Phlebotomy Day
I just did my regular donation last Friday, or two days ago. I have come to realize that there is an important way that I manage the days that I need to give blood so that I can pass through those days easily. I have subconsciously organized myself to avoid some of the occasional, unpleasant side effect that occur from time to time. Everyone reacts differently to giving blood, so be careful to monitor yourself closely and develop a strategy that works for you.
Here’s mine:
Phlebotomy days are a bit rough on me. I feel weak afterwards, and my ability to think is a bit diminished. Most of this can be mitigated by a few key things, and rally they are consistent with what most blood donation centers ask you to do when you come in to donate blood. Here they are:
- Eat a hearty meal within 4 hours prior to your appoinntment
- Drink Lots of water prior to your appointment (This seems to help with your blood flow. Being dehydatated will slow down your blood flow and make the donation process difficult).
- Don’t take any aspirin or other pain relief medicine 48 hours prior to your phlebotomy (this assumes that you are making community donations with your blood, and is necessary for the safety of your contributions to the blood supply).
- Give yourself an hour or so to rest after the phlebotomy and eat a hearty meal. This will help restore you and give your bones something to work with to convert your excess iron into new blood.
It is just important to consider what you plan to do after the blood donation as before. Generally, you should be handed a pamphlet which gives you the guidelines on how to care for yourself after the phlebotomy. Here are the ones I follow very carefully:
No strenuous activity with 24 hours of the phlebotomy. I almost passed out in a restaurant after putting this on e to the test. 
No alcohol within 24 hours of your donation.
Eat a good, hearty meal soon after your donation.
Please take a look at the materials that are handed out and try to follow all of them. You never know what might affect you. On the plus side, within a day or two of the donation I feel great, have more energy and look forward to the next one.
How does it work for you? Anyone have a different experience? Do all of you do community donations with your blood?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
What happens if you have a blood phobia and faint when you give/see blood? Most people don’t know that a blood phobia is the only phobia that can kill you. There has been several recorded cases of death from blood phobia by cardiovascular collapse. Blood phobia is thought to be genetic and not always psychological. I need to get checked for this disease but fear if I have it I will refuse treatment because the fear is too much to cope with having to deal with all that blood giving. So imagine all the other people that already forgo blood test and shots having hemochromatosis. All the webpages say treatment is safe and easy. That is not true for 10 percent of the population. I would like to hear peoples thoughts on this.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Great question, but one I would think a qualified medical professional should answer. I don’t really have an answer as I don’t know much about this. Sounds like it could be a real problem.
September 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I have been treated for H for the last 14 years. Am now age 75 and currently starting my annual 5 weekly phlebotomies. Red Cross nurse has a record of 56 consecutive draws without a miss (second attempt). Hooray for her. I control Ferritin level with the number of annual draws. Try to keep Ferritin around 50 as measured by annual physical prior to draws. As to diet, I don’t work at it. Simply have foods that I try to reduce such as red meat and other items that also fit into what are considered healthy. All seems to work fine. Some arthritis but in general am very healthy. Had knee pains before blood draws. Will see what knees are like after current 5 draws.
Have a concern that as I age, the 5 weekly draws may be harder on a more frail system, but all is good to go after 14 years with H. Lot better and lot less painful than many other diseases.
Yes, Red Cross does accept the blood in the Northwest. good for them.