I gave blood today for the first time today. Has anyone on here done it before? If you haven't I really recommend you do it because it saves lives. I know now just how important it is because donors recently saved my mum's life.
I just got a special little badge from the NHS for giving my 25th donation. I can honestly say I have never felt drained after donating. In fact, if I was to tell them I felt drained after a session I'm pretty sure they would advise me to stop. Doing something that took aaaaages would probably make me feel more drained.
Now, you get a text message to tell you when your donation has been used. It's a great feeling!
If there is nothing to exclude you from donating blood then why wouldn't you? (Please don't say its because you don't like needles)
You know what, I thought it would really hurt but it barely did. The worst bit is when they check your blood in your finger - that pain lasts no more than two seconds. Everything else just feels really weird. When you have donated there is a really nice feeling - you really feel you've contributed something.
As I'm in the right age range, I'm very attempted to put my name on the Bone Marrow list.
DO2 = CO x Hb x sats x 1.34
Reduce your Hb and you reduce your oxygen delivery, unless your heart starts racing to compensate.
Therefore you feel tired, especially if you try to do something strenuous. And it takes 3 months for your Hb to fully recover.
On the other hand, you don’t need your excess platelets (IF you have a high platelet count). It takes much longer because they separate the platelets out and give the rest of the blood back to you, which means you can give three times as much AND four times as often. Downside is it takes over an hour (closer to two if they have to dial down the citrate as they do with me because I feel symptomatic of the transient hypocalcaemia).
But all blood products are needed, so give what you’re most comfortable with.