32 replies to this topic

[brad67]

I've given blood a couple of times lately, and haven't run afterwards.

Does anyone here give blood, and run later that day? Any problems if you do?

I'm thinking it might be a better idea to run beforehand, then stay well hydrated before going under the needle to help save lives, by giving blood. That sounds like a plan.

[zandrsmum]

Hi Brad, I recently had a lot of blood tests just before I was due to run. Although, I did not give the same volume of blood as a donation, when I mentioned to the nurse what my plans were - not thinking she would tell me I shouldn't - her advice was not to due to the increased risk of bruising at the site but nothing more than that unless of course you experience dizziness/nausea or any other feeling that would prevent you training normally. I trained as planned, no excess bruising or any other ill effect. I offer this only as an experience not as advice. K

[Bellthorpe]

Alas they will no longer take my blood; but in the past I've given blood and run the same day without noticing any effects.

[chops]

Bellthorpe, on Feb 21 2010, 01:07 PM, said:

Alas they will no longer take my blood; but in the past I've given blood and run the same day without noticing any effects.

Sorry, 'they' won't allow me to give blood.

Chops

[wazza]

Brad67, your plan works for me. I have given blood for many years and if that coincides with a run, I simply run in the morning and have a couple of extra glasses od water beforehand - no ill-effects whatsoever

[JC1]

TRIED RUNNING ONCE AFTER GIVING BLOOD, WASN'T GOOD IDEA, STRUGGLED BIG TIME. THEY RECOMEND YOU TAKE IT EASY FOR THE REST OF DAY AFTER GIVING BLOOD SO I JUST MAKE IT MY REST DAY.

[WallyGator]

I am up to around 47 donations but only started running seriously last year.

After a whole blood donation, I found that I loose fitness for maybe 1 - 2 weeks.

After a plasma donation I thought I would be ok as they put the red cells back, but the next day my heart rate was higher than normal and I could not go as hard. I was told that was due to the lower volume available to be pumped around - they still took 400 or so ml.

I have now stopped donating in all forms until I am not training for a run.

[Kato]

I've given ~ 100 times: whole blood, plasma and platelets. I've run before and after on the same day, and never noticed any ill effects. Sensible precautions like rehydrating, making sure you feel OK (some people can get a little queasy after the apheresis donations) and listening to your body's feedback should see you through.

Good on you for hardening up and giving blood. I know some people who think they're rough and tough, but they're afraid of a little needle.

[bornagain]

30 plus donor, I try to do plasma as i can donate more often than the three months interval.
I won't train after whole blood or plasma, but dont have an issue the day after with plasma.
Also if your iron levels are low, then I expect it would affect you for more than a day.
I only worry about hydration with plasma.

Good on you for starting up, it would be good to see as many coolrunners as possible sign up, we are in the healthy portion of the community, unlike the poor guys who need the blood!.

[frankie17]

brad67, on Feb 21 2010, 12:28 PM, said:

I've given blood a couple of times lately, and haven't run afterwards.

Does anyone here give blood, and run later that day? Any problems if you do?

I'm thinking it might be a better idea to run beforehand, then stay well hydrated before going under the needle to help save lives, by giving blood. That sounds like a plan.

I feel queasy with needles and blood.

I can be of no help.

In fact, the whole thing is making me feel quite ... faint. ug.

[brad67]

Hmmm, certainly some varied responses so far.

I'm thinking I'll probably go with my first hunch, if I really need to run....I'll go early, stay well hydrated then give in the afternoon, then take it easy.

I certainly don't enjoy the thought of needles, but when you go to places like Westmead Childrens Hospital, and see kids that really need our help, a bit of blood isn't such a big deal.

[Dom]

Brad,

Good on you for going for it!

I've just checked again and i'm still excluded from being able to donate due to CJD concerns as i was in England during all but the last year of the Mad Cow disease problem.

[chops]

Dom, on Feb 23 2010, 02:34 PM, said:

Brad,

Good on you for going for it!

I've just checked again and i'm still excluded from being able to donate due to CJD concerns as i was in England during all but the last year of the Mad Cow disease problem.

This is the reason I can't give blood. Strange thing is, according to the RTA, I am allowed to donate organs.

Chops

[yondi]

I just found out I can give blood. So I will start as soon as I get my doctors permission.

[Bellthorpe]

Why do you need your doctor's permission?

[axltk421]

Chops/Dom - I'm with you; not allowed to give blood as I lived in the UK between 1990 and 2000 (and I've got to stop having tattoos as you are not allowed to give blood for six months in case you contract hepititis). I can however donate my organs.

This does annoy me (should I say irk) as there was a time where I required lots of blood to be replaced and I would like to return the favour!

Good on everyone else who donates!
Cheers!
Wayne.

[yondi]

Bellthorpe, on Feb 24 2010, 03:55 PM, said:

Why do you need your doctor's permission?

I'm a type 1 diabetic they said that's what I need to do.They gave me the paper work for my doc to fill out,I'm seeing her tomorrow.

[Jane06]

I am glad I stumbled upon this, as I have been thinking of giving plasma, and haven't given blood in the last 2 years when I started ramping up my training.

The needles don't scare me about giving blood, actually I find it kind of fascinating and cool that someone else who I will never know will get better with my blood.

I have fainted a few times afterwards, I think due to not being hydrated enough beforehand. I think if I faint once more the Red Cross won't let me come back!

I am hoping that giving plasma will reduce the risk of fainting afterwards. And it is embaressing having to ring work and tell them I won't be there for another hour afterwards, as they won't let me out of the sick bay.

