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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:
edam · 08/02/2012 21:03

One reason for caution is the poor haemophiliacs who got, what was it, HIV via blood donations important from America? (Think that was it - American prisoners were paid to donate blood, but have a higher HIV rate than the general UK population and it wasn't screened back then.) Then there was CJD...

edam · 08/02/2012 21:03

imported, darn autocorrect!

FlangelinaBallerina · 08/02/2012 21:10

OP, since you ask why people who aren't needle phobic don't give blood- in my case, it's because I'm an absolute fucker to get any out of. Its not a needle phobia. I have no problems being injected with things, and if they could get some out of me that way they'd be more than welcome to it. But I've had frequent experiences of sitting there getting dizzy while someone rummages around, and have been asked to come back in again to do another blood sample because they've not had enough out of me to do all the tests. Last time I had to give a blood sample I was sick afterwards- admittedly I'm pregnant, but still. I hope the baby gets DHs veins instead, they're superb. I'm going to give away all the placenta cells and stuff if the NHS want them though, that's my contribution.

oikopolis · 08/02/2012 21:14

I'm O-neg and tried to be altruistic and give blood when I was in uni.

They didn't take my bp beforehand (I didn't know they were supposed to) and I ended up going grey halfway through the pint and screaming at the nurse to take the needle out. She laughed at me. Then realised seconds later that i was passing out and finally acquiesced.

I couldn't walk unassisted for two days afterwards, seeing stars, losing vision at edges, blacking out, balance all wonky, hideous nausea. I mentioned it to my GP a few weeks later and she was aghast. She told me my bp is so low that I could have sustained a brain injury from lack of O2, and why didn't I let them take my bp?? etc.

They then phoned me on my birthday the next year to harass me about not giving again. I told them to fuck right off and never dare phone me again and ruin my bday by reminding me of how they nearly killed me!

Giving blood is lovely and noble and all that, but I get quite annoyed when others give me shit for not giving. I tried with good intentions, and it was a truly horrific experience.

Original poster
PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 21:19

But even taking into account all the bad experiences and difficult veins, there's still a hell of a lot of folk Simply Not Bothering Sad

OP posts:
redrubyshoes · 08/02/2012 21:33

I carry a donar card and they can take anything they want then. I have really crap veins and it is a horrible experience for me.

Adversecamber · 08/02/2012 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 08/02/2012 21:54

I don't think it's fair to say that people simply aren't bothering in a way that implies they don't care. Even if people don't have a phobia, it can be a deeply unpleasant experience for many.

I have given blood a few times. Only once have they been able to collect the full amount of blood because I bleed too slowly apparently. But knowing that my blood isn't actually going to directly help anyone puts me off going through what is to me, quite a horrible process. I know that use it for other stuff, but other stuff doesn't give quite the same incentive. Especially when you know you are going to spend the nest hour or two feeling stoned and you have things to do. That's just the way it has always affected me.

Even so, I have been back to donate, and then turned away because I sniffed. Literally, just sniffed. I had the most minor of minor colds about a week before, and couldn't donate because of it. Obviously I don't want them taking blood they won't use, but again, it doesn't do much for making you want to go when you waste an hour waiting for nothing.

One time I went, I noticed a laminated piece of paper that said I could request anesthetic cream for when the needle went in. I had never seen this before. I asked if I could have it, and the nurse very much tried to put me off it. When I insisted, you would have thought I had asked for a golden bed and silk sheets to lie on with the fuss it created.

Still I went back, determined to do my bit. Then I got a different job and was unable to go to the sessions at the three centres closest to me because they all start at 12.00pm. I work in the afternoons, but could go any morning. They finish at 7.00, but I have picked my dc up from school by then and they usually have things to do that I need to be around for. DH isn't home until then, and he would have to leave work two hours early in order to have dinner before donating before they shut. So I haven't donated in over a year now, and dh won't because we need the money he earns as long as he is at work.

They really don't make it easy to donate, even for people that really want to.

whoatethelastbiscuit · 08/02/2012 22:09

would love to give blood, would do most things for tea and biscuit I don't have to make, been trying for years but they keep rejecting me Sad, amaemia, soon as I'm normal I'll be there, fingers crossed for later this year Smile

Whatmeworry · 08/02/2012 22:10

They really don't make it easy to donate, even for people that really want to.

