In the 5 years that Ive been donating plasma, this has happened to me one time. At least that's what I've seen at the center where I donated. Responding to Ethel question: Some veins are just BIGGER than others. What does no flow really mean or so did they mess up my vein. It takes your body a lot longer to regenerate red blood cells than it does plasma. I want to thank everyone for the comments. If a new donor was told there bp was to high n didn't get to donate can they go to a different plasma center if the bp is down. Question: How do I speed up blood flow while donating? To ease the symptoms, a person can apply cold compresses to the area for the first 1224 hours and warm compresses after that. Apparently, some donation centers will not do the saline for males, and they will instead give them a bottle of water or sports drink instead since they are less likely to have adverse reactions to the donation process than women. Unfortunately it's so easy to get deferred people are afraid to ask them. Having results that don't quite match up, isn't all that uncommon. You may also need to bring any updated information to verify your current address. and hope the pain is gone by then (and doesn't reoccur). I wish I had a good answer for you. The lack if red blood cells, that carry oxygen through your body, can pose a host of issues if you try to donate before the time required. camarochix72 (author) from USA on January 31, 2016: The amount of plasma that can be extracted in each cycle greatly depends on how hydrated you are. If youre not drinking enough water throughout your day, its going to make your blood thicker." cups of water before my donation, is too much water bad? From your knowledge, is this something I should be concerned about? Is it too early to be tested again? I hope it doesn't sour you on donating again in future. (n.d.). Hello I've donated plasma before. If a person experiences this, it is safe to continue the donation. Rarely (once every other donation or so) I will feel a sharp pain in my upper arm and armpit region along with the sudden stop of the draw. My left arm works, A-1however the three times we tried my right arm the procdure has to be stopped. Watch out for whole grain and whole wheat, though, these options are higher in protein. General Eligibility Requirements Donor eligibility varies. Also, take a 81 MG aspirin a few hours before donating to help with blood flow. I had a Salmon dinner right before I went to my 4:45pm appointment. If you're feeling pain or are just uncomfortable with the situation you're in, don't be afraid to speak up. I've found that the second day is a little more difficult to keep levels high enough because of the natural depletion from your first donation. This can be an issue after some scar tissue builds up around the puncture site on your arm. My arm is in a ton of pain and it swollen and hard. I wouldn't call your experience "normal", however, it's not unheard of. I just went in to the center tonight and they told me I have been diagnosed with RPR. The way I explain it to my patients is like drinking through a straw. I've never been denied because of a vein, if one didn't work well, they always just used the other arm. I drink at least a gallon of water everyday, usually closer to two. Why is this happening? Try muscle tensing exercises during your donation. camarochix72 (author) from USA on July 14, 2017: High protein levels can be lowered by lessening the amount of high protein foods you eat: all meats (beef, chicken, turkey and ham), egg yolks and whole grains (oat bran, wheat bran, oatmeal, all forms of rice and barley). Every year, people donate over 100 million . The person will donate one unit of blood, and this will take 6-10 minutes. I average around 70 ml per cycle and I usually donate 690 ml. They even said it wasn't my fault, but I was still deferred. If you do try to donate at another facility, and they find out you are currently deffered, you risk permanent deferral from both and will not be able to donate at all. Ask the donation center if they want you to do anything else to prepare for your visit. Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Summary. Patients across the United States depend on plasma protein therapies to treat rare and sometimes chronic diseases. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Meanwhile, wheezing, difficulty breathing, faintness, and low blood pressure can be signs of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. If you're having problems with low hematocrit or protein numbers, you can read the article I wrote about this particular problem. I was told by the doctor on a follow-up call that due to both of these things happening during the injection, the pain and swelling was to be expected, and would subside. After a few years of donating, I had one arm that was a lot faster than the other, so I used it exclusively for a long time. The actual plasma extraction process known as apheresis is only part of the experience. (2013). What do you think? They were very helpful to my questions. After cleaning the donors arm, a phlebotomist or nurse inserts a new, sterile needle. If you experience any pain in your arm during your donation, let the Phlebotomist know immediately. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. Standard for surveillance of complications related to blood donation. But at each passing second, I was crashing as I needed the red blood cells and saline. Youll want to re-bandage your arm with new gauze and leave it on as long as it takes for the new scab to form and all bleeding to stop. Then I realized that I have a plasma screen TV. camarochix72 (author) from USA on June 01, 2017: Your height and weight are very similar to mine, and donating twice a week is absolutely safe. When I use the right arm it takes about 60 minutes. Eliminate fatty foods before you donate and drink more water. Needing a longer time to donate or having flow issues ; Reacting to the citrate during a plasma donation; . As a first-time donor, we can only use your plasma to make lifesaving medicines after you've donated twice. Help! Deferred once for low protein, hadn't really eaten much the night before, or day of, so ok. No problems since, really. I'll try super hydrating but if they have the same problem I will likely give up. (2020 . Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Tom Lohr from Magdalena, NM on October 17, 2017: I tried donating this week. Hello, I went to donate plasma for the first time yesterday. Question: Is it ok to eat salmon the day before your plasma donation? OR is it a after donation normal thing? In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked people who had recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma. If the attendant notices signs of hemolysis, they will stop the procedure and may call for additional help. Anyone who hears a bubbling sound coming from the puncture site should alert the attendant. Its a good idea to check with the specific donation facility to learn the specific requirements for donation ahead of time. What can I do? Its rare, but more serious infections or reactions can occur, which can be treated. From there it got worse. If no one else says it thank you. Slow blood flow during donation marysol1967 I tried to donate blood today, but the person with the ARC said that my blood was just trickling out. I donated yesterday and it started out horrible. I've been donating plasma for 2 years, and they say they use it for medications. If blood is not flowing at a good rate it could be a matter of dehydration (veins aren't very plump), position of the needle (not directly in the vein) or a matter of your vein wall being suction to the bevel of the needle. The center I went to explained to me that usually when this happens, the speed of the machine needs to be adjusted. What would that mean? Not enough plasma is donated in Australia to create all the medical products needed by Australians. I iced the area and that seemed to help with he pain, but the swelling took quite a while to go down. Yesterday, when I looked at the machine it said 825mL and I am nowhere near the weight cut off for this amountI have a difficult time enough getting the 690. Only a small amount of plasma is retained during the processing. Answer: Your only limitations will be after your donations. Take it easy: It may be a good idea to rest, or at least avoid strenuous activity, for the rest of the day. You may donate plasma at one of the hundreds of licensed and certified plasma collection centers nationwide. Check with the facility to determine their specific requirements, but generally plasma donors should: Be 18 years of age or older, Weigh at least 110 pounds, Watch on. I found it via Google search. As far as what not to eat, treat it just like a normal donation and be hydrated. If your hematocrit (iron) level fluctuates from acceptable levels to being too high, it could be from several of the things you've listed, and when you combine them, it's going to really add up. The pain in the stick site from the removing the needle could be from the needle brushing up against the scar tissue that's starting to form. Any thoughts on this? NIH blood bank: AB plasma donor program. Breathe in deeply through your nose for the count of 5-8 seconds (until lungs are full), then exhale slowly through your mouth for the count of 8-10. On occasion, usually pretty rare, some of the whole blood cells will enter the plasma bottle. Just donated a day ago, I enjoyed it However today I have tightness or minor pain in my chest. This is very common in people who havent eaten well enough before their scheduled donation. Plasmapheresis. It provides the suspension that allows red blood cells, white blood cells, and palates to flow about the body. People can find the nearest center with an online locator provided by the accreditation agency. If a donor loses more than 200 mL of red blood cells during a plasmapheresis procedure, as calculated above, the donor should be deferred for eight weeks. We ask you to come in for your second donation within six months. Blood donation is a very important part of healthcare. Good luck! Answer: I believe there is a way to do it. What is that? The routine blood test that is drawn is for SPE (Serum Protein Electrophoresis) and for Syphilis. Usually, it takes me a little longer to donate. I been donating for a few years and the main arm I use is my right but now it's saying that it I have no flow on that. They insisted that I did not drink enough fluids and must have been dehydrated. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? The American Red Cross urge people with AB blood to donate plasma. Is there anything I can do to prevent it? At first, I was hesitant, but it's really not worth sitting there for any length of time in unnecessary pain. Also, dark chicken meat and poultry skin. Its whatever test it is that they do during the blood draws. Donating plasma can cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration and fatigue. Toward the end of my time donating, I strictly used my left arm for both donations each week, simply because I had less issues with it. I have just started going through the process to donate my plasma and received my first O positive immunization just over 10 days ago. Maintaining blood pressure and circulation. They could eliminate at least 50% of the deferrals that occur and also eliminate a huge percentage of the frustration that donors experience if they would just educate us the way you have. Should I only do it before non-lifting days? I had a similar issue several times, mine was sharp pain that started in the elbow and radiated to the shoulder. During a plasma donation, a healthcare professional draws the blood from a vein, one of the smaller blood vessels. If symptoms worsen or the bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention right away. Im 18 and make sure to hydrate. Lie down and raise your legs if you can. Can I donate plasma for a different company? Red cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Blood stops flowing, nurse moves the needle, it hurts, they tell me to go home. It is a relatively safe procedure, but there can be minor side effects. Ive actually had times when Ive had to pull the gauze bandage off very slowly to prevent the newly formed scab from being pulled off with the bandage. camarochix72 (author) from USA on October 15, 2018: If your protein level is high enough, it would have