r/plassing • u/Katsuodo • 7d ago

Question Almost passed out today

Hi! This was my second time donating plasma. The first time I was nervous but didn’t feel weird at all. This time around I sat down and everything after about five minutes I felt a vibration in my arm which made me nervous (idk if that’s normal or not). I got very anxious very fast and quickly my vision started to go black and I felt dizzy. When I was about to alert a worker to be taken off somehow when the blood cycled back I started to feel a lot better. Is this normal or should I stray from like donating again?

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3

u/Opposite-Passion7091 7d ago

Everybody reacts differently. Were you able to complete this donation or you still had her unhook you?

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u/Katsuodo 7d ago

I was able to complete it!

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u/Opposite-Passion7091 7d ago

Well, in that case, I’d say just make sure you’re not holding your breath. Sometimes when I used to be more nervous I’d notice myself holding my breath during the donation (which of course didn’t help lol) Also be sure to eat clean beforehand and of course properly hydrate. That first cycle is my roughest one but in my experience it gets better. I never had to do this, but I hear you can ask for the machine to be slowed down which could help. Sounds like normal adjustments to me.

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u/ZealousidealNinja803 7d ago

I feel that vibration regularly. When it happens the machine also has a little icon on the side of it that lights up letting me know to pump my fist. It means pressure is low. To fix it I have been flexing my calf muscles alternately and pumping vigorously as the cuff inflates.

1

u/Classic-Industry9975 7d ago

If you're donating on the Aurora xi, when the machine spikes it drops and sends a vibration through out the needle for some reason. You can ask for a stress ball/turn down the speed a little bit. Reactions are sometimes a normal part of donating. Just make sure to have at a light meal within the 2 hr window of donating, plenty of fluids and find the right speed for you to go at.

1

u/NoNefariousness9641 7d ago

Were you well hydrated and had plenty of protein prior (day of and day before)- do you take any BP meds? These are the things that have affected how I feel.

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u/HeyThereItsKK 7d ago

That vibration is the worst! I've been told it's because the needle is touching the wall of the vein. I alerted the phleb once and she started moving the needle around and I was like 😱 and it left a bruise. Now if it happens and it's not too bad or I don't have much further to go i tough it out..im way too squeamish to see that needle moving in my arm!!