Yeah they said that during the call. I signed up for that trial the day before they cancelled it which was funny, but was glad that they were pragmatic enough to use the plasma for general purposes anyway!
Just gave blood again, do you?
- Thread starter V4NT0M
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Commissario
It's a shame there are so few platelet centres but I guess the equipment isn't exactly portable. I'd either have to go to Cambridge or London to give them and due to the time taken, I'd have to take a day off each time which just isn't practical.
It's going to put some people off I'd imagine, but my office is based in Bristol, so I'll go donate first thing, then work the rest of the day from the office - That'll be a novelty anyway!
Soldato
27th O- donation due next week. My wife was due to come along as a new donar but they have just cancelled her appointment!
Still want my blood though....
Still want my blood though....
I went for my plasma donation this morning.
Turned up, did all the questionnaires and blood tests and vein searches and so on, all went well. They stuck a needle in and began taking plasma and all seemed to be going well, but the machine was beeping a lot. A nurse came over and got me to squeeze a plastic toilet roll thing to try and increase flow, as apparently the machine wasn't happy with how much it was getting out. Another nurse came and tried to adjust the needle, but instantly caused a bruise, so had to abort the donation unfortunately.
They took maybe about 10ml of plasma (which they said they will use), but I can't try again for 4 weeks because they didn't flush me out or something. I'm going to try booking in again in 4 weeks and giving the other arm a go. I got a nurse to check the other arm at the time and she said it looked viable, so we'll wait and see.
I'm disappointed that I couldn't do more, but I've done what I can up to this point I suppose.
Turned up, did all the questionnaires and blood tests and vein searches and so on, all went well. They stuck a needle in and began taking plasma and all seemed to be going well, but the machine was beeping a lot. A nurse came over and got me to squeeze a plastic toilet roll thing to try and increase flow, as apparently the machine wasn't happy with how much it was getting out. Another nurse came and tried to adjust the needle, but instantly caused a bruise, so had to abort the donation unfortunately.
They took maybe about 10ml of plasma (which they said they will use), but I can't try again for 4 weeks because they didn't flush me out or something. I'm going to try booking in again in 4 weeks and giving the other arm a go. I got a nurse to check the other arm at the time and she said it looked viable, so we'll wait and see.
I'm disappointed that I couldn't do more, but I've done what I can up to this point I suppose.
Had another crack at plasma donation today, and it went a lot better. Process was quicker to get me hooked up, and using my other arm and with a seemingly much more experienced nurse, they managed to get a whole bag of plasma out of me. Really chuffed that I stuck with it and managed to donate a really worthwhile amount. Another appointment booked in for the 9th next month 
Associate
I wish I could donate
O negative here, but I received blood in the 80s which disqualified me.
O negative here, but I received blood in the 80s which disqualified me.
Man of Honour
I've been donating more than usual during the lockdown as I've had move availability to do it since I haven't been travelling.
They had a loosening of rules lately, though I think it was mostly involving who you may or may not have had sex with recently. Maybe worth giving them a ring (although I do think transfusions after 1980 are unfortunately still off limits).
Associate
Whoops, I arrived to give blood today and it transpires if you had the vaccine within the past 7 days you can't! To be fair if I'd done a deep dive on the website I would've seen that but I think they should make that a little more prominent, I can't have been the only one.
Did you drink a lot of water through the day its important to be well hydrated
Caporegime
I’m on warfarin so can’t donate. It’s good because I don’t have to feel guilty about it 
Associate
I've never actually done it, I would if I didn't have a phobia of needles, kinda struggling to get the vaccine because of it ):
Man of Honour
That sucks. Well done for giving it a go though.
I have to say I've never felt faint or dizzy after but I carry a bit more bodymass than most so I suppose a pint of blood has less impact?
It's important to be very hydrated before you go. I hope you're able to continue to give blood, but well done for trying regardless.
Soldato
I had a mate who was the same. I asked him if his fear of needles would stop him receiving blood in an emergency. Thinking about it that way got him to his first session. He's done about 8 now!
It really, really is far less scary than you think!
Soldato
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- 19 Oct 2008
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I've fine with needles just not in the underside of forearm for some reason. Vaccine location, you'll hardly feel a thing and it's over very quickly.
Yep, one of the times i went after the gym, which was really stupid! I will try again and next time i'll go armed with water and biscuits
Yep, one of the times i went after the gym, which was really stupid! I will try again and next time i'll go armed with water and biscuits
If you're a regular gym goer and your heart rate is low, your blood pressure is probably also "low" when you're sitting down. Donating a pint and getting up likely won't do you much good in that case, especially dehydrated!
Make sure you drink a lot! And listen to the nurses, I've never known them not to ask if you've done any exercise before donating, or if you've had enough to drink and eat!