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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:
JeanBodel · 08/02/2012 20:20

YANBU.

Some people really can't give blood. Most people can't be arsed.

I do give blood myself, and so does DH. I give blood in the evenings when it's easier to get someone to babysit.

I also intend to bring up my children with the idea that part of being a responsible adult is giving blood, if they are able to do so. If enough of us do this then hopefully there will be some blood stocks around in 15 years time!

MyLifeIsStillChaotic · 08/02/2012 20:21

Well in that case it's definitely do-able! Thanks for the kick up the arse. I will book an appointment pronto :)

ReduceRecycleRegift · 08/02/2012 20:21

" It upset me because it seems to be a quietly altruistic thing you can do"
unless you are the OP Grin

to all those who are "risks" it is really to do with flaws in the screening that they don't know about yet, as demonstrated by the example about my mum, they didn't think at the time that her previous exposure would have long term effects in her donated blood, but they now know it does

BettyBathroom · 08/02/2012 20:21

I was petrified of needles - almost didn't have dcs because of my fear.

Anyway, finally mustered the courage to get pregnant. Had a massive bleed after the birth - needed 9pts of blood to get my levels back to normal. Felt very bloody grateful to all those brave folk who did what I was too cowardly to do and that was give blood. I want to give now but I'm forbidden.

In an effort tocontribute Dh, who is also petrified of needles, stepped forward but after poking and prodding they declared his veins to be diliberately hiding and told him to go home. Feel like we have withdrawn funds from the bank and now we can't pay it back - we feel crap about that.

I really wish it could be different, but I'd just like to send out a massive heart felt thank you to all who give blood, you saved my life.Thanks

Indaba · 08/02/2012 20:22

I am Ms Squemish so it took me a while to get going on this blood giving thing.

Am now addicted.....and am Mrs Competitive so I want to make sure I can give my bit quicker than anyone else. set myself a 10 min target of being in and out.

I may be overseas but our local blood service is unbelievably kind, considerate, accommodating.

Took me 10 years to get going....I always had a flu, pierced ears, sex with random strangers :) :) !!!!! but now I understand its a fab way to really help.

Give it a go if you can.

Once you have done it once, its so easy after that. And believe me, I am such a wimp when it comes to anything else ! :)

probablyveryunreasonable · 08/02/2012 20:22

Well you've just given me the needed kick up the bum to book my first ever appointment. My DS2 was given 2 blood transfusions shortly after birth and I vowed then that I would give blood as sson as I could. 7 years on and i've never got round to it, but i've just been online and requested an appointment. So thank you Smile

Melpomene · 08/02/2012 20:23

Half an hour? Whenever I've given blood it's taken the best part of an hour. Last time I had to stand up queuing in the freezing car park for 25 minutes because there was no room in the mobile and nowhere to sit. Still worth it to potentially save a life, though :)

One policy that annoys me is that they won't accept a donation from a man who has had sex with another man in the past year, even if condoms were used. Is it really the case that a man who has had sex with one male partner, using a condom, is more at risk of HIV than a man or woman who has had unprotected sex with multiple partners of the opposite sex?

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 20:23

I have to say, the kids I've seen there tend to be school age and happy to read/draw for the 15 minutes max you're hooked up to the machine. I have much respect for those who manage it with toddlers in tow!

OP posts:
RedHotPokers · 08/02/2012 20:24

I HATE needles. The worst thing about pg for me was the needles (actually preferred the childbirth to the needles!!!). I have to look the other way, do deep breathing etc. If I even SEE the needle that's it!

I never gave blood because I was scared. I made every excuse going (ear piercings, pg, too busy, children to look after). And then in December I did it! And it was no worse than I thought it would be (!), and I felt SO proud that I had done it that it made up for the queasiness, the nerves, the worry. The staff were so lovely and very sympathetic to my fear.

I can recommend it. Please try and do it if you can. I'm not looking forward to doing it again, but I'm going to anyway. (don't mean to be preachy, but it was the equivalent of doing a skydive for me Grin).

DizzyKipper · 08/02/2012 20:24

I've given blood quite a few times now - used to regularly but can't now that I'm pregnant. It annoys me more though when people who do give blood try to put others down about not giving it. To my mind if you were hit by a car and suffered from heavy blood loss (which can happen to anyone at any time, amongst other things) that pint of blood might have been the very pint that was the difference between life and death. Giving blood is not a requirement of life and personally I am respectful of anyone who chooses not to do it - regardless of whether I do or not. I give blood, but I do so quietly and without the preaching.

Serenitysutton · 08/02/2012 20:25

The thing is most people won't need blood. So the whole "you might need it one day and you shouldnt accept it unless you give" argument doesn't hold real for most people.

Your blood belongs to you, and it's up to you what you do with it. It's simply noone else's business.

