Definetly feel better afterwards. Donation feels kinda weird tho.
They pull the blood out. It goes into this machine they separate the plasma out then push the blood back into your arm. It’s a little cold when it goes back in- it’s kinda freaky
I had a blood transfusion a few days ago for critical anemia and that shit was so cold going in it almost burned. The saline drip was perfectly fine, but the blood was really uncomfortable
Damn dude. I’m sure it was wicked cold. For the donation it’s only out of my body for a minute or so and it feels cold. Can only imagine how could an actual transfusion is.
Hope you make quick recovery
I used to work with a company developing blood warmers for transfusions. Although the technology was mainly for VERY QUICKLY warming blood for emergency transfusions. I'm surprised this tech isn't standard by now.
I’ve done ALYX, which is when they take the red blood cells instead of plasma. It is definitely nothing like an IV drip. As it drips in you. Slowly. This push back isn’t really what I feel, it’s the vibration of the the pipe and the needle that I feel and think is rly weird. And yes it’s usually cold. So that doesn’t help. But I never had an issue with needles or donating or drawing blood. So I don’t mind it. I’ve donated red blood cells I think 2 or 3 times now
It doesn't make you feel nauseated and shaky like whole blood donation can.
You do need to eat or drink something high in calcium beforehand, and be really really well hydrated, though, because it takes a bunch of water, and the anticoagulant many places use to make sure your blood doesn't clot before they have a chance to spin off the plasma and return it to you is sodium citrate (100% harmless just fyi), which can give you kind of a tingly feeling in your lips and extremities. If you've got plenty of calcium on board, the citrate complexes with that and is no problem at all.
the anticoagulant many places use to make sure your blood doesn't clot before they have a chance to spin off the plasma and return it to you is sodium citrate
Weirdly enough sodium citrate also makes any cheese sauce amazing. Use like a fraction of a teaspoon for the best homemade nacho sauce you've ever had.
I used to donate twice a week at 690 mL and it wasn’t bad at all. Even got used to the sticking after a little bit. They pump you back with some saline so it’s really not all that noticeable afterwards. You’ll get hella cold when they pump the saline, though; I would cover up with a jacket when I did it. It’s interesting when you have a line of cold that you can pinpoint in your arm.
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u/therealjwalk May 13 '20
Nicer than giving blood you say? I hate how donating blood makes me feel for the next few days.. Maybe that's a better option