I tried donating blood today.

Babyblue

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I went and tried donating blood today. It was a complete mess. Usually, they struggle to find a good pumper in my arm. They found one. I think they either stuck the needle in wrong, or pierced the vein all the way through. All of a sudden my arm starting burning like it was on fire. A huge hematoma has developed. They had to take the needle out. Now I have a huge painful hematoma on my arm. They told me to keep ice on and off of it tonight. And that it will be sore for a few days. The poor lady kept apologizing. I told her it is OK, and I will try again Next month. :shock:

I always end up with bruises when I donate. but Never had anything like this happen.


Any of you want to share you experiences? Can be about donating blood or about having your blood drawn.
 
No, I never try it cos I'm too chicken to give my blood, due to my natural thin body. I'm only 100 to 90 lbs. =/ If I'm chubby or a little fat, I would love to give it to anybody who need it! :D

I glad that you donated some blood for people. Kudos to you! ;)
 
No, I never try it cos I'm too chicken to give my blood, due to my natural thin body. I'm only 100 to 90 lbs. =/ If I'm chubby or a little fat, I would love to give it to anybody who need it! :D

I glad that you donated some blood for people. Kudos to you! ;)

Plenty of light weight people donate blood.

Each person is different. Donating blood, is not for the ones with a weak stomach.
 
I went and tried donating blood today. It was a complete mess. Usually, they struggle to find a good pumper in my arm. They found one. I think they either stuck the needle in wrong, or pierced the vein all the way through. All of a sudden my arm starting burning like it was on fire. A huge hematoma has developed. They had to take the needle out. Now I have a huge painful hematoma on my arm. They told me to keep ice on and off of it tonight. And that it will be sore for a few days. The poor lady kept apologizing. I told her it is OK, and I will try again Next month. :shock:

I always end up with bruises when I donate. but Never had anything like this happen.

Any of you want to share you experiences? Can be about donating blood or about having your blood drawn.
Yes, I had very similar experiences. Usually my arm,front and back, had huge bruises. My vein was burning the whole time, and my tears flowed. I didn't want to quit but after trying for an hour they got only half a bag of blood. They told me sorry, and threw away the bag. :(

Sometimes it's a struggle for them to even get enough blood from me for lab work. It took several nurses and doctors trying over several hours with multiple punctures. In between attempts they made me pump my hands, and walk up and down the hospital halls to stimulate my blood flow. They thumped on my arms and ankles for a "good" spot. Ugh!

They said my veins are too small.
 
Plenty of light weight people donate blood.

Each person is different. Donating blood, is not for the ones with a weak stomach.

Mmm... Interesting. A few people I know who told me it is dangerous if you are a thin person and give a blood donation. For one reason - some people, who have a light weight, tend to have some dizziness and faintness. I could be easy to have a dizziness, and probably could have a black out. I don't think I want that. :cold: You may right if people don't have any gut to do that for blood donations, therefore I think they shouldn't do it.
 
Speaking of needles, one time a piece of needle broke inside my vein for a shot I was given. I didn't know until the nurse pulled it out and told me about it.
 
I have an hereditary disorder called hemochromatosis that causes iron to build up in the blood.

Therefore my blood is useless and they won't take it for donation.
 
Babyblue: Sorry to hear about your problem giving blood.

I would love to give blood but they rejected it last time.
I'm trying to sort out a health problem right now. After which I will offer up my blood again.
 
Yes, I had very similar experiences. Usually my arm,front and back, had huge bruises. My vein was burning the whole time, and my tears flowed. I didn't want to quit but after trying for an hour they got only half a bag of blood. They told me sorry, and threw away the bag. :(

Sometimes it's a struggle for them to even get enough blood from me for lab work. It took several nurses and doctors trying over several hours with multiple punctures. In between attempts they made me pump my hands, and walk up and down the hospital halls to stimulate my blood flow. They thumped on my arms and ankles for a "good" spot. Ugh!

They said my veins are too small.

