theraputic phlebotomy, can barely breathe

[BBJT200]

I'll keep this short and simple.

I REALLY need a theraputic phlebotomy, like...last weeks ago. I can barely stand up right now, can barely breathe, and can't really think straight.

I've been feeling kind of crappy for a while, and it has progressively gotten worse. I just moved a month or so ago, and until now I had a regular schedule of blood donations. I am scheduled to donate next Monday, but I can not live like this for a week. I would do a self phlebotomy as I've done in the past, but I don't feel confident in my ability to do it being this out of it. Not a matter of growing the balls to do it, just a matter of staying awake and focusing long enough to draw the blood and not pass out.

I've looked around today online, and haven't really found much. Lots of information on theraputic phlebotomies, but its targeted at patients who have been regularly seen for blood diseases that require phlebotomy as a treatment. I do not have them prescribed, as I visit the doctor as seldom as possible (If i'm going to die, i'll go...other than that I avoid visits if at all possible).

If anyone has any resources they could point me to, or any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them.

Thanks
-JT

[austinite]

Lots of donation centers will do phlebotomies, but most don't advertise it on their websites. Do you have a prescription? If not, you'll need to visit a clinic and see a doc for that purpose.

I would call all the blood centers and find their requirements. they're going to need your medical records from your doctor.

Good luck man.

[Bonaparte]

So you can type legibly and operate a car, but you're too "out of it" to jam a needle in your arm?

[BBJT200]

Lots of donation centers will do phlebotomies, but most don't advertise it on their websites. Do you have a prescription? If not, you'll need to visit a clinic and see a doc for that purpose.

I would call all the blood centers and find their requirements. they're going to need your medical records from your doctor.

Good luck man.

No, I don't have a prescription. In the past, I just donated frequently and or did self phlebotomies and that was enough to take care of the issue. Thanks for the suggestion about the blood donation centers- I will call a clinic in the morning and get seen asap for a script.

So you can type legibly and operate a car, but you're too "out of it" to jam a needle in your arm?

No, I can't drive like this. It took me half an hour to write that post, sorry for taking the time to write something understandable...
If drawing blood was as simple as jamming a needle in your arm, i'd be done already. My veins roll and I've had a poor success rate sticking myself. Thanks for the helpful comment....

[Bonaparte]

Have you tried just walking in to the blood donation place?
I've never had to make an appointment or wait. But I am O-...

[BBJT200]

Have you tried just walking in to the blood donation place?
I've never had to make an appointment or wait. But I am O-...

I've called around, and everyone is telling me I have to have an appointment and go during the blood drive. They're at churches and community centers around here. I havent actually walked in and asked...maybe they just tell people that on the phone. I'll see today, since there is an actual red cross building here.

[austinite]

Just drain yourself and make sure someone is in the room with you in case you pass out. Not that passing out is a massive deal anyway.

[BBJT200]

Yeah...I walked in to the red cross today and they told me they don't actually draw blood there. so...I have to wait until next week.

I stuck myself tonight and got 250mL...but the needle and tubing clogged my blood was so thick. I feel a hell of a lot better, so I am going to just keep draining daily until the blood drive.

[austinite]

Glad you feel better. yeah my needles clog, too whenever hCT is up there. An aspirin will fix that usually.

[AD]

at some point in time, don't forget to check your blood count, just to be sure you're on the right track.

[BBJT200]

Glad you feel better. yeah my needles clog, too whenever hCT is up there. An aspirin will fix that usually.

I take 81mg aspirin twice a day, and 5mg cialis twice a day. Still clogs on me...must be pretty bad. I figured an 18g wouldn't clog very easily, guess I was wrong

at some point in time, don't forget to check your blood count, just to be sure you're on the right track.

Yeah, I definitely plan on it. Once I get my rbc/htc/hg down to what feels like normal, I plan on getting a full blood panel and a physical. I put my body through some serious stress by letting it get this bad...don't want to let something get worse if I developed any issues from it.

[AD]

may i know what protocol are you currently on? i remember you mentioned having some issues with testosterone .

[BBJT200]

may i know what protocol are you currently on? i remember you mentioned having some issues with testosterone.

TRT: 75mg test E, twice a week. Letrozole 2.5mg ED, aromasin 25mg ED.

