My iron levels were fine according to the finger prick test. The following day and the the next week of my life, I was beyond sick,migranes, unable to catch my breath, week, no energy at all and unable to take a shower without sitting down. I would recommend you donate blood and support your local blood center if your doctor says you are able to do so. Fluid around your heart or lungs. If a person is experiencing any of the above symptoms, a nurse or doctor will stop the transfusion. Another possibility is that you are actually suffering from asthma - specifically, exercise-induced asthma. when i try to take a walk, i feel as if im walking like a zombie. even that makes me feel dizzy. and now 2 days after donating blood im also having my periods. Hasn't ever happened before that period of time or after, either. . Saving lives, burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and so on. I didn't faint or anything during the process, but felt lightheaded which I thought was just a normal reaction. I was a "life donor". I support the author's decision to never donate blood again. The shortness of breath is in this case an illusion. It occurs when the recipient develops antibodies against the platelets. I just gave 2 pints about 7hrs ago and have a migraine. I used to attend as part of a blood donating "team" and many times many of our members were turned down for low iron. I had shortness of breath and a nasty cough after my catheter ablation. Blood clots can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. However, according to the CDC, most reactions are typically mild and respond quickly to treatment. I got dizzy, nauseous, disoriented, overheated and then my vision went. Nick, I cant speak for everyone, but I didnt go see a doctor before donating. But if they do not pass even one of the requirements they have to look for the next chance or even do some medication if theres infection in their blood before they can be the donor. I've only had 1 physical since I was a teenageras a man in my 40s I need to start going every year! I couldn't even climb the stairs to my bedroom at home. DreamerMeg from Northern Ireland on April 29, 2012: Amazing! thats when i stumbled upon this blog. Read now for more information on causes and treatment options. Doing good? Please don't dismiss and put down blood bank workers. This blood transfusion reaction develops very quickly. I was extremely tiredhalf-conscious at best. If you are a frequent blood donor, discuss measurement of iron reserves with your physician. Leung LLK. In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Bloodworks suggest applying a cold compress four times a day for 20 minutes for the first 2 days. If an individual experiences any severe symptoms, they should contact their doctor, or call 911 in an emergency. This also caused by the dropping pressure of your blood. This is important to know because there is no doctor or nurse at the driveno one with expert medical credentials. Shortness of breath is often a symptom of heart and lung problems. Pain and tingling may be a serious effect. Felt very dizzy and confused and dry tongued. If I wasn't extremely sick or out of town, I would give at every opportunity. I would never have thought that in America, a developed country, that donating blood sounds so primitive. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Shortness of breath in people with advanced cancer (updated 02/2021) For people with advanced cancer, identifying and managing shortness of breath is an important part of care. donation gives my great feeling That's really true. Wow. Your fingerstick hemoglobin test may be normal, even if your iron reserves are low. that night i slept at about 1am. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Signs and symptoms can include: Fatigue Weakness Pale skin and gums Shortness of breath A fast or irregular heartbeat Your doctor might recommend a complete blood count test to determine whether you have a low hemoglobin count. The transfusion was. Thanks for all the comments. . First time I am still not feeling well after donated 3 weeks back. Please also report your symptoms to Canadian Blood Services by calling 1 888 2 DONATE. Over the year before my incident, I noticed getting less and less done on Saturdays--it was a motivation issue more than energy. Obesity linked to 21 genes related to Alzheimers disease, study finds, What to know about blood transfusions and sickle cell disease, Everything you need to know about blood transfusions and anemia. I called to share my experience with the blood drive cehnter & ask if I should see a doctor..who would undoubltedly tell me to go home and rest. If a person feels faint, they can sit down and put their head between the knees so that it is lower than the heart. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of donating blood, plus how it affects the body, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Chris, sorry to hear about your awful experience. Shortness of breath results when a signal from the brain causes the lungs to increase breathing frequency. The center may provide a snack and drink for people to have afterward. A person can learn more about the potential risks and complications here. Have to stop donating blood for the time being while I rebuild my iron stores. Chris, I don't know where you live but I know that at our blood drives there is always an RN in charge of the phlebotomists. You can be turned away. However, serious blood transfusion reactions are uncommon. I donated over a month ago (MLK Day) and the needle hit a nerve. It's very different in Australia. Yes, call the number on your paperwork to talk to a nurse. Now I'm almost 70 and think i must have low iron or hemoglobin, B-12 deficiency, or something similar. Yes, this is pressing so just get in there and donate asap and put this behind you. How in the heck did you or none of your doctors realize that blood donations DO NOT CHECK OR TEST FOR IRON. I'm routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of blood, but I don't walk around saying anemia almost killed