First time donating blood

[curiousitykitten]

I'm a little scared. Not of the needle but how I'll do. I diecided that I should donate. I'd love to know im playing a part in saving someone's life. One problem...everytime i get a blood test I pass out...my body just does it. SO... Im just wondering how I'll do. If I pass out will they keep me at school? (school drive) Who has donated before? Whats it like?

 

[BabyMullet]

If you pass out, they would most likely keep you in the same spot, and just wait for you to come to. If you no longer feel like donating, you would probably have a student volunteer escort you back to class just in case you feel faint.

I'm in the one gallon donation club, and I can assure you that donating blood is a cinch. The initial examination is just a finger prick, and some really long boring question session, but nothing to worry about there really. The blood donation needle itself can sting for a bit, but if you relax the muscles in your arm it doesn't hurt that much.

The donation bit itself, not much really. You sit down and squeeze a little ball for 10 minutes or so. You may feel a little cold, but there is no pain except the original insertion of the needle, which I would liken to an intense pinch.

Then you get milk and cookies afterward! YAY!

 

[d4l]

I have donated blood many times, I find it to be a simple and relatively painless experience(except the finger prick, that hurts a lot more than the actual giving blood)

If you pass out they will stop taking the blood and elevate the lower part of your body.

Since its your first time you'll fill out all the info, and later you'll receive a card. They'll ask you a bunch of questions(quite a few about your sex life), you give blood and your good.

It's normal to have fear your first time, but its not that bad and you'll help people.

 

[Butterfly Mage]

Back when I was still a virgin (the Dread Cross won't accept blood from homosexual men), I donated blood twice. It went okay. I wasn't even dizzy afterwards. I took a bunch of cookies anyway, heh heh.

 

[starshine]

Don't worry about it! If you faint, it won't be a huge deal! Here at least, they have us lay on blue stretcher type things.... and the majority is nurses, not just volunteers.... so they will know what to do. I'm sure if you really weren't feeling well your school would send you home (my school was always good with sending us home if we were feeling bad,) and teachers are usually supportive, and won't mind if you miss a period or two, or are late, sleep in class, etc...

Good luck, and way to go. I love donating.

 

[Pojo]

Lot's of people feel faint/pass out when giving blood. I think if you give enough, you won't feel as faint as often, so if it's your first time, it's probably expected to feel iffy. Just think of all the cookies you'll get

 

[starshine]

Lot's of people feel faint/pass out when giving blood. I think if you give enough, you won't feel as faint as often, so if it's your first time, it's probably expected to feel iffy. Just think of all the cookies you'll get

Or even more than cookies.

We used to have free access to several types of cookies, chips, cakes, pop, juice, milk, water. It was yummy. Basically: free lunch. Oh, and we get cool things, like pins, pens, etc...

 

[Pojo]

Or even more than cookies.

We used to have free access to several types of cookies, chips, cakes, pop, juice, milk, water. It was yummy. Basically: free lunch. Oh, and we get cool things, like pins, pens, etc...

Well I've never given blood, I just remember from when my parents gave it, and I had to wait for them (when I was younger). There were cookies, soda, and water...Now they seem to also give out T-shirts

 

[starshine]

Well I've never given blood, I just remember from when my parents gave it, and I had to wait for them (when I was younger). There were cookies, soda, and water...Now they seem to also give out T-shirts

We don't get tshirts.

 

[Fire_lupine06]

I was wanting to give blood but i cant ><

 

[babysage]

I got a hat. I almost did pass out and they said I couldn't donate that day.

 

[CurityGuy]

Tell the nurses about your apprehension. The good ones (and there are some good ones) will make sure you're made as comfortable as possible through the process.

Donating blood gives me an excuse to consume the toxic sodas and other sweet things you get afterwards.

