Does Donating Blood Hurt?

I am actually quite nervous tomorrow to give blood because of my fear of needles and the pain.

My question to all of you is.. does it hurt when the needle goes in?

It just feels like someone giving you a good pinch. Just be sure an keep your arm elevated over your head for like 5 minutes after they pull the needle out so you don't start squirting everywhere.

A little, just don't look. You get a free t-shirt out of it.

Yes, a little. I'm a big chicken and can't even look when they stick it in, and I have no pain tolerance. But it's really tolerable once it's in so don't worry too much. And don't look/watch.

A little, just don't look. You get a free t-shirt out of it.

kidsmelly

I love to look.

Growing up, my aunt was training to become a f...ph...phablot....Phlebotomist, and she used her son and myself to practice. After the first few days it didn't matter anymore.

Initially theres a slight sting. After 20 minutes, I was feeling very very cold. Most likely because of the AC and the fact I was wearing light clothing though. I couldn't really move my arm too much that day after I donated blood. I wouldn't worry too much.

Its just a pinch initially, after that its completely fine.

Initially theres a slight sting. After 20 minutes, I was feeling very very cold. Most likely because of the AC and the fact I was wearing light clothing though. I couldn't really move my arm too much that day after I donated blood. I wouldn't worry too much.

CommanderShiro

Were you giving blood or plasma? I know when you donate plasma they fill you back up with saline, and that stuff makes you cold because it's at room temp (which is cold compared to your core body temp).

Doesn't really hurt, just a little pinch/sting when they put it in, thats it. As for when your actually pumping out the blood, I like to see how fast I can fill the bag, keep sqeezing that stressball! :P

There's a bit of a pinch when the needle goes in but after that its smooth sailing. You should be aware though that your arm might be a bit sore afterwards, and you might feel a bit light headed. For me I was unfortunate enough that since my immune system took a bit of a hit after losing the blood I quickly caught a rather nasty bug.. so remember to take it easy afterwards and stay away from the sickies.

You might get a bit woozy and have a bruise where the blood was taken from but thats it. Nothing hurts.

.

I don't know, I haven't given blood yet.

Coach says that I shouldn't cause I work hard to get my blood all thick with cells and I shouldn't give that away.

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]

Initially theres a slight sting. After 20 minutes, I was feeling very very cold. Most likely because of the AC and the fact I was wearing light clothing though. I couldn't really move my arm too much that day after I donated blood. I wouldn't worry too much.

br0kenrabbit

Were you giving blood or plasma? I know when you donate plasma they fill you back up with saline, and that stuff makes you cold because it's at room temp (which is cold compared to your core body temp).

I donated blood for the first time a couple weeks ago and yes it stings a little. They also drew blood from both of my arms so pray that doesn't happen to you. Just think it's for a good cause and that it's nothing compared to other people diseases or what some people go threw in war.

I've never donated blood before, but I'm assuming it's pretty much the same as doing a blood test. It hurts as much as a regular needle, but it feels weird knowing that there's a needle stuck in your arm lol. I've always hated needles, so I tense up a little bit during the process. Just try to relax as much as you can and think about something else and it'll be over soon enough lol.

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]

Initially theres a slight sting. After 20 minutes, I was feeling very very cold. Most likely because of the AC and the fact I was wearing light clothing though. I couldn't really move my arm too much that day after I donated blood. I wouldn't worry too much.

br0kenrabbit

Were you giving blood or plasma? I know when you donate plasma they fill you back up with saline, and that stuff makes you cold because it's at room temp (which is cold compared to your core body temp).

I can't donate blood :(Sajedene

Why not?

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]

Initially theres a slight sting. After 20 minutes, I was feeling very very cold. Most likely because of the AC and the fact I was wearing light clothing though. I couldn't really move my arm too much that day after I donated blood. I wouldn't worry too much.

CommanderShiro

Were you giving blood or plasma? I know when you donate plasma they fill you back up with saline, and that stuff makes you cold because it's at room temp (which is cold compared to your core body temp).

