NationStates Jolt Archive

I've wanted to give blood now for a long time.
There is however, a small problem with that.
I hate needles.

My blood type is O(-/+,not quite sure which).
My kind of blood type is much sought after,
because it can be given to anyone.
Therein lies my dilemma.

So, my questions are;
Do you give blood?
What blood type are you?
And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?

I'm O+ and unable to give blood due to health issues, however I do have blood tests often and am very icked out by needles, my advice is DON'T LOOK, tell them you can't even see the needle before hand, and close your eyes and put on head phones and listen to music, tell them NOT to tell you when they are about to stick (it adds to your anxiety) and remember it only hurts for a second, after that it's just boring.

I don't mind the normal needles used to take blood for diagnostic purposes, but I hear they use some massive gauge tube for blood donations. So I avoid that. No clue what my blood type is.

I'm O+ and unable to give blood due to health issues, however I do have blood tests often and am very icked out by needles, my advice is DON'T LOOK, tell them you can't even see the needle before hand, and close your eyes and put on head phones and listen to music, tell them NOT to tell you when they are about to stick (it adds to your anxiety) and remember it only hurts for a second, after that it's just boring.

Sorry to hear about the health issues.:(
Thanks for the tip,
but am I wrong in thinking that giving blood takes a lot longer than an ordinary test?
I don't think that I could ignore a needle in me for that long.

Sorry to hear about the health issues.:(
Thanks for the tip,
but am I wrong in thinking that giving blood takes a lot longer than an ordinary test?
I don't think that I could ignore a needle in me for that long.

It seriously doesn't hurt after the beginning. I may be mistaken but I think they don't leave the needle in, just a catheter tube like when you have an IV. If that's true, as long as you are chill and listening to music it won't bother you a bit.

Just take some tunes and lay back and relax and don't look.

I'm A+, and I give semi-regularly.

I was never afraid of needles, but for a while I did have a serious dizziness/fainting problem whenever my blood was drawn (ie: for tests, small cuts, etc). I warned the nurse the first time I gave, and forced myself to look the other way the entire time the needle was in my arm.

The needles they use for blood donation are a larger gauge than what you get for shots, and I do notice a dull ache in my arm while they bleed me (depending on the nurse). But Smunkee's got good advice. It's easier than you may think.

Sorry to hear about the health issues.:(
Thanks for the tip,
but am I wrong in thinking that giving blood takes a lot longer than an ordinary test?
I don't think that I could ignore a needle in me for that long.

I don't know how long an ordinary test lasts, but as for donation they only take a pint, which should take no more than half an hour or so. Usuually to donate a pint it takes me ten minutes(What can I say, I've got massive veins. :D)

It's really not bad at all.

And you have 0- blood, same as me(Being that you said you are a universal donor). Really, we're screwed in terms of blood. We can give to anyone, but can only get 0- blood in transfusions.

1. I'm O+. The Red Cross loves me!
2. I give blood as often as I am able to.
3. Don't look, and make sure you hydrate LOTS beforehand. Its not bad at all-you cant actually feel the needle after about twenty-thirty seconds, and if you are hydrated, the blood just flows out of you. Personally, I'm always done in about two and a half, three minutes. I'm juicy. :tongue:

My blood type is very rare. C+. It means instead of blood, most of the liquid in my body is pure caffeine. :wink:

Close your eyes, put on headphones, do whatever.

The needle really doesn't hurt all that much. Merely a "pinch" at the beginning, and depending on how sensitive you are feeling that day, maybe a bit of uncomfortableness through the process.

And by uncomfortable, I don't mean pain, I mean, like, sitting in a flat, straight back metal chair. Nothing worthy of concerning yourself with.

Face your fear. It will help you when they come for you at last.

Trust me, I know.

I was never afraid of needles, but for a while I did have a serious dizziness/fainting problem whenever my blood was drawn (ie: for tests, small cuts, etc). I warned the nurse the first time I gave, and forced myself to look the other way the entire time the needle was in my arm.This is part of the reason I've not donated before-- I've very nearly fainted (and felt slightly sick) just from a tiny amount being drawn for a test, and I wasn't even stressing about it! So I'm just a little worried about the effect a more significant amount would entail. My type is O+ as well...

