Blood Donors?

[liamty]

I'm curious, do any of you guys donate blood? (Maybe you all feel that it is trouble enough keeping your own??!!) Last time I donated the nurse asked if my family members donated, when I explained Steves list of medications (coumadin, epilim, tegretol, atacand), I thought she'd run a mile, however they must be pretty desperate because she thought he possibly may still be able to! In an emergency I'd probably take any blood, but husband or not, Steves concoction of jungle juice running through his veins is not my ideal choice! What do you all know? I must mention Steve did not get all excited at the idea, and the thought of fighting with his tough old veins for yet another spot to *** turned him deaf on the subject, not that I blame him!

 

[Nancy]

Joe cannot donate blood because of Coumadin.

 

[Mb]

The American Red Cross has a list of reasons why they will not accept blood.

Having an artificial valve is one of them. I don't know if it is the medications you all take, or the fact that red blood cells get damaged from the valve leaflets. Most folks with an artificial valve are at least slightly anemic because of the valve, so I cannot imagine it would be good for them either!
Mb

 

[Harpoon]

I think the ARC guidelines are based on the idea that it's better to be safe than sorry.

If our red blood cells were getting that chopped up by our artificial valves, we'd be dead.

WHile there is some damage going on, there's still enough healthy rbc's to help someone else. I suspect the guidelines are more for what kind of medications you are on.

Seems to me coumadin would automatically disqualify a donor. Most people receiving blood are getting it because of bleeding problems. Adding coumadin to their system, even if it's not at full strength, can't be good for the problem the patient is getting a transfusion for in the first place.

A lot of medications disqualify donors, especially if it's stuff that potential donors have been on for months or years.


My cardiologist has advised AGAINST me donating blood, even for myself. I asked him about it back when I was in high school, several years before my tricuspid valve went AWOL and he said no because he was worried about how the reduction in blood pressure (albeit slight) would affect my heart.

I suppose if there was a dire need back then, maybe, but certainly not now with all the medications running through my veins.


Oh, I'm a rare blood type too, B negative. Turns out my wife is a compatable donor (she did that as many times as the nurses would allow when I was in the hospital and of course I bled it all back out again!) and kidney match....


We were desitined to be something at least.....

 

[Abbanabba]

I've also been told I shouldn't give blood because of my low BP. They struggle getting enough out for a blood sample, let alone the amount they usually draw when you donate.

A : )

 

[Nancy]

Marybeth is right, at least for some valve people. Joe has hemolytic anemia secondary to his valves, which chop up his blood. I believe that it is basically the very old ball and cage valve which does most of it, but couple that with the additional St. Jude and the damage gets worse.

He takes Procrit shots three times per week to keep his bloodwork within the normal range. Even at that he is low normal most of the time.

 

[tobagotwo]

I was told by both my cardiologist and my surgeon that I should no longer donate blood. Period. When I protested that with my new valve I was no longer stenotic, my surgeon asked me which word I was having trouble understanding.

And I have a porcine natural tissue valve, which doesn't damage the blood cells at all, so it isn't from any possible anemia on my part, or damaged cells that might be in the donated product. And I am only on low dose Atenolol (25mg in AM, 25mg in PM), so that is not an issue.

I think the Red Cross is concerned with bacteria from possible endocarditis or other transmitted disease possibilities. (Ewww...piggy germs! )

I used to give four times a year. I have to say that I still feel guilty when I walk by the donation area on blood donor days at work.

If you ask his cardiologist, I think you'll get a resounding, "no blood donations!"

Best wishes,

 

[bvdr]

I was always a regular donor. I think I had more than 8 gallons donated but then several years ago I was turned down because my hemoglobin and hematocrit were too high. I had run a little on the high side for years but it had gotten too thick for their guidelines. It wasn't thick enough that I required any treatment.

Now, I don't think I would be accepted because of all my medications...particularily the coumadin.

 

[JimL]

I have donated six gallons in Michigan, and perhaps two more in Wisconsin years ago. My last donation was two months before surgery. Usually the bloodletting made me feel better, but not the last time.
I too feel very guilty when I see all the appeals about blood shortages and I can't give. I've often been tempted to go and try, but I would just be wasting their time, since they wouldn't want my rat poison laced blood.