Currently cycling: Anavar 100mg ED, Mast E 600mg/wk, Test E 750mg/wk (total, to include my TRT dose)
+25mg aromasin, to total 50mg ED and 2.5mg letrozole ED.

The reason for the high doses of AI is Aromatase Excess Syndrome.
Letrozole alone worked for a while, but it would seem that my body just kept producing more aromatase, eventually "out numbering" the letrozole since it merely binds and disables the estrogen rather than killing it like aromasin.

[AD]

thats a lot of gear

[BBJT200]

thats a lot of gear

I'm a big boy.... The way I look at it, as long as bloodwork checks out and I don't blast the high doses for long periods of time, it's fine. I just screwed up and forgot to check my hTC, and by the time it was too bad I wasnt thinking clearly enough to realize what was going on.

205 5'8" 11-12%

[PistolPete33]

So, when your levels get really high it makes it difficult to breathe? How soon after the blood drop does your breathing get back to normal?

[austinite]

So, when your levels get really high it makes it difficult to breathe? How soon after the blood drop does your breathing get back to normal?

You'll start feeling better immediately after bloodletting.

[AD]

I'm a big boy....

205 5'8" 11-12%

roger that

[BBJT200]

Here's an update-

I filled a 20mL vial with the blood I drained on Tuesday night and crimped it.

Let it set on the counter for a few days. It has now completely separated and after looking at it closely, I am seriously surprised I didn't have a stroke.
75%+ solids.

I am feeling much better than I was. Still not great, but I no longer feel like walking death. I am finally comfortable with the self bleeding, as I mastered the angle required for an easy draw. It's easy in theory, but you must learn things like that by doing...and it took some practice to get it right. If anyone needs help i'd be glad to offer tips. The video everyone points to for self bleeding doesn't really teach you HOW to do it, it merely shows him DOING it.

I had to use three different needles since they kept clogging (The drain tube was even clogging, and it's a 3/8" ID), and when I pulled the last needle out after a total of 500mL drained I didnt even need to put pressure on it. It had already coagulated enough to stop the blood flow...immediately I felt like a 50lb weight was lifted off of my chest and I could breathe a little bit better.

I will do 3 more bleeds (Every other day protocol, making sure to drink 2gal water every day) and then get bloodwork.

I figure:
12 pints of blood or so in my body
Drain 1 pint = 8.3% reduction in hematocrit.

75% X 91.7% = 68.7% after drain 1
68.7% X 91.7% = 63.1% after drain 2
63.1% X 91.7% = 57.8% after drain 3
57.8% X 91.7% = 53% after drain 4

In theory, this should put me at least close to the acceptable range and I will get checked out at that point.

[ironbeck]

Here's an update-

I filled a 20mL vial with the blood I drained on Tuesday night and crimped it.

Let it set on the counter for a few days. It has now completely separated and after looking at it closely, I am seriously surprised I didn't have a stroke.
75%+ solids.

What is the reasoning for this?

[austinite]

Blood would spoil if not kept cold. Any blood.

[BBJT200]

What is the reasoning for this?

curiosity. I was interested to see how much of my blood was actually solids.

Blood would spoil if not kept cold. Any blood.

I'm not trying to save it, just wanted to seal it and let it separate so I could take a closer look at it.

[AD]

interesting experiment you did!

heres a pic i found in wiki, not sure if its drawn to scale:


but it would be more accurate if you use a long, thin test tube, instead of a short fat vial.

anyway, glad you're feeling better.

[austinite]

curiosity. I was interested to see how much of my blood was actually solids.



I'm not trying to save it, just wanted to seal it and let it separate so I could take a closer look at it.

I know. I'm saying it doesn't matter how thick or thin your blood is, if you leave it away from cold it would spoil and look like shit.

[venturac]

damn, that sounds bad man. how the hell does one's blood get like that?

[austinite]

damn, that sounds bad man. how the hell does one's blood get like that?

Increased RBC production.

[Sgt. Hartman]

You've been saying for several months you have undiagnosed congestive heart failure but you continue to take steroids .

You eat Adderall like skittles all day and wonder why you're short of breath while on AAS.

Go see a psychologist.

[ironbeck]

Sounds like your setting yourself up for some serious medical issues.

[Sgt. Hartman]

Congestive heart failure and AAS