I'm O+, and I give when I can. Unfortunately, I have some medical issues that require the occasional medical procedure - and the Red Cross won't allow you to give blood within six months of such a procedure.

As for needles, yeah, just don't look. A good nurse can slip one in so well you basically don't feel it.

I'm an O+ that's not allowed to donate blood in my country (issues regarding my stay in Europe circa early 1990s; they think I may be a dormant holder of CJD or mad cow disease).

If you have issues donting blood and am afraid of needles (perfectly normal by the way), I suggest you go with a group of friends, just to chat with each other. It'll help if some of the friends are at least semi-regular donators, as they will know what to expect.

Oh and please donate blood if you can, blood banks are really running dry these days.
*smacks head over why I always like to eat beef*

This is part of the reason I've not donated before-- I've very nearly fainted (and felt slightly sick) just from a tiny amount being drawn for a test, and I wasn't even stressing about it! So I'm just a little worried about the effect a more significant amount would entail. My type is O+ as well...

Oop. That's actually a medical condition, caused by the sight of blood. It's not really psychological - you get a pressure spike on one of the major nerves, and in major cases POW! - down for the count.

Talk to your family doctor about it. It may be possible to take a corrective medication and still give.

It seriously doesn't hurt after the beginning. I may be mistaken but I think they don't leave the needle in, just a catheter tube like when you have an IV. If that's true, as long as you are chill and listening to music it won't bother you a bit.

Just take some tunes and lay back and relax and don't look.

my g/f donates blood, and they sometimes miss her artery several times, which causes it to be painful according to her.

This is part of the reason I've not donated before-- I've very nearly fainted (and felt slightly sick) just from a tiny amount being drawn for a test, and I wasn't even stressing about it! So I'm just a little worried about the effect a more significant amount would entail. My type is O+ as well...

I was nervous about it, too; I used to get seriously nauseous and dizzy just from nicking myself with a kitchen knife. They lay you out on a sort of chaise lounge, though, which I found reassuring. I've also been told to eat and drink beforehand. Since I've started donating I haven't had any problem with dizzy spells or nausea. In fact I'm better about the cuts now, too.

My blood type is very rare. C+. It means instead of blood, most of the liquid in my body is pure caffeine. :wink:

Heh, thats funny. ,)
"Sleep is an illusion that occurs when there is too much blood in your circulatory caffeine system"

All jokes aside though, I can't help but wonder if my gamer/nerd lifestyle with lots of coke/pepsi and snacks/fast food is going to affect my chance of giving blood.
Just to clarify, I'm not large, or obese.
I'm 175cm and 75kg.
I can eat anything I want and not gain weight.
But all that stuff is still going through my system, and can have some detrimental effects.

my g/f donates blood, and they sometimes miss her artery several times, which causes it to be painful according to her.

They miss my veins quite often when starting I.V.'s and then they think they didn't and start to run the meds, PAIN! Also, when they collapse a vein it hurts and when they have to get an artery line and scrape the bone or poke a nerve.

None of these things should happen often at all when giving blood for "normal" people, your g/f probably has tricky veins which sucks. She might be able to have better luck by over hydrating, but it will probably still be hit or miss.

All jokes aside though, I can't help but wonder if my gamer/nerd lifestyle with lots of coke/pepsi and snacks/fast food is going to affect my chance of giving blood.
Just to clarify, I'm not large, or obese.
I'm 175cm and 75kg.
I can eat anything I want and not gain weight.
But all that stuff is still going through my system, and can have some detrimental effects.

There's an intensive screening process beforehand; I've never been asked anything about my diet, though. The only potential concern I can think of is your iron might be low. Guinness helps with that.

Well, my father absolutely can't stand the sight of blood, but he's figured out that if he just never ever looks at what they're doing, he's okay, and now he gives blood regularly.

I wish it were that easy for me - I have a ridiculous crippling phobia of needles, to the point where, when I rather seriously needed blood tests some years back, my doctor gave me half a dozen Valium beforehand, so that I was only very nominally conscious - and I still had a massive panic attack to the point where the nurses couldn't draw blood. It's not even the pain - I don't honestly mind pain much - just something about the thought of a needle going into me makes me curl up into a little whimpering ball of terror. I'd give blood in a heartbeat (ha ha) if they could just magically take the blood out of me with some equally painful but entirely non-needle-based device. :(

There's an intensive screening process beforehand; I've never been asked anything about my diet, though. The only potential concern I can think of is your iron might be low. Guinness helps with that.

just wondering, how did you come to the conclusion that my iron might be low?

