h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I had a question to pose in regard to blood drives.

Tuesday, I'm going to be attempting to donate blood again. I've tried recently, but was turned away because my pulse was too high, which was casued by nervousness. Everything else was right (tempreature, BP and iron count), so it was disappointing to be turned away because of nerves.

That said, I did some thinking and found out that part of the nerves is caused because of two things - one, I don't like getting shots in the crook of my arm, and the second, because they have you lie down flat on cots, I'm afraid I'm going to faint when I sit up.

So, here's my question - does anyone have any tips on what to do as far as trying to donate blood on any of these accounts? I'd greatly appreciate the help, because I really want to do this, but am not sure about how to overcome my phobias.

Before I give blood, I don't drink as much coffee, but drink a little more water instead. I like large needles in my arm as well as I like dentistry; however, a few, deep relaxing breaths and I can usually fool the stethoscope into thinking I am calm.

Try looking the other way?

RF

Well, if you're feeling faint, they will lay you back down anyway. Best way to calm yourself is to reassure yourself that the worst case scenario is that they will look after you, no matter what. you wont faint so long as you are honest with them about how you feel, stay there as long as you need to!

I'm afraid, personally at least, the only way I eventually overcame my fear of needles and injections etc., was by having constant injections in hospital for a year and four/five years of fairly regular injections/blood samples taken Of course, now they won't take my blood for the blood donar bank as I recieved a potentially contaminated transfusion myself pre-1995
I didn't realise they make you lay down for it, it always seemed more natural to me when sitting up in a chair having blood taken

Talk to the person who registers you when you get there - I'm sure that there are a lot of nervous people who'd like to give blood and I'm equally sure they have a strategy for it.

And try not to drink coffee, make sure that you have eaten properly and you should be fine.

I never ever look at the needle going in or coming out - and they always have a little chuckle at my request that a folded paper towel or something goes between the tube coming out of my arm and my arm. The feel of that warm tube makes me want to hurl!

As for fainting: You don't have to donate blood lying down - I do it in a sitting position, as do most people here (where are you, btw?)

Afterwards, there is somebody standing by while you transfer yourself from that "bed" to the recovery loungers. I've never fainted, but I've seen a few people have a little wobble, and they are always immediately seen by the doc, given a nice cup of tea and some chocolate and carefully monitored.

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I'm from the United States, so I understand there might be some differences in the drives, but apparently not many from what I'm reading so far.

As far as needles and such, I will admit I have a phobia to them. IMHO, I think this pretty much stemmed from an allergist who I always felt was a vampire and always had to draw blood every year at my checkup. Also, one time I had a severe allergic reaction to be rushed over there for an epinepherine shot, which he administered that way. I was seven at the time, but I still remember that shot.

Since then, I've had to have someone hold my hand when I've gotten a shot in the crook of my arm. This of course was a bit embarrassing when I was 18 and had my wisdom teeth out, but the nurse held my hand when they gave me the anethestic, and I think held it until I went under. (She also was the first person who saw me when I regained consciousness, which was nice since that office had two people check on the patients as they were recovering).

Going to these drives for photos and such for the paper, I've noticed most of them are tables unless you're giving double red blood cells. That donation I don't think I can do at least first time because it'd probably be a bit more of a shock to my system and I have to still finish up work for the day. The only place I've seen chairs is in a blood mobile (basically a donation center on wheels). Problem is, I don't know if the cots will adjust to siting position or not.

There is one plus, this drive is close to work and it's much smaller so at least there won't be as many people there to exacerbate my nerves. The last one was a friendly challenge between the fire and police departments, and it was very busy and a little warm so that didn't help out - almost all the phlebotomists were a bit frazzled.

I find myself in the perhaps enviable position of not having an aversion to the needle, never having felt faint after donating, and generally filling the bag in less than five minutes. So, I guess my advice would be:

'be me'

but seriously, I went a few days ago and for the first time in years, it didn't work. the flow was so slow that the blood started to clot and plugged the needle before it was half done. The nurse suggested that I was a little dehydrated although I suspect, based on the nasty bruise I have, and on the fact that the woman next to me was also flowing slowly, that she didn't quite nail the vein.

Perhaps a bit of real advice coming out of this, however, is to drink lots of water the day before so that the process doesn't take to long.

Don't know about drinking lots, but make sure you're warm. Where I've donated they say the blood flows faster in hot weather.

Perhaps you can contact them in advance about your anxiety & they may be able to allocate someone to help you through it. Or try learning some relaxation techniques.

In the UK, the cots adjust from flat to a slight incline so they can raise your head or feet as necessary - you might be able to half sit up.

Definitely tell the person taking the blood you're nervous - they see it all the time. Talk to them about something to take your mind off things.

Personally, I always watch the needle go in; I don't like the idea of not knowing exactly when it's going in!

As for fainting, here, first time donors are asked to stay lying down for ten minutes after the needle is extracted. I think it helps the body adjust a little.

on the pl;us side however if you do faint you get chocolate (and posssibly a nice nurse holding your hand)

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That has to be one of the funniest responses I've heard as far as getting advice for this. I'll have to remember this one tomorrow Pingu.

Thanks

Good luck, TJ!

I see you juggle from your PS (and the name ) A few simple cascades beforehand usually help distract me from whatever that is, slow and meditative, no tricks. And you might take other people's mind off things if you do it where they can see, so you'll be double helpful!

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Sounds like a good idea Malabarista, but unfortunately I pretty much can't juggle slowly anymore. I've been juggling so long now (20 years, about 16 in shows) that I'm for the most part stuck in a faster pace. Will say though it's been useful in the workplace (especially working at Fiesta Texas during the parade), and other times when kids were starting to get antsy before an event.

I have thought of brining a Webkinz charm I got for Christmas from a colleague as good luck, but that might be a bit silly.

Well, try for fast but controlled, then. It's just something that'll take your mind off what's coming and involve your body, too. And if your pulse is fast you can blame it on having been juggling

Nothing wrong with some extra

Well, went to the drive yesterday, and I did get to donate. Did everything right this time: Told them I was nervous and sat in the waiting chair and take calming breaths until I was ready. I had a nice and understanding phlebotomist who did the mini-physical, and she didn't put me at unease at any time. She even told me what each of my checks turned out, because she knew I had been turned away because of nerves last time (My pulse this time was normal for me - 72).

Because my blood type is a high demand one, the phlebotomist suggested I do an Apheresis donation. This one is slightly different because you blood goes into a centrifuge type device and separates the blood into its components. She also said it had a smaller needle, so this might be the better route for me.

So, after I take one more break (because this donation can take between a half hour to 45 minutes), the phlebotomist directed me to a chair with the centrifuge machine. The stick wasn't as bad as I thought it was (though the poor phlebotomist thought something was wrong when I gasped in surprise, ) and then I donated.

I think the only thing that was weird was to see my arm shake at one point, but I think it was trying to get used to the BP cuff they use to help with getting the blood from your arm to the centrifuge. This type of donation too you can feel a bit cold because they also put in saline and something back into you as well as the platelets. On the plus side... you can drink and eat while doing this donation, so you feel a bit like a celebrity.

One thing that bugged me was that this drive they chose not to have shirts, but instead these 4-in-1 mechanic tools. Still, those are nice too and it was fun.

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. They really helped.

and well done for you!

I'll try to actually get around to donating someday...

Good job, indeed!

I try to get to the blood people as close to my eligibility date every 56 days or what ever it is. Here they let you make appointments for your donation so there is a minimum of delay. And there's free food afterward for everybody, as much as you'd like.

My blood type is in high demand so if I go too long without donating, they start to phone to remind me.