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I got nauseous and light headed twice while they were drawing blood, but as soon as they started the return (red blood cells + saline), I felt fine.
What are some things, specifically, I can do to prevent this from happening again?
I ate a meal (not huge) right before I went, but I had to wait for a while before they called me up so I'm sure that had something to do with it, plus, I could have drank more water.
Any specific types of foods I should eat/drink before, and how soon before?
Thanks
P.S. If it helps, I've donated blood before, many times. I've had similar reactions about 25% of the time, but other times, I've felt totally fine. It's not that I can't or shouldn't donate.
You should probably have had something to eat that morning -- probably a decent meal with some complex carbs but not a lot of fat and protein - the only time I ever got nauseaous or lightheaded was when I donated on an empty stomach.
That and adequate hydration. Though I don't do plasmapheresis.
I ate an apple and raw, unsalted cashews for breakfast, for lunch I have a generous helping of homemade stir-fry and white rice (I didn't have brown), I took a bunch of vitamin C this morning, a multi-vitamin, and I'm going to drink about a half gallon of water. I'll probably have a few snacks there and there like raw, unsalted almonds, a granola bar, and something sweet right before I go in to bump up my blood sugar.
That sounds good - the folks doing the apheresis may have more insights for you.
Thank you for being a pheresis donor - that takes so much more time than donating blood and is so badly needed [I take daily aspirin which kicks me out]
With plasma donation, I think it's a good idea to take regular breaks, like a month off a month on, or something. My dh used to do it to help us pay the bills while he got through college and if he didn't take regular, long breaks, he would get very weak, heart palpitations and pain, breathless, etc, and it didn't go away for several days to a week.
Of course, staying hydrated both before and after and making sure your blood sugar is up will help. Vitamin C afterward might help, too.
I appreciate you as well! My life was saved a couple years ago because people donate blood
Success! I donated for the second time today (when I went back on Tuesday I got turned down because they didn't have all my paperwork), and I made it! My veins collapsed several times, but just a quick jiggle, and I was flowing again. I was the last one to leave, but I finished!
Thank you to all who donate. I wish the blood products were tracked so that family can thank everyone separately. My dad used to get platelets 3x a week; it meant a lot to me.
My hub & son could only donate so much for him. They won't take me due to meds.
I don't see why you people enjoy getting needles stuck in you I am terrified of needles.
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