Any tips about first time blood donation?

[PistolPete33]

I'm going to give blood tomorrow for the first time ever. Just curious if you have any tips. I have a noon appointment so when should I eat etc? Should I avoid all caffine products or would that be OK? I haven't had any asprin so no issues there.

Anything I need to know about?

[austinite]

Take an aspirin, drink lots of water and eat a good meal.

[PistolPete33]

Take an aspirin, drink lots of water and eat a good meal.

On the Red Cross site they said not to take Aprin for 2 days prior. Would the asprin help lower Hemocrit levels prior?

[austinite]

On the Red Cross site they said not to take Aprin for 2 days prior. Would the asprin help lower Hemocrit levels prior?

No it wont lower HCT, just thins the blood. I take aspirin daily but strange that they would say that. Several blood centers recommended it to me. Especially if your HCT is already high. Helps prevent clogging the needle. If you're worried, it's not that crucial.

[PistolPete33]

Totally makes sense. They won't prevent me from donating if I take Asprin will they?

[austinite]

Totally makes sense. They won't prevent me from donating if I take Asprin will they?

Yeah I just checked their website and they require 48 hours after aspirin. So that might be one of the questions they'll ask you in the initial interview. Don't worry about taking it, it'll be fine.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donatin...ria-topic#arc2

Come to think of it... the times that I was told to take aspirin was for therapeutic phlebotomies, not a donation. So you may be right across the board with blood centers.

[MArz123]

If you happen to be dieting or cutting right now, then Do Not donate!!! I made that mistake and i was knocked off my @ss for 3 days, absolutely no energy or strength!

[austinite]

If you happen to be dieting or cutting right now, then Do Not donate!!! I made that mistake and i was knocked off my @ss for 3 days, absolutely no energy or strength!

There really is never a bad time to donate. The only reason not to donate is if your hematocrit is too low already, at which point you'll be rejected anyway. But donations are not daily, so even if you're on a diet, make that day your cheat day or at least have a meal right before. You're also allowed to hang out at the donation center until you're comfortable, they encourage that. Most places (every place I've been to) will offer all types of snacks afterwards.

Cases like what you experienced are quite rare.

[strunes]

They cannot use your blood products on newborns if you have used asprin in the last 48 hours. They will still take your blood without any problems.

[bass]

they ask about aspirin and other blood thinners because they don't want to put you in danger of over bleeding. pregnant women take aspirin and other OTC medication, so not sure what's the connection?

[TestingMe]

I'd just make sure to have eaten a good meal and be hydrated...Piece of cake and until I did it I was almost phobic about it..

[LowT Mike]

^^^Bass just nailed it. They say dont take aspirin mostly because after the blood draw clotting could be an issue. No big deal. Just make sure they wrap your injection site with coban and apply pressure for a few minutes. i would advise to take a baby aspirin before a theraputic phelobotomy. It will cut your time in the chair down.

[Rott3n]

Worst part of the whole thing is the finger prick. You'll be fine and your doing a good thing.

[dmelniko]

I feel like my energy is drained after I donate blood drinking natural orange juice (or any other juice I suppose) afterwards replenishes the glucose levels swiftly.