I'm always refused for low iron levels. They're fussy because they can afford to be so don't be taken in by the desperate shortage of donors bumpf.

ReduceRecycleRegift · 08/02/2012 20:27

not physically possible to get through the process in 15 mins, by the time you've qued, had the anaemia test thing, form filled, hooked up, de-hooked, recovered..

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 20:28

Mine's in the local community hall and I tend to turn up just after the pm break if I can as it tends to be quiet (i suspect 5pm is pensioner toddler teatime)

I'm a complete wuss, close my eyes and look away just for the prick test Blush but once it's in it's fine, 10 quiet minutes to daydream

OP posts:
yellowraincoat · 08/02/2012 20:29

I can't go as I don't weigh enough. Really wish I could though.

IWishIKnew · 08/02/2012 20:31

I would love to give blood but I can't in Ireland because I have lived in the UK in the 80's and 90's and am a risk for vCJD Confused

Does that mean if I move back to the UK I won't be able to give blood there either?

How much of a risk am I really?

molly3478 · 08/02/2012 20:32

I dont weigh enough either do any of the people on here who dont weigh enough find that it is hard to take blood from them for blood tests to?

redrubyshoes · 08/02/2012 20:32

Because I bruise from the point of the needle going in to an area 4" wide after a blood test and the bruise lasts about three weeks.

The phelobomist has to slap my arm for several minutes to find a vein and then in her words "I shall have to just stick it in".

Not pleasant and yep painful for me.

DH gives blood four times a year, as do his family.

I find blood tests quite traumatic. Even looking now I can't see my veins and they have taken blood from my hand before now.

StealthPenguin · 08/02/2012 20:32

Can I just say, needlephobia is real. My friends father suffers from it so badly that when he was admitted to hospital for appendicitis, he got out of bed and tried to walk away because they were trying to give him pain relief through a needle. He's so phobic that even the prospect of him not being in agony couldn't assuage his utter terror at a needle.

StealthPenguin · 08/02/2012 20:33

But if you are medically capable of giving blood, you should. I give regularly!

flyingspaghettimonster · 08/02/2012 20:34

Lots of reasons not to give blood. I used to, but it involved being pinned down as my veins are rubbish and the nurse always has to wriggle the needle around which feels horrible.

I am not able to give blood or plasma over here in the states. Apparently since I was in England during the bse outbreak my blood is too dangerous... hmmm.

silverfrog · 08/02/2012 20:40

I used to, but then I lived in Africa for a while, so not eligible anymore.

bonkers really, as have been HIV tested since then (for health insurance, and pregnant x 2) and it was years ago now, and I am all clear. but there you go.

I'd do it if they'd have me (relatively rare blood group)

AtLongLast · 08/02/2012 20:48

I donated 10 times without any problem... then had a 14yr long break while ttcing etc. Contacted them to go back last yr once my babies were 9months & the central people told me to just turn up. Execpt apparently you're meant to make an appt. Then the triage / pre-check nurse said my veins weren't good enough but after a mini-conference they said I could do it if I accepted they might have to stab me a few times & still fail. Then I failed the Hb test anyway. Nothing abnormal about my Hb level but they set the level high to make sure donor isn't at risk after giving blood. I was a measly 0.1 under their requirement & there was no option for me to consent to risk so was sent away feeling a total failure with unnecessary guidance on increasing Hb levels through diet and a follow-up phone call from a dr. & told I couldn't try to donate again for 3 months. Following week I got a letter begging me to donate so I had to ring & tell them I had tried but been rejected... Then I got pg again....

It seems a lot more of a faff compared to yrs ago, despite constantly hearing how important it is / how more people are needed. I know they need to keep people safe but....! I think it's important to do & I'll try again but will be put off if I'm constantly rejected for no good reason.

RuleBritannia · 08/02/2012 20:49

I gave blood for years and finally reached 52 donations (went to a presentation for those who had given 50+) but, since then, I've not been allowed to becuse I take aspirin. If you take any tablets, they won't let you donate so I don't get reminderletters any more. I am disappointed but uinderstand the rule.

When my father was terribly ill in hospital and in need of an urgent transfusion, my daughter and I both stepped forward, thinking that we would save staff time be joined to my father by needles and tubes. We were not allowed to give, even though we had our donor cards with us. His new blood had to come from a bank.

edam · 08/02/2012 20:52

dh gives blood regularly. I'm not allowed as I take daily medicine - they don't want my blood. Which is fair enough, when I was first put on these tablets they did send me a bit weird until I'd adjusted. I hope ds gives blood when he's old enough - he goes along with dh so knows how it all works and how important it is.

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 20:55

I think that in some respects they're massively overcautious. But, surely it's better to err on the side of caution when the risks aren't fully understood?

OP posts: