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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

only got £10 left to last until April and so breeder won't hand over my new cockapoo!

139 replies

giraffesCantBoogie · 16/03/2014 03:10

As your blood may have boiled up reading that title, why not donate some of it? - www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26577766

OP posts:
TeaOneSugar · 16/03/2014 15:20

Give them a call, they'll be able to check with a doctor if necessary.

ExcuseTypos · 16/03/2014 15:22

I suffer from anaemia, would they take my blood?

GreenLandsOfHome · 16/03/2014 15:31

No, they won't accept blood if you're anaemic.

They do a spot iron test before they start and anaemia rules you out.

goldenlula · 16/03/2014 15:35

Thank you, will phone to see.

notapizzaeater · 16/03/2014 15:41

They are looking to change to 12 weeks in the uk. Men can. - woman currently can't because of periods, if you're post menopause you can ask to go every 12 weeks. I was asking last time as the bloke next to me got offered an appointment a month before mine ....

ImAThrillseekerHoney · 16/03/2014 15:51

The Interval Study is currently researching to see whether it's safe to take donation intervals down to 12 weeks as in other countries. Apparently for me personally the answer is no.

Pudtat · 16/03/2014 15:54

I have mirena fitted - can I donate?

ilovepowerhoop · 16/03/2014 16:47

yes I have donated with a mirena. TBH it never came up in the questionnaire/in conversation but as you can donate while taking the contraceptive pill then I dont see that it would be an issue

AnathemaDevice · 16/03/2014 18:02

I donated last week, for the first time in ages. I joined the bone marrow register too, as did DH.

I don't know if I'll ever be needed to donate,but as I'd be willing to take a donation I think I should be willing to give one.

tb · 16/03/2014 19:44

Donated more than 30 times, but can't do so now as I lived in the UK during the 80s and 90s.

Stupid French regulations that assume because they didn't declare it, they didn't have cjd in France - bit like they assume that all the radiation from Chernobyl stopped at the frontier.

SylvaniansKeepGettingHoovered · 16/03/2014 20:01

I'd like to donate blood, I never have. However, Im the sort of person who likes to know exactly what will happen (otherwise I get anxious), please could someone tell me what to expect on the day if I go ahead? Does it take long, does it leave you with a sore arm or make you feel faint or tired?

I've had two DC and never had much of a problem with the nurses taking blood samples, I'm not particularly squeemish or afraid of needles but I would like to know a bit more before I go ahead as I don't like not knowing.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/03/2014 20:40

when I go they give you a form to fill in (health questionnaire) then they take you individually to check over the answers you have given and they prick your finger for a blood sample to check your iron levels.

You then get settled on the bed and then the needle is put into your arm to collect the blood. It is collected in a pouch (I cant actually see it filling due to where it is situated out of my line of sight). It takes 10-15 minutes probably and then after they remove the needle you stay lying down for 5-10 minutes before you get moved to the seating area for your drink and biscuit. You then sit there as long as you need until you leave.

I had a worse bruise on my finger from the finger prick test than I did from the needle in my arm the last time I gave blood! I then went to Asda and drove home shortly afterwards (I gave blood in a donating bus in the local Asda carpark!)

Make sure you have eaten and had a drink and dont do anything strenuous afterwards.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/03/2014 20:43

www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/what-happens/ - gives a description although I am in Scotland and they didnt ask me to drink 500mls of water beforehand

insideout · 16/03/2014 21:10

Great title. Am a regular O- donor but currently pregnant so unable to donate until 2015 - I miss the tea and biscuits!

KittyAndTheFontanelles · 16/03/2014 21:53

Grin UncleT That's a fail each then Grin

doners blurgh

Hotmad · 17/03/2014 03:33

Just found out I have to wait to baby is 6 months old to donate blood. Remind me in 3 months! That's a shame I can't do now but I will actually remind myself to do it

Blueuggboots · 17/03/2014 04:18

I used to donate but had a hip replacement and I can't state unequivocally that I didn't have a transfusion during the procedure so they won't accept mine. Sad

50ShadesofGreyMatter · 17/03/2014 05:50

Buggers over here won't let me due to mad cow stuff! Confused

NCISaddict · 17/03/2014 06:45

I can't until August Sad as every other session locally is within 24 hours of a shift at work and we're not allowed to do it that close.
Will definitely try then, I was banned in my 20's as I passed out afterwards due to low BP but I'm sure it's gone up a bit post three DC's.
Have reminded my DH who used to donated as often as he could and he's going to go ASAP.

isitme1 · 17/03/2014 08:27

Bump

StrawberryTartYum · 17/03/2014 09:26

Good one! Am going to once DS is older and I've stopped breastfeeding :)

ilovepowerhoop · 17/03/2014 10:51

you can donate while breastfeeding (if you wanted to)

glasgowsteven · 17/03/2014 11:15

Used to give blood regularly till I found out the BTS sell blood to private hospitals for cosmetic operations.

SylvaniansKeepGettingHoovered · 17/03/2014 11:30

Thank you ILovepower that link and yor description helps very much

supermariossister · 17/03/2014 11:39

I went yesterdayGrin was much easier than I expected it to be. wasn't allowed tea as first time but did have a nice orange squash and orange club biscuit. and a whole host of disbelief when I said I didn't eat crisps. felt a bit wiped out yesterday energy wise but feeling better today.