 

[dogboy]

I've given several gallons. At my center, they once a year raffle off a Harley Hog. I've never won, but then I have reverse luck. If you are squeemish, I would think about it however. The needle going into your vein does hurt a little. The questions are amusing and have a lot to do with being HIV positive. I was glad when I tested out negative because I had received a lot of blood when I had my bleeding ulcer. That was one reason why I started giving. I wanted to return the favor. Blood is the gift of life. It's a good feeling knowing that you really are saving other people's lives.

It's sort of like being on this site. You have the opportunity to help people that you know you probably will never meet in real life. And yet we do it anyway. It makes you special in a very good way.

 

[ricky]

I've given several gallons. At my center, they once a year raffle off a Harley Hog. I've never won, but then I have reverse luck. If you are squeemish, I would think about it however. The needle going into your vein does hurt a little. The questions are amusing and have a lot to do with being HIV positive. I was glad when I tested out negative because I had received a lot of blood when I had my bleeding ulcer. That was one reason why I started giving. I wanted to return the favor. Blood is the gift of life. It's a good feeling knowing that you really are saving other people's lives.

It's sort of like being on this site. You have the opportunity to help people that you know you probably will never meet in real life. And yet we do it anyway. It makes you special in a very good way.

I used to give blood a lot myself, until I found out that I've got a blood clotting disorder. Then they wouldn't let me give anymore. My blood clots too easily, so I have to use blood thinners to keep it at a normal thickness.

But like you Dogboy, I received blood when I had my 3rd back surgery, because I bled from the thinners they gave me to prevent getting a clot, and the surgery was 7 hours long. And in intensive care, I had these drains in the incision that collected whatever was bleeding out into these little round containers. It was gross looking when it comes out like that.

You shouldn't worry too much about giving blood though, it's really not painful, and it's something that can help many, many people. Just relax, kick back, and think pleasant thoughts. The key to keeping it from hurting is to let your arm completely relax. If you tense up your muscles, it will hurt a lot when the needle goes in.

I still have to have regular blood tests to monitor my blood thickness, usually 2 or 3 times a month, and the girls at the lab are so good at it that a lot of the time I never even feel the needle going in. And that's the way it should be. I have had so many needles stuck in my left arm for that though, that it's got so much scar tissue on the vein that it's impossible for a needle to go in without hurting, so now I always make them use my right arm. It's still not scarred up to the point that it hurts, and I hope it stays that way.

 

[soren456]

I'm just over a half gallon. Since I'm not religious, I consider it a form of tithing that's actually used for honest purposes.

I don't tell them that I'm gay because it isn't relevant.

You don't need to see the blood, if that's what worries you. It runs downward and behind through a tube to a little bag. You won't even be aware of it.

At least give it a try; you may be surprised how easy and fuss-free it is. And you will have done a very good deed.

 

[daria7483]

Lot's of people feel faint/pass out when giving blood. I think if you give enough, you won't feel as faint as often, so if it's your first time, it's probably expected to feel iffy. Just think of all the cookies you'll get

I used to have this issue, and one of the donor center staff told me that it was caused by not drinking enough water beforehand. I've loaded up on water ever since and not had a problem. The problem I sometimes run into is my iron not being high enough. This is a more common issue in women, I think. Leafy green veggies, whole grains, red meat, etc. are good sources of iron and worth eating a few days beforehand if possible.

As others said, it's really not that bad. The needles, both the one they punch your finger with to test your iron level and the one they stick in your arm, aren't fun but aren't terrible either. Look away and just tell yourself you're doing a really good deed.

 

[secretdl26]

This is oddly coincidental timing for me, I will be donating blood for the first time at my school's blood drive next Tuesday. I haven't seen anyone pass out, I have seen a lot of my friends come back looking a little pale and spaced out. I'm actually looking forward to it because I've been meaning to do it and just haven't taken the plunge, no fear of needles or blood to discourage me!

 

[curiousitykitten]

so much for giving blood

i broke my foot in 4 places in drama club messing around...damn my fagility

im lucky mitch caught me or i would have banged my head

i have to stay home from school for the rest of the week under doctorsorders...i had a lead part (this was the week before the play)

 

[daria7483]

Oh no! Sorry to hear.