That was my experience too. If you want someone to do something for you, make it easy and pleasant.

AuntingCarse · 08/02/2012 22:11

Seriously, I would if I could, but I have had umpteen transfusions in the past 20 years so they won't let me. I really really would if they would let me.

jellybeans · 08/02/2012 22:15

I know people who say they are scared of needles but have tattoos!

anonymum11 · 08/02/2012 22:17

Unfortunately I've been turned away due to a previous medical condition - ironic as I'd like to give blood because I'm very grateful for receiving it.

MinnieBar · 08/02/2012 22:18

I am going tomorrow morning!

It's been over six years since my last donation as I've mostly been pregnant/had an infant in that time. My donor card is in my maiden name it's been that long Blush.

learningtofly · 08/02/2012 22:27

I used to give blood until I had a transfusion myself. They wouldn't have me now despite this due to my medication. Needle phobia doesn't come into it.

IDoNotLIKEFun · 08/02/2012 22:27

I have never understood women who are apparently afeard of the sight of blood. Or needles, but are fine with pain-relief in labour and manage to function every month changing tampons, moon-cups or STs. Which involves, erm, dealing with blood.

WT everlasting FUCK is that about? HOW can a WOMAN not be able to cope with a little bubble or cut when she bleeds every fucking month and much more after every child? Confused Do they all swoon despite their smelling salts and fall into their understanding employers' arms and not get summarily sacked?

I am gutted that I can't donate. My DD is alive because of the people who can. Her condition is genetic. But thank thank thank THANK you all you lovely people who do Smile

ohyouBadBadkitten · 08/02/2012 22:29

I am banned - apparently psoriatic arthritis rules me out. I wonder about what happened to all the people who had my blood before they decided I fitted into the banned group.

yellowraincoat · 08/02/2012 22:31

There's something v different about period blood to blood coming out of fingers though, isn't there?

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 08/02/2012 22:31

The needles that they use are much bigger and go in much deeper than those used in tattooing.

And dealing with blood coming out of an orifice is completely different to having a fairly thick needle inserted into your arm.

That's why people that do give regularly do such a great thing.

oikopolis · 08/02/2012 22:32

IDoNotLIKEFun to be fair, fresh blood pumping out of a living body and menstruation are two different things.

I am not put off by menstruation (I think nothing of licking my finger if I get menstrual blood on it while changing my cup, it's nothing to me), neither by pools of blood left by a dead person (have witnessed terrible accident scenes in third world countries), but will faint when I see a living person bleeding. Even if it's myself. Pumping, moving, thin, bright red blood freaks me right out. I think a lot of people are like that.

oikopolis · 08/02/2012 22:33

^ i think it's easy to see why too. Blood from a living body = sign of extreme, imminent, life-threatening danger, the sort of thing that gets the adrenalin pumping involuntarily. Clotted/old blood, not so much.

Kayano · 08/02/2012 22:34

idonotlikefun I don't give a crap if you don't understand women who are needle phobic.

You will find if they did have a real phobia as opposed to a dislike or
Slight fear of needles they would not be ok with all the pain relief in labour and have probably thought about it constantly for 9 months, had treatment and therapy just
To consider having bloods and tests
Taken (if they have them at all)

Having my blood taken is my worst nightmare with a needle and comparing it
With losing blood at that time of the month is the most idiotic thing I have ever
Seen on here

longingforsomesleep · 08/02/2012 22:35

I used to be a regular donor until I had a transfusion myself. Now I'm not allowed to give blood. Seems odd that the blood they gave me was deemed OK for me to receive - but not OK for them to take back ..............

Kayano · 08/02/2012 22:36

Angry smelling salts

Ffs how fucking patronising

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 08/02/2012 22:39

Its the only medical procedure I can have done without taking valium first.
I have PSTD but want to give blood so much I somehow manage it.

Except I cant now because I was too aneamic and now they wont let me for a year.
I am devastated.
There are so many exclusions, so many people cant give blood for tons of reasons. People who can really should.

Everyone should and they should sign up to give bone marrow.

Everyone.