Guinness, the beer I presume.
To bad I dislike beer, and rarely drink at all for that matter.

I do enjoy a good Leverpastej(liver paté) on my smorgoses.

after that it's just boring.

I still hate it.

Even splinters disturb me.

I still hate it.

Even splinters disturb me.

ooh, yes. Splinters...*brrrr*

I've donated twice, but not since I got my tattoos. However they're old enough now that I should really donate again.
I'm A+.
I also do not like needles. I generally just don't look. See if you can bring an iPod or something to listen and distract you. It takes awhile, but it's really not that long, and once the needle is in you can't feel it in your arm. If you've ever had an IV, it's like that.

They miss my veins quite often when starting I.V.'s and then they think they didn't and start to run the meds, PAIN! Also, when they collapse a vein it hurts and when they have to get an artery line and scrape the bone or poke a nerve.

Ugggh, bad technicians with IVs make me punchy. I had an MRI with a dye a few years ago, and it took them 5 or 6 sticks to get a vein... they tried both elbows and then stuck it in the back of my hand, which I effing hate. And I have GREAT veins, I don't know how they managed to miss them.

A paramedic gave me an IV once and they left it in for a day, and when they took it out my vein collapsed. For months it felt like the vein was full of cement, I could feel it under my skin. :(

Thanks for all the help, everyone.
Now I just need to face my fear.
And let it pass trough me.
I will not fear, fear is the mind killer.

Hmm, got to get me an mp3 player.
Always wanted one.
Now it's a perfect excuse to buy one.

I can't give blood because I'm on several medications (anti-depressants, blood pressure meds, and a few others) that make my blood unusable.

And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?

Red Cross Ninjas. They can take it when you least expect it. Hell, you might not even know they were there except for the slight pinch and the orange juice and cookies left for you. *nod*

I'm A+ and I hate needles and therefore never donate.

A+ I think. I haven't given blood, but I wouldn't be averse to it if I had time. Maybe I'll give this year. I'll definitely bring some music, and be fortunate I have enough heavy metal to keep myself distracted.

Heh, thats funny. ,)
"Sleep is an illusion that occurs when there is too much blood in your circulatory caffeine system"

All jokes aside though, I can't help but wonder if my gamer/nerd lifestyle with lots of coke/pepsi and snacks/fast food is going to affect my chance of giving blood.
Just to clarify, I'm not large, or obese.
I'm 175cm and 75kg.
I can eat anything I want and not gain weight.
But all that stuff is still going through my system, and can have some detrimental effects.
Yeah? Well I'm 36.4 kg! Yeah, I know I'm horribly underweight... Anyway, I think I've already had a few detrimental effects through caffeine. Namely, a lack of ability to sleep even when I haven't had caffeine for some time. For me, this is both a blessing and a curse...

I'll be giving blood this spring thanks to MN making it ok for 16 year olds to give blood.

O+. I'm also CMV-, which means they really love me.

I give regularly, preferably double red. Come to think of it, I think I'm due for an appointment...

I don't know what to tell you about the needles. I've never had a particular problem with them. The best I could say is to try and stay calm and you probably don't want to look at the needle at any point, especially not when they're inserting it.

my g/f donates blood, and they sometimes miss her artery several times, which causes it to be painful according to her.

*Veins, not arteries. Hitting an artery would be bad /biology nerd

My veins are deceptively deep and have a tendency to roll. The best one to go for is also at a bit of an angle, which sometimes throws them off. It does hurt when they have to find it and I get some pretty bruises sometimes, but it's something I've learned to deal with.

I think Smunk is right on the overhydrating thing, though. I seem to have less problems with it if I've had plenty of water that day. Also, the whole process is over quicker if you're more hydrated.

I have B-, which is in high demand. I give as often as they let me. If I forget they always call me.

I have good, easy to find veins and am not afraid of needles. Works out nicely for everyone.

I can't give blood because I'm on several medications (anti-depressants, blood pressure meds, and a few others) that make my blood unusable.

