Gave blood - side effects?

Hey people,

I gave blood today at college, around midday, and since then (I didn't have any afternoon lessons) I've been crashed out on my bed, drifting in and out of sleep. I'm usually quite an insomniac, so it's a bit weird for me to be falling asleep so easily in the day. When I woke up this time, I noticed my heart was beating pretty hard and fast considering I'd been asleep.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has had anything similar, or if there was anything to worry about.

Cheers,
DMST.

Reply 1

Bubblebee

15

Well I feinted twice then was feeling dicky the rest of the day, but I got tea and biscuits and a badge so I was happy!

Reply 2

Hygeia

14

when i first gave blood, i was collapsed on the sofa unable to do much at all for the rest of the day, also felt very nauseous and had a very painful arm as they bruised it badly (bruise didn't go away for 3 weeks)
i don't think there is anything to worry about, just take it easy for the next few days

Reply 3

Revenged

15

you can get signs of anaemia after blood has been taken... maybe it is that... i wouldn't get worried though... everyone feels a bit funny after having blood taken from them...

Reply 4

abc88

kate0904

when i first gave blood, i was collapsed on the sofa unable to do much at all for the rest of the day, also felt very nauseous and had a very painful arm as they bruised it badly (bruise didn't go away for 3 weeks)
i don't think there is anything to worry about, just take it easy for the next few days

The same thing happened to me the first time I gave blood. I thought it was supposed to be sore so didnt say anything when my arm was very painful. The nurse had to stop the thing half way through because my arm was soo bruised and the bruise didn't go away for weeks. However I did not feel that weak afterwards just sore.

Reply 5

rottcodd

3

I also felt very drowsy the first time I gave blood. Did you eat and drink afterwards? If it doesn't pass there's a number that they should have provided you with which you can phone up if you're having any side effects.

Reply 6

Fred Basset

I faint if more than a few mm is taken from me . . . I think that's an interesting side effect. Especially when the nurse gave me a glass of water and I fainted, thus throwing it over the people sat next to me in the waiting room . . . :smile:

Reply 7

SMH827

I gave blood for the second time on Tuesday. I gave blood at 11am and hadn't had anything to eat + drink since 8am, that's something I wont be doing next time. I was fine till the needle was taken out then went so dizzy in the space of 30 seconds I struggled to get the nurses attention only got it by groaning I think lol. It wasn't a nice experience and next time I give it I'll make sure I've had something at least an hour before hand. Although next time even if I'm not dizzy after it I may say I am, I got some dam good treatment off them lol!

Reply 8

thatwhichiam

14

I felt all dazed afterwards, couldn't concentrate well and needed excessive amounts of sleep. I don't think I was quite aware enough to concentrate on m heartbeat - if you are concerned, ring their helpline thing, I got a little piece of card with the number on.

Reply 9

prettyblueeyes

13

I had a blood test on Wednesday - they couldn't find a vein after three attempts, so tried once more, I almost screamed with pain, then they got half a tube of blood and I blacked out. Then that went in the bin and I had to go through it all again today! Still hurt like hell, had trouble finding a vein, but just felt dizzy afterwards. Custard danish and tea from hospital coffee shop soon helped though. Now I have a bruise on each wrist, each inner elbow and one on my hand. Don't think I'm the best candidate to give blood once I'm 17 even though I'd love to.

Reply 10

isabella

9

prettyblueeyes

I had a blood test on Wednesday - they couldn't find a vein after three attempts, so tried once more, I almost screamed with pain, then they got half a tube of blood and I blacked out. Then that went in the bin and I had to go through it all again today! Still hurt like hell, had trouble finding a vein, but just felt dizzy afterwards. Custard danish and tea from hospital coffee shop soon helped though. Now I have a bruise on each wrist, each inner elbow and one on my hand. Don't think I'm the best candidate to give blood once I'm 17 even though I'd love to.

Ouch. Poor you. Sounds really horrid :frown:

Reply 11

space hopper

1

oh dear, wen i gave blood I threw up (twice) and felt ill the rest of the evening, got up in the morning and fainted. :eek:

didn't expect that to happen... I think its a really good idea to give blood but I think they should give u lots of food first, I think thats why that happened to me eek!

Reply 12

isabella

9

Okilidokili

oh dear, wen i gave blood I threw up (twice) and felt ill the rest of the evening, got up in the morning and fainted. :eek:

didn't expect that to happen... I think its a really good idea to give blood but I think they should give u lots of food first, I think thats why that happened to me eek!

Didn't u eat anything beforehand ? Well done for giving blood, i'm way to scared to do it. :redface:

Reply 13

Jennybean

13

DoMakeSayThink

Hey people,

I gave blood today at college, around midday, and since then (I didn't have any afternoon lessons) I've been crashed out on my bed, drifting in and out of sleep. I'm usually quite an insomniac, so it's a bit weird for me to be falling asleep so easily in the day. When I woke up this time, I noticed my heart was beating pretty hard and fast considering I'd been asleep.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has had anything similar, or if there was anything to worry about.

Cheers,
DMST.

I'm hoping Revenged will back me up on my science, here goes! It makes sense that having blood taken from you will lower the amount of oxygen getting round your system, so it would be natural to feel tired. It would also make sense that because you had a lower volume of blood, your heart would have to beat harder and faster to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Therefore by my calculations you have nothing to worry about. Ta-da!

Reply 14

Anonymous #1

the heart beating faster than usual could be a sign of a bit of weakness, which can be cured with some sugar in you. i would think after having blood taken and not eating enough for a reboost afterwards would leave you wiht a bit of weakness. i get it a lot when i haven't eaten for a while...

Reply 15

Jennybean

13

Anonymous

the heart beating faster than usual could be a sign of a bit of weakness, which can be cured with some sugar in you. i would think after having blood taken and not eating enough for a reboost afterwards would leave you wiht a bit of weakness. i get it a lot when i haven't eaten for a while...

Not to be rude, but that's really vague. Low blood sugar could be a reason for feeling faint but not for the heart beating faster. If you've had blood taken you just have to wait for your body to produce more really, eating sugar won't help beyond a certain point.

Reply 16

space hopper

1

isabella

Didn't u eat anything beforehand ? Well done for giving blood, i'm way to scared to do it. :redface:

I did hav lunch but bcos there were loads of new donors had to wait around for literally hours, and i guess my sandwich was well and truly digested by then :rolleyes:

Don't be scared about giving blood, i have a low pain threshold :rolleyes:

believe me... and I can honestly say it didn't really hurt, just eat a lot beforehand and make an appointment so you r not waiting around bcos thats what really makes u nervous the first time you do it.
If u want to, go for it, don't b put off by the stories, every1 else who gave blood from my year and all the other ppl at the session were fine, they r really nice there too, and look after you (if u need it lol)
Oh and if u do give blood take a friend along, it helps!

Reply 17

Bubblebee

15

I think even if you eat before hand if you have quite low iron counts or fairly low blood pressure (I do, but they said I was still fine to donate) you will still faint. I mean I was eating fish and chips while I was waiting to give blood and I still fainted!

Gave blood - side effects?

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