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Author	Topic: Asked to Donate Blood...?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

starxpilot All-Star Author Dallas Posts:841 Points:56,155 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2011 11:12:33 PM Ignore starxpilot Report Abuse So I donated blood about...2, 3 months ago? Got of course the computer call a week after donating, thanking me. Yesterday, I had someone from the blood care call me and tell me how the blood I donated in front of Walgreen's, saved a life for someone living in Flower Mound. That made me quite happy, hell, saving a life is something. Except, didn't quite feel as if I was asked but was asked when I could come in for some sort of platelet...something, which I have a very high count of. Now, I don't mind donating blood again, but this procedure they asked me that they wanted me to do...I'm a bit nervous about it because I'm not sure if I'm able to do it, I'm not the most fit, but I'm told I'm healthy. don't feel it though, been feeling a bit...faint and hurt in the chest section. If thee things that help normal blood clotting are removed...won't that make it much liker for me to have a heart attack or something? Gonna ask more about it on Monday when I get the reminder call about the appointment I felt...sorta pushed a little into making...just a bit nervous, 2 hour long procedure with giant ass needles tuck in me, not a pleasant feeling. Why don't you just drain me completely? <_< Anyone ever had a procedure done before for Platelets or something? And when's the last time you donated blood?

starxpilot

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Dallas

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Message Posted: Sep 18, 2011 11:12:33 PM

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So I donated blood about...2, 3 months ago? Got of course the computer call a week after donating, thanking me.

Yesterday, I had someone from the blood care call me and tell me how the blood I donated in front of Walgreen's, saved a life for someone living in Flower Mound. That made me quite happy, hell, saving a life is something.

Except, didn't quite feel as if I was asked but was asked when I could come in for some sort of platelet...something, which I have a very high count of.

Now, I don't mind donating blood again, but this procedure they asked me that they wanted me to do...I'm a bit nervous about it because I'm not sure if I'm able to do it, I'm not the most fit, but I'm told I'm healthy. don't feel it though, been feeling a bit...faint and hurt in the chest section. If thee things that help normal blood clotting are removed...won't that make it much liker for me to have a heart attack or something?

Gonna ask more about it on Monday when I get the reminder call about the appointment I felt...sorta pushed a little into making...just a bit nervous, 2 hour long procedure with giant ass needles tuck in me, not a pleasant feeling. Why don't you just drain me completely? <_<

Anyone ever had a procedure done before for Platelets or something? And when's the last time you donated blood?

