Advice from Dracula - Karen's Musings

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			Advice from Dracula - Karen's Musings Random Rambling




			09:42 pm February 5th, 2007

estherchaya


	Advice from Dracula
	Yesterday at my thrice-weekly blood-letting, I mentioned to the phlebotomist that I'd never given blood. It used to be that I couldn't give blood because I used to live in Europe. Recently, the exclusion criteria changed and I'm no longer exluded from giving blood. Seth contends that I couldn't possibly give blood anyway because my veins are pitiful underachievers. Anyway, I asked Dracula, who knows me well, if she thought Seth was correct. She said there's no way I could give blood even if I wanted to. The blood, apparently, would clot well before they could get anywhere near a pint because my veins are such freaking underachievers. They're really small and they roll and break and even when phlebotomists stab my vein in the right place, they don't like to give much blood. So I'd been feeling badly for not doing my civic duty, but now I feel better. I never knew my underachieving veins could make me feel better. Usually they may me feel like I can't get anything right. So at least I know that it wouldn't have made a difference if I hadn't been such a slacker about donating blood. Tags: my stupid body

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	Comments




			Thread started by Mara

	From: marag	Date: February 6th, 2007 02:53 am (UTC)		(Link)

You remind me, however, that I've been slacking off on donating. ::sigh:: I tend to avoid it because a) afraid of needles, and b) my veins can be somewhat tricky. Once they get a needle in, my body is more than happy to give them blood.

I'll try to schedule an appointment soon. ::wince::

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:39 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I have no needle phobia. But the only way to get into my veins is to use tiny needles, which means blood donation is pretty much out.

The only needle phobia I have is a paralyzing fear of having a needle stuck into my spine. There's a pun there that I hadn't intended, but that's pretty much it. *Shiver*

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			Thread started by G

From: gingy	Date: February 6th, 2007 03:04 am (UTC)		(Link)

Yeah, she's right. If the pint isn't out in a half hour, it's crap and they throw it all away, even if it's almost a pint. Waste of time, waste of blood.

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	From: batya_d	Date: February 6th, 2007 05:52 am (UTC)		(Link)

ah, I wasnt aware that if you hadn't filled a pint in 30 mins. you lose out.

I was pretty fast with my donation today, I think, but my brother said when he was in college he and his friends would have contests to see who could draw a pint in the fastest time, and they'd do all sorts of illegal maneuvers, like lowering their arm below the table, to win gold.

Weird? yes. Mitzah? also yes :)

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From: gingy	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:47 pm (UTC)		(Link)

All they needed to do was be super-hydrated!

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:40 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Bah.

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			Thread started by Jessica

	From: farfalla_dolce	Date: February 6th, 2007 03:50 am (UTC)		(Link)

totally random, but what is your blood type? I am O-

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 11:51 am (UTC)		(Link)

O+

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			Thread started by Sister Goldberg, I presume?

From: cecerose	Date: February 6th, 2007 05:30 am (UTC)		(Link)

I feel your pain.

I've tried *3* times to give blood, but my iron was just borderline, even after taking iron supplements and green leafy vegetables and all the jazz.

And, I've got "rare" blood -- antigens or some such thing.

At this point, I figure as long as I try, the Bloodbank can't complain. Plus , everytime I go in, they seem to mess up my veins.

Feh.

(Reply) (Thread)

	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:40 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Bleh. I'm not even going to try. Dracula practically laughed at me when I made the suggestion.

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			Comment by Anonymous

From: (Anonymous)	Date: February 6th, 2007 06:06 am (UTC)		(Link)
blood

my grandpa gave blood every 6 weeks for over 35 years. ironically he died of lymphoma, and when he needed blood transfusions, one of his doctors told us that giving him blood tranfusions would give him temporary energy/strength etc, but that it was a waste of blood because he was going to die anyway.

i tried to give blood twice and fainted both times but i think it was my fault b/c i looked at the needle/tube/bag and i think i have abnormally low blood pressure (if that has anything to do with it).

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			Thread started by Opinyunz. I haz dem.

	From: hannahsarah	Date: February 6th, 2007 09:47 am (UTC)		(Link)

I can't give blood either.

1. I have craptacular veins.
2. I have the blood pressure of a slug on valium.
3. I have tattoos. (that one used to be a problem, is it still on the list?)

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:42 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I think (though I could be wrong, since I've never actually donated blood) that tattoos only disqualify you if you've gotten them in recent history (within a couple years, maybe?)

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:44 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Here's what the Red Cross Website says:

Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

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	From: hannahsarah	Date: February 7th, 2007 01:28 am (UTC)		(Link)

Ah, got it. The places I went were all clean and safe, and autoclaved the heck out of everyting, with new needles for each customer, etc.

When I got CFS I got tested for everything under the sun, and the only thing that came up was an Epstein-Barr type indicator and low thyroid.

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			Thread started by lapsed artist

	From: archgirl06	Date: February 6th, 2007 12:31 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I'm the same way. I've tried giving blood a few times, and each time they can't get enough and/or I pass out (and once you pass out, they stop).

So, think of it as not wasting the materials and time so they can get blood from people with nicer veins. =)

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	From: estherchaya	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:44 pm (UTC)		(Link)

yeah, passing out is bad.

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			Thread started by Pepper Sauce

	From: ginamariewade	Date: February 6th, 2007 01:55 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I can't give blood because 1- I've had sex with a bisexual man, 2- I've had sex with someone from sub-Saharan Africa, and 3 - I've had a transfusion.
Plus, I have crappy veins that break easily.

More than you probably wanted to know, but there it is.

I did lots of volunteering for the Red Cross during the first Gulf War - was practically working full time for free for about 6 mos - so I don't feel guilty about the blood thing at all.

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	From: hannahsarah	Date: February 7th, 2007 01:31 am (UTC)		(Link)

At least the bisexual man was honest. How many men out there fall into that category (even margianlly) and won't admit it?

I still think that whole thing is stupid, because the GLBT community was at the LEADING edge of the safe sex movement. I know lots of people have grown up never knowing what an unprotected encounter is like. I'd trust them before I'd trust a lot of het people who think that "it will never happen to them".

"Come on baby, don't you trust me?" Um, no.

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