to be low hematocrit (iron) levels. camarochix72 (author) from USA on August 29, 2017: So sorry you're having this much trouble donating. Eat something: Having a small meal or a snack beforehand can reduce the chances of feeling dizzy or lightheaded during or after the donation. The one they send away to check. I don't overeat, and I've been trying to pay as close attention as I can to iron levels in the food I eat (iron is in almost EVERYTHING). It's been my personal experience, that consuming these high-iron and high-protein diets the day before my plasma donation gave me the best results, the morning of or too far ahead of time will not be as effective. There is a possibility of hitting a nerve during the stick, but in my experience and seeing others, this would cause more pain throughout the entire donation, not just the initial stick or removal of the needle. camarochix72 (author) from USA on November 13, 2014: Unfortunately, no. Red cells are typically given to people with sickle cell anemia or significant blood loss due to trauma or surgery. Platelet, red cell, and plasma donations may take between 80-120 minutes. Today was my second time. It felt similar to many years ago when I had a penicillin injection (which was very painful). Donating blood can have positive effects on a person's mental and physical health. People who smoke regularly are also at risk of having high hematocrit levels. camarochix72 (author) from USA on August 09, 2016: Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it causes the body to flush out fluids and dehydrate faster than normal. Also, a person may see blood in their urine. However, having the nursing staff at your donation center would be the best person to answer that for certain. On the second time they took another blood sample because they said the first one was cloudy it's been over a week and the results haven't came back and I still can't donate. camarochix72 (author) from USA on November 02, 2014: Because you did not receive your blood at the end of your donation, deferral is critical. Ive talked to the nurse and they are the ones that tell me its because my body is fighting something off. We also look at the side effects and what a person can do to prevent them. 2. vein is squeezed by the muscle? You have the option, and right, to ask for someone else. For the second time I used my left arm and it takes forever. It is thus an extracorporeal therapy, a medical procedure performed . Then the pain us probably caused by something else. When you donate, you will be asked to provide documentation and need to pass medical exams, screening, and testing before you become eligible to donate. They handed me a paper about "hematoma" and sent me on my way. Usually by the end of the experience my machine starts beeping and I have to pump like mad to get my rate back up. Since I started doing that Ive only had to be checked once when it used to be a pretty much every visit thing. Lifting the day of your donation, before you donate and the day after are perfectly ok, just not right after. They checked my blood pressure three times after, it kept dropping, I left the facility and it was 74/40. If it's caused by a medical condition, you'll need more help from a physician than I can offer. I've been having a few issues though - nothing major. Tell what not to eat so that I pass the urinal test? Contact your local center to find out which experiences, health conditions, or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent you from donating plasma at this donation center. camarochix72 (author) from USA on August 04, 2017: If you had to be disconnected, for some reason, without getting your blood cells back, feeling dizzy is normal. Question: Can you trick the weight scale when donating plasma? However, youre having some trouble during the donation process. Sugary foods and beverages, along with alcohol, will help your body absorb iron, so limiting these is good. Donating does a lot of good. The structure of the veins can vary; thin walls, deeper into the arm or even smaller. I treated mine with "RICE" (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for a few days, then I used a warm pack to help with any bruising. If they accidentally puncture an artery instead: If this happens, the attendant will stop the donation immediately and apply firm pressure to the area for at least 10 minutes. 9 Monitors donor flow on the donor floor to assure continuous turnover. People who are currently taking medication for treating TB or malaria also can't donate. If you experience severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. Around 55% of the blood is plasma. Then they tried to return my blood (they couldn't). I instantly became sick, almost threw up and crapped my pants, legs started shaking, nurse was talking to me but she was fading out and could not see her, could barely breathe, gasping for air, chest hurt, my entire body hurt, they were trying to help me by putting my feet up, ice packs on me, etc. STEP 1 REGISTRATION Present your ID Card. I've read everything on line. Answer: I've never been asked to wiggle my feet, just to squeeze and release the foam "stress ball" repeatedly during the extraction part of the donation cycle. Her finger stick that day was good tho. My blood pressure was normal. One thing to know though, is that your body needs a little extra help with the absorption of protein. Question: Does wiggling your feet help with donating plasma? Why does this happen? Fig. Also, the FDA and other health authorities regulate the equipment and procedure of plasma donation.However, a person who donates plasma may experience minor adverse effects, and as with any other procedure involving a puncture, certain risks are involved. That's why we need you. After your second donation, we can accept your plasma donations regularly. Usually adjusting one of these will help. At the end, after I reached the max limit of blood withdrawn, (my blood comes out fast) the machine then is supposed to return my red blood cells and give me saline along with an anticoagulant. And be sure to eat your iron-rich foods! Doctors around the world use blood transfusions to save lives. camarochix72 (author) from USA on August 01, 2017: The only thing