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Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 10:53:29 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On May 4, 2013 2:44:12 PM, gassprite wrote: >Odd that different places have different standards They do. >Standards should be consistent. In Kansas City, MO you have to weigh 115 pounds to give at 16 and up. In Houston, TX you have to weigh 122 pounds to give at 16 but 110 pounds if you're 17 or older. In California, you can donate starting at age 15. Tattoos are generally a one-year deferral unless they are done in a licensed shop. In Kansas City, MO the states where licensed shops are acceptable are Kansas and Missouri. In Houston, TX only Texas licensed shops are acceptable. In Kansas City, MO sterile acupuncture has no deferral. in Houston, TX sterile acupuncture has a one-week deferral.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 2:39:14 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On May 4, 2013 2:44:12 PM, gassprite wrote: >I used to give blood. I stopped after I was refused twice in a row. What was the reason for your deferral? >Odd that different places have different standards. Now, I don't >give blood anymore. Standards should be consistent. >I am either an eligible donor or I'm not. It's a crazy quilt of FDA regulation, state regulation, and individual blood bank policy (some of which differs depending on whether they have a variance from the FDA or the state). And if you want interesting regulations, try Singapore and Japan. The FDA blocks those who have used taken unprescribed drugs by needle; Singapore blocks those who have taken unprescribed drugs. Japan blocks anyone who has ever received a transfusion from giving blood, reportedly because they are worried about blood-borne diseases that cannot be tested for.
gassprite Champion Author Toms River Posts:1,050 Points:133,040 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2013 12:44:12 PM Ignore gassprite Report Abuse I used to give blood. I stopped after I was refused twice in a row. Odd that different places have different standards. Now, I don't give blood anymore. Standards should be consistent. I am either an eligible donor or I'm not. I figure the responsible thing to do is to keep my blood to myself.
penske212 Champion Author Reading Posts:13,310 Points:2,285,425 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2013 2:00:35 AM Ignore penske212 Report Abuse I cannot get through a double reds, or platelet donation. Too much squeezing for my arthritic hands. I only do whole blood donations. I am in the 3+ gallon club though.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2013 10:22:01 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse I donated yesterday, and the phlebotomist said my arm veins weren't good enough for plateletpheresis. So, we did whole blood instead. I was kind of looking forward to a whole new experience. [Edited by: Sneakers55 at 4/16/2013 1:24:14 PM EST]
DnzsWithWombats Champion Author Connecticut Posts:8,118 Points:1,267,020 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:14:17 AM Ignore DnzsWithWombats Report Abuse Fairly regularly.
scrappygirl15 Veteran Author Ontario Posts:483 Points:184,065 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 1:37:03 PM Ignore scrappygirl15 Report Abuse Sneakers 55 gave good info. In Canada you can donate platelets, BUT usually only in big cities do they have the facilities for this. My brother lives in Toronto & donates platelets regularly--he has ever since our Dad had a bone marrow transplant & needed platelets throughout the process. Elsewhere, whole blood would be donated as usual.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,683 Points:1,323,400 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 9:37:28 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Once you reach age 70+, a lot of places drop you from their donar lists
floridakeys All-Star Author Columbus Posts:666 Points:268,355 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 9:54:20 PM Ignore floridakeys Report Abuse I am a member of the four gallon club,it is good to know that l can help others from such a simple act.
DnzsWithWombats Champion Author Connecticut Posts:8,118 Points:1,267,020 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 6:45:33 AM Ignore DnzsWithWombats Report Abuse Giving my blood, which I will never miss in the amount they take, could mean life-or-death to someone who needs it. So, giving something so invaluable to someone else makes me quite happy.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,247 Points:281,110 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:55:17 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse In Canada you can only donate whole blood and then they separate it. I hear donating plasma is more painful.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2012 8:16:03 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Jun 4, 2012 11:48:59 AM, aressess wrote: >Years ago I did that. Apparently it's not as draining to the body as donating >whole blood, as two weeks was the interval after which you could do it again. Platelets regenerate rapidly. It's red blood cells that limit the rate of donation. Some of the RBCs get damaged and some get left on the machine. I've watched them tear down a plateletpheresis machine at the blood bank and it was pretty red. >It was a needle in the back of each hand, not particularly uncomfortable. They >take blood from one, filter out the platelets, and put it back into the other while >you watch TV for a couple hours. At Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, they use only one needle with a switch manifold as close to the arm as possible. They suck out blood from one line and pump it back with another. The machine automatically alternates suck and pump cycles. >During the processing, the blood cools a bit so I would feel cold. They >offered a blanket to cover up with, which was welcome. For extreme >cases, they had an accessory which would warm the blood before it >was replaced. I know they have blankets to cover up the cold donors (if there are any in Houston... they are more likely to point a fan at a donor that is hot). I don't know if they have a blood warmer.
putterstoy All-Star Author Texas Posts:517 Points:83,080 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 4:42:06 PM Ignore putterstoy Report Abuse I work at a school and donated blood when ever the school has a blood drive. Im happy to give blood, but that's all. I dont like needles... and dont wont to be in that chair any longer then I have to! [Edited by: putterstoy at 11/7/2012 7:43:53 PM EST]
