hitthelights Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hi, I turned 17 in December which means I can now donate blood (in the UK). I really wanted to do it so I went along to a local centre on Monday 12th to donate. When I got there I filled out all the forms and they were fine, and my iron test was absolutely fine aswell but when it came to actually donating none of the nurses could find a vein big enough/strong enough to take my donation from. I don't know if anyone here knows anything about this/has experienced the same problem before, but I just wondered whether there was any point in me trying again? And if so, is there anything I could do to improve my chances? I did look on the UK blood donation website but I couldn't find any relevant information and I couldn't find any means of contacting them about this kind of query. Thanks Any feedback at all would be wonderful, I'm really passionate about doing this. Link to comment
Scorpion Fury Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Maybe you were dehydrated. Make sure to drink lots of water beforehand Link to comment
ghost69 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 some people can't hit veins well. unfortunately they can only try on you so often before they quit trying. also, some people have smaller veins than others and it is too hard to hit em. Link to comment
SapphireNoir10 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Could it be something to do with low blood pressure? I suggest giving it a go again. Link to comment
hitthelights Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 They did suggest originally that it may have been caused by dehydration but I pointed out that it's been a problem before when I've had blood tests. Is it worth trying again though? And just drinking lots before hand? If my veins are just naturally small will I just have this problem every time I go? I don't want to waste their time if I'm not going to be able to donate. I hadn't thought about low blood pressure.. This is going to sound dumb but is there anything that can be done to get blood pressure to a good level? My biology classes don't cover it! Link to comment
SapphireNoir10 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I say it is worth trying again, make sure you drink lots and it might be to do with whose taking it like Ghost said, and how well they can find your vein. Link to comment
girl friend Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Why not try bone marrow donation instead? They are more desperately needed, and the charity pays for your hotel stay overnight and all your expenses. Link to comment
Scorpion Fury Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 They did suggest originally that it may have been caused by dehydration but I pointed out that it's been a problem before when I've had blood tests. Is it worth trying again though? And just drinking lots before hand? If my veins are just naturally small will I just have this problem every time I go? I don't want to waste their time if I'm not going to be able to donate. Maybe you just have small veins then. Give it another go, make sure to drink lots of water before you go. If your veins are small, you will have a hard time donating blood, but try again. Link to comment
Tethys Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 It could be dehyrdation, but this has happened to me as well... several times in fact. I have hard-to-get-veins. You could ask them if they have someone with more experience on staff. I know how you feel -- I've ended up with some bruised veins because of this. Usually they bring someone in special just for the purpose! It's embarrassing, but it works. I feel your pain!! Link to comment
Ac143 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yeah I had the same problem years ago, I went 2 times. First time didn't drink much water, second time drank tons of water for a week before going & same thing haven't gone back. Give it one more shot Link to comment
mr_iwi Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Perhaps if you do a little exercise just before donating (though obviously nothing too strenuous or you will risk fainting) then the fact that your heart is pumping more may make your veins more prominent. Link to comment
Tethys Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hm wondering -- I'm one of those transparent types with very fair skin. Finding veins for blood has always been an issue for me, since I was a kid. Link to comment
livinginsbi Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 As one that performs phlebotomy... dehydration could be it... but it could be you just don't have the veins.. They use 16 gauge needles (hmm might be 12) and that is considerably bigger than a routine blood draw. I agree, fill up on water, try again.. if still no luck...wait a year and try again. Link to comment
Tethys Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Living, you're a phlebotomist? Last time I had blood drawn, they had to bring in a phlebotomist instead of the usual nurse. Are some of us just cursed? Link to comment
hitthelights Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to try again in February, drink loads of water for a couple of days beforehand and hope for the best Link to comment
girl friend Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to try again in February, drink loads of water for a couple of days beforehand and hope for the best do you eat enough? i only ask because if your thin that can prevent it working. Link to comment
comfyshoes Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I'm just going to agree with what most people here have said. Drink more water before you go next time, it may just help. And try to remember that sometimes it's down to nothing more than the skill and confidence of the practitioner doing the cannulation. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.