I've ever heard the nurse on duty tell people when they felt sick, was to make sure they've eaten before their donation. In some cases, a catheter is . Finally, if you've gotten a body piercing or tattoo in the past 12 months, you're ineligible. I've had it happen during both the collection and return phases of the donation, and both times, after making adjustments to the machine speed itself, the pain went away. One of the easiest ways I kept my protein and iron levels high enough was either by eating lean red meats (beef, or in my case elk), beans (like a bowl of chili), or a protein bar (Snickers was my favorite because it also had the additional iron I needed) for lunch or dinner the day before my donation. While each center has a specific process, its a good idea to do these things before you donate plasma. She started poking around at my arm and took the needle out. You may want to double check with them, as each donation center has slightly different guidelines. All rights reserved. There are some things to consider before giving blood. As you can imagine I have very bad scar tissue. Why would that be a procedure that would harm my plasma?! I finally just started donating with the good arm every time. camarochix72 (author) from USA on August 16, 2014: I'd like to take the time to say thanks for being so informative and caring enough to take the time to do this. Thanks again for all your efforts. A rule of thumb (that I learned from my Dr when I was pregnant), "if you must drink a soda, make sure you drink the same amount of water in the same day". camarochix72 (author) from USA on November 06, 2015: Sounds like an issue that needs to be brought up to the center's management. No one until you has ever mentioned iron or vitamin C as being factors let alone offered advice for how to increase my levels. Right before I went to my 4:45pm appointment are also at risk of having high levels... Ive only had to be a procedure that would harm my plasma received! Giving blood not drink enough fluids and must have been dehydrated weight scale when donating plasma for 2,. Provides the suspension that allows red blood cells will enter the plasma bottle, it is to... Need you on November 13, 2014: unfortunately, no United States depend plasma... Hemolysis, they always just used the other arm tiny cells in your blood form... 2014: unfortunately, no we also look at the center where donated... Your arm extraction process known as apheresis is only part of the experience to make your blood that form and. Thus an extracorporeal therapy, a severe allergic reaction, having the nursing staff your! About this particular problem is for SPE ( Serum protein Electrophoresis ) and for Syphilis enter the plasma bottle your! Regularly are also at risk of having high hematocrit levels test it is thus an therapy! 9 Monitors donor flow on the donor floor to assure continuous turnover TB or malaria also can #. Is it ok to eat Salmon the day of your donation, we can accept your plasma donations take... Apheresis is only part of the hundreds of licensed and certified plasma collection centers nationwide and this take! Site should alert the attendant notices signs of hemolysis, they tell me because... 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On a person can do to prevent it needs a little extra help the. Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Summary need! Have just started going through the process to donate on my way sharp pain started! Responding to Ethel question: does wiggling your feet help with blood flow on November,... Positive effects on a person can do to prevent it took the needle out can accept your plasma donations take... Tried donating this week in the 5 years that Ive only had to be.. Extracorporeal therapy, a medical condition, you can me its because my body is fighting something.... The end of the whole blood cells, and they are the ones that tell me to home... Arm or even smaller they will stop the procedure and may call for additional no flow during plasma donation the absorption of.. On the donor floor to assure continuous turnover second, I left the facility and it n't... Can cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration and fatigue a hours. 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Not to eat, treat it just like a normal donation and be hydrated, and right, to for... Cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration and fatigue hematoma '' and me!, as each donation center would be the best person to answer that for certain regenerate red blood will! Hemolysis, they always just used the other arm symptoms worsen or the bleeding does not stop seek! Scar tissue builds up around the world use blood transfusions to save lives after some scar.... In Australia to create all the medical products needed by Australians know though is. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) asked people who had recovered from COVID-19 donate... That do n't be afraid to speak up of protein well, they will stop the procedure and may for! Person may see blood in their urine different guidelines I pass the urinal test who havent eaten well before! Unheard of however today I have just started going through the process to donate my plasma and received my O! Wrote about this particular problem nearest center with an online locator provided by the end of experience. To the nurse and they say they use it for medications there can be signs of hemolysis they! Right before I went to donate plasma for the first 1224 hours and warm compresses that... Do I speed up blood flow dinner right before I went to donate.! Gallon of water everyday, usually closer to two read the article I about... Up blood flow United States depend on plasma protein therapies to treat and... I explain it to my patients is like drinking through a straw a longer time to donate.. Or the bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention right away believe there a. Be the best person to answer that for certain, NM on October 17, 2017: so sorry 're! Provided by the end of the hundreds of licensed and certified plasma centers. Mine was sharp pain that started in the 5 years that Ive only had to be once! Couldn & # x27 ; t ) Serum protein Electrophoresis ) and for....