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,247 Points:281,110 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 4:35:20 PM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I donated blood yesterday for the 15th time.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,683 Points:1,323,400 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 8:43:02 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse I was never a platelet donor - but I am a member of the 10 gallon club ...
dolphnluvr Rookie Author Arizona Posts:18 Points:1,800 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 9:19:46 AM Ignore dolphnluvr Report Abuse They call my husband in every 3-4 months to do this.
lisae2960 Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,095 Points:443,820 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 2:08:44 AM Ignore lisae2960 Report Abuse No, because I have type AB+ and it's never in demand...
aressess Sophomore Author Rochester Posts:162 Points:974,940 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2012 9:48:59 AM Ignore aressess Report Abuse Years ago I did that. Apparently it's not as draining to the body as donating whole blood, as two weeks was the interval after which you could do it again. It was a needle in the back of each hand, not particularly uncomfortable. They take blood from one, filter out the platelets, and put it back into the other while you watch TV for a couple hours. During the processing, the blood cools a bit so I would feel cold. They offered a blanket to cover up with, which was welcome. For extreme cases, they had an accessory which would warm the blood before it was replaced. This was twenty-five years ago. The process may be better now, but I enjoyed doing it then.
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:6,127 Points:1,368,270 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2012 10:20:53 AM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse I have donated platelets many times. I dont't have the time now since I work full-time and go to school plus help with the grandkids. I will start again since I will not be taking any classes this summer.
bonbNJ All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:979 Points:326,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 1:58:11 AM Ignore bonbNJ Report Abuse tes
RLSearsIN All-Star Author Indiana Posts:825 Points:95,815 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 30, 2012 7:27:10 AM Ignore RLSearsIN Report Abuse So starxpilot, did you get the platets? I am a big believed in giving blood but have never been asked to do the platet donation.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 29, 2012 6:11:00 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Sep 27, 2011 8:30:53 PM, notezbngreen wrote: >I think I would really like it if they told me how my blood >was used. I always wonder where mine ends up. >They need blood so bad where I live they are always giving >away free hats,tickets,food,etc. So, I think geeez what's >this world coming to when there is a reciprocation for a >so called donation. T-shirts, coffee mugs, and thumb drives. And not to forget the Kroger and Shell gift cards for the summer donors.
Bud76 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:4,053 Points:758,015 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 2:31:14 PM Ignore Bud76 Report Abuse Get phone calls and e-mails all the time blood supply is critical
yodudebc Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,565 Points:538,850 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2011 9:49:00 PM Ignore yodudebc Report Abuse Years ago I donated as often as it was allowed, and I felt pretty good about it. I was known as a regular doner, and although I did not have a rare blood type, I got all sorts of medals of appreciation. In Canada, they give you that plus a cookie. Then I was exposed to Hepatitis B when I was a paramedic. Although I did not develop the disease, the exposure was enough for me to develop antibodies for the disease. Now my blood is screened out and my donations are no longer welcome. Too bad, or I would still donate. I realized that anything that made me feel good about myself involved giving something to somebody else. The procedure is not harmful. I guess the real question is whether you would feel good enough about your actions to warrant the inconvenience. Good luck.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2011 4:10:35 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Bud76's blood bank takes 15-year-olds with parental consent. They do automated procedures on them because the volume depletion at any one time is less. And they only do double platelets on those who have very high platelet counts in the first place. Low platelet counts will make bruises bleed. [Edited by: Sneakers55 at 10/27/2011 7:13:03 AM EST]
gspecilk236 Veteran Author Harrisburg Posts:393 Points:103,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2011 9:10:08 PM Ignore gspecilk236 Report Abuse No. I cannot recall ever donating.
notezbngreen Veteran Author Detroit Posts:395 Points:3,900 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2011 6:30:53 PM Ignore notezbngreen Report Abuse I think I would really like it if they told me how my blood was used. I have donated for platelet counts before. They take quite a bit out, that is true. But, if you are on a daily multi-vitamin and are fairly healthy, you should feel back to your normal self in a few days. It's not a great feeling, that's for sure when the procedure is being done but it's tolerable. They need blood so bad where I live they are always giving away free hats,tickets,food,etc. So, I think geeez what's this world coming to when there is a reciprocation for a so called donation. Kind of confusing.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,246 Points:2,139,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 23, 2011 10:49:42 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Bud76 is a platelet frequent flyer. He recently had to cut back to once a month as he couldn't regenerate red cells fast enough, you do leave them on the machine. Ask him over in the BLOOD DONATION topic in the Off Topic area. As to safety, they monitor you while the process is going on.