1st time donating blood

[chshockey30 0]

Ok so tomorrow will be the first time donating blood. I have never given blood b4 either and im pretty freaked out by this.

Is there anything i should do as preperation today so the process is a little easier for me and maybe prevent me passing out or anything.

I heard to drink a lot b4 but is there anything else?

[pantherfan 0]

Make sure your iron levels are good, over here they take a prick of blood out of your finger and do tests to make sure your good to go before the actual "giving" takes place. Most people that get turned away (that I've seen when there) get rejected due to iron levels.

[EBondo 233]

I got the blood taken from my finger, no big deal. I had to do a questionaire-type thing on a computer, and got to the table before I was turned away. Supposedly I was "too small," but met all the requirements to be able to give blood. But from all my friends who were able to donate, they had no problems and said being nervous is the last thing you should do, it's not a big deal.

[dalebert 8]

I've given blood many times, try to stay calm and relaxed, because if your heart rate is too high they send you away [happened to a friend] if you ask they will even give you water while the blood is being taken, just follow the people doing its instructions they're all very helpful, oh and if your not a fan of needles look away it will be in before you know it, to me the sensation of the blood leaving is it just feels like someone is lightly running their finger down your arm. It will be over before you know it too, The worst part is the waiting, in my opinion.

[fatwabbit 93]

its over pretty quick, dont worry about it.

the waiting can make you a little anxious, but maybe have a friend go with you to chat with...

[chshockey30 0]

alright thanks guys this should help some.

whats good to get me iron?

like is there some food or drink that is high in iron?

[Rustpot 1]

googled "high in iron foods"

http://www.weightlossforall.com/iron-rich-food.htm

[RadioGaGa 162]

My GF gives blood quite often. She recently got a tattoo...which excludes you from giving blood for 6 months. She felt quite bad ass when she had to call and cancel her appointment because she had "engaged in risky behavior" (as per their flyer) *L*

[Spreedizzle 1]

Just don't try and be a hero/tough guy and get up off of the table too quickly. Take your time, and the recommendations of the staff on hand and you will be fine. It isn't bad at all....just relax and revel in the thought of all of the good that you are doing.

[chshockey30 0]

alright well im going to donate in about an hour.

ill let you guys know how it goes :(

[dangle 0]

alright well im going to donate in about an hour.

ill let you guys know how it goes :(

good luck, no worries :)

Follow their directions though. I didn't eat after giving blood and about.... 3 hours later I passed out. I came to, ate a cheesesteak and was fine :P

[hockeysc23 0]

Good luck.

Ive donated almost over a gallon now (they love the O-). The key is just to be calm and let the technications do their thing. They have been doing this for a long time and they know if they get it wrong it will turn away customers so they are usually top notch.

Always drink tons of water and eat all your meals the day before. When there have some water, don't cross your legs (restricts blood flow), and feel good that your helping someone out.

Afterwards stay in the refreshment area and drink some water eat some snacks. When you get home just try to relax for the rest of the day.

Incase they dont tell you: "Thanks for saving someone's life." :)

[Gwyren 0]

Make sure to eat before you go as well.

[pantherfan 0]

Don't go out on the piss straight after either, sounds obvious but... still.

[chshockey30 0]

alright so not so bad of an expierence.

was a little freaked out at first but the process was fast and not much pain at all.

It didnt help much that the girl next to me started throwing up while giving blood.

I almost decided to call it quits then lol

[liroadrunners 0]

ha i would have ran.

[mack 44]

The best advice, other than the iron, would be to try not to watch other people give it. They'd have trucks come thru to my work for donations and seeing how sick some people got would scare most away. I got rejected for having Hepatitis immunizations though, so I lucked out.

[TBLfan 25]

If you're that worried about giving blood, I sure hope you dont ever get high-sticked or take a puck. It's a lot worse when you're watching 1/2 a pint of your blood land on the playing surface than in a nice little bag.

I almost passed out giving blood, bag filled up in about 3 and a half minutes. Then the lady broke an icepack over my head...by hitting it on my head(thanks you dumb whore), then I got an inner ear infection from the fluid from that bag dripping into my ears. Havent donated blood since.

[legiahockey 3]

i only gave blood once and my blood pressure was out of whack for a month. i felt weak and tired all the time. i'll never give blood again

[chshockey30 0]

not gonna lie i do feel a little lightheaded and nauscious(sp?) now.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Its all in your head now that you read the post above. Just eat and drink fluids. It takes a month (someone correct me if Im wrong) for your body to replenish the blood you lost

[chshockey30 0]

i didnt feel anything until i got home. then i ate a sandwhich drank some gatorade and then i all of a sudden got really light headed.

But damn a month? thats a long time lol

[JR97 2]

I"ve only donated once. I never weighed enough until I was about 25 or so. I had been playing hockey 10-14 times a week and I was in good shape. That got some compliments from the cutie phlebotomist. But a few a days later I got a message on my machine to call the County Health Dept. ASAP. After a week of stressful phone tag I found I didn't have AIDS...phew... but I'm a carrier for some blood disease. Probably picked it up when I was an infant in the Philippines. But let me tell you... that's gotta be one of the scariest messages to hear on your phone... CALL US ASAP ABOUT YOUR BLOOD.

[Gwyren 0]

i didnt feel anything until i got home. then i ate a sandwhich drank some gatorade and then i all of a sudden got really light headed.

But damn a month? thats a long time lol

You are allowed to donate whole blood every 56 days or so.

[chshockey30 0]

I"ve only donated once. I never weighed enough until I was about 25 or so. I had been playing hockey 10-14 times a week and I was in good shape. That got some compliments from the cutie phlebotomist. But a few a days later I got a message on my machine to call the County Health Dept. ASAP. After a week of stressful phone tag I found I didn't have AIDS...phew... but I'm a carrier for some blood disease. Probably picked it up when I was an infant in the Philippines. But let me tell you... that's gotta be one of the scariest messages to hear on your phone... CALL US ASAP ABOUT YOUR BLOOD.

that would really suck