Anyway I will make an appointment for a morning where I have not run that morning, and won't be running till the next day, and see how I go. Will report back end of next week.

[yondi]

I'm all booked in for my first ever donation tomorrow arvo.

[helveticus]

yondi, on Mar 3 2010, 03:27 PM, said:

I'm all booked in for my first ever donation tomorrow arvo.

Make sure you're well hydrated and you will be fine.

I've done 30+ donations - mainly full blood. I usually take it easy for a day or two and never had a problem. In fact about one week after I feel more energized when my body has replaced the old blood cells with new ones. Was thinking of doing this as some kind of 'doping' before my next big run.

Once they filled a whole lot of tiny bags with my blood and I was told it was for a baby waiting to undergo surgery in a hospital nearby. Made me somehow feel very special.

[MichaelD]

I give plasma every month but now my platelets are low so I cant give blood for a while.
I have run before giving blood and tried to hydrate but had trouble getting the blood out and had to pump my hand alot as I was dehydrated.
they always advise not to do any hard work after giving blood so I use that day as a rest day as they dont want us injured or dead!

[blush]

Dom, on Feb 23 2010, 01:34 PM, said:

Brad,

Good on you for going for it!

I've just checked again and i'm still excluded from being able to donate due to CJD concerns as i was in England during all but the last year of the Mad Cow disease problem.

+1 for another mad cow... its frustrating that they haven't come up with a screening test for vCJD... both my husband and I would love to give blood

[chops]

blush, on Mar 3 2010, 10:01 PM, said:

+1 for another mad cow... its frustrating that they haven't come up with a screening test for vCJD... both my husband and I would love to give blood

This may amuse you, I enquired about giving blood a few years ago and was told by a nurse that myself, my wife and my son (born late 1998) won't be able to give blood, because we lived in the U.K. during the late eighties and nineties. My daughter, however, would be allowed, when she is old enough, because she was born in early 2000. I even questioned whether they could use the blood on other people who lived there in this period, not interested.

Chops

[yondi]

Well so much for that.

I can't give blood because looking at today's results I had a hypo and I was 11 this morning. My blood sugar is not well controlled enough even though I have a HBA1c of 6.7.
I said "Well that's about as good as it gets." She said "I should concentrate on getting myself well."

I won't say what I thought but did not say then.........

[Jane06]

yondi, on Mar 4 2010, 12:02 AM, said:

Well so much for that.

I can't give blood because looking at today's results I had a hypo and I was 11 this morning. My blood sugar is not well controlled enough even though I have a HBA1c of 6.7.
I said "Well that's about as good as it gets." She said "I should concentrate on getting myself well."

I won't say what I thought but did not say then.........

That must be so frustrating Yondi, but at least you did more than the majority of the population and tried to donate. I guess they have your wellbeing in mind by not letting you donate, but the call that you should get better is not fair. At least you know it is not true - you are fit, well, with just a little too much juice in the red stuff.

I have not yet worked out which day I can donate plasma, as I am running 5 days a week, so it seems each day I either would have gone for a run in the morning, or am running the following morning. I will work something out soon.

[yondi]

Thanks Jane. I was pretty angry about it yesterday but I'm over it now.Like you said at least I tried.I won't need to feel guilty now when they say how desperately they need people to donate.

Yondi

[Bellthorpe]

I would consider that she had your welfare at heart.

[yondi]

I know but it's still frustrating to be told that when that makes it sound like I'm sick or unwell when in fact in the 9 years since I have had diabetes have never been unwell apart from a cold in winter just like everyone else.

Even on diagnosis I didn't have to go to hospital as my diabetes was discovered by my mum and I accidentally and I went to my GP and told her I thought I had diabetes.

So I would consider myself very well.

Yondi

[greydove]

Its very disappointing to be unable to contribute in a way that appeals to you. But good on you for wanting to. Keep in mind there are a million other ways to help people when you can't donate blood.

I used to give blood, but then I lost a lot of weight (very run down immune system) & was told it wasn't worth their effort for the small amount they would be able to take. Its taking me a while to get around to donating again, but in the meantime, I give to the community in other ways, eg by volunteering, donating jumble, supporting charitable events, etc.

Yondi, your own health is important, and the knowledge you have been gaining through managing that could also be used to help others - even if its just spreading the word to alert other people to what could happen.

[yondi]

Thanks greydove.

Yes on that spreading the word note a friend of mine is a teacher and she asked me to speak to her year 12 class about living with a chronic illness. It was a great experience for me to do it and I hope the kids learnt a lot too.

Yondi

[RNJ]

I used to donate whole blood and if i ran later in the day i would feel very out of breath and generally rather weak. I started donating plasma once a month instead of whole blood and i could run after that no problem.

[crazygirl]

"They" don't want my blood here either, being from England. At least when I move back home in a few months I'll be able to donate again after 3 years of not being able to. Obviously we're all already mad enough in the UK to worry about passing on CJD! No seriosuly, I think there is some screening done for it.
I've never felt any ill effects from donating but I'd choose to run before (not too long) and be well hydrated rather than after donating if possible.

[orlando]

crazygirl, on Mar 10 2010, 01:39 PM, said:

Obviously we're all already mad enough in the UK to worry about passing on CJD! No seriosuly, I think there is some screening done for it.

Not exactly, since there is no screening test available. It's just that it wouldn't be practical within the UK to stop donations from everyone who lived there between 1980 and 1996 - the blood supply would become almost non-existent. However, people who have received or think they may have received a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 are excluded from donating.