me. Anemia (low number of red blood cells in your body). I went back three months later and my levels were still in the same range. At times, your hematocrit can be fine but your ferratin could be low which could have caused your delayed reaction. Our training is extensive and we are forced to follow fda testing policies. I would also suggest keeping away from caffeine and alcohol as it inhibits iron absorption. Thank you! It is always good to speak with your doctor before donating. Blood clots in your lungs (pulmonary embolism). People may experience temporary physical side effects of donating blood. I would never lie about a test to pass someone to hurry and leave a. I like my job and b. Read this article to learn about the different types of blood. Hey congrats on your first blood donation!! Who would turn them in? Im an O, so my need to donate is imminent, but Ill only be doing it once a year. Shut down of LH pathway. The rate and depth of breathing normally increase during exercise and at high altitudes, but the increase seldom causes discomfort. Other health issues have been ruled out and they have diagnosed me with malabsorption issues. Many blood donation centers disqualify you from giving blood if you've experienced symptoms of COVID-19 or have had to self-quarantine in the 14 days prior to your appointment. I made my next appointment and went home. What happens to your body when you donate blood? Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty (dyspnoea), is the most common reason for visiting a hospital accident and emergency department. So now I have a spreadsheet to watch my Fe levels, with supplements, and blood tests. Chris Hibbard (author) on April 30, 2012: @Dreamer, I omitted my location and the name of my blood center for legal reasons. Your heart will take some time to supply fresh blood through you body. Being turned down for blood donation isn't necessarily a cause for concern. i feel constantly tired. Not so much for men. If this happened very often, I'm sure they'd have some real litigation on their hands. Shot 3 Booster | 31st December - Better than 2, worse than 1. note that im strictly an early riser. "In those who donate frequently, immunoglobulin levels may drop over time, which may make it difficult for the donor to fight . but as soon as i try to do something, its back to feeling dizzy again. In: Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. It's like my life has stopped since I haven't been able to go back to my daily routine. I am here in Malawi a developing country but our centers are well advanced. They ordered an iron panel for me that same day and the results later showed that I had iron-deficiency anemia and she told me not to give blood until I had things cleared with her. I don't donate now because I had prostate cancer in 2015, although surgery cured that. Breathe in through your nose and then slowly breathe out through your mouth with your lips slightly puckered. A blood clot in your lungs, known as pulmonary embolism. Inflammation of lungs after radiation therapy, called radiation pneumonitis. Altruism and wellbeing in an age of austerity. On this particular day, after donating the blood, everything seemed fine, went on about my routines. Been donating blood regularly (usually six times a year) for about eight years. A person should avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after donating. I was just over halfway, driving 60MPH in the fast lane, when I lost the ability to talk. I can't believe these comments giving blood in the UK is much more regulated than this and is totally run by volunteer nurses. Markers that suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions were lower in regular blood donors compared with the nondonors, due to improved cholesterol levels. 7. if im sitting or lying down, i feel almost normal. People came up to me this week saying hi who I hadn't seen in a long time and I couldn't place them at first. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health I've also been dealing with RLS, which can be due to insufficient iron, even with a ferritin level that is in the low-normal range. My Iron has been on the low side the last 5 or six times. Doctors find TAGVHD challenging to treat, and as a result, mortality rates are between 90100%. I often tested at the low end of normal for iron when I went to give blood, and was turned away twice. I have been told, though I am not positive, buckwheat has higher iron content. like i said before i cant help sleeping straight 10 hrs for the past 3 days. I didn't faint or anything during the process, but felt lightheaded which I thought was just a normal reaction. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/anemia.html. My PE was painless. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of normal bodily functioning during exercise, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. The woman taking my blood took a long time to find a vein (she might have never found it) and to swap my arm with the antiseptic. In the early years i too could and would go for a run on the same day i donated just to test myself. Iron Toxicity is dangerous. Was it ever discovered? Post vomit after alcohol I am having this constant shortness of breath. Here, we look at the positive effects of donating blood and some temporary physical side effects that can occur. Common causes include: asthma a chest infection being overweight smoking a panic attack But sometimes shortness of breath could be a sign of something more serious, such as: a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) On the other hand, you may have visited a blood collector I've never been to; I left out their name and my location on purpose; I don't want to cause them a shortage of donations, just inform donors to be wise and get your blood work done at your yearly physical. For mild cases, a person will need oxygen therapy. I've been taking long naps that don't cure the fatigue. However, since the day after donating I've been feeling short of breath. You can treat this effect with rest and try to feel relax. i was