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]

Were you giving blood or plasma? I know when you donate plasma they fill you back up with saline, and that stuff makes you cold because it's at room temp (which is cold compared to your core body temp).

carrot-cake

[QUOTE="Sajedene"]I can't donate blood :(muffincakes87

Why not?

[QUOTE="carrot-cake"]

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]Hmmm maybe. I do know that when I donated, I volunteered for a process that took much longer than usual.

CommanderShiro

Not at all, but you might feel like fainting.

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]

[QUOTE="carrot-cake"]
How long? About 40 minutes being hooked up to the machine? Or longer? If longer, then probably was platelets.

carrot-cake

I live in the US. And I remember red blood coming out of my arm. But I know my blood went into some contraption that had like 2 or 3 bags. One of the bags was a yellowish color?

CommanderShiro

Plasma, saline and anti-coagulant were the three bags. You were donating plasma.

[QUOTE="muffincakes87"]

[QUOTE="Sajedene"]I can't donate blood :(Sajedene

Why not?

Thank you for pointing out the weight thing because a. I just realized I haven't actually donated blood, so yay me for giving accurate advice to the OP. :S and b. I have a question. If you've tried to donate previously, but couldn't, do the blood bank people continue to call you to get you to come in and try again?

[QUOTE="carrot-cake"]

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]Mind is fuzzy, but I know I was there for at least 40 minutes.

CommanderShiro

[QUOTE="CommanderShiro"]I live in the US. And I remember red blood coming out of my arm. But I know my blood went into some contraption that had like 2 or 3 bags. One of the bags was a yellowish color?

br0kenrabbit

Plasma, saline and anti-coagulant were the three bags. You were donating plasma.

[QUOTE="Sajedene"][QUOTE="muffincakes87"]

Why not?

binpink

Thank you for pointing out the weight thing because a. I just realized I haven't actually donated blood, so yay me for giving accurate advice to the OP. :S and b. I have a question. If you've tried to donate previously, but couldn't, do the blood bank people continue to call you to get you to come in and try again?

Hmm, well they would have to draw red blood no matter what, Im guessing you were donating plasma because of the colour of the bag.

carrot-cake

Not that I know of. I've never been contacted ever. I just showed up to a blood drive once and got turned away.Sajedene

Mkay, thanks. I tried once at a blood drive as well but didn't get turned away til I'd go thru ALL the paperwork and lots of waiting. It was my fault for not knowing all the rules though, technically, and my exact weight. A woman has called me several times now about trying to donate again and it's getting old and I'm debating whether or not it'd be rude to tell her to buzz off. I feel bad cuz I know it's a good thing to do... but I just can't. And it doesn't help any when she calls and always gives me the impression that she thinks I'm lying to her about why I can't go.D:Who'd lie about helping sick people??

[QUOTE="muffincakes87"]

[QUOTE="Sajedene"]I can't donate blood :(Sajedene

Why not?

I somewhat have tiny veins too. When I donated they check both my arms and they found one on my right. The stuck me and I sat their for 10 mins. When the nurse came back she said not enough blood was coming from that vain so they had to prick my other arm. It was dreadful.

[QUOTE="Sajedene"] Not that I know of. I've never been contacted ever. I just showed up to a blood drive once and got turned away.binpink

Mkay, thanks. I tried once at a blood drive as well but didn't get turned away til I'd go thru ALL the paperwork and lots of waiting. It was my fault for not knowing all the rules though, technically, and my exact weight. A woman has called me several times now about trying to donate again and it's getting old and I'm debating whether or not it'd be rude to tell her to buzz off. I feel bad cuz I know it's a good thing to do... but I just can't. And it doesn't help any when she calls and always gives me the impression that she thinks I'm lying to her about why I can't go.D:Who'd lie about helping sick people??

anybody who is able to should go and donate blood. it does not hurt, although for some people it would be uncomfortable. it's totally worth it, anyway.