[ClaraTaylor]

I've given blood four times since my accident (stopping for various treatments and medications) and went in today expecting no different.

But apparently not.

Now I walked in with my cane as I walk everywhere (use it or loose it), considering that I've given blood on crutches before now (though one of the cute nurses did insist on walking me to my car to check my arm wasn't about to bleed) I didn't think it would be a problem.

Seems it was.

I was taken to one side to check my medication - she opened the book at a random page (about diabetes - which I don't have) before closing it quickly and saying she needed to speak to another nurse

After I explained that I could get on and off the bed okay, didn't need my right arm for anything important etc.... she started to panic. Her reason - I had told her last time the nice nurse put a pillow under my knees. They don't have pillows. No problem says I - I'll use my coat.

Not an option it seems. Go away and come back when the doctors have cured your back.


I've phoned the blood donors help line to see what the official point of view is but can anyone out there comfort me? Can you give blood with your /bad back???/



(Clara is highly emotional as a friend died of terminal cancer last night. She was a big reason why I made sure I went to blood donors as she was emptying the stocks so fast it seemed only right to top it up)

[Trinity]

Hey Clara
If you have been allowed to give blood before and nothing has changed then there should be no reason why you can't again. As long as you iron levels in your blood are high enough and you're not unwell etc just to be sure this is the check list you need to satisfy. I'm not sure which medications mean you can give blood though. I always used to give blood although I haven't done it since my accident I keep meaning to, infact I will def have to look into it again.

Sorry to hear about your friend, that really sucks big time.

Blood stocks are at a low level, the number of people who are able to give blood has dropped dramatically so you would have thought they would take everything they could.

Oooh, just found this site http://www.transfusionguidelines.org.uk/in...ight=medication spinal surgery seems to be a no no as does cathing and a host of other things. I don't think I had ever been told this before! Seems they really don't want my blood anymore, heyho

[ClaraTaylor]

Trinity, on Jan 25 2010, 09:28 PM, said:

Hey Clara
If you have been allowed to give blood before and nothing has changed then there should be no reason why you can't again. As long as you iron levels in your blood are high enough and you're not unwell etc just to be sure this is the check list you need to satisfy. I'm not sure which medications mean you can give blood though. I always used to give blood although I haven't done it since my accident I keep meaning to, infact I will def have to look into it again.

Sorry to hear about your friend, that really sucks big time.

Blood stocks are at a low level, the number of people who are able to give blood has dropped dramatically so you would have thought they would take everything they could.

Oooh, just found this site http://www.transfusionguidelines.org.uk/in...ight=medication spinal surgery seems to be a no no as does cathing and a host of other things. I don't think I had ever been told this before! Seems they really don't want my blood anymore, heyho

I had phoned them up to make sure my tablets were okay (the pregablin they've always been fine with, it was the new anti-inflammatory I wanted to check on) and they said it was best I went in to a donors session to ask the nurse there (I thought the point of the phone number was so that we didn't have to waste the nurses time)

Someone is meant to be calling me tomorrow to explain why I can't donate. I will ask them about whether spinal injury is a no no then (your cool link only mentions surgery - oh and I now know that they're called "bleed beds" Sounds awful!)
Though I am curious why cathing means you can't donate blood.

I'll also be asking them if wheelchairs are a no no. Hell why should I graze my knees for them.

[Lucydog]

Im really interested in your reply as I used to give regularly but havent in some years as Ive been having lots of babies!

[guido]

It seems a bit hit and miss. I also liked the feel good factor of giving blood but when I rang some time after my accident, they went to find a doctor, who asked me how I pee-ed (having told him I was SCI) and he said because I did I/Cs I was constantly at risk from a UTI and other infections which could cause a problem to a someone receiving blood (whose immune system might be low or non-existent) so thanks for offer but no can do. Seemed logical, so I never questioned it.

Now I have to let people open a door for me or carry something for me to get that same glow... from allowing them to do a good deed and get the glow.... jeeese...

[ClaraTaylor]

Good news is that I spoke to a misc person who could not have apologised any more if they tried. I then spoke to a doctor, and because I can pee unassisted (and so very glad about that bit!) I am free to donate. She's going to write a letter for me to give to the nurses explaining that medication, the whole back situation, etc.... have been discussed with their doctor so all should be well.

She even recommended that I took the chair rather than the sticks - less pressure (weight bearing) on the arm afterwards so less chance of an annoying bruise.

Oh - and if I need a pillow for my hips feel free to take one with me!

I await the letter with interest!

[jules]

I have had to have quite a few transfusions recently when I have had bleeds in my lungs, I am not allowed to donate anyway (under weight) even without my SCI so my husband is a very generous donor and so are the rest of my family to make up for it, in my direct family we are actually in the strange position of all of us (my parents and brother and myself) all having different blood groups so we can help everyone pretty much between us!!!