Not over it at all Confused

MrsHoarder · 08/02/2012 19:49

Kayano O-negative is the blood type that almost everyone can recieve. Other blood types can't be given to everyone, and in an emergency situation they generally give O- due to lack of time to check your blood type (like organs, if you give one that's not compatible, the body will reject it making the patient very ill or killing them).

babybarrister · 08/02/2012 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twolittlemonkeys · 08/02/2012 19:52

I can't because I don't weigh enough... ridiculous as I am under 5ft and a normal weight for my height, not underweight by any stretch. I do want to and have asked a couple of times but been told I can't as you have to be over 8 stone :(

molly3478 · 08/02/2012 19:54

kayano - I feel like you to. I could go on celebrity get me out of here and have anything on me or eat anything but blood tests alone scare the living daylights out of me, so much so that no blood comes out and then that makes it even worse.

My palms get sweaty and my breathing gets short I really dread it more than anything. I have had to have loads as well as been pregnant 4 times 2 were mcs. The first mc I had so many blood tests for various reasons and there were a few they couldnt draw blood but just kept stabbing and stabbing me.

Hulababy · 08/02/2012 19:55

I don't have a needle phobia but I don't give blood. I can't.

There are several reasons why people can't give blood, not just because they don't want to.

working9while5 · 08/02/2012 19:56

I can't because I ate beef in a certain country during a certain period of time, and travelled somewhere with a high prevalence of HIV, am also usually on oral steroids.

emsyj · 08/02/2012 19:57

I had a transfusion which saved my life in 1979 so I fortunately just about scrape into the 'ok' category (although there have been lots of furrowed brows and discussions amongst the staff when I have gone to give blood re: date of transfusions etc - they do eventually take it tho).

I keep hassling DH to give blood but he just never gets round to it. I suspect that's what the OP is talking about - people who could, but just don't think about it/prioritise it/make time for it etc. I should make time to do it more often - I know that. It is very important.

PosiePumblechook · 08/02/2012 19:57

I keep saying I will as i am A-

dustyhousewithdustypeople · 08/02/2012 19:58

I know someone who doesn't give blood as she feels she doesn't eat healthily so hers wouldn't be 'good enough'. I've tried explaining...

MrsHoarder · 08/02/2012 19:58

twolittlemonkeys its to do with the volume of blood you have: because you're (presumably) fairly petit, you have a smaller volume of blood in your body and are likely to feel unwell if they take enough out to process. Its for your sake not theirs

PosiePumblechook · 08/02/2012 19:58

Most people don't because they can't be arsed.

TheMonster · 08/02/2012 19:58

I was a blood donor. They asked me not to come back after I fainted every time. I think it was too time consuming to care for me.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 08/02/2012 19:58

I've been and tried every other year or so, but am always told my haemoglobin is too low. DH goes.

Astronaut79 · 08/02/2012 19:58

I give blood (when not pregnant or anaemic). Grin

I've got good veins, apparently.

Sparklingbrook · 08/02/2012 19:59

I think Posie has hit the nail on the head.

liveinazoo · 08/02/2012 20:01

i am unable to give blood(aneamia ongoing and classed too low weight)
i think fear of the unknown stops people giving blood.
a pint sounds a lot(although i know the body quickly rebuilds its stock-do others know this)
my dd1(17) went with old family friendout of curiousity and was fascinated as it was nothing like she had expected it to be-maybe others given the chance would be the same?
i agree its a shame as giving blood is a wonderful gift

Swipe left for the next trending thread