Donating Blood & Consciousness

[MD2B]

I've learned through many threads and posts that many of us require external means to lower hematocrit levels, RBC's, hemoglobin etc. I am completely new to donating blood. I have no problem with needles as I am sure most of us do not...being that we...well, you know, inject ourselves on regular basis. What I do have concern over although is the possibility of passing out... Obviously it wouldn't be over the whole needle issue but from the actual loss of a pint of blood causing the loss of consciousness...that is what is so unsettling to me. I've read one is at risk for up to 72 hours post donation and to basically just drink plenty of water.

I am curious though if us having extra high blood levels in the first place should have less to worry about in losing a pint of blood since we have high concentrations of hematocrit, RBC's, and hemoglobin to begin with from TRT?

Does anyone here have/had issue with losing consciousness during or after blood donation?

Any recommendations on how to prevent such an occurrence?

Thanks guys.

[Times Roman]

are you squeemish?

does the sight of your own blood bother you?

If you were cut, and needed stitches, and I handed you a needle and thread, would you be able to stitch yourself up?

Donating blood, there are plenty of safeguards. they ask you not to get up right away after. then you go over to the cooking and OJ bar, and you are required to drink fluids, eat a snack, and hang out for 15 minutes. They have the bases pretty well covered. I don't think you have anything to worry about

[MuscleInk]

are you squeemish?

does the sight of your own blood bother you?

If you were cut, and needed stitches, and I handed you a needle and thread, would you be able to stitch yourself up?

Donating blood, there are plenty of safeguards. they ask you not to get up right away after. then you go over to the cooking and OJ bar, and you are required to drink fluids, eat a snack, and hang out for 15 minutes. They have the bases pretty well covered. I don't think you have anything to worry about

Is this a test!?! Awesome!!!! Here are my answers!!!!!

No. The more blood, the better.

No, not at all.

Hell, I'd cut myself AND suture myself up without any local anesthesia.

[MD2B]

I wouldn't say I'm squeamish. I mean I have dissected four different human cadavers over the course of my life time thus far. It's more the passing out possibility that freaks me out personally. Losing consciousness and waking up disoriented not knowing what the hell is going on seems like a terrible experience and from what I've read it happens quite often. I hope I'm wrong, I'd almost rather risk stroke than go through that...

are you squeemish?

does the sight of your own blood bother you?

If you were cut, and needed stitches, and I handed you a needle and thread, would you be able to stitch yourself up?

Donating blood, there are plenty of safeguards. they ask you not to get up right away after. then you go over to the cooking and OJ bar, and you are required to drink fluids, eat a snack, and hang out for 15 minutes. They have the bases pretty well covered. I don't think you have anything to worry about

[MD2B]

Lol wow

Is this a test!?! Awesome!!!! Here are my answers!!!!!

No. The more blood, the better.

No, not at all.

Hell, I'd cut myself AND suture myself up without any local anesthesia.

[Times Roman]

Is this a test!?! Awesome!!!! Here are my answers!!!!!

No. The more blood, the better.

No, not at all.

Hell, I'd cut myself AND suture myself up without any local anesthesia.

Not you, you chuckle head, OP!! =)

[Times Roman]

I wouldn't say I'm squeamish. I mean I have dissected four different human cadavers over the course of my life time thus far. It's more the passing out possibility that freaks me out personally. Losing consciousness and waking up disoriented not knowing what the hell is going on seems like a terrible experience and from what I've read it happens quite often. I hope I'm wrong, I'd almost rather risk stroke than go through that...

Mate,
I honestly think you will be g2g. There are many squeemish people that donate blood regularly. The people that take your blood are pros, and really have seen hundreds of people pass out. They take the precautions i mentioned above, and so it will minimize risk of you falling down and cracking your coconut open. Donating blood is a very honorable thing to do, and there is no shame if you get a little light headed and pass out for a bit. I'm betting $10 it won't happen.

[MuscleInk]

Not you, you chuckle head, OP!! =)

Can I still play with my knives and sutures???

Thanks boss!

[MuscleInk]

Lol wow

Lol....I'm in healthcare.

[Times Roman]

Can I still play with my knives and sutures???

Thanks boss!

Yes. But be nice.

Now heres a bone....

...go outside and play with your friends



You laugh, but i've had to stitch myself up before. Crude job, but i didn't have any insurance.

