But blood donation isnt without its disadvantages. I normally never feel sleep deprived. Your skin feels sweaty and cold. Blood donation question: how long does it take to fully recover from donating blood? I'm 5'9", 205 pounds and I usually require the cookie, the soda pop and lying down for a bit afterwards to make the lightheadedness go away. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of post-donation fatigue. I do not think that it's normal to have weakness last for more than a few hours. I've learned a good smoothie while I'm giving and eating a ton extra for the rest of the day helps but I'll still pass out and take a nap lol. I donated "double red" two days ago. Congrats on being a blood donor!! 1. Do contact your doctor as more tests may be required to rule out other problems. After an automated double red cell collection, you must wait 112 days before donating again. I felt a bit woozy afterwards but the next day I was OK. A typical person has 1L of blood per around 10kg (around 22 pounds) of body mass. Contact a medical professional if you experience any of the following symptoms after a blood draw: Stiffness, weakness, or aching in the arm Pain that worsens when you move the arm Severe or worsening tingling in the arm You have nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps, or you are vomiting. If you're not feeling close-to-normal by the second or third day, I'd head to the clinic. Yes it will get you tired, and i learn my lesson from donating blood, cause you need your blood and you have a risk of getting sick and having a weak immune system save your blood before its to late" If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your blood donation view our animation. So if you`re about 170 pounds, 60mL is on the waaaay safe side. It's your chance to relax, be pampered, enjoy a free snack – and feel great knowing that you're saving lives.Before you donateIt's important that you look after your health in the lead up to your donation. "This short form worked as well as or better than longer questionnaires and allowed us topredict who would most likely become dizzy, weak or nauseated from donating blood," France said. The night before you donate, try eating something iron-rich (like a venison steak or something). Usually the amount of blood that be taken is about 250 to 500 cc. The only time I've felt effects more than half a day after donating blood was when my sleep was particularly bad the night before, and I tried to do more than usual the day after. The ideal reaction is absolutely zero affect on your routine. This effect is commonly occur to donors after donating their blood. Uncommonly, these side effects will advance to the problem of light-headedness. I used to donate blood regularly until I spent a year in England before BSE was diagnosed. Most people that pass out are having anxiety issues. Your donation is transported to one of our blood centres where it is tested and processed before being issued to hospitals. During a blood donation we take 470ml of blood, which is just under a pint. But I felt sick again that night. I had forced myself to drink as much as I could before hand, and that did help with making the donation itself faster. You see pinpoint purple spots or purple patches on your body. That's why the little old ladies push the fluids - to help get your volume back up. If you become unwell (other than a cold or cold-sore) within 2 weeks following your donation, or if you believe there is a reason your blood should not be transfused to a patient, please call our donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23. If you give blood and you don't have a lot to start with, you might be a little low on fluids. NHSBT uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. The time that really made me tired when I donated was when I worked out early that morning. I donated blood two days ago, and I'm still feeling very tired, lightheaded, etc. Each donor is given a mini physical examination, but there are still some minor side effects that could occur. My boyfriend gives blood on a regular basis through his work and he says he never feels any negative symptoms afterward. If your iron levels are high, you recover faster. Eating a lot and drinking a lot of water were the keys for me to feel muchmuchmuch better. You have not mentioned whether you are male or female, big or little, etc. Thes… Dizziness is one most popular blood donation effects, this effect occurs because of loosing some blood. The only time I've felt effects more than half a day after donating blood was when my sleep was particularly bad the night before, and I tried to do more than usual the day after. Some examples are heart blockage, panic disorders, anxiety, hypoglycemia, diabetes, irregular heartbeat and dehydration. however, when I donate, they do advise me not to exercise for 24 hours. I'm pretty sure they just give people juice and cookies to make people feel good and it gives them a chance to observe people for a little while. That said, you should be feeling OK shortly after giving blood. Point being: It depends on the person. I spent the entire rest of the day in bed with a really awful headache and dizziness, and the following day was a little rough. Donating plasma is mostly a safe process, but there can be side effects. I feel dizzy or light-headed all day after I have my blood drawn. It can drop blood pressure and make you feel dizzy. Side Effects After Donating Blood. Were your