Maybe I shouldn't donate blood

[conorvansmack]

I've donated blood a total of 4 times in my life. My wife does it all the time and gives me crap about it. In college (about 10 years ago) I donated and looked at the needle (a f*#%king railroad spike!) too much. When they were done and took the needle out, I got really sweaty and the nurse said I turned green.

Fast forward to today: There's a blood drive at work and I decided to face my fear of turning green and donated blood again. I didn't look at the needle and everything went fine. I didn't notice when the nurse took the needle out, but I started getting a cold sweat and felt nauseous (that old familiar feeling). They had me lay down, put a cold cloth on my forehead, and elevated my feet. After about 20 minutes, they let me sit up and gave me a coke. They made me go into another room where they fed us and I was fine.

I'm not supposed to work out today, which continues my craptastic streak of only working out twice a week. I suppose I can wait until tomorrow, but I'm kind of bummed about having a problem donating.

Do you guys think it's safe/a good idea to work out tonight, or should I hold off until tomorrow. It would be 5 x 5 of squats, deadlift, OH Press, and 3 sets each of dips and pull ups.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Dood, workout tomorrow. Is it that hard to wait one more day? Based on what you said, I don't see you making it through your workout. I bet you make it 1/8 of the way through before you have a bar and 4 45lb plates come crashing down on top of you during squats.

 

[Auric]

I do not regularly donate but have considered it since recently having blood drawn for routine tests and rather enjoying the process. I think an occasional letting would be beneficial to my humours. I suppose that could be done at home but then what of the proceeds -make puddin'?

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Dood, workout tomorrow. Is it that hard to wait one more day? Based on what you said, I don't see you making it through your workout. I bet you make it 1/8 of the way through before you have a bar and 4 45lb plates come crashing down on top of you during squats.

I guess the embarrassment and bruises should dissuade me from too much exertion. Sorry, Auric inspired me a bit.

One more day probably wouldn't make a difference. I might just do some squat work with the bar since my technique is the drizzling shiznits.

Mmmmmm, blood pudding

 

[cdmccool]

You'll be fine.

Concentrate on your breathing when you give blood. People pass out because they tense up so much that they don't breathe properly.

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: cdmccool
Concentrate on your breathing when you give blood. People pass out because they tense up so much that they don't breathe properly.

I think you're onto something. I wasn't breathing much while I was donating. I just kept squeezing away.

 

[presidentender]

I donate blood at every opportunity and never, ever work out the same day. Even the next day, I notice myself having trouble playing ultimate frisbee or kickboxing. Next day lifting, it might be prudent to take it easy. Lifting the same day is a good way to pass out, even if you're healthy.

 

[conorvansmack]

I didn't make it to the gym today. I got a little dizzy climbing the stairs in the parking structure after work. Maybe tomorrow. I'll let the stairs be my indicator.

 

[Shortass]

I know that I get pretty bad anxiety whenever I get a long shot or blood drawn... claustrophobia mixed with GAD (undiagnosed but so obvious). It sucks cause I would love to give blood, but I can barely last 20 seconds with a needle in me without vomiting - much less 5 minutes.

 

[conorvansmack]

I was kind of nervous beforehand. I think they could tell. One of the guys kept giving me Cokes. By the end of the whole ordeal, I probably had about 4. Zoinks!

 

[Capt Caveman]

The only time I've had an issue with working out and donating blood is popping the blood vessel where I had gotten the blood drawn. No pain physically or anything but a big part of my foreman and bicep turned black/blue from all of the blood underneath the skin. Looked kind of scary.

So, I'd suggest waiting a day or not exercising with the arm that you had blood drawn from. Do squats or leg work instead.

 

[dakels]

DO NOT work out, especially with heavy weights after you donate blood. Also you were already a bit off keel from the stress of donating. It would be potentially dangerous to do strenuous workout with heavy weights after that. I would wait at least 36-48 hours and make sure it is in a safe condition with spotters. Also, increased pressure in that arm with the puncture site can cause bleeding. You want to be careful.

The level of tiredness, weakness, awareness all vary with each person, health and nutrition, and what type of blood product they donate as well. I assume you donated whole blood which, I believe, is usually the most physically draining.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
I was kind of nervous beforehand. I think they could tell. One of the guys kept giving me Cokes. By the end of the whole ordeal, I probably had about 4. Zoinks!

lol the recipient of your blood is gonna go into sugar shock jk

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: dakels

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
I was kind of nervous beforehand. I think they could tell. One of the guys kept giving me Cokes. By the end of the whole ordeal, I probably had about 4. Zoinks!

lol the recipient of your blood is gonna go into sugar shock jk

That's hilarious! Hopefully it's some old guy that could use it.

I'm taking the weekend off from lifting. I'll be doing a lot of wakeboarding over the weekend anyway and that always affects lifting. I guess I'll just be fired up for Tuesday.