[MuscleInk]

Yes. But be nice.

Now heres a bone....

...go outside and play with your friends

You laugh, but i've had to stitch myself up before. Crude job, but i didn't have any insurance.

You could have told me you had to chew your own arm off to free yourself from a car wreck and oddly enough....I would have believed that too!

.....off to go play with something sharp and dangerous now!

[Times Roman]

You could have told me you had to chew your own arm off to free yourself from a car wreck and oddly enough....I would have believed that too!

.....off to go play with something sharp and dangerous now!

naaaw!

don't like pain. just not afraid of it either.

I'm talking reasonable pain though. Not torture like pulling my teeth out, or taking a ball peen hammer and busting up my feet. I've known a coupple of blokes that endured torture while being held. I didn't know them before, and in both cases, it was years later after they were released. One bloke was south african. odd duck. didn't like to eat dinner with the rest of us. finally one of the other blokes tipped me off were related to emotional issues from being held captive and tortured for over six months......

[HRTstudent]

I've learned through many threads and posts that many of us require external means to lower hematocrit levels, RBC's, hemoglobin etc. I am completely new to donating blood. I have no problem with needles as I am sure most of us do not...being that we...well, you know, inject ourselves on regular basis. What I do have concern over although is the possibility of passing out... Obviously it wouldn't be over the whole needle issue but from the actual loss of a pint of blood causing the loss of consciousness...that is what is so unsettling to me. I've read one is at risk for up to 72 hours post donation and to basically just drink plenty of water.

I am curious though if us having extra high blood levels in the first place should have less to worry about in losing a pint of blood since we have high concentrations of hematocrit, RBC's, and hemoglobin to begin with from TRT?

Does anyone here have/had issue with losing consciousness during or after blood donation?

Any recommendations on how to prevent such an occurrence?

Thanks guys.

Well, you NEED to do something about thick blood so if you don't want to donate you can try lowering the dose considerably. That's probably the best option if you go the route of no donating.

But if you dontate blood they can cover your arm and you can literally never see a thing. You will notice the slight prick in the arm but that's similar to injecting T.

Also, you can recline the chair to improve circulation to your brain.

Basically, tell them you are nervous about it and they SHOULD take that info and genuinely treat you with utmost care. They see this stuff all the time.

And when you're done, theyll let you sit there and just drink some water. Be sure to drink a lot and eat before you donate as well. If you go in on an empty stomach you'll probably feel dizzy if you're already dehydrated.

BTW, I know this all because I've been in your shoes

[MD2B]

Thanks guys, I've cut my dose in half for the mean time while I build up the mental fortitude to get in there and donate. lol It seems like one of those things you build up in your mind that is going to be awful that makes it actually ten times worse than what it really is. I remind myself that passing out is a physiologic response to not having enough oxygen in the brain and your body's attempt to you get you flat and horizontal on the ground in order to make up for that. I figure if I start to feel that I'm passing out I'll quickly lay down on the ground asap...although that could look pretty hilarious randomly done in public.

[Lifted1]

im a bit unsettled when it comes to watching my plasma be taken from me. it didnt make me feel sick or pass out, but i just felt like they were draining me too much lol

[kelkel]

Lol....I'm in healthcare.

I've always liked nurses. Does that mean I'm in health care as well?

You click on the wrong forum MI? Lost? Ha!

[tripperdogg]

I have a problem with donating blood too. My biggest issue is the anxiety of the only site that the Blood Bank will use, the middle of my arms. I have a mental issue with that area from childhood ,bad experience I assume.Anyway, I spoke to the supervisor at the Blood Bank and she told me that I can get a script from my Dr. to have the blood drawn at the hospital and they would use an alternative site,[forearm/hand]. Its definitly not a pain issue, just the area on my arm. I dont know if that might be your issue too, but I figured I'd pass that along. Good luck

[MD2B]

Thanks for the responses guys. My issue is the fear of passing out. I've dealt with anxiety my entire life and always begin to feel light headed and dizzy in high stress situations unless I can get up, go outside, and get some fresh air. I've never passed out in my entire life although. My life was actually saved by receiving a blood donation when I was six weeks old so that's even more reason for me to face this fear. I have no problem with needles at all nor the site of blood it's strictly the idea of passing out. I just simply need to get over it. Really the only way to conquer something you fear is to in fact put yourself in that situation and weather the storm, it sucks but that really seems to be the truth. The thing about anxiety is it's on you and your responsibility to discipline your mind to control it. I am going to ask if I can bring a hypnosis guided meditation and listen to it on my ipod.

