Giving Blood

[Rosenicola]

Hi PPL,

Does giving blood hurt at all.

I really want to do this, but am quite scared of jags.

How does it feel to give blood.

Thanks xx

[4getmenot]

to be honest the prick you have on your finger first is worse and aches a bit after, The actually taking of blood isnt bad at all. You might as well go and try, if its means saving a life

[kate1976]

you'll just feel a short sharp prick!

[peppy]

I don't think it matters what type of car you turn up in Rosenicola ; - )))))))))))


Sorry, couldn't resist it : - (

[BigMac]

It depends on the individual.

In my experience, the worst (most painful) bit is the prick on the finger before a couple of drops of blood are tested for iron levels.

The needle in the arm can be felt, but it doesn't hurt; it can be a little uncomfortable.

It's well worth doing, so I wish you well. Lots of questions/answers are given on the Blood Service's website which is: www.blood.co.uk

[netibiza]

To be honest, I fainted!

[Rosenicola]

Thanks for all the answers although i'm still scared..

I walked into that peppy :-)

A needle then :-)
xx

[Rosenicola]

Did u really faint or you trying to scare me :-(

[natalie_1982]

My husband is scared of needles, but gives blood. He says it's not as bad he thought it was going to be.

I am not scared of needles but seeing a bag of my own blood on a trolley next to me makes me feel queasy, I'll be honest! It doesn't hurt though, and as others have said the finger prick is the worst bit (which isn't bad at all imho).

The best bit is you get to lay down for 20 minutes (I donate at work!) and get a free cup of squash and some biscuits, which far outweighs the finger prick (oh, and not forgetting it is for a good cause...)

[Miss Inquiry]

I'm not a huge fan of needles but have given blood about 20 times now, and try and convince everyone I know to do it.
I might get blasted for saying this but every time I go to give blood I can't help thinking of all the poor ill kids in the world who don't have a choice but to be injected everyday to save thier lives with various life saving medicines, and all the poor people attached to machines and other life saving equipment. Put into perspective, a tiny jab on your finger (which is the worst bit) and a quick deposit of less than a pint of blood is the least I feel I can do to help someone less fortunate than me.
(Sorry, off my high horse)... if your going to do it make sure you eat something before you go, and dont plan on drinking alcohol or doing anything really energetic afterwards. x

[funkymoped]

giving blood was never a problem for me... the needle is quite a large one, but there is little or no pain.
if the nurse is a trainee, they can cause some bruising, and that hurts.
go for it, its easy and saves lives !
its no good sitting at home waiting for the blood service to contact you, because they wont !
:-)

[bigmamma]

Give it a try Rosenicola and think of the good you are doing.Picture either the adult patient in theatre maybe requiring several blood transfusions to pull through ,or the tiny newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit who has a life- saving baby blood bag hanging off its incubator.Its blood you wont miss and just less than an hour of your day.
However,it is your decision ,I can only reassure you its really ok.

[netibiza]

Yes It was the first time I'd ever fainted in my life, and I only gave blood for a bet. But you have to understand that it was in Spain in the early 70's and as they couldn't pay for blood they offered us loads of food and drink, the mere smell of which sent me off.......................................

[Supernick]

I'm deeply rubbish at giving blood, ny body seems to have an aversion to letting it go. I've been about 6 times now, and been timed out more than once with poor flow. I also have to get stuck a couple of times (and in both arms) because they haven't been able to find a vein.

But it has never hurt.

[Rosenicola]

Thanks guys.

I'm gona go for it

x

[natalie_1982]

Good for you, it will be fine x x

[bigmamma]

Good for you , come back on here and let us know how it went love, Im sure you will be ok.

[jk30]

I've given blood a few times now. I'm not a fan of blood myself but I went with a friend one day and donated and everything was fine. I never watch the needle go in and the bag is alway hidden out of view. However two weeks ago I went to donate and they hit an artery which was pretty scary at the time considering I did biology and PE so was pretty up on what an artery does. The woman who put the needle in queried what was wrong and suddenly there was a rush of people around me and they used some code word. They also said mention no names. The nurse put pressure on the arm for ten minutes and was then to watch it for five minutes but it bled more so another ten minutes of pressure. Still it bled and I was then told that if it didn't stop after a further ten minutes then an ambulance would be needed. However they started questioning their protocol and two other people started flicking through manuals to find that an ambulance should have been called if it didn't stop after the second attempt of pressure. Thankfully it stopped and was given a plaster and went for drink and biscuit. I was warned it would hurt afterwards and it really ached for a day or two. Then the bruise came which I was also warned about and that was a corker. It is still bruised now. As a result I can never ever donate from my right arm again. Had a letter from their Doctor since but no folllow up call as promised. Has really put me off donating even though I would love to especially as I am O rhesus negative which is not a common blood group.