I gave blood!

[Old saw fixer]

Mine usually runs pretty high. My last one was 18.1. I think they have raised the limits again to 20 if I remember right. My last attempt went great to start and then suddenly the flow just stopped. They worked the needle around trying to get it to start again but no luck. Several times now it has been a less than pleasant experience  with botched jabs and low output. I'm going to try one more time and then will call it quits if it goes bad again.

The last time I successfully donated with the Red Cross (my Hg is usually the low end of acceptable) I asked and found that Red Cross doesn't require a phlebotomist to take the blood. 
I enjoyed donating back in the day when locally it was done at churches, where there was real juice or coffee and homemade cookies for refreshments.  The only reward we got was an entry on our donor card.  Now they pay you with a t shirt, cash card or ticket for some useless to me event.  This must cost Red Cross something if only to pay someone to coordinate the freebies.   Not to mention I must make an appointment so I can drive 50 miles to get asked "Are you donating as a male today?".  

[LeeB]

I agree with hydration before as this will increase the plasma amount and reduce the Hg/Hct.

 I do drink a lot of water before I go in. usually half a gallon that morning and at least that much the night before. Guess I'll work on getting more on board the day before.

[doc henderson]

Lee if you already do that, all you can do is all you can do.  I appreciate how hard you try and how committed you are.  still a shortage.  thanks all!

[Ljohnsaw]

I do drink a lot of water before I go in. usually half a gallon that morning and at least that much the night before. Guess I'll work on getting more on board the day before.

I see we're the same age.  They told me males "of your age" tend to run high on the Hg.  But I do see a correlation of eating a lot of spinach and getting too high for them.  They spin my blood for platelets and plasma (taken last) so gear oil doesn't spin well in the machine.

[LeeB]

Going in today to try one more time. I drank 5 quarts of water last night and am a quart and a half so far this morning. Will try to drink more before I go in at 1:00. I'm gurgling now.

[Ljohnsaw]

I went in on Memorial Day (Monday) to give platelets but my Hg was 17.1 :(   I gave a double of plasma.

[doc henderson]

I think if you gave a power red "double unit"  red cells, it might get you Hg down a bit.  giving plasma will have raised you Hg.  temporarily.

[Ljohnsaw]

If I gave a unit of whole blood, I'd be off for 8 weeks, Power Red for 16 weeks. :-\  I would think my Hg would recover by then and they would miss out on 4 or 8 potential platelet triples in that same time frame.    They are always needing more platelet donors.  I just need to eat more crappy stuff with less protein and iron. :D

[doc henderson]

it prob. is, but check to see of that is for platelets also or just for red cells.  it makes no sense but they are rigid and not so nimble.

[LeeB]

Today was a little better but it was still a two stick day. I'm beginning to believe the issue is with the inexperienced staff rather than me. The young fellow just did not have confidence and missed the first stick. His supervisor tried to get it but also failed after digging around. He did get a very slow flow but correctly decided it would not do. He asked if they could try the other arm. I didn't think they could do that once they had any flow but agreed anyway. The young fellow tried again on the other arm and missed it too. He went and got the supervisor again and he pushed the needle a few mm more and got a gusher. I  guess I'll go again in 56 days. Maybe I just need to be more specific about where to stick.

[gspren]

I reported 8 weeks ago that my iron was 12.9 so rejected :(, today my HG was over 14 so they took my blood this time  8). I enjoy giving and this time I saw a coworker from 40 years ago, we must have talked too long as the wife said she was getting worried.

[brianJ]

Did my bit today.    My B+ is not extra sought after but still useful.   Hope to wrestle my procrastinating self to do better.

[doc henderson]

Thanks gents!

[kantuckid]

Hey Doc- what health conditions or medications preclude one from blood donations? When I worked in schools I was a multi gallon giver but lately I've not done so. Wondering if they want mine these days? 

[doc henderson]

the rules can change based on need and supply, as some things are relative.  High or low Hg, chemo and cancers, HIV, recent tattoo, ect.

Blood Donor Eligibility Criteria | Red Cross Blood Services

[LeeB]

My last donation was Aug 2, next one will be Sept 27. Last one went real well. had a good stick this time. They don't always go so good for me.

[kantuckid]

the rules can change based on need and supply, as some things are relative.  High or low Hg, chemo and cancers, HIV, recent tattoo, ect.

Blood Donor Eligibility Criteria | Red Cross Blood Services

Thanks, looks like I'm good to go based on that list. It doesn't mention joint replacements, just "surgeries".
In our area I choose the Central KY Blood Center over the RC for personal reasons, plus the fact that they are the primary collector in eastern KY to begin with. I've only ever given whole blood, never platelets, etc...
Only time I ever had an issue over the years was in 2001 when a phlebotomist had stuck the needle all the way through the vein on into tissue behind it  and when I asked why it was taking so long the supervisor caught the problem and we switched arms. I'll give them a call.
  
My donation folks have a mobile drive soon which is a designated double red cells event. Based on their similar donation criteria to the RC's I am eligible to donate in either fashion, whole or double red. I can sign up for a time online for this mobile drive in my county. 

[gspren]

I donated on Sept 7th and my HG was over 14 again so the issue I had 16 weeks ago isn't a persistent problem.

[kantuckid]

After donating a Double Red Cell donation this time I'm able to give again in 112 days, twice as long as a regular whole blood donation cycle of 56 days. My Hgb was 16.2 at donation site. 

[Ljohnsaw]

In the chair right now for double platelet and a plasma...

[doc henderson]

great, thanks John.  all the blood in the country is given by about only 2% of the population.  It is basically an organ transplant.

[LeeB]

I go tomorrow.

[gspren]

all the blood in the country is given by about only 2% of the population. 

Numerous times I've tried to get friends and co-workers to donate and the two most common excuses usually given with a laugh are "they wouldn't want my blood" and "I can't spare it". I think some of the popular tv personalities need to somehow make it look "cool" to donate.

[kantuckid]

Contrast that with the plasma center in Lexington, KY where they collect 300 people each day. Like many plasma places it's in drugs alcohol and homeless area. My blood girl told me her friend works there and makes great money. She went on to say the bookkeeping is a big deal as HIV and more pops up among that group often. They have a blacklist of people who've lied in the past among other safeguards. 
Like many things in life we have lazy humans who don't give and who hang their hats on stuff thats ill founded. 

[Jim_Rogers]

I go tomorrow.

x2
Jim Rogers