posted Sat, 03/11/2017 - 00:15
1299
Giving Blood While on Gear
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Does donating blood on gear and other medications cause a red flag at the donation centers? I see people talking about giving blood all the time and I have to think they are running gear at the same time. I know I could look around on Google, but I figured I could get the straight truth while helping to educate others.
I plan on running EQ in the upcoming months and my hematocrit is at .48, so I figure I should learn how to take care of it if the need arises.
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Something I have always been unsure of , can it be just a regular blood donation or does it have to be a double red blood cell donation which is what I have heard is the only thing that works to lower hemoglobin and hematocrit ?
The people doing mine one time had problems with their BP cuff. They tried to refuse, but I said it's your faulty equipment, my BP is in range to donate. Whether y'all get it, or it goes down the sink, 600cc of blood is coming out of me...they found a cuff that worked and i was able to donate.
Staying on top of BP, and getting frequent donations every 8 weeks is something to plan for, so you aren't borderline and running into issues with the workers. The machines that monitor the hemoglobin and hematocrit aren't always calibrated correctly, either, so that's a debatable point, too, if your getting denied. Some phlebotomists aren't so picky about the protocols, either, and will go the distance to help you donate, too, especially showing a sincere concern since there's a shortage of blood supply.
I attempted to donate not long ago and they refused me because my iron and CBC were all high. I asked the guy what would cure that and he said "donating blood", and I was like duh you stupid SOB, that's why I'm there! Long story short, I have a PA/medic friend who works at the VA who has been doing my draws since. We just do it at the gym behind closed doors into a mason jar, and he destroys it afterward.
I was thinking if I couldn't donate for whatever reason I would draw it myself. Not a life skill I really wanted to learn, though.
Personally, I think self bleeding would be fine, as long as you didn't do it alone. I have a fear of passing out and bleeding to death.
This piece of advice is gold. +1 I will definitely not attempt do this one alone. However, I will attempt to donate first. I have traveled a lot, so I might not be eligible.
That sounds easy but it's no simple task
If it is anything like the first time I ever pinned, which was 4ml 1000mg of Nebido with a 21G needle in the glutes, then I imagine it to be a walk through a mine field.
I seen a video of a guy self bleeding..it looks so easy but I tried it and I couldn't get the blood to come out.
You need a larger guage needle with an IV tube, i.e. stick it in, remove the needle. We stopped using additional tubing as well because I tended to clot it up. Take an aspirin before also. That should help reduce the initial clotting. Also tie your arm off, it'll bleed better than without.
Cheers mate,
I donate next week so I might try it when on cycle again if needed
These places love our blood. They are always trying to talk me into anything other than whole blood. I'll do a double here and there. The only time I wouldn't donate is if I was taking any of the restricted medications, accutane for example. I am also honset about my traveling. I imagine that could be crossed referenced somehow.
The blood gets filtered before use and the amount of gear in one pint of blood will be minimal to start with.
It's a good thing to do and each sample is tested for disease/infection so nothing to worry about ;)
No red flags no, if there is something wrong with the blood they take you will get a letter a few weeks later saying your blood was destroyed. But you will probably never see that letter unless you have some sort of disease like hep or hiv or something.
backonroidsUse the search bar up the top mate this has been covered loads , will save yourself some time. :-)
I hear you. No excuse.