Blood donation question

[SetzKitten]

Today was my second time donating blood. The first time I had no problems at all. It was fast, painless and I felt like I could do this on a regular basis. Today was a different story. As soon as the nurse (are they nurses?) put the needle in my arm, it started throbbing and stinging (I know a little stinging is normal, but this was awful). Another nurse came over and adjusted the needle. It didn't get any better. About 15 minutes into it, they said the blood had stopped flowing and they were going to pull the needle out and they would have to throw the donation away because it wasn't complete. Is it normal for this to happen? Does it happen often? I'm so sad that all that blood (I'd say we were about 3/4 done when it stopped) is just no good. Now I'm freaked out about going again.

 

[HaleyB]

I don't think that happens often. It sounds like a bad stick. I can't donate, but I sure do 'give' a lot of blood. I used to have really good viens, but of late I am needing to get stuck more than once. I hate that.

It really shouldn't sting at all. They should to wait untill the alcohol dries all the way, but many people don't.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I chose to receive chemo through my arm instead of a port. They placed large bore needles (similar to what blood has to go through) many times. Sometimes it throbbed and sometimes I barely noticed it. Seemed to be luck of the draw.

If it happens again you could ask them to place it in a different location because a) it hurts and b) you don't want it to go to waste if it doesn't work properly (although not all IVs that hurt don't work properly).

Good luck. If I were you I wouldn't let it stop me from giving blood in the future, it's a great thing to do.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It's not supposed to hurt. You might try drinking a lot of water before you give next time to "pump up" your veins. It really helps. I give blood, too, and have found that when I drink a lot of water before giving blood (a day to a few hours before) the nurses have an easier time to find my veins.

 

[georgina]

I've had that problem. Sometimes they just don't get the needle in the right place to get the blood. It does sting a little initially, I thought they once told me there was a little anticoagulant on the needle? Once I had a bad stick and ended up with a bruise that covered half my arm (a week before my wedding, luckily I had a long sleeved dress). I wouldn't give up after one problem - at least give it one more try. I gave lots of blood for years, but had to stop because i only have one vein they like to stick and it was getting all scarred up.

 

[janette]

Mine clotted before finishing the last two times, I bruise pretty badly too from the needles. I haven't talked myself into trying again yet. The technician did tell me to try drinking lots of water as Mary Jo said.

 

[mrsmom]

The last time i gave blood this happened to me but it happened in the beginning and they took the needle out and a different nurse put it in again and it worked again. But from the first needle stick cause my arm to hurt and be sore for three weeks . But i know it won't stop me from donating again.
Kim

 

[krcit]

Oh,no. That's too bad that the blood was wasted. I've never had an experience like that and I've given blood about 15 times. Hopefully it was just a fluke and next time will be a breeze!!

 

[Stacey2grls]

They aren't nurses they are Phlebotomists. It really is luck of the draw with pain level. Sometimes a nerve is hit, sometimes you are more dehydrated.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Sounds like a bad stick. The phlebotemist probably didn't get the stick in completely or deep enough, which stunted the flow. Don't let it deter you. I've only had it happen once, and I ended up with a bad bruise, but other than that I was fine. It turned out that I was dehydrated. Next time you go, drink more water before hand, and drink while you're giving as well. *hugs*

 

[MouseWorshipin]

If it "stings" that is usually because whoever inserted it didn't wait for the alcohol to dry, and some of it went in and stung you. Why they had to stop, I have no clue.

Don't let it deter you! Giving blood is a wonderful thing to do!

 

[ShannonRT]

I have given over 2 gallons of blood in my lifetime. They come to the hospital where I work and I donate 4 times per year. The phlebotomist probably was in a vein right next to a nerve this time and that's why it hurt and stung. They don't use alcohol, they use betadine. At least my local Medic blood bank does. It should be brown in color if it's betadine. Next time have them try the other arm and be sure you're well-hydrated.

I've never had any problems, but my friend at work has clotted off her needle twice and they had to discard her blood. She was pretty bummed too, because it seemed like such a waste. Everyone's blood is different thickness and some people's flow out faster than others. Mine is very fast and I'm usually the first one done if we all go in a group.

Good luck next time. Donating your blood is a good human thing to do.

I would also like to encourage everyone to consider joining the bone marrow donation registry too. There are thousands of people that die everyday while searching for a match for a bone marrow transplant. I was called to donate 2 years ago after being on the registry for 9 years, but the patient died during the final work-up before the transplant. Please PM me if anyone would like any information.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

They don't use alcohol, they use betadine.
I would also like to encourage everyone to consider joining the bone marrow donation registry too.

You're right! They use betadine when I donate, too.

I second the bone marrow thing!

Keep giving!