Anyone Know About Blood Donation?

Question

So ive just turned 17 and now at the legal age to give blood. I booked my appoitment for next wednesday, then my boyfriend told me where hey get it from!! The inside of your elbow!! (Dont ask where i thought im silly). But anway, Can anyone tell me if it hurts?? They say you BARLEY feel a thing but.....

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Answer 1

I don't like needles at all, but I've donated over 70 times.  It may sting a little from the antiseptic, but that's just a few seconds and not very much.  If you're nervous, ask if one of the volunteers can sit with you -- this helped me a LOT knowing someone was there who could get attention if I needed it.

Response to Paul G -- ask for Co-Ban instead of tape :D  That's what I get!

Answer 2

The most pain you feel is when you take the plaster off your arm and it pulls all the wee hairs out ouch

Answer 3

It's pretty much like a normal injection - no great painful experience.

You then just lie there and clench and unclench your fist.  No big deal.

They won't let me give blood anymore - too old!

Congratulations - you're doing a good thing.

Have you signed a donor card - that's one thing they still let me carry.

Answer 4

yes your boyfriend is correct, if you look on the inside of your elbow (as you put it lol) you should see a blue vein, right in the crease.

It doesnt hurt, just a pinch like any other needle, and a slightly weird sensation as the blood is being taken.

You might have a very small bruise afterwards but this is nothing compared to the good cause which your blood will be going towards.

Well done for donating!!

Answer 5

They can give you an anaesthetic When I gave blood (not allowed now) I preferred not to have it, I'd rather have just one needle in the arm rather than one for anaesthetic and one for the donation.

Answer 6

It isn't so much your age, but whether you have enough body mass to donate safely. I'm 24 years old and I can't donate because I weigh too little despite being fully qualified otherwise to donate (which is sad because I'd love to donate blood and have a kinda rare bloodtype). The reason for this is because despite my age, my bodymass is so little that I only have about a bit over 2 litres of blood. When you donate, they take away 450 ml of blood.

In a person that weighs at least 110 pounds, 450 ml will only cause a first degree hypovolemia which will resolve safely in 48 hours with some rest and drinking a lot of liquids. But for me, 450 ml is almost 25% of my blood mass which can cause me to have second degree hypovolemia which can cause visible symptoms and possible fainting.

Hopefully you'll weigh enough to be able to donate with no problems. You can donate even during your period. Be sure to have a very hearty meal afterwards, try to rest the next few days after donating and drink a lot of fluids the following 48 hours.

My mom donated blood a few months ago and said it didn't hurt, but she felt strange seeing her blood being sucked away. She felt a bit sleepy and thirsty, but felt fine a few days later.

On the questionaire, be honest when they ask about your s*x life and if you know your blood might not be fully safe but still want to donate to save face if you're donating in group with other people, just type in your blood might not be suitable. It's confidential and that way you won't have possibly hurting an innocent person in your conscience.

I once met a woman who got infected with Hepatitis C from a life saving donation and was in final stage cirrhosis. In Mexico they require by law to do blood tests on all donated blood for Hepatitis and HIV, but the viruses might not appear positive in the test if the donor got infected recently. Obviously the person that donated that tainted blood wasn't honest in his questionnaire.

At the end, if your blood is fully good and you can donate safely, kudos for doing it. Beieve me, someone will be using that blood. You can safely donate every 3 months, but it's best to donate less often than that to make sure your blood is top quality. You can also donate plasma very frequently.

Answer 7

Good to see there are still very good people around.  I am almost 40 and gave blood every month from I was 17 to 26 when I had my first baby.  My husband was always against it until our third child needed a full blood exchange.  My husbands blood group is a rare group so now he gives every month.  You do feel a little prick of the needle in your arm at first but it is bearable dont let this deter you.

Answer 8

You don't feel anything except a good feeling that you have helped someone who is in need of your blood.  Do something amazing, give blood today.!!!

After you have donated 10 times you will get a badge too.  

I give blood and I am glad to do it.  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚™Â¥Ã¢Â™Â¥

Answer 9

It is usually taken from the forearm on the bit where you arm bends....there is a little pain when the needle goes in, but it is not that painful, and it is a great act you are doing...well done you.