Wait, you can't give blood if you're on antidepressants? All of them, or just MAOIs? I take an SSRI and no one's ever told me that! Think of all those people getting my blood... feeling more positive about their day, and not knowing why...

Wait, you can't give blood if you're on antidepressants? All of them, or just MAOIs? I take an SSRI and no one's ever told me that! Think of all those people getting my blood... feeling more positive about their day, and not knowing why...I'm on anti-depressant, lithium and atypical anti-psychotics and the still let me give blood.

I'm O+, I gave my blood a few times, but I'm not allowed anymore... for safety reasons, here, they refuse people who went to a tropical country during the last 3 years, and I went to Ecuador/Venezuela two years ago, to Cuba this year, and I'm going to Ecuador again in the coming months...

And I'm too fond of Latin America to stop going there just because if I do they'll refuse me to give my blood... so sadly I can't anymore :/

--snip--
If you're O-, you'd be very very in demand.
Do you give blood?
Not yet.
What blood type are you?
O+
And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?
Acupuncture. :p

I can do both on you for free. ;)

I've never given blood, because everytime the opportunity comes around something or other has kept me from doing so, despite definitely wanting to.

I don't even know my blood type...

And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?

I used to be the same way, until I got ill and was on a different IV drip every day, given blood transfusions and had a central line installed (don't look that up if you're squeamish). Now I have to give myself an injection every day!

Necessity is the mother of....errr... beating phobias?

The fact is, I realised it was nowhere near as bad as I had hyped it up in my mind to be. It's a tiny scratch, and then you don't feel anything at all. And you'll feel great once you get over your fear and realise you've beaten it.

As mentioned, drink loads of water beforehand, as this will increase the size and visibility of blood vessels. Don't drink anything dehydrating like coffee. Take a book, listen to music, and DON'T LOOK. Don't even look after it's been put in, and you'll forget it's even there.

O+ here. I've given blood a few times (4 to be precise). Last time they turned me away because of low iron levels, but I'll be going back soon.

I've wanted to give blood now for a long time.
There is however, a small problem with that.
I hate needles.

My blood type is O(-/+,not quite sure which).
My kind of blood type is much sought after,
because it can be given to anyone.
Therein lies my dilemma.

So, my questions are;
Do you give blood?
What blood type are you?
And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?


I used to, I can't anymore, something about anti - E antibodies? Just do it, it don't hurt.

just wondering, how did you come to the conclusion that my iron might be low?


It was a supposition, not a conclusion. You said your diet may exclude you from giving blood, and low iron is the only dietary factor they check for in the pre-screening. If you're eating liver pate you're probably fine.

I've wanted to give blood now for a long time.
There is however, a small problem with that.
I hate needles.

My blood type is O(-/+,not quite sure which).
My kind of blood type is much sought after,
because it can be given to anyone.
Therein lies my dilemma.

So, my questions are;
Do you give blood?
What blood type are you?
And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?
I'm A-, and I cannot give blood because I have a chronic condition that makes my blood undesirable. However, I very strongly support the practice. If you can donate blood, PLEASE DO!

If you are scared of needles, here's some ideas:

-Tell the person drawing the blood that you have a problem with needles. Let them know your concerns. Most folks are REALLY good about handling this, if you clue them in.

-Don't look at the needle. The person drawing your blood can warn you when they're getting out the needle and such.

-Go with a friend, and have them distract you and talk to you while you're giving blood.

-I have to get my blood drawn a lot for tests, and I absolutely wig out at the feeling of a needle in the back of my hand. (I can deal with arm, leg, anything else, but not hand.) One thing I've noticed is that if I don't move the area with the needle, I can't really feel it. The problem is that if I think about not moving, I'll twitch involuntarily. Kind of like how if you're carrying a full cup of water you actually have more trouble with spilling if you concentrate on the cup too hard. So, instead, I focus my attention on some other body part. Like I flex my other hand open and shut very deliberately, or I touch each finger to my thumb one at a time.

but am I wrong in thinking that giving blood takes a lot longer than an ordinary test?
I don't think that I could ignore a needle in me for that long.

The time it takes depends on a lot of factors, but if you're young and healthy then it shouldn't take long at all. It usually only takes me four to five minutes from the needle going in; just remember to keep making clenching and unclenching your fist and you'll be done in no time.

