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Post by nia2311 on Apr 10, 2013 11:57:15 GMT
I'm not sure if this is a moan, or me feeling guilty, so hear me out... I am getting rather fed up seeing my FB feed full up of friends who have recently donated blood, making sweeping statements like "everyone must give blood". I have tried to give blood, knowing I am an O neg, universal donor. I am also constantly hearing radio ads beseeching O neg donors to come forward due to shortages, and we get regular emails at work asking us to sign up and donate at work! I am not needle phobic, and am quite happy to give it. Occasion number one - nurse noted I'd ticked the "I have a heart condition" box. I have a ventricular septal defect (small), it has never caused me any problems. She referred me to a senior nurse who declared she didn't know if I was allowed to donate or not. On her advice, I went to a different session where a doctor was present. He said he didn't think I could, but referred me to the main donation centre in Manchester. They accessed my GP notes and said I definitely cannot give, due to my heart murmur, as I would require antibiotic cover. I feel like I SHOULD be giving, as I have the O neg blood that only 7% of the UK population have! I feel perfectly fit to give it, and my GP expressed surprise when I told him the decision. So every time I hear/read these messages about donation, it riles me a bit. Am I being daft?!  |
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Post by christine1056 on Apr 10, 2013 14:48:10 GMT
Don't get upset its not worth it...............I am much the same situation, because I take long term meds I can no longer donate and its upsetting as people think you are being mean........ have you asked about being a plasma donor, they need that just as much, but not widely publicised...............they use it for burns victims and for severe trauma.............its all day of a job really but its so worth it, the centre at Manchester should be able to talk you through the process and say if your would be suitable.............ask and see if its something you could do
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Post by mara on Apr 10, 2013 15:27:10 GMT
Why feel guilty - I don't give blood, never have & am unlikely to do so - I seem to have constant colds, coughs & sniffles which despite countless tests to find out why still haven't come up with an answer.
I've been on the receiving end of 2 units which I didn't really need as part of planned surgery other than because I decided to bleed internally on the operating table they gave me it to make sure I wasn't too depleted. I think this now automatically removes me from the acceptable criteria?
I do however carry an organ donor card.
Thankfully the requirements for blood supplies are decreasing with advances in technology like the blood 'scrubbing' machines which salvage your blood during surgery, clean it & they put it back in you - less risk of infections being passed on to the recipient. This is only available for planned surgery I think & possibly also depending on your NHS trust.
There is also some evidence that donated blood can cause recipients problems - even where there isn't any infection present in the donated blood - often just a feeling of low wellbeing, general, unexplained malaise - it's not always the answer.
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Post by ikklecob on Apr 10, 2013 16:32:05 GMT
Am I being daft?! Yes stop stressing. You have a totally good reason why you can't give blood. I have never been able to donate. I was too small/light as a young adult, had Dengue fever as a child and have now also had a blood transfusion. I thank whoever those were that gave me their pints of blood and wish i could return the kindness but I can't  |
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Apr 10, 2013 16:37:23 GMT
Look into other forms of donation - would you be allowed to go on the bone marrow register?
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Post by nia2311 on Apr 10, 2013 17:43:58 GMT
No, not allowed to donate marrow as I have autoimmune thyroid disease! I just keep hearing/seeing loads of things beseeching people to donate, plus now friends directly posting it on my FB! I am quite probably being ridiculous, but its really bothering me!
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Post by fanfarefan on Apr 10, 2013 18:49:43 GMT
it is hurt ful , and you are not being ridiculous , iam at present unable to donate , but feel that i donate in otherways to society , and that is my way of dealing with it ,hope you can get through this ok
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Post by nia2311 on Apr 10, 2013 19:00:28 GMT
I am quite altruistic as a person (to my detriment, according to hubby). I will volunteer for pretty much anything. I am a telephone advisor for British Thyroid Foundation & used to run a local group, am a school Governor, volunteer for Museum of Science & Industry to promote science/maths and always volunteer to do stuff at work and probably make my workload too much, but I enjoy doing new things and helping. So I always feel almost obliged to help people out? I have rescued animals of various sorts (have to say NO now!) and always volunteer to help with school/Church events - bake cakes, sell raffle tickets, do the teas/coffees and supervise the Creche.
Okay, reading all that back, maybe I should stop worrying?!
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Post by mara on Apr 10, 2013 20:50:44 GMT
Yes you should stop worrying & why are they posting on your facebook page about donating anyway? If they want to have their halos polished they should put it on their own pages.  |
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Post by brt on Apr 10, 2013 20:53:15 GMT
Don't feel daft, i can't give blood due to not absorbing iron. If you can't give, you can't give !!
I have consented for my organs to be donated, all except my eyes as i want to see where i'm going !!
Plenty of lives can be saved in more ways than just giving blood.
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Post by nia2311 on Apr 10, 2013 21:00:38 GMT
Mara they are sharing posts about blood donation, and one today had been to a session and sent a picture message out saying "everyone should donate." Just irritated me!
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Apr 10, 2013 21:22:04 GMT
Well if it's really bothering you, I'm sure there's something you can give, even if it's only your time to fundraise or similar - I'm sure that would be just as appreciated.
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Post by mara on Apr 10, 2013 23:15:25 GMT
Mara they are sharing posts about blood donation, and one today had been to a session and sent a picture message out saying "everyone should donate." Just irritated me! Ignore them - sounds like they're having a mutual self-congratulatory smug moment They would irritate me too & I would just delete the update messages etc from facebook so I didn't have to read the posts. |
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