hemoglobin etc tested before you donated blood. Usually, I'm about 36 hours before I feel truly back in the normal range; wooziness the day after is not necessarily unusual (IANAD), especially if you were working out. If you continue to feel lightheaded, visit an urgent care center. Every day more than 5,000 Australians give blood at a Lifeblood donor centre. If you do platelets only it's much faster (about 3 days). It can be psychosomatic - the protocols for `blood SAMPLE` that I`ve seen limit the amount of blood let per session to be 1% max. The UK people advise no exercise (certainly not vigorous) for 24 hours afterwards, so I make sure I have a rest day lined up for the day after my donation. I've done it lots of times, am not a particularly large person, actually fail the iron test half the time, but never felt any different when I was done. I'm now two days out from giving blood and still feeling pretty exhausted and even more weak. Also, getting a lot of water before and after your donation helps. After donation, your body has an amazing capacity to replace the blood you have given. Yesterday and today (day 4 … Drink more non-alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours after you donate blood. By continuing to use this website you agree to our use of cookies. If you feel faint (light headed or dizzy, hot, sweating, trembling, shaky or nauseous) lie down immediately, rest until you feel better and drink plenty of fluid. I made sure to eat and drink a lot the day of the donation and I ended up taking a nice two hour nap shortly after. I slept very well that night. Book your next blood donation or register as a new donor using our online blood appointment system. The biggest issue when you donate blood is more the missing volume than the missing red blood cells. Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. What To Eat After a Blood Donation. Iron-Rich Foods. Donation will not affect all people the same way, and it won't even affect the same PERSON the same way every time. I walked a few blocks and felt no different than usual, then I got home and went to pee, and I fainted on la toilette. We also use non-essential cookies to help us improve our services, any data collected is anonymised. Hydrating ahead of time seems to make all the difference for my recovery period; I try to be very diligent in the 3-4 days leading up to donation. If possible, I tried to up my iron intake in the weeks leading up to the donation, since I usually get just barely enough (I'm vegetarian and not very good at planning my diet). I usually try to just walk out but the sweet little old ladies always make me eat cookies and drink water. Donating blood, plasma or platelets in Australia is very safe. I wouldn't rule out the idea that you are just coming down with something. You are lightheaded, confused, or feel like you are going to faint. Most people can give blood if they're fit and healthy, Do not include any personal or financial information. There aren’t any lasting side effects, but you may temporarily: Need to hydrate. My guess is you're fine. To impress a girl I once donated blood and then immediately went on a several mile hike. Maybe it's purely physiological (small woman with low blood pressure here), maybe it's purely psychosomatic (strong fear of needles here as well). I was just about the minimum weight required when I was still able to give blood. I would say it took me about 3 days to fully recover from my symptoms. This is pretty basic info, so excuse me if you knew this, but in addition to being well-hydrated, you should have eaten at least one meal before you donate blood. I have given, literally, gallons of blood and never had an adverse outcome. There are several types of blood donation, which help meet different medical needs. everyone reacts differently. But I found it very tiring to stand at the stove to cook that evening. Our blood centres are open and you can donate safely. This was my second time donating. To donate plasma, blood is drawn from … After giving blood, you may feel faint if you stand up abruptly or if you have been standing for a long time. I guess it takes a little longer for me to feel fully recovered after donating and I think I will cut back to 3 times/yr max. Clearly, everyone reacts differently. There are some medical conditions that will leave certain people predisposed to fainting after giving blood. I will tell you it was not my best idea ever. You can make it even safer and easier by making sure you’re healthy and have plenty to eat and drink before and after.You may not be able to donate, if on the day you have: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood - Call 13 14 95 today to donate blood … If you are a diminutive person, you simply don't have as much blood in you as, say, a three hundred pound football player. If that is the case, it probably is best not to work out for a couple of days. I was vaguely aware that you were supposed to eat, but figured that I'd be OK because I planned on going to lunch directly afterward (I passed the blood drive on the way to lunch and it seemed like a good plan to just do it then rather than have to return later). When giving blood, they take around 480mls, which is about 25 times the amount taken in a normal blood test, so it's a bit different. My reactions have run the gamut -- from completely unnoticeable (most common), to starving all afternoon, to craving a nap, to a regular workout seriously wiping me out, to nearly passing out immediately after. At the most, it takes a full eight weeks to get back to normal. It takes your body about two months to make up the blood cells. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your blood donation, We are not able to respond to this feedback but we welcome comments about your visit today, has an amazing capacity to replace the blood you have given, keep the pressure dressing on your arm for about 30 minutes after you have given blood, and the plaster on for 6 hours, eat and drink – you will be encouraged to have at least 2 drinks and a snack before you leave, avoid using the donation arm to carry anything very heavy for the rest of the day, avoid having a hot bath after you have given blood. I think that being very well-hydrated beforehand and immediately afterward are probably going to help a lot for me next time. This is why the nurses will take a drop of blood first and see how fast it sinks in water (faster sinkage = higher iron = faster recovery for you). If it's not gone tomorrow, maybe you should check … If the blood test was done on an empty stomach, your blood sugar levels might be low and this could account for the dizziness. As for feeling faint, if that's immediately after the blood test, it's due to a vasovagal reaction rather than the blood loss itself. I've donated a few times and felt fine within the hour. And true recovery time is 60 days (which is why you have to wait to give more!) Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. It has been said that the feeling of faint is a very minor problem that will pass away in some minutes after the blood donation. About 36,000 pints of blood are needed every day in the United States, and 6.8 million people donate a year. oh and by one meal, I meant to specify, one meal no more than a few hours before donating (as opposed to one meal ever, which is how it currently reads). You'll probably be back up to full strength in another day or two; remember that blood donation represents about 600 calories worth of 'work' for your body to make up for - a 600 calorie workout on an inexperienced athlete would kick their ass, your bone marrow is similarly untrained for this kind of thing. Normal feeling for two days after giving blood (minus normal slight weakness after donating). and good on you! I almost passed out immediately, but rallied after laying down for awhile and then having the obligatory juice and cookie. Generally these side effects will happen immediately after the blood donation. that probably didn't help you. Plasma is a component in blood, and donating it can help others combat serious illnesses. I've only given blood once and I had such a bad time with it, I'll never do it again unless I have to. You feel dizzy and weak about 7 days after your transfusion. Plasma is a component of your blood. If you feel that you are getting weak, then to avoid fainting: do exercises using your muscles: cross your legs, tense your muscles all over your body or your gluteal muscles – this will keep blood … To help you stay well after you have given blood, we advise you to: If you need further advice or experience any prolonged after effects from your donation please ring 0300 123 23 23. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. The only time that I've felt light-headed and nauseous, was the first time I gave blood. Last time I donated in May, I felt tired after working out for about a week after donating. Everyone reacts differently. But, as mentioned above, keep drinking fluids to help restore your volume. If bleeding recurs, sit down, raise your arm and press on the area where the blood is coming from for at least 5 minutes. Be very careful, continue drinking lots of water/juice and take it easy. It could also be due to the fear of needles. You can donate platelets once in a seven-day period and up to 24 times a year. I passed out twice; the second time hours after I donated. I normally get 7-8, and I'm perfectly fine with that. Any bruising is usually harmless and will disappear over time. I gave blood for the first time in December after finding out I am O- (only recently was allowed to donate after my time frame from receiving transfusions expired) and it took me a few days to feel "normal" again. All posts copyright their original authors. Normally, you do not feel anything after blood donation—a human body can easily adjust to that blood loss). If you are thinking about donating blood you need to know what to eat after blood loss to replenish the body stores and to restore the lost volume of blood quickly. This was my first time doing double red, which means they take "two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you". Your lips or fingernails look blue. Rx for depression-alleviating exercise routine? The basics to consider immediately after a donation is a light snack and something to drink. I've never tried strenuous exercise the day after, though. So, here are some things to consider. As a percent of your total body volume, you are giving more. IANAD but when I have donated the cookie and juice are usually enough to get me right in an hour or so. If you become unwell (other than a cold or cold-sore) within 2 weeks following your donation, or if you believe there is a reason your blood should not be transfused to a patient, please call our donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23. The next day I felt a little better but I was still weak. I was really bad the first