I am no longer allowed to give blood because I go to west Africa once a year and you're not allowed to donate a year after going to Africa, so... yeah. I also had malaria last year, so even if I didn't go to Africa for another year (just got back to America on Tuesday), I'd be out for three years after the malaria. I also am moderately anemic, so even before going to Africa, I was turned down a few times because my iron was too low.

I'm A+.

And just suck up and do it. I used to be mortified of needles, but after donating, they don't bother me at all. Just don't watch it go into your arm. Take an iPod or a person to talk to and just zone out. Drink a lot afterward too.

I'm always a little annoyed that I can't give due to having had a blood transfusion.

It was 24 years ago, I think I would have noticed AIDs by now.

I have O negative as well.

Do you give blood?

No, I haven't been allowed to in quite a while as I spend too much time overseas.

What blood type are you?

B+

And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?

Just relax and let it happen. Also, don't look. I used to be terrified of needles but after getting poked countless times I'm now capable of giving myself an IV while hung over.

what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?
don't watch them as they prep and insert the needle. I tend to dig my finger nail into the area right above my thumb nail to distract from the pain.

a headset with your fav MP3's would also help.

Blood for the Blood God!!!!!!?!?!?!?!@?!?!?!?!?!?@?@?@?!?!@/!?@!?!?!?!

I'm medically exempt as well. Besides, I really need my blood!

Blood for the Blood God!!!!!!?!?!?!?!@?!?!?!?!?!?@?@?@?!?!@/!?@!?!?!?!

In this case I think Khorne actually would care from where the blood flows.

Red Cross Ninjas. They can take it when you least expect it. Hell, you might not even know they were there except for the slight pinch and the orange juice and cookies left for you. *nod*

Wonderful way to combine this (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/study_most_children_strongly) with this (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/ninja_parade_slips_through_town).

I have O+, HCV- blood as well, but they don't let you donate if you ever test positive for Hepatitis C, even if they're really sure based on follow-up studies that it's a false-positive. I don't have Hepatitis C; based on the transmission methods (blood-to-blood contact), it'd be more likely I'd have contracted it from spontaneous generation than from anything I've done in my life.

So, my questions are;
Do you give blood?Yes.
What blood type are you?A common one.
And what would you recommend to someone who is afraid of needles?
Get someone who's even more scared of needles to go with you and laugh at them.

I'm always a little annoyed that I can't give due to having had a blood transfusion.

It was 24 years ago, I think I would have noticed AIDs by now.

I have O negative as well.

Shit really? That has never been an issue for me.

I'm AB negative. Therefore, all your bloods are belong to me.

I'm AB negative. Therefore, all your bloods are belong to me.
Hell no. Only if you're AB+.

My blood can kill ya.

Hell no. Only if you're AB+.

My blood can kill ya.

Damn you positive!!! Oh well, at least all your negative bloods are belong to me...

Damn you positive!!! Oh well, at least all your negative bloods are belong to me...
Which comprises less than a third of the population. :p

Which comprises less than a third of the population. :p

God damn it. Oh well, the good die young.

God damn it. Oh well, the good die young.
That's why my goal is to die early.

I just made an appointment to give next week.

*trying to be a good influence on NSGers*

=)

I'm going on the 10th August, as soon as I can prove I definitely, definitely don't have malaria.

*update*

Me, my sister, and one of her friends have decided to test ourselves at a nearby hospital (or the "blood bus", that travels around the country) at the nearest convenient time.

I think I will probably make it there at least.
Just hoping that I wont chicken out at the last moment.
It is likely though...No, must.not.think.like.that.

Oh, and also, overjoyed and amazed at the amount of responses. Thanks.

Is it just me or do a large part of those posting here have O?

*update*

Me, my sister, and one of her friends have decided to test ourselves at a nearby hospital (or the "blood bus", that travels around the country) at the nearest convenient time.

I think I will probably make it there at least.
Just hoping that I wont chicken out at the last moment.
It is likely though...No, must.not.think.like.that.

Oh, and also, overjoyed and amazed at the amount of responses. Thanks.

Is it just me or do a large part of those posting here have O?

Good luck! It's not as bad as you think, I promise. =)

Also, O is the most common blood type, so you would expect to see a lot of people who are type O. =)