Blackouts, seizures, donating blood

[JanneE]

I need a "cheat sheet" for people who have donated blood even if they were afraid. I have never been able to give blood without passing out and the last time I did it, I had a seizure and made a big scene. They were so nice and gave me Gatorade and granola bars and asked me good questions. That is no way to repay anyone and it doesn't even seem like my fault! It seems like it happened out of nowhere though, which is why I am getting mad and thinking about doing it again.

I know you need to drink a very specific amount of liquid and be inactive. I do not want to get psyched up with my caffeinated headphones blaring or something just so they can stick a needle in me, but I would if that would help me finish it. I don't care that I am afraid, but I do not want a repeat for anyone's sake.

 

[Queersetti]

Maybe just do Locks Of Love or something this time?

 

[Sean]

Wait, you're giving blood for money?

 

[thør]

The blood bank lady that's always there slips her left boob into my hand and says squeeze. I never feel the stick.

Wait, you're giving blood for money?

No, it's a voluntary donation.

 

[Paul_Chance]

As a regular donor, I would recommend what the Red Cross does. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids leading up to the appointment (don't over do it, just be well hydrated), eat meals rich in iron (or take a supplement with iron) leading up to the appointment, don't get up right away after you're finished, and eat that sugary snack afterwards.

They say you faint because of:
-Low blood pressure
-Low iron
-Psychological reasons (bring a friend to hold your hand or talk to you through the process to lower the fear response, which also pumps blood to your limbs and can make you light headed).

Good luck and thank you for donating.

 

[Sean]

The blood bank lady that's always there slips her left boob into my hand and says squeeze. I never feel the stick.




No, it's a voluntary donation.

Oh. This bit confused me:

That is no way to repay anyone and it doesn't even seem like my fault

 

[thør]

I'm not confused any more.

 

[Queersetti]

Oh. This bit confused me:

I think it was meant in a karmic sense.

 

[lovetoread]

My blood pressure dropped and I may have blacked out the last time I gave blood and now I am banned from giving blood.

 

[Queersetti]

My blood pressure dropped and I may have blacked out the last time I gave blood and now I am banned from giving blood.

Did you fade to black dude?

 

[JanneE]

Wait, you're giving blood for money?

No, I needed $50 and I don't have a job. If there is some sort of "magic combination" I am missing, it is not what I can Google in two seconds. They don't let you bring a friend in where I was.

 

[lovetoread]

Did you fade to black dude?

More like a yellowish shade.

 

[thør]

My blood pressure dropped and I may have blacked out the last time I gave blood and now I am banned from giving blood.

We can get you a pressure suit so that doesn't happen!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8226/8356036249_9820c499ce_b.jpg

 

[thør]

No, I needed $50 and I don't have a job. If there is some sort of "magic combination" I am missing, it is not what I can Google in two seconds. They don't let you bring a friend in where I was.

Please don't donate at the sperm bank.

 

[pensivepoet]

Maybe just do Locks Of Love or something this time?

Um, shit
That's actually a good idea.
Some people just aren't cut out for giving blood.
Volunteering to help at a blood drive is just as important.

 

[JanneE]

Oh. This bit confused me:

(Etc.) Yes, I am banned from donating blood at that location now, as in "you just can't do it". I did in fact get panicking-fuck-it-anyway ready and marched over there only to find I did not have enough ID and had to come back the next day. The night before, I watched "The Exorcist" (for the first time, something scary and stupid I thought) and passed out during the scene where they are doing her neck in the hospital.

A thoughtful butterfly landed on me and started drawing nectar with its proboscis. Flowers don't have veins, I told it. It was "fuck it" from beginning to end. There is no way I should not be able to give blood if I want to. It's ridiculous.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

(Etc.) Yes, I am banned from donating blood at that location now, as in "you just can't do it". I did in fact get panicking-fuck-it-anyway ready and marched over there only to find I did not have enough ID and had to come back the next day. The night before, I watched "The Exorcist" (for the first time, something scary and stupid I thought) and passed out during the scene where they are doing her neck in the hospital.

A thoughtful butterfly landed on me and started drawing nectar with its proboscis. Flowers don't have veins, I told it. It was "fuck it" from beginning to end. There is no way I should not be able to give blood if I want to. It's ridiculous.

All moved in yet?

 

[Wings]

First: what are caffeinated headphones.

Second: Yates?

 

[JanneE]

My point was that everyone there was so helpful before, during and after, it would be great if it could turn out different. It feels stupid that I'm the one who can't donate blood, and I want to know why. I am on an anti-epileptic and should not even be able to have seizures. Would you like more detail?

Thank you though, Paul. That's something I know I did right.

I had signed myself off on it after it happened as one of those things I can't do. It's frustrating.

 

[JanneE]

All moved in yet?

No, I am about to lose my apartment because I can't find a job.

 

[JanneE]

First: what are caffeinated headphones.

Second: Yates?

Huh? No, Fred. You leave your headphones at the café and they absorb all the caffeine in the location. You put them in and...

 

[Aglaopheme]

Dude, lay off the drugs.

 

[lemonbread]

(Etc.) Yes, I am banned from donating blood at that location now, as in "you just can't do it". I did in fact get panicking-fuck-it-anyway ready and marched over there only to find I did not have enough ID and had to come back the next day. The night before, I watched "The Exorcist" (for the first time, something scary and stupid I thought) and passed out during the scene where they are doing her neck in the hospital.

A thoughtful butterfly landed on me and started drawing nectar with its proboscis. Flowers don't have veins, I told it. It was "fuck it" from beginning to end. There is no way I should not be able to give blood if I want to. It's ridiculous.

They probably just don't want to get sued if you get hurt. It's standard procedure, I'm sure.

Gay men are still banned from giving blood, even if they have very safe sex lives. I'm sure some of them would like to donate blood too.

It's just a safety issue.

 

[pointless]

yeah, they're selling their plasma. drink a gallon of water the night before and at least a litter or so the day you donate, lay off the cigarettes and caffeine as much as possible and just try to relax.

 

[lemonbread]

Actually, I'm banned from selling plasma because I'm breastfeeding. Apparently it can throw false positives for things like HIV in my blood. Who knew?