day, nearly fainting and still in pain at the needle site. Drink lots of water or other noncaffeinated liquids the day before, of and after your plasma donation. Yet, when they take a unit of blood, they are taking the same amount from you as from him. The next day I was fine. Join 6,470 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. I exercise fairly regularly and could definitely notice the change in strength and some light-headedness for up to two weeks after giving blood. It's been awhile, but like others have noted, I recall being told to take it easy for 24 hours and being rather lazy, that was all the justification that I needed not to work out! Book your next blood donation or register as a new donor using our online blood appointment system. I have very low blood pressure, and donate blood frequently. I was told by a family friend (who happens to be a nurse) that hemoglobin is not what they should be checking, hematocrit is. Then again, I doubt that I ever exercised after giving blood. In particular, make sure you drink lots of water and get plenty to eat.The day beforeOn the day It contains red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Read more advice about bruising after donation. If you feel tired, try drinking more water. I'm generally pretty sleepy and sluggish for a day or so after giving blood. Call us at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that you forgot to tell us, if you have any problems or if you needed medical care after giving blood. I am relatively healthy, female, average height/weight. This will be provided for the donors as soon as their blood has been taken. I don't think it's too unusual that you might feel basically okay but dizzy when working out, but I do suggest dropping a voicemail or email to your doctor to touch base. You must wait at least seven days after donating platelets before donating whole blood. Make sure to eat the flowing foods to avoid any side effects. I felt nauseated, weak and gross the entire rest of the day and night. Avoid alcoholic beverages the day of and after your donation. If you are not fainting, you are probably not in any danger. I am not sure how useful these these anecdotal data points are, but I've only ever had my arm feel a little funny after donating. That's the length of time before you're allowed to donate blood again. They shouldn't take enough that you actually weak or anything, and they check your iron levels to make sure you won't miss it. *internet high five* I donated for the first time a week ago :-). Otherwise, I'm on donation 48 or 49 I think, and I don't feel particularly hungry or tired afterwards. Wow, I had no idea it was so common to experience aftereffects from giving blood. During a standard donation a person donates whole blood. Usually I just feel a bit out of sorts for a couple of hours afterwards but when it was combined with bad sleep and overexertion after, it made for a whole new level of fatigue. I'm hoping that the interdiction is lifted soon so I can start donating again. I still almost always have to take a drooler of a nap the next day, but if I was well-hydrated when I donated I'm usually back to normal after that nap and one more night's sleep. This is very very deep into the safe range. Menstrual cycle began 2 days after donating. Your donation is transported to one of our blood centres where it is tested and processed before being issued to hospitals. Take it easy for a few days and call a doctor if you're not feeling better soon. I've slept 12 hours for the past two nights. I learned my lesson and from then on and made sure that I was fed and watered prior to donating and never experienced that again. As a rule, there are certain things that a donor should eat after donating blood. If I'm in good shape for the donation, I'm fine even without consciously taking in extra fluids afterwards. take it easy and you should be ok by tomorrow. So, the lesson is listen to your body and take it easy at least for the first 2-3 days after donating. Theres no doubt that donating blood can do a lot of good: Donating just one pint of blood can save more than one persons life, according to the American Red Cross. I was in my late teens and early 20s, though, and in fine fettle, so YMMV. I've been a blood donor for a long time, but I'm not a doctor or medical professional. Having said that, I usually feel better in a few hours. The first time, I felt perfectly fine the next day. However, feeling dizzy hours after a blood test could be indicative of something more serious. The best thing you can do is listen to your body and let it recover. This one time I wasn't thinking and gave blood after doing a blood test and was menstruating and I felt awful for a few hours after the donation, even though I was at my fattest. Leave certain people predisposed to fainting after giving blood an hour or so a year and... Are usually enough to get back to normal or female, average height/weight and you can platelets. 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Male or female, average height/weight the most, it probably is best not work. Were the keys for me to feel muchmuchmuch better your hemoglobin etc tested before 're. The ideal reaction is absolutely zero affect on your routine, anxiety, hypoglycemia, diabetes, heartbeat! You can donate safely 's much faster ( about 3 days ) more tests be... Donor is given a mini physical examination, but rallied after feeling weak days after donating blood for.