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"Ugh... I'm feeling a little weird." (squeamish alert)
10 years ago
General
Earlier this year I was talking with a friend about various things along with a sense of aimless despair as time had been dragging along with no measurable progress in my career, and in the course of conversation it was suggested that I make an appointment to attend a local blood drive as it would be a way for me to overcome some of the depression by unquestionably making positive contribution to the world around me, and also to address head on a longstanding fear I've had of needles. The needles were the big thing that's kept me from donating blood previously as I've always thought of the process in positive, noble terms having seen my own family do it for years and years.
So I went through with it at the beginning of March and it was... not too bad. I was feeling very anxious up to the point that the initial stick occurred but afterwards I just tried not to think about it and eventually got used to the sensation. The process lasted... ten minutes(?) and in that time I actually was a little bored because I had anticipated sitting upright and browsing my laptop or just snoozing altogether. It was not to be though as sleeping is discouraged because the nurses need to see your reacting if there's any problems that crop up, and lying down didn't give me a good position to use my laptop. So I just listened to my headphone music and waited until the process was done. I then got up, availed myself of the snacks and beverages on hand and went about my way. It was pretty easy overall and I walked out patting myself on the back for having faced my fear and for doing something I'd always thought made a difference in a real way.
For curiosity's sake, I'm A+ but when talking with another friend she mentioned she was O+ and described the Red Cross as a friendly vampire that was ALWAYS looking for her to make a visit.
Anyhow, last month I got a call from the Red Cross asking me to make another appointment at the Sept. 10th blood drive where I'd previously visited. I actually had debated whether I would do this again because while I felt good about it previously I still felt apprehensive about needles and figured if they hadn't called I wouldn't go seeking the opportunity. But they called, and I didn't flinch. I made the appointment and showed up.
There wasn't anything different yesterday than before, -I made sure to each lunch in advance, I was familiar with the questionnaire they offered and I'd read the safety literature previously so I figured I was ready. This time I'd brought a book with me to read and asked if I could be positioned in a reclined / upright position so that I could read while my right arm was at rest. They agreed and then *ouch* the process started. I put on my headphones and started listening to the music and sent out a quick text on my phone before leaning back and slowly flexing the rubber ball they'd put in my right hand to keep the blood pressure going. I heard one of the nurses comment that my blood flow was slow but good and then I just tuned out. And by "tuned out" I mean my body literally started tuning out. As I sat there I started feeling a little bit of discomfort in my stomach which I idly wondered if it was nausea, but it wasn't very pronounced so I shifted my attention back to the music. I had been looking at my phone wondering what the response to my text would be and then let the phone down and just looked straight ahead. A little time passed and the stomach sensation increased making me wonder what was up, and then seemingly rather quickly I started feeling a bit of numbness creeping up my torso. I remember vocalizing "I'm feeling a little weird" but I don't think any intelligible sound came out and the next thing I noticed was out of the corner of my eye one of the nurses saying my name over and over in a noise that seemed muffled beyond what the headphones and music would have caused. Then they started putting cold wet washcloths on my forehead and neck, and lowered my bed to flat and I suddenly felt that my whole body had started sweating at once. One nurse brought a can of apple juice over with a straw and placed it by my head and asked me to start drinking. I pulled one of my earphones out so I could listen to the conversation around me and apparently I'd passed out completely, -my blood pressure had dropped, my face had gone pale, and I hadn't been out long.
I sat on the bed just drinking and feeling wonderful relief from the cold washcloths. Inside my head I was feeling nervousness about what I'd done wrong. Did I not eat enough? Was there something wrong with me? With my blood? Did I fail somehow? What had happened this time that didn't happen previously? After two cans of apple juice and some time had passed I was feeling more myself and able to sit up again to take the offered snacks. I was still feeling tired, but the nurse said I was looking a whole lot better and that what had happened wasn't an unusual thing and that it really wasn't something that was provoked by anything in particular (though I personally wonder if my body was using more blood than normal to digest the recently eaten sandwich). The nurse said that passing out happens when your blood pressure drops and it can randomly happen during donations but it's only if you pass out three or four donations in a row that they suggest you might not want to keep it up anymore.
