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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blood donation

355 replies

ImperialPleather · 13/06/2019 19:58

I’m so fed up of being told to donate blood? It’s happened 3 times in the past week I’ve been shamed for not giving blood.

I have no good reason to not give it other than I don’t want to but given I have bodily autonamy AIBU to think it’s no ones damn business?

It’s amazing some people give so well done to those who do!

OP posts:
PoppadomPeach · 14/06/2019 16:29

I really wish I could give blood. I'm under the weight limit (even though I'm short, so my BMI is 'normal' albeit on the lower side) and they will not entertain me.

I'd take blood if I needed it. Would love to give something back Sad

WindsweptEgret · 14/06/2019 16:31

I've been banned for a year because my haemoglobin was too low. I feel absolutely fine, and did after my last blood donation too, filled the bag quickly, no dizziness or anything.

TheAnswerIsInABookSomewhere · 14/06/2019 17:04

@PoppadomPeach I felt like I was the only one! Never reached 5ft... way under the weight restriction

PoppadomPeach · 14/06/2019 18:31

@TheAnswerIsInABookSomewhere Solidarity! It's very, very annoying. 4ft 11 and shrinking!

Geekster1963 · 14/06/2019 18:50

PoppadomPeach I'm 4ft 11 too, annoying that we can't donate as like you my BMI is in the healthy range but I don't weigh enough to donate.

limitedperiodonly · 14/06/2019 19:50

Most of us aren't too teeny-weeny to give blood. But if you are, like PoppadomPeach or TheAnswerIsInABookSomewhere, and are desperate to give, then find some other way to do it. It's not exactly hard.

Likethebattle · 14/06/2019 19:56

@limitedperiodonly i’ma fast giver too but only from my left arm for some reason, barely a drop comes out of my right. It practically flies from me 7 minutes past time. I did feel faint once, the nurse remarked ‘oh that was rather fast.....oh dear!’ I was tipped upside down quite quickly with a fan aimed at my face. She said my lips had gone white. I was actually about to say I felt a bit unwell.

PoppadomPeach · 14/06/2019 20:06

@limitedperiodonly what can I do that is the same as giving blood, but isn't giving blood?
It shouldn't be hard for you to give examples. Or are you just in one of those moods?

PoppadomPeach · 14/06/2019 20:07

@Geekster1963 Very annoying. If I was the weight of the minimum restriction I would be classed as overweight.
Can't win!

limitedperiodonly · 14/06/2019 20:29

@PoppadomPeach you can do loads of things if, like me and you, you want want to help people but aren't able to give blood. Why don't you check it out?

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 14/06/2019 20:32

M3lon I know it's not particularly (at all) rational but because of something which happened me to I can't stand other people in my space or touching me and it's an extension of that. I just feel it's repulsive and even thinking about it makes me want to rip my veins open. I've had therapy, I've been yelled at by consultant obstetricians as both my dc were born by emcs but my feelings haven't changed at all.

I would however happily give blood if they ran more appointments around here or I was in a position to easily get to the hospital.

FoxFoxSierra · 14/06/2019 20:46

I donate when I can but it is a nightmare trying to get an appointment. I was due to donate in January but I had tonsillitis so had to cancel, the next available appointment I can make is August! I usually make my next appointment while I'm there and I can get in as soon as I'm allowed to donate again but if I have to cancel it's so hard getting back in! If they sorted their appointment system they would have far more blood available imo.

I can understand that there are lots of reasons people can't donate but just not wanting to because you don't want to is a bit alien to me tbh, it's basically saying I could help but I won't

ForeverFaithless · 14/06/2019 20:53

I'm really glad that I'm able to donate blood, I have done so since I was 18. I've never had a problem donating and actually found having blood tests done during pregnancy much more painful.

I'm also lucky that I can just cycle 20 minutes into my city centre clinic (not in the UK) and my workplace allows time off to do this as part of our allocated 'charity days'.

I'm happy to be able to help save lives. I speak about positively to my 2 DC so that they can see it's a good thing to do.

limitedperiodonly · 14/06/2019 20:53

Dinosauratemydaffodils it's probably not really for you

LittleDoritt · 14/06/2019 21:23

Im sad for the AB people that aren't wanted. I'm AB and have never been refused. I'd be so disappointed.
Getting an appointment is a flipping PITA round here though. If they are so desperate for donations they should entirely overhaul their appointment system. My next one is booked for December!

Thertruthisoutwhere · 14/06/2019 22:19

I have questions. Ive always wanted to but never got round to it - tbh i always thought they would turn up at my work Blush

  1. Is there a minimum they want? I had a lot of tests done once and was so unwell so know my personal limit, can i say stop ans will they stop?
  1. If i say stop and they only have a bit will i have wasted everyone's time? For sure the first time i will try a small amount.
  1. Do they have the super fine butterfly needles? I always ask for these and a nurse once told me they only use the big ones at blood drives which won't work for me.
SimplySteveRedux · 14/06/2019 22:22

I wish I could donate. I have M.E and the stance is that they don't know if it can be carried in blood. On the other hand they were most happy to accept the altruistic donation of a kidney to a stranger...

PCohle · 14/06/2019 22:28

It seems very odd to be so proud of not donating when you have no reason not to.

If you would accept a blood donation I think you should donate if you can.

limitedperiodonly · 14/06/2019 22:29

@Likethebattle I know what it is to be a fast bleeder. We would always be allowed out of work for the mobile blood donation unit. The nurses knew us all and so lined up a lot of extra biscuits for me. I hate tea so they gave me a big cup of cold mlk. I like milk and biscuits. It was like being a kid again. I'd skive off work for about two hours Grin

REDCARBLUE · 14/06/2019 22:33

I used to go regularly but one day, out of the blue i went and they rejected it as my iron was just below. And i never went back. No idea why but I just didn’t go.

I think i should again. Thanks!

DuesToTheDirt · 14/06/2019 22:35

I went to give blood 3 times and only one was successful. Once I bled too slowly and once I had a low iron count I think. A fourth time I phoned up first as I had bad Psoriasis and they told me not to come for my own health. Not a great track record! And the successful time I nearly fainted Hmm

tinkerbellla · 14/06/2019 22:39

I think if you are prepared to take it you should give it but I'm too pathetic and squeamish to do so. I hope I'll be able to do it soon and just get over my fear. I've watched what a blood transfusion can do and it's just amazing.

limitedperiodonly · 14/06/2019 22:41

Oh for crying out loud.

I'm group O+. Lots of people are. Though we are really common, that that means we can donate to nearly everyone, even people who aren't in our blood group. Check it out.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 14/06/2019 22:45

thetruth

They use large needles

When ds1 went they were quite happy (to start with) to let him have a little go and he could have stopped at anytime...but once the blood is flowing it seems daft not to finish

And its a pint...might be worth ringing for a chat if you really wanted to have a go

Biancadelrioisback · 14/06/2019 22:45

I want to, but I literally couldnt get an appointment every time I tried. Since my pregnancy I've been anemic and have been told I can't donate now

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