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Natural Health & Nutrition *Public* Discuss herbs, homeopathy, home remedies, etc., and healthy eating. A public forum. Please Note: A variety of opinions and ideas are shared on GCM. Personal experiences, suggestions, and tips found here are in no way intended to substitute for medical counsel from a healthcare professional. Always use your own good judgement and seek professional advice when in doubt about a health concern. |
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04-11-2018, 05:18 PM | #1 |
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Assign positive intent
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,585
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Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
I want to donate blood. I have type O negative, so I figure it's something good I can do.
I went in December and it was kind of uncomfortable. The tech said my veins were small and the blood came out really slow. But I was able to donate. I just went for the second time. Got the same tech. It really hurt this time and he kept moving it to get it to flow better and finally he gave up. He said I'd already given a certain amount so I couldn't try the other arm and I had to wait the standard 8 weeks to come back. He said the same thing about my veins being small. And then he said I should tell them next time what happened and he'd have one of the more experienced people work with me. I'm so sore! I want to make this work, but I feel pretty crappy. I've never had anyone complain about my veins when I give blood samples. I usually don't look at the needle, but I did this time and it seemed HUGE. Can anyone give me tips for doing this successfully? Can they use a smaller needle? I was a little taken aback at how little the guy explained what was going on to me. Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
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Desiree, mom to 5 sweet blessings, Lacy 24, Jordan 22, Joanna 20, Emma 19, and Ethan 17 |
04-11-2018, 05:30 PM | #2 |
Rose Garden
Don't mind my faces. They usually don't mean anything.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,644
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
I donate blood and donated plasma throughout college.
They should be able to use a smaller needle. That’s what they have to do for me (for plasma). Can you request a different nurse/worker insert the needle next time? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Christine WAHM as writer/editor; part-time high school teacher; wife to pharmacist DH since 7.31.2010 Lila in heaven, 8/2015 DD1 "KO" born 8/2017 DD2 GIRL born 1/2020 |
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04-11-2018, 05:58 PM | #3 |
Rose Garden
previously mlrowley
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NW WA
Posts: 17,936
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
Also, make sure you are well hydrated. Start at least 3 days before donation.
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04-11-2018, 05:59 PM | #4 |
Rose Garden
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,062
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
The advice I've been given includes drinking lots of water before and eating a good protein meal that morning. Being well hydrated is especially important.
Sadly this has never resulted in a completed donation, as my veins shut down when I try. I've tried three times. Like you I never have trouble with blood work, it's usually easy to get a good spot for a draw. |
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04-11-2018, 10:40 PM | #5 |
Rose Garden
Why climb a mountain? Because it's there!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Selkirk Mountains
Posts: 52,860
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
Do you make appointments? If not, I'd make one anyway, and request someone experienced with "small veins" even if you don't think you have them.
And yes, be VERY hydrated. ---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 PM ---------- By the way, my husband is transfusion dependent. He'd be dead 20 times over without blood donors so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for trying. |
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04-12-2018, 01:54 AM | #6 |
Rose Trellis
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,449
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
Hydration is key to make your veins pop and stand out better.
Sadly, the needle has to big to ensure the blood doesn’t hemolyze, so it doesn’t clot in the tubing, etc. It’s very large. I’m not sure if they can do anything about that. I work in a blood bank, and while we’re not a collection site, we do therapeutic phlebotomies where we use the same blood bag the Red Cross uses with needle attached to draw a unit of blood off of people with hemochromatosis. I always feel so bad sticking people with that huge needle. We do have a smaller needle we can use if we have to though, since we draw the unit off and throw it away. (It Can’t be used for donation.) I would absolutely inform them the next time that you’re a bit harder to stick and that you would prefer a more experienced person to draw it. All said in a nice way, of course. Thank you for donating! We’re entering into the summer season, and that is when we get all kinds of notices at work about the blood shortages.
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04-14-2018, 03:51 PM | #7 |
Rose Trellis
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,640
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Re: Giving blood - I'm having issues - experienced donors chime in!
I have small veins too. Sometimes the Heartland employee looks at them and grimaces. But it usually works out and I've successfully given blood many times over the years.
If someone seems especially nervous about your small veins, I would ask if a supervisor could do the draw instead. I've had people decide on their own that they would prefer a more experienced person to start my draw, or sometimes they try once and then if they're unsuccessful they get someone else. My impression is that there's often someone on duty who is the designated expert for situations like this. I agree about staying hydrated--and starting to drink extra water a few days in advance.
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