Another ten minutes passed and I was feeling back to normal if maybe a little tired and I left to drive back home. Overall it was weird, but not scary. The needle stick still bugs me, but I can endure. The passing out was curious, but not something that will keep me from going back. In fact I'm now curious to find out if this will happen again... not that I want it to.
So I went through with it at the beginning of March and it was... not too bad. I was feeling very anxious up to the point that the initial stick occurred but afterwards I just tried not to think about it and eventually got used to the sensation. The process lasted... ten minutes(?) and in that time I actually was a little bored because I had anticipated sitting upright and browsing my laptop or just snoozing altogether. It was not to be though as sleeping is discouraged because the nurses need to see your reacting if there's any problems that crop up, and lying down didn't give me a good position to use my laptop. So I just listened to my headphone music and waited until the process was done. I then got up, availed myself of the snacks and beverages on hand and went about my way. It was pretty easy overall and I walked out patting myself on the back for having faced my fear and for doing something I'd always thought made a difference in a real way.
For curiosity's sake, I'm A+ but when talking with another friend she mentioned she was O+ and described the Red Cross as a friendly vampire that was ALWAYS looking for her to make a visit.
Anyhow, last month I got a call from the Red Cross asking me to make another appointment at the Sept. 10th blood drive where I'd previously visited. I actually had debated whether I would do this again because while I felt good about it previously I still felt apprehensive about needles and figured if they hadn't called I wouldn't go seeking the opportunity. But they called, and I didn't flinch. I made the appointment and showed up.
There wasn't anything different yesterday than before, -I made sure to each lunch in advance, I was familiar with the questionnaire they offered and I'd read the safety literature previously so I figured I was ready. This time I'd brought a book with me to read and asked if I could be positioned in a reclined / upright position so that I could read while my right arm was at rest. They agreed and then *ouch* the process started. I put on my headphones and started listening to the music and sent out a quick text on my phone before leaning back and slowly flexing the rubber ball they'd put in my right hand to keep the blood pressure going. I heard one of the nurses comment that my blood flow was slow but good and then I just tuned out. And by "tuned out" I mean my body literally started tuning out. As I sat there I started feeling a little bit of discomfort in my stomach which I idly wondered if it was nausea, but it wasn't very pronounced so I shifted my attention back to the music. I had been looking at my phone wondering what the response to my text would be and then let the phone down and just looked straight ahead. A little time passed and the stomach sensation increased making me wonder what was up, and then seemingly rather quickly I started feeling a bit of numbness creeping up my torso. I remember vocalizing "I'm feeling a little weird" but I don't think any intelligible sound came out and the next thing I noticed was out of the corner of my eye one of the nurses saying my name over and over in a noise that seemed muffled beyond what the headphones and music would have caused. Then they started putting cold wet washcloths on my forehead and neck, and lowered my bed to flat and I suddenly felt that my whole body had started sweating at once. One nurse brought a can of apple juice over with a straw and placed it by my head and asked me to start drinking. I pulled one of my earphones out so I could listen to the conversation around me and apparently I'd passed out completely, -my blood pressure had dropped, my face had gone pale, and I hadn't been out long.
I sat on the bed just drinking and feeling wonderful relief from the cold washcloths. Inside my head I was feeling nervousness about what I'd done wrong. Did I not eat enough? Was there something wrong with me? With my blood? Did I fail somehow? What had happened this time that didn't happen previously? After two cans of apple juice and some time had passed I was feeling more myself and able to sit up again to take the offered snacks. I was still feeling tired, but the nurse said I was looking a whole lot better and that what had happened wasn't an unusual thing and that it really wasn't something that was provoked by anything in particular (though I personally wonder if my body was using more blood than normal to digest the recently eaten sandwich). The nurse said that passing out happens when your blood pressure drops and it can randomly happen during donations but it's only if you pass out three or four donations in a row that they suggest you might not want to keep it up anymore.
