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Original poster

Who donates blood? If not, why not?

171 replies

PinkPotterWeasleys · 20/07/2007 21:04

Just curious

OP posts:
Desiderata · 20/07/2007 21:23

Actually, Weasleys, it's not rubbish.

I have very narrow, difficult to locate veins. Intravenous injections are acutely painful for me. In all other respects I would say that I have a high threshold of pain, (I took no pain relief when giving birth), but I have a problem with this.

As yet (and fingers crossed), I have never needed a blood transfusion, so I've no pressing need to feel guilty about it

Apart from that, if anyone had my blood, they would immediately and irrevocably pissed.

Desiderata · 20/07/2007 21:24

.. they would (be), etc, etc.

GColdtimer · 20/07/2007 21:25

I know pinkpotter, it makes you feel like a right wuss doesn't it. And to be told not to come back . My excuse is that I suffer from low blood pressure..... My mum is a platinum giver or something like that so she must be made of stronger stuff.

MintChocChippyMinton · 20/07/2007 21:25

Because i puked then fainted after the nurse removed the needle, she suggested i didn't bother coming back

AnnainNZ · 20/07/2007 21:26

I did when I lived in Uk

Am not allowed to here in NZ as if you have lived in Uk between 1980 and 1995 you can't, in case you ate dodgy beef and have CJD!

This is despite the fact I was vegetarian from about 1984 to 1997

Original poster
PinkPotterWeasleys · 20/07/2007 21:27

Sorry Desi - didn't mean to be flippant. Just made me laugh especially being the first response!

OP posts:
Desiderata · 20/07/2007 21:28

Christ - no need to apologize. I don't offend easily!

I'm quite happy to donate my saliva if anyone's interested.

hotchocscot · 20/07/2007 21:29

gave regularly between age 18 and 30, when I had a tattoo, so couldn't give for a year, then a bit erratic after that until I got pregnant. DS now 14 months, think I should go again soon - but does anyone know if being on antidepressants affects whether you can donate or not?

Shoshable · 20/07/2007 21:29

Always did till a few years ago when had to go on alot of meds myself, have a AB- blood group.

Tatties · 20/07/2007 21:29

I have tried once but it didn't agree with me... I passed out half way through. Dp donates regularly though so I am mindful of giving it another go. Apparently if you are bf you can donate once your baby is 9mo.

zippit · 20/07/2007 21:30

I think i'm too old

Tatties · 20/07/2007 21:30

Hatrick the creche thing is a good idea

bellaprincess · 20/07/2007 21:32

I can't give blood as I have lived in a malaria infested country and they do not currently have a reliable test. Also I had a blood transfusion. other than that would be very willing to give blood.

Heathcliffscathy · 20/07/2007 21:32

i do.

it is an amazingly easy way to feel good about yourself.

makes a person that feels they are bad feel good ime.

berolina · 20/07/2007 21:32

The Germans won't accept blood from people who've lived in the UK between certain dates - they're worried about CJD.

SweetyDarling · 20/07/2007 21:33

I can't in Australia because I lived in the UK as a child - apparently I'm a potential mad cow.

blondehelen · 20/07/2007 21:33

got told politely not to come back after I fainted after giving blood The one and only time I have ever fainted

donnie · 20/07/2007 21:35

I tried several years ago but they took an age to locate my veins which are very deeply buried apparently. Even after they found one it was agony and the blood wouldn#t come out properly. When the ultra crap nurse finally removed the needle , blood sprayed all over the place and went all over me as well. Then I fainted. A shame because I believe my blood type is one of the more rare ones - O rhesus negative. One of these days I might try again.

sparklygothkat · 20/07/2007 21:35

I don't weigh enough normally, I do now, but am pregnant

Miaou · 20/07/2007 21:36

I would love to but I have never weighed enough (except when pregnant ). Also because I hate needles and I think that undergoing it voluntarily would help me get my head round it all a bit more.

Dh gives loads, as much as he is allowed; he's trying to work out how he can get down to the city to donate platelets (they can't do it nearer to us but they are desperate for them).

Tatties · 20/07/2007 21:37

Miaou, dp wants to do platelets too

EscapeFrom · 20/07/2007 21:39

Mytwopenceworth

I absolutely empathise. I have the same paralysing, vomit and hysteria inducing phobia. I have had nurse refuse to give me a blood test because I was crying so much. I have to take someone I trust to headlock me - not kidding. I have tiny tiny deep veins, and a tendency to vasoconstrict when frightened. Most blood tests I have had I have had to be pirced 3 or 4 times, and that after holding my hands in hot hot water.
I have needed a tetanus shot for 10 years.

I honestly am too frightened.

MrsJohnCusack · 20/07/2007 21:41

I would, but not allowed to here in NZ because of being British (CJD)

madmarchhare · 20/07/2007 21:43

I get all fidgety around needles

ValnBen · 20/07/2007 21:43

I can?t (well, not for transfusion purposes anyway ? for research, ok- and have) because I have Granulocyte-specific antibodies (type HNA-1b). Made to carry a card because of it.
Can neither give nor receive due to this.
Almost killed DS and most probably was the cause of my first baby?s 33wk gest. in-vitro death.

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