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Original poster

How long does it take to have a blood transfusion?

56 replies

LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:00

Confused
OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 16/02/2012 20:02

About 4 hours I think

Tildabewildered · 16/02/2012 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:03

Seriously? Shock Shit.

OP posts:
gigglepin · 16/02/2012 20:04

Why?

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:05

I had a blood test this afternoon, the OOH called as my hb is a bit low but can wait until tomorrow. I don't really want to take ds to A&E with me for 4 hours.

OP posts:
gigglepin · 16/02/2012 20:08

Do you need a transfusion? Can you not have iron?
Are you actively bleeding? what si the source of your low HB?

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:10

I can have iron but it takes a while for it to start working (he said). I'm not bleeding now, thank god. I had a 18 day period, it's all aunty Flo's fault. I have fibroids so they are usually heavy. I feel OK(ish) if I'm sitting down, school run on Monday will be a bit difficult though.

OP posts:
gigglepin · 16/02/2012 20:12

ooh how fecking horrid my lovely, feel for you. Jeez you poor thing Sad

So are they going to transfuse you every few months when your HB drops through heavy loss? Whats the plan for the long term?

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:18

Ah, at least it's stopped now and the cold sores are going (wehey). I don't know what the plan is, she said to go back in a week when the blood results were back. The OOH has told me to go back in the morning. The GP's given me some mefenamic acid, these helped last time. I have the odd occasion where I get an extra period though and nothing stops it. I had one of these, followed by a period. I should have stayed on the loo for 18 days Grin

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
gigglepin · 16/02/2012 20:21

This last af for me was particularly bad because i was in the cinema with ds, felt a "gush" then very wet...extra big pad couldnt cope with it!
Had to put my bag in front of me a sneek out.

Fucking awful, hope this isnt what is to come. Dont have it every month like you tho. Dont know how you cope with it!!

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:27

It was the same. Last time was worse, I was so happy it was the summer holiday. I changed the pad, used a heavy duty torpeedo and 3 minutes later I needed to change again. The mefanamic acid really helps. The GP's aiming to get me to the menapause, she says they shrink then. Problem is, I'm 34 so it's years away. Sad There needs to be better treatment for this. Must have been horrible for you Sad

OP posts:
LargeGlassofRed · 16/02/2012 20:28

I've had a couple of transfusions recently, they like to monitor you during and after so, you may be there a while, also depends how many units your having, usually around 4 hours per unit I think.

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:30

I was hoping that I could drop ds off at games workshop and be back in an hour. Sad I'm going to have to take him with me. Oh joy! Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:31

I've no idea how they work out how much you need. My hb is 6.8 if this helps Confused Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Thistledo · 16/02/2012 20:34

They would need to take a sample to cross match you first tho, then order the blood etc don't think you would be able to walk in and just get it so would plan for longer thank 4 hours.

MrsHoarder · 16/02/2012 20:35

How old is DS? No friends he can go to for the day at all rather than being in hospital with you?

I know if a friend was going into hospital for the day I'd be happy to have an extra for a day.

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:35

Can't I just turn up with my donor card? It has my blood group on there. Confused I know nothing about haematology.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:38

Ds is 12. My neighbours son is still at school and he only has friends in the next city (where he goes to school). I can abandon him in games workshop (I know the manager), seems mean to do it for 4+ hours though.

OP posts:
purplewednesday · 16/02/2012 20:46

Each unit of blood will put Hb up by approx 1g so you may need more than one unit.

I"d allow yourself the best part of the day as you have to be "cross matched", have a cannula put in etc, get it put up etc.

4 hrs per unit (bag) sounds about right if you don't have heart failure or are not elderly Grin

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:47

Noooooo! Sad Poor ds. We don't do boredom. Would they give me a little, then let me go back next week for some more?

OP posts:
LargeGlassofRed · 16/02/2012 20:50

My hb was that, and I needed 2 units then I had another 2 a week later. I really think you'll be there most of the day, if not overnight.

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:51

I can't stay in, what am I going to do with ds?

OP posts:
McQueasy · 16/02/2012 20:52

They will have to take a sample and crossmatch you then normally transfuse till an hb of 10 so you can expect 3-4 units. The quickest you tend to get a unit is 3 hrly. I would not be surprised if you are kept in for an overnight
Sorry!

Original poster
LadySybilDeChocolate · 16/02/2012 20:55

I can't stay in. I have no childcare. I can go back on Saturday, I can't stay in though. Bugger.

OP posts:
pooka · 16/02/2012 20:56

Took about 8 hours plus with ds2. They had to cross match my blood and his and there was a lot of waiting around. His HB was 6.2 when in newborns should be in region of 17. He only had an 80ml top up though, but he was only 1 month old.

Isn't a fast process I'm afraid.