I am on my 8th gallon of blood. I started donating 25 years ago. I have never felt light headed or dizzy after donating. I drink extra fluids for the first 24 hours after donating.

I donated a few times with no problems. They used to come to the office where I worked a couple of times each year. Then once after donating, I went back to my cubicle, got really dizzy, broke out into a cold sweat and just about passed out. I haven't had the nerve to give again.

I donate often. I have been refused once because my BP was too low. I have felt a little dizzy after.

I have donated often. For a few years I went through a period where my veins would collapse during and they couldn't get enough. Not sure what that was about. But then that changed and I've successfully given since. I don't necessarily enjoy it, but it's a good thing to do. As long as I don't look at the needle, the blood going through the tube, or the bag, I'm fine.

I am a regular donor. I try to donate four times a year. I sometimes get a little light headed, but if they tip the chair back, it usually passes.

The last time I tried to donate was Wednesday. I was rejected because my hemoglobin was too low. Maybe I've been donating too often for an old lady!

I usually start drinking extra water the day before I am planning to donate. I was rejected once because they couldn't find a palpable vein. I had been traveling the day before, and not drinking enough fluids.

I used to donate, when my girls could swing by after school and pick me up. All, cause I passed out twice. Haven't donated in quite a while. It takes me about a week or so to fully recover. I feel real sluggish afterwards.

Moni

I donated once several years ago. Next time I went to donate, the doctor who was there that day told me I needed the blood more than they did and sent me to my doctor. Haven't tried since then.

Sue

They checked my hemoglobin level, supposed to be between 12-17 to donated,I was at 14. Also checked pulse and BP, that was fine. I wonder if they check that every time you donate. I will have to remember to ask next time. They set me up for a return visit in Sept.

I donated for years until I started taking meds that make my blood not useable.

Only had a problem one time. Very hot summer day, gave blood in late morning, then went home to wait for DH for lunch. He was running late, so I noticed shrubbery needed clipping, and pulled out the manual clippers.

I soon started to feel dizzy, so I went into the house. DH came home, and we went to Burger King. I was getting fainter, and DH got into long line. Sat down and got worse, walked out to the car(fresh air) without DH seeing me...got into the car and then started to black out.
Reached for my cell phone, couldn't even see...and called 911. 911 operator had a problem locating me because she kept asking me where i was and all I could say was "Burger King". Passed out...and the next thing I remember was being lifted out of the car, my chest hurting, and someone saying "airway". I knew what that meant.
Later they told me that they had to perform CPR on me - I had stopped breathing when the ambulance arrived.

I was fine a couple of hours later.

Moral....Don't do anything strenuous, especially upper body, for a few hours after you give blood...especially in 90 degree weather.

I wish I could donate as I am O negative but am on so many med especially with remicade they will not let me donate. I had a hard time getting blood when I needed it last time.

I ashamed I haven't donated in quiet a while, I'm O neg. Where I donate is at a church. They give you a glass of soda and a cookie before you give. After you have given they want you to stay for about 20 minuets. The church serves a small meal while you wait those 20 minuets.
I have been turned down a few times because my iron was low.
I had a dizzy spell only once. It was my daughters birthday and she had received a Lazar tag game. I foolishly had forgotten about giving blood eariler that day and was out running around playing the game with her, when I started getting dizzy. I knew right away why so I went and sat down until it passed. Of course I didn't go back to the game.

I use to donate but was told I couldn't any longer due to
medications for BP and Heart.

I never have I went once to donate and was turned away because I didn't weigh enough...wouldn't have that problem now but.....since it takes them at least 4 times to get a iv going on me....I am scared to try...when they did my upper gi this 2 wks ago....I almost passed out it was weird...my feet and hands were tingly and my fingers spread apart and one side of my lip curled up???? What was up with that??? Stacy *who is now to scared to get iv's*

Standing appointment in my date book every eight weeks - the last time was one week ago. My blood bank gives you water to drink while doing the questions (and I have already gone in drinking water).

I've donated over 2 gallons and it never bothered me at all. Can't donate now and I miss it.

wouldve loved to donate. but first of all 3 vials is all i can handle on a reguler blood test.. they want 5 egads, i weigh about 105 now how much blood do they need? then i just pass right out..no way to get me to come around but those pill pocket ammonia thingys. they gave me oj lots of it, i still wasnt normal for the whole day..next time theyll have to hog tie me. and no giving blood. wish i could..i dont even know what my type is.

Thanks to all the people that do donate. My grandmother has bladder cancer and has to be given blood to replace what she is losing daily. You really realize how important it is when a loved one needs it.

I donate, I think I am working on my 4th gallon. My DD just started donating this year. I have to be careful, I know that when I give blood I need to go straight home. I didn't last week, did a little grocery shopping and almost passed out at Kroger. Thank Goodness DD was with me, she had to drive us home.

I've donated blood 10 times. It would have been more but with three pregnancies and having to wait until six months after, that's cut out a lot of possible donations. :D It's never made me dizzy but it has definitely made me feel tired for a day or two. Make sure that you take it easy! They always make you wait for 15 minutes after you finish before they let you leave and they serve cookies and juice/pop/coffee.

Danielle

When I first got married my Mother In Law and I would go to the fire station in our town and donate each time there was a blood drive. Everything was fine until my last visit. I remember feeling just slightly dizzy. I didn't say anything to anyone about it though, and the next thing I knew there were people surrounding me. They had me lay back and were handing me cookies and drinks. I didn't pass out and I will forever wonder how they even knew that I felt dizzy. Anyway, it was that time when they discovered that I was anemic and they couldn't accept my blood. I have struggled with anemia ever since and never did donate after that. And oddly enough, now it takes all I have in me to not get sick when I have to get just a little blood drawn in order to have blood work done. ????? Go figure.

I've given 4x at my church. I did it for the really cool shirts. lol The 1st time they couldn't find a vein and had me leave. Now I know to tell them they will have trouble but my right arm is more co operative.
I hate needles and can't look at any of it.
I drink gatorade before, during and after.
I have one of my kids drive me home.
I do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. (You've earned it- you saved a life)
I did see 1 lady faint during the procedure and the professionals there know just what to do so even if you're freaking out, they aren't and will make sure you're ok. She took it as a sign to not do it again.

Honestly, I started doing it in high school to get out of class one day! Figured since it didn't bother me, I might as well keep doing it. I was on track for about twice a year. It's free (plus snacks) and I'm helping people! I won't look at the needle etc, but just focus on something else. Nearly everytime I've donated I've seen someone else turn green (literally) or start to faint!

Now that I'm not pregnant/nursing anymore I need to get back into it. I make myself sit for longer then I think I should, as I got dizzy one time. Makes me feel good!!

I used to do it, I did it lots of times. It didn't bother me to look at the needles or anything, and I never felt faint or dizzy. I cant do it any more because I have pernicious anemia.