Gave blood yesterday and I think they got too much

**PrairieRose** · 09-28-2007, 08:49 AM

When I saw the bag of blood they took off the little rocking machine I thought 'wow' but really didn't think much else about it. But now I'm not feeling very good, just very, very weak and shakey feeling.... . Anyway the bag they took was so full it looked like it would pop. I've given before and remember the bag looking full but flat, if you kwim. This one though, I mean it was bulging full. I think they got about twice what they took the last time and I'm really not exagerating. I even weighed 3 pounds less this morning than I did yesterday morning. I had hoped for a loss but 1-2 pounds would have been the max considering what I ate (I had a candy bar after they took blood b/c I felt weak). Anyway, has anyone had this happen or any of the nurses know much about this....? TIA. (I know I'll be ok, just didn't expect to feel so bad today, thought it would have worn off by now)

**Sari** · 09-28-2007, 09:10 AM

Wow, sorry, wish I had some helpful advice. Maybe have a big juicy steak to build up your iron?

**druidessemily** · 09-28-2007, 09:22 AM

Drinking orange juice may help. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, and take things as slow as you can! Don't try to stand up as quickly as you normally do. Try to sit or lie down as much as your schedule permits. I'd also suggest contacting the blood bank and ask if they actually did draw more, and if they have any more tips for you.

**PB&J** · 09-28-2007, 10:33 AM

I give blood often and only so much fits into those bags, so I doubt you over gave.

Sometimes I feel icky for a few days afterwards. I gave on Sunday and felt really tired that day as well as Monday and Tuesday. THe last time I gave, I felt fine afterwards.

Alfalfa tablets may help. They are a blood builder and I always start taking them a few days before and after I donate.

**PrairieRose** · 09-28-2007, 02:48 PM

[QUOTE=PB&J;775407]I give blood often and only so much fits into those bags, so I doubt you over gave.

Well I've given before too and I've seen many, many bags of blood in before they were hung to drip....I'm tellin' ya, this bag was 2-3 times more 'full' than any other one I've ever seen! It literally looked like a balloon. I am feeling a little better, not so faint feeling as this morning...just really tired now. I'm sure I'll be fine.

**always2busy** · 09-28-2007, 04:01 PM

The last time I gave blood they took to much. They even told me that. I was really sick for about a week. I called the phone number on the information card as a precaution. I actually passed out the next day.

I'm not a nurse but I suggest you take a multivitamin and eat well.

I hope you get to feeling better soon. Also, I haven't given blood since and that was 5 years ago.

**sdrjeolsen** · 09-28-2007, 04:25 PM

I'm Sorry Prarie Rose.

Its been years since I've given. But make sure to drink lots of fluids to replace what was lost and take it easy. Hope you feel better soon.

**PrairieRose** · 09-28-2007, 05:20 PM

I had a thought, wondering if maybe I shouldn't give everytime that I 'can'. I mean it's every 13 weeks I think and it's been that since I gave last time. I do think they took too much but I think that I'll skip a time in between....

**PB&J** · 09-28-2007, 06:44 PM

I give at Carterblood and you can go every 56 days with them, about 8 weeks. I was doing that for a while but I really would feel bad for days afterwards. So now I go about every 3-4 months and I don't feel the effects as much. Someones my bags of blood are all ballooned out, too and sometimes they are flatter. If you feel really bad for more than a day or two, I would space them out a bit more.

But, giving blood is a great thing! Thank you to everyone who does it. When my daughter was an infant, she was very sick and received blood and plasma transfusions that saved her life all because people donated their blood.

**foxxyroxie** · 09-28-2007, 07:10 PM

I haven't given blood in several years and can't now due to diabetes. I thankfully never got sick from it. I stopped giving because I have deep veins because I'm overweight and they also roll, but once you get one I can fill up bag in record time (techs even commented on it). The last time I donated, the tech didn't know what she was doing and couldn't find my veins. She poked both arms and I had huge bruises on both arms where she tried to find the veins and either couldn't or the vein blew and my arm was sore for several days afterward. I looked like I had shot up heroine for week after donating.

**gentledenny** · 10-04-2007, 04:34 PM

Demand they give some back. Maybe tell them next time that you believe maybe sometimes they fill the bag more than they should and it makes you sick for days, maybe they will stop before it gets that full if they know it bothers you and they may loose a giver. I beleive it is amazing that so many of you give...

**jacqueline** · 10-04-2007, 09:18 PM

prairie i gave yesterday too. i felt fine during and after (finished out a 12hr shift) but today at work i was so tired and being my early day,came home and took a 5hr nap--i just got back up. still feel groggy.

i used to give blood about 5yrs ago everytime i could for 3-4 times in a row and became very fatigued for quite a few weeks. the docs couldn't find anything wrong with me and agreed that it could possibly be giving blood--it was the only thing different i had been doing. so this being my first time in quite awhile, ive decided to skip next time and then go the time after that and see how i do. hopefully my fatigue this time doesn't last too long. so i sympathize with you. and good for you in giving -- it always makes me feel good to give, like it's just the right thing to do if you are capable healthwise. oh and i did get a really cool free t-shirt

**Libby** · 10-26-2007, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by foxxyroxie

I haven't given blood in several years and can't now due to diabetes. I thankfully never got sick from it. I stopped giving because I have deep veins because I'm overweight and they also roll, but once you get one I can fill up bag in record time (techs even commented on it). The last time I donated, the tech didn't know what she was doing and couldn't find my veins. She poked both arms and I had huge bruises on both arms where she tried to find the veins and either couldn't or the vein blew and my arm was sore for several days afterward. I looked like I had shot up heroine for week after donating.

My veins are the same way...when I give blood to be tested every 3 months they take about 10-12 vials and for me to thats a lot!!

I always bring a juice box and as soon as that band aid is slapped on that juice is open! After leaving the lab and arriving to work I'd have band aids on both arms and when those fell off after lunch I had two huge egg bruises and several 'entry' points on each arm....people wondered what was wrong with me. Luckily for me I have found one technician who 'knows' where my veins are and I wait for her to be in so I can sched my appts for bloodwork. I still get the huge bruises though

Danged deep veins!

Prairie Rose - I agree with everyone else, take things slowly and rest. When you feel faint or light headed drink some juice and maybe for the day before and after - eat beef and spinich to help boost your iron levels. Next time you give blood, explain to them how you feel the next day and ask for tips. I think its wonderful that you give blood