gave blood today. it was a strange and memorable experience

[amish]

so a guy from work conned me into going to give blood with him. not wanting to look like a tool, wanting to give a little something during the holidays, and the autographed football that the blood bank was offering made me sign up.

i get done with the prescreen and sit in a chair waiting to get stuck. the tech comes over and jabs me with the needle. it didn't hurt terribly, but it wasn't comfortable to say the least.

i hate needles. so i was stupid in looking down. that fucker is huge.

i start to feel a little queasy and i hear a thud. a lady that just got done passed out while she was walking and tagged the wall with her face. awesome.

the guy that i went with then says, "i'm not feeling so good." he went out like a light and started snoring. techs started screaming at him to wake up. probably 40 seconds later he comes to.

in the mean time i starting going pale and almost lose it. they gave me a gatorade and i pulled through.

since i didn't pass out, it was a good time back at the office making fun of the guy that did.

anybody else have any fun stories at the blood bank?

 

[eplebnista]

I have never given blood. .

 

[MichaelD]

See post in this forum about "Do you believe in the afterlife?"

 

[HardcoreRobot]

you just reminded me why i dont donate

HOWEVER, if i ever do require a transfusion and survive, i will be sure to pay it back with interest if possible

 

[Platypus]

wish I could.

*derail*

 

[Vehemence]

I can't give blood since I'm always in a state of just having tattoo work done. I want free orange juice!

 

[RichardE]

I give blood all the time

mm free cookies

 

[dbk]

Why did the lady scream at him to wake up? What's the danger to snoring after giving blood? Probably just wanted his ass out of there...

 

[spidey07]

Time to have a few beers after work, you'll be lit in no time.

 

[JohnCU]

damn i need to go give blood if it's that much fun

 

[Beattie]

I gave blood a few times. First time was in HS and I passed out in the class I had after giving the blood... that was weird. I have been ok since then. I do sometimes get lightheaded when thinking about what is happening... I mean the very fluid that sustains your life is being drained out into a bag. But it's a good thing to do.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
damn i need to go give blood if it's that much fun

it was a bit fucked up. definitely different from being drunk or high. everything started to go white, i felt like jello, and had a strange sense not to pass out.

if i was drinking i would have passed out gladly. once i drank some gatorade my vision came back and i wasn't sweating anymore either.

 

[vshah]

i've done it once a long time ago, but they won't let me now because i travel to India fairly regularly.

 

[dougp]

I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

 

[nobody554]

I've never really had a problem giving blood. Closest I did was when I gave two units before band rehearsal hoping that I wouldn't have to go to my douchbag-of-a-director's class. Playing the trombone for a pep rally right after giving two units = lightheaded city

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

what? why wouldnt they keep the plasma also?

 

[SZLiao214]

I've done it a few times for some extra money in college. It doesn't really affect me much other then making me feel a bit sleepier earlier in the day.

I'm a semi large guy but i don't remember if that has anything significant to do with it.

 

[CRXican]

ugh

I hate giving the vials at the doctor. I would never willing give it.

 

[D1gger]

I almost passed out in HS when I did it and a couple of people did. Seems like it is pretty common, but still not much fun to lose control and pass out.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: SZLiao214
.

I'm a semi large guy but i don't remember if that has anything significant to do with it.

:camera: ?

 

[PepePeru]

ive given 2 times now.

the very first time, i told them i was nervous, never done it, etc. they say its no big deal, you'll be fine. so, it starts. i'm doing alright for a few mins. theyre reassuring me i'm doing great etc. and i could feel the color leave my face, get queasy. so they can see this happening obviously, give me a capri sun and wet towel for my forehead and that helped a ton. i didnt pass out, had i not had a drink i might have.

so, the same thing happened the second time, not as severely though.

next time i give blood, i'll just let them know before hand so i can have a juice or something to drink and i'm ready for / expecting the queasy feeling.

 

[chorb]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

I do this too, but it does not burn nor itch. It does however make a tingling sensation because the saline they pump back into you is room temp (~74F) and is cold compared to your body temp.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

what? why wouldnt they keep the plasma also?

No, they're pumping 2x the amount of blood out of your body compared to others who are donating regular blood.

Originally posted by: chorb

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I do it when I have the chance - actually, I donate double reds. If you're squeamish, do NOT do that. What they do is pump out blood, and then separate it, then pump plasma + saline back into you - and it burns & itches.

I do this too, but it does not burn nor itch. It does however make a tingling sensation because the saline they pump back into you is room temp (~74F) and is cold compared to your body temp.

I think it just depends - it burned once, and then it was fine the second time. The lady said it depends on the needle placement, but it more often than not burns or itches.

 

[Linux23]

I'm a bit curious. Say, you volunteer to give blood. What exactly do you get out of it, besides possibly saving another persons life? How much does the Red Cross make for selling your blood?

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Giving platelets tomorrow