Hi I tried to donate blood the other day, and my iron was high enough, but when they put the needle in my vein, after a while they said my flow was too slow. Is this because I cut myself? I don't cut myself on my arms, I cut myself on my legs, and I didn't think they bleed enough to make it significant, but I cut fairly often, so could that be the cause of not being able to give blood?
I'm just curious (and actually rather sad that I could not give blood).
Last edited by squirrelspit : 26-06-2012 at 02:41 AM.
Reason: removing details of cuts. will also move to the correct forum.
I dont actually know about your Specific situation, just wanna say i sympathise, i was told i couldnt give blood because my veins are too small, and come back when ive had some babies, since apparently this will make them bigger. Not helpful, i felt.
He was no longer jean valjean but no. 24601 -les miserable
Some of life's mysteries will never be solved, such as why, after spending an entire evening listenong to Bach, do I find myself humming "the birdie song".......
I am reaching, but i fall, and the stars are black and cold, as i stare into the void of a world that cannot hold- les miserables
I had the same. I tried five times and only succesfully gave once. All because my veins are too small and they either couldnt find a vein or i bled too slowly. I never thought about it having anything yo do with si, but i dont think it is. They told me to try again in a few years as my veins may get bigger then.
The same thing happened to me. The guy taking my blood had to try both arms several times before getting a vein that would work and after that he put a blood pressure cuff on me to keep my blood flowing because it was so slow. I'm pretty positive it isn't from SI-ing though. It could be because your blood pressure was too low or because you were dehydrated. Drinking lots of water beforehand, like for a few days beforehand is very important. It not only makes it easier for the technician to find your veins, but it helps the blood flow. If none of this works for you then chances are you just don't have the veins for donating.
Never knew it was so difficult - always just assumed they shoved the needle in, bag it up & send you on your way.
I want to give blood but I can't because I've had a transfusion, which makes me feel even more guilty because I've received it & not given it back!
It was kinda gross
Don't feel guilty about getting a transfusion just because it means you can't donate blood. You should just find other ways to help. Maybe instead of donating yourself you could volunteer at an event where people are donating or something like that.
I can't give blood because I had severe jaundice as a baby and it could still be potent in my bloody stream. Which sucks because I am not that nervous around needles and would love to donate as many people I know have been helped by bloody donors... but alas. :/
tu as tant de choses à dire,
mais le tout reste enfermer.
et quand tu ne sais plus quoi dire,
tu te mets à pleurer.
Mais ça ton publique le voit pas,
tu l'incites à rêver, pendant que toi tu le regarde...
I don't think that you're technically supposed to give blood if you've cut yourself in the last six months (or something like that) because there is a risk of infection or something. If the nurses see scars, I've heard, they question you and stop you if they find out that you're haven't been 'free' for a certain amount of time. I wouldn't know exactly because, unfortunately, I'm not allowed to give blood yet due to anaemia and having ongoing medical tests...
It might not be from SH that your blood is difficult to get, it might just be something that happens. However, this could also be a motivation to help you not to hurt yourself.
Also, whoever said about the transfusion, don't feel guilty about it.
I can't give full blood because I'm anemic and when I SI it gets worse. I can however give platelets when I haven't harmed in a while because they give you all of your red blood cells back. That's the only problem I've heard directly relating to self harm.
I do know a lot of people who can't give blood because of their veins being too small or their blood pressure is too low. I don't have that problem - I'm just deathly afraid of needles.
Oh and don't feel guilty about the transfusion! That's what the blood is there for and I'm sure everyone would rather have you stick around than be out some blood
Don't feel guilty about getting a transfusion just because it means you can't donate blood. You should just find other ways to help. Maybe instead of donating yourself you could volunteer at an event where people are donating or something like that.
Ironically I am super squeamish about other people's blood so I don't think that would work
I couldn't donate blood because when the nurses saw my scars, they asked what diagnosis I had and I told them and they said I couldn't donate since they couldn't be sure I was of sound mind. Grrrr.
In reference to the SI & giving blood thing, I donated a couple of months ago and before I went I sent them an email asking because I wanted to check I could. I asked about the self-harm, about piercings (I have several), and about my medication (mirtazapine and diazepam) and whether it would affect my donation. They said as long as I was self-harm and piercing/tattoo free for more than six months I could donate, which I was, and that my medication shouldn't affect donation. When I got to the centre though they got a bit iffy about my medication and asked me loads of questions about it before they let me donate. Thought I'd put in my experience!
Last edited by Aardbei : 26-06-2012 at 10:20 PM.
Reason: typo
No. Self harm wouldn't be the reason (in your case) why you couldn't give blood. Some people just have difficult veins and, as the nurse said, 'poor flow'. This is probably because the needle was in a small vein, you might have low blood pressure and not have drunk a lot that day.
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
Hmm interesting, and good to know! Well now I know that next time I try I should 1. Not cut for 6 months, 2. Drink lots of water a couple days beforehand and a lot right beforehand. Lets see how this goes, I do like giving blood, I gave it once before and it just made me feel good because you know your blood is helping someone.
Thanks for all the information too everyone!
Last edited by A_Bright_Red_Scream : 27-06-2012 at 12:29 PM.
Reason: Adding my thank you
I couldn't donate blood because when the nurses saw my scars, they asked what diagnosis I had and I told them and they said I couldn't donate since they couldn't be sure I was of sound mind. Grrrr.
I couldn't donate blood because when the nurses saw my scars, they asked what diagnosis I had and I told them and they said I couldn't donate since they couldn't be sure I was of sound mind. Grrrr.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scumbelina
Argh, how ridiculous!!
Agreed. That's so stupid! Don't give up trying to donate if that's what you really want to do.
Don't give up trying to donate if that's what you really want to do.