[Haritec]

Hi Folks

I have about 60 donations under my belt - I have seen one woman feel faint after a donation in the 10+ years I have been donating. . Personally - I feel great after a donation - for some reason it seems to lower the amount of muscle tension I hold in neck and shoulders. They do recommend no heavy lifting the day of the donation - so no jerking off for you well hung boys .

The people who do it are pros - and really one pint of blood loss is not very much. Staying well hydrated a day or two before really helps to make the flow go well - if well hydrated it takes me a shade over 5 minutes to drop a pint and I have never felt light headed. Couple that with the fact I am a small guy ( 5' 08' 160 lbs) so I don't have as much blood as someone larger and hence it is a bigger percentage loss for me - you will be fine I am sure.

I havent taken steroids - and have a thing about needles - despite 60 donations I still can't watch them put the needle in - so it is not that I never had any fears to deal with. This is really an easy process and the red cross does a great job of making you feel good about yourself for coming in to donate. If it helps, try to reduce any thoughts of the fear - and focus on the fact that you are going in to improve your health and SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

I listen to tunes all the time while donating - it is an IPOD friendly process !

The one thing I have found to the negative is that cardio is a little bit harder for about two days afterwards as blood builds up again.

[MD2B]

Awesome feedback, thanks so much for taking the time to share it. I plan on donating some time next week and then every eight weeks after that regularly. You're right it's really about saving lives. When you think of it in those terms it changes one's perspective quite a bit.

Hi Folks

I have about 60 donations under my belt - I have seen one woman feel faint after a donation in the 10+ years I have been donating. . Personally - I feel great after a donation - for some reason it seems to lower the amount of muscle tension I hold in neck and shoulders. They do recommend no heavy lifting the day of the donation - so no jerking off for you well hung boys .

The people who do it are pros - and really one pint of blood loss is not very much. Staying well hydrated a day or two before really helps to make the flow go well - if well hydrated it takes me a shade over 5 minutes to drop a pint and I have never felt light headed. Couple that with the fact I am a small guy ( 5' 08' 160 lbs) so I don't have as much blood as someone larger and hence it is a bigger percentage loss for me - you will be fine I am sure.

I havent taken steroids - and have a thing about needles - despite 60 donations I still can't watch them put the needle in - so it is not that I never had any fears to deal with. This is really an easy process and the red cross does a great job of making you feel good about yourself for coming in to donate. If it helps, try to reduce any thoughts of the fear - and focus on the fact that you are going in to improve your health and SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

I listen to tunes all the time while donating - it is an IPOD friendly process !

The one thing I have found to the negative is that cardio is a little bit harder for about two days afterwards as blood builds up again.

[MD2B]

I'm glad I made this post, I just made an appointment to donate next week. Thanks to this forum for even informing me how to manage my hematocrit and RBC in the first place let alone help those in need in the process. I'm psyched and ready to rock n roll. Maybe if I crank the old school thrash metal on my ipod the blood will pump out faster.

[Bonaparte]

A pint is only roughly 8% of your total blood volume. And you have too much blood anyway if you use AAS.
Anemic 100lb women sometimes faint after donating, not guys (unless it is a stress-triggered vasovagal syncope episode).
And I can't believe you just said that you would rather have a stroke than LOC. Fainting doesn't hurt and you often barely realize it happened. They also don't cause any harm (unless you're behind the wheel, and I have a story about that). Severe strokes are a fate worse than death.

[MD2B]

First off let me be clear I much rather faint than have a stroke. I was being over sarcastic and clearly they're nothing to take lightly at all. I was also wondering about the fact that we have higher blood concentration levels from the get go that this makes adverse affects even less likely, I'm glad you mentioned. I appreciate the input, definitely makes me feel more confident going into the situation.

A pint is only roughly 8% of your total blood volume. And you have too much blood anyway if you use AAS.
Anemic 100lb women sometimes faint after donating, not guys (unless it is a stress-triggered vasovagal syncope episode).
And I can't believe you just said that you would rather have a stroke than LOC. Fainting doesn't hurt and you often barely realize it happened. They also don't cause any harm (unless you're behind the wheel, and I have a story about that). Severe strokes are a fate worse than death.