Tell them next time instead of using a rubber tie to tie off your arm, Ask them to use a blood pressure cuff and air it up. That usually works better than a rubber band for them to find small veins.

They also told me to drink more water. before getting blood work done. Because it helps the vein expand.

Depends on the person that draws the blood is how many times I get stuck, a bruise or not.
 
I have an hereditary disorder called hemochromatosis that causes iron to build up in the blood.

Therefore my blood is useless and they won't take it for donation.


WOW! You would think they would need Iron rich blood.
 
Babyblue: Sorry to hear about your problem giving blood.

I would love to give blood but they rejected it last time.
I'm trying to sort out a health problem right now. After which I will offer up my blood again.

They do reject people with certain medical conditions and/or taking certain medication.
 
WOW! You would think they would need Iron rich blood.

I can't see why it would be bad either, just for someone to get it once.

If you have the disorder, it does damage to your organs and you need to drain blood, but they just dispose of it.
 
Hugs to Bots.

Kokonut: I used to work in the hospital in the distant past. I saw that a lot. Not uncommon, but certainly not to that degree. Hope your arm is better very soon.
 
I can only relate when it comes to giving blood samples. I hate needles and I only get one of those into my arm if necessary ;) I also always have bruise after blood test has been done... don't like it at all. Hope your arm will feel better soon! :hug:
 
I've had problems similar to that once when I was giving blood.

The nurse had a hard time getting the needle in. It didn't work. So, she asked me to turn around so that she could do my right arm instead.

I turned around and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too. So, she told me to turn around so she could try my left arm.

I turned around again and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too.

Finally, the head nurse came up and did it on her first try.

After a while, one of the nurses came up and was like... "OMG!" I didn't know what she was so shocked about until I saw the bloodbag after they took out the needle. It looked like it was gonna burst. Apparently, I gave more blood than they normally take. :shock:
 
Hugs to Bots.

Kokonut: I used to work in the hospital in the distant past. I saw that a lot. Not uncommon, but certainly not to that degree. Hope your arm is better very soon.

That was years ago. Like 20 years ago when it happened.
 
I've had problems similar to that once when I was giving blood.

The nurse had a hard time getting the needle in. It didn't work. So, she asked me to turn around so that she could do my right arm instead.

I turned around and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too. So, she told me to turn around so she could try my left arm.

I turned around again and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too.

Finally, the head nurse came up and did it on her first try.

After a while, one of the nurses came up and was like... "OMG!" I didn't know what she was so shocked about until I saw the bloodbag after they took out the needle. It looked like it was gonna burst. Apparently, I gave more blood than they normally take. :shock:

Ooh, oof! Poor you! I can't imagine how pain it could be like that. I meant, the nurses gave you more needles after each failure. :shock: But, I'm sorry that I chuckled at bold font. I think it's funny. ^^"
 
I've had problems similar to that once when I was giving blood.

The nurse had a hard time getting the needle in. It didn't work. So, she asked me to turn around so that she could do my right arm instead.

I turned around and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too. So, she told me to turn around so she could try my left arm.

I turned around again and she tried again, failed. Another nurse came up and tried, but failed too.

Finally, the head nurse came up and did it on her first try.

After a while, one of the nurses came up and was like... "OMG!" I didn't know what she was so shocked about until I saw the bloodbag after they took out the needle. It looked like it was gonna burst. Apparently, I gave more blood than they normally take. :shock:

You brave, brave man! I told them that I will come back next month. Will attempt to give blood and possibly save a life then.
 
You brave, brave man! I told them that I will come back next month. Will attempt to give blood and possibly save a life then.

Ask them to use a 25 gauge needle with a butterfly. Sounds like she blew your vein. I have problems like that, too, but they are always able to get in and not blow the vein when they use a 25 gauge with a butterfly.
 
Ask them to use a 25 gauge needle with a butterfly. Sounds like she blew your vein. I have problems like that, too, but they are always able to get in and not blow the vein when they use a 25 gauge with a butterfly.

That is what one of the girls was saying.

It just takes longer to fill the bag up. Next time I will ask them to use a butterfly.
 
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