Another ten minutes passed and I was feeling back to normal if maybe a little tired and I left to drive back home. Overall it was weird, but not scary. The needle stick still bugs me, but I can endure. The passing out was curious, but not something that will keep me from going back. In fact I'm now curious to find out if this will happen again... not that I want it to.
Only in the recent couple of years have I started getting over it. As in, now I can have blood samples taken in the arm or hand instead of insisting they prick every little finger I have to squeeze out blood in those miniature-vials.
I'm considering donating plasma at a for-pay place like BioLife, but I suspect my meds will exclude me again.
Glad you're okay though dude <3
Just some tips that I've found for myself over the years.
Back in 2007, I got persuaded by an old roommate to go to a blood drive and that they were giving free show tickets away for donors. The blood drive was at some law office across town. I didn't eat a whole lot and was nervous but went through with it to save face in front of my other roommate, who went with me to donate.
So the staff take me back to where the blood drive is taking place and along with a few people like me who walked in to donate, there were some of the law office's employees donating blood too. I answer a couple questions about my health and they take me to an available seat to begin the process. She sticks me and it hurts for a split second but I just follow her instructions and just breath deep, squeeze the ball and settle back. All is going well and I'm thinking, "This isn't so bad. Why was I so worried?"
There was an employee of the law office next to me who was just finishing up. She told the phlebotomist that she was feeling a little light headed and if she could rest for a few moments. She seemed okay to me and gave off the impression of just trying to stall out to return to work but who am I to judge? I just smile at her and wait for my donation to be complete.
After some time, the phlebotomist starts to unhook everything from me and that's where things just go south. As she's pulling the needle out of my vein, I start getting the tunnel vision going on and I feel nauseas. She gives me an ice pack, puts it behind my neck and gets ready to recline me. I tell her I feel like I'm going to throw up so she gives me a bag to use.I totally miss the bag and end up puking all over my shirt. The lady next to me who was wanting a few extra minutes of time to rest shot up and out of that seat so fast that I saw smoke on her heels.
That's where I learned to eat more before a drive. I got some juice and cookies and a free t-shirt to change into that said "My Lawyer can beat up your lawyer." Some people were jealous I got a shirt but they didn't throw up all over themselves either..haha.
Anywho, winded but I figured I'd share my adventures in blood donations ^_^
...and the next thing I knew I was on the floor, looking up at my doctor. Apparently I had passed out and fell right out of my chair. The doctor explained that right next to the vein in my arm is something called the "vagus nerve" which, if stimulated, can trigger a sudden drop in blood pressure, bringing on a fainting spell. The nerve may have been stimulated by that second attempt to draw blood.
From an experience side of things, I myself generally have no issues, but one of my work colleagues has a dizzy or momentary "fade-out" spell about every third or fourth time he donates blood. He has come to know the signs and the Red Cross have his info on the system so both he and they know what to expect. He continues to do it because he has had family who have benefited from the Blood Bank and so he feels it is something he should do... a chance to give something back. Basically good hydration, good eating and good sleep patters in the days before seem to alleviate the issue most of the time but even with this he may still have his "off" time. Your experience seems pretty close to his descriptions of his "fade-outs".
I have been a blood and plasma donor for yonks with over 350 combined donations (mainly fortnightly plasma) but have been unable to go higher as I have been on a medical trial for the last 4 years but will be back to the Red Cross soon as the trial is just finishing up... only have to wait for the 6 month safety period to expire. It is a great community thing to do and I even made use of some of my own blood after an accident 10 years back... not an uncommon event I was told. And, yes, "friendly vampire that makes appointments" is a good description... they have consistently rang me every three months over the years just to make sure that they will get me back in the system and making an appointment as soon as possible after my trial.
And, yes, I also detest needles.... after all these years of being a pin cushion, my blood pressure still spikes when that little bit of metal comes into play, even after the medical trail where I did my own subcutaneous injections for the last two years of it... ingrained fears can be irrational... at least my blood pressure no longer spikes to 170-180, just 150-160.
Hope your next visit goes well, if you do it, and I'll also say "Thanks!" for doing a bit to help a very worthy organisation meet a very important need in the community.