Giving Blood...

I just went to give blood today for the first time and they said they couldnt take my blood because they couldnt see a vein......is this common? I was just wondering because its quite annoying to be there but not be able to give blood.

Reply 1

high priestess fnord

9

know some ppl have had trouble with it but usually its sorted by cutting off the blood suppy to your arm and waiting for the vein to come to the surface. apperently my veins are easy to poke with needles. not sure if thats a good thing or not XD

Reply 2

quintsy

17

When I had my first blood test a few weeks ago they tied a tourniquet around my arm and made me hold onto this small cylinder shaped object to try to encourage a vein to become visible. Luckily it was quite warm; so vasodilation occurred.. etc, but apparently it can be quite hard especially if it's cold.

I wouldn't worry too much; apparently lots of people have trouble with finding veins. It's good that you chose to gave blood though- I could never do it! :smile:

Well done, and don't let it put you off trying again!

Reply 3

blurboy

1

If I'm not mistaken it's only common for people who are a bit on the heavy side (trying to be politically correct, I hope I didn't offend anyone). My school had a blood drive once and the nurse couldn't find the veins of my big-sized friends.

Reply 4

DoMakeSayThink

15

My veins stick out quite a lot, so I'm hoping it should all be a-okay when I go to give blood later this year.... but I've had friends with the same trouble, don't worry about it.

Reply 5

random_bloke

1

i couldn't give blood because of my piercing...has to be 12 months after you are pierced aparently.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

I'm not allowed to give blood just because I'm GAY even I've never has sex before!! That's just plain discrimination! As if straight people do not get infected by AIDS/HIV.

Reply 7

high priestess fnord

9

Anonymous

I'm not allowed to give blood just because I'm GAY even I've never has sex before!! That's just plain discrimination! As if straight people do not get infected by AIDS/HIV.

thats just wierd

Reply 8

Lush Law

15

I'm gay and I can't give blood. It's ridiculous.

Reply 9

blurboy

1

Tell me all about it! Luckily I'm living in Malaysia where homosexuality is a taboo and people expect everyone to be straight. So I gave blood! :smile:

Btw, RR I like to avatar. It's romantically sweet!

Reply 10

Katmarauder

Seems odd when they screen it all for HIV anyway. Is the reasoning because gay men are less likely to use protection, seeing as there's no risk of pregnancy, or is it that HIV is more likely to be transmitted by anal sex, or is it that the rules haven't changed since HIV was considered the gay disease? (I'm asking, I don't know if any of those statements are true.)

Reply 11

Nekokat

OP

blurboy

If I'm not mistaken it's only common for people who are a bit on the heavy side (trying to be politically correct, I hope I didn't offend anyone). My school had a blood drive once and the nurse couldn't find the veins of my big-sized friends.

See, thats what i thought but i am skinny so i thought it would be alright.

phew.

Katmarauder

Seems odd when they screen it all for HIV anyway. Is the reasoning because gay men are less likely to use protection, seeing as there's no risk of pregnancy, or is it that HIV is more likely to be transmitted by anal sex, or is it that the rules haven't changed since HIV was considered the gay disease? (I'm asking, I don't know if any of those statements are true.)

It's just because infection rates are higher in gay people than straight people. It is a totally unnecessary law because as you said, they screen all blood for HIV/other diseases anyway. There's always the argument that they're simply trying to make sure, but ultimately, gay people make up less than 1% of the population anyway and a) barely anyone with HIV would deliberately go ahead and give blood anyway, and b) all blood donated is tested anyway - so there's no risk at all really, especially when you consider that there are WAY more HIV +ve straight people that could give blood.

It's discrimination, but I'm not one to go parading around shouting for gay rights, so whatever really. But it is discrimination.

Reply 14

belis

17

If I'm not mistaken it's only common for people who are a bit on the heavy side (trying to be politically correct, I hope I didn't offend anyone). My school had a blood drive once and the nurse couldn't find the veins of my big-sized friends.

You have put so nicely lol. Anyhow, it is true. The more subcutanous fat you have between the vain and surface of the skin the harder it is to find it. It is not the only reason though. I used to have realy great vains (all student nurses were send to practise on me as it was so easy to get in). Whn I was in hospital and they realy needed to find one it took 5 attempts ass they have hide away when my BP dropped.

I think that the rule that stops homosexuals from giving blood is rather silly. It is there to minimise the risks as one can never be sure that blood that tests negative is realy negative. I belive that rule should be that if you had unprotected sex then they do not take your blood. No matter with whom.

Reply 15

Anonymous #2

I'm average size not fat and they can't get blood from my arm veins. For a blood test recently I had a tornique on for both arms to try, they stabbed me 5 times in each arm, it was a relatively warm day and even the practise dr had to try with still no luck. They tried another day and still couldnt do it. In the end i had to be referred to the hospital and they had to take it out my hand (which are skinny) which was painful and took a while. i had a sore lump for a few days afterwards and a massive bruise.
Not everyone can have blood taken out their arms, especially if they have deep veins. I'd really like to give blood but it's so much of a faff i cant do it. It doesnt help that i faint regularly when i get stabbed by a needle either.

Reply 16

Juno

20

random_bloke

i couldn't give blood because of my piercing...has to be 12 months after you are pierced aparently.

No, it's only 6 months now.

Reply 17

concept2

Does anyone know how old you have to be to give blood?
xx

Reply 18

Juno

20

BeautifulLetDown

Does anyone know how old you have to be to give blood?
xx

17

Reply 19

Nekokat

OP

The problem with mine is that my veins are too far on one side so if they tried, the vein would move and most likely give me a haematoma. They said that i should try again in 5 years but im not sure that would make much of a difference.

Giving Blood...

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