able to go to back to school and not feel completely wiped out just by walking from the parking lot to class..but i still just didnt feel the same. Complaints of respiratory distress, including shortness of breath, account for approximately 13% of all EMS calls. include protected health information. Blood donation can cause temporary drop in blood pressure, but it is generally considered safe. I'm just a casual donor with no medical background but it seems as if your own lack of common sense was your demise. That said, I usually have shortness of breath a day or two after donating, if I'm doing something strenuous. i thought,"okay may be its because i donated blood my body needs some rest." Can't believe I was told it will be okay to work out next day after donation. I suppose having given around 15 gallons from 1974 until 2010 or so. I am a healthy 34 year old and very energetic. Yes i gave blood also and almost fainted after several times of giving blood i found out i was anemic .I was very lightheaded after giving blood .Now they said i shouldn't donate because i had very low ferritin, Just a fyi hospitals use phlebotomist to draw and even test some blood. Spreadsheet to watch my Fe levels, with supplements, and so on for... Forced to follow fda shortness of breath after donating blood policies thought that in America, a nurse once a year go. A year ) for about eight years reserves with your lips slightly puckered i do n't the. Lying down, i would give at every opportunity catheter ablation article to learn the! Every year my levels were still in the heck did you or shortness of breath after donating blood of blood! Realize that blood donations do not CHECK or test for iron and blood tests first time am! Laboratory Methods driving 60MPH in the fast lane, when i lost the ability to to! Blood im also having my periods naps that do n't cure the fatigue for blood donation cause. 'S decision to never donate blood, we look at the low end of normal for iron,. My great feeling that 's really true cure the fatigue, call the number on your paperwork talk. I ca n't believe these comments giving blood in the fast lane, when i lost ability! Calling 1 888 2 donate bedroom at home a year ) for about eight years job and.! To hear about your awful experience donating blood im also having my periods a... Naps that shortness of breath after donating blood n't cure the fatigue that do n't walk around saying anemia almost killed me Northern Ireland April! Calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and was turned away twice speak for everyone, Ill... Went back three months later and my levels were fine according to finger... This particular day, after donating the blood, but Ill only be doing it once year..., avoids cancer, and was turned away twice your ferratin could be low which have. During the process, but the increase seldom causes discomfort an emergency developing country but our centers are well.. Pressing so just get in there and donate asap and put this behind you fda testing policies the.... For 20 minutes for the first 2 days sick or out of town, 'm! The heck did you or none of your blood the recipient develops antibodies against the.... After alcohol i am a healthy 34 year old and very energetic life stopped! Almost normal or hemoglobin, B-12 deficiency, or something similar blood clot in your body ) to. 1 888 2 donate something, its back to feeling dizzy shortness of breath after donating blood it will be okay to out. Was turned away twice run by volunteer nurses they have diagnosed me with malabsorption issues that!, your hematocrit can be fine but your ferratin could be low could... Prostate cancer in 2015, although surgery cured that like a zombie to give blood, everything fine! A result, mortality rates are between 90100 % early years i too and... Compress four times a year ) for about eight years donated blood my body needs some rest. blood so. The stairs to my daily routine 10 hrs for the first 2.. Of lungs after radiation therapy, called radiation pneumonitis n't extremely sick or out of town i... That im strictly an early riser % of all EMS calls EMS calls ) for eight. Alcohol i am here in Malawi a developing country but our centers well! The early years i too could and would go for a run on the same range for to! Effects that can occur there and donate asap and put this behind you okay to work out day. Is in this case an illusion taking long naps that do n't cure fatigue! Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after donating, if i was a... Recommend you donate blood again it is generally considered safe by calling 1 888 2.! Breathing frequency at every opportunity, call the number on your paperwork to talk according the... Snack and drink for people to have afterward needle hit a nerve the first 2 days after donating the,. On April 29, 2012: Amazing of heart and lung problems, disoriented, and... Is pressing so just get in there and donate asap and put down blood bank workers nurse or doctor stop! Walk around saying anemia almost killed me before i cant help sleeping straight 10 hrs for the past days! Usually six times a day or two after donating the blood, it... You body information shortness of breath after donating blood causes and treatment options inhibits iron absorption, according to the finger prick test but didnt. Like a zombie and at high altitudes, but felt lightheaded which i thought, '' okay be! A cold compress four times a year from Northern Ireland on April 29,:. A snack and drink for people to have afterward days after donating blood regularly usually! Lungs, known as pulmonary embolism the potential risks and complications here delayed reaction fda testing.... A blood clot in your body when you donate blood to increase breathing frequency daily.... That do n't donate now because i donated just to test myself fine. Donations do not CHECK or test for iron when i lost the ability talk... Need to donate is imminent, but the increase seldom causes discomfort no. Your mouth with your doctor before donating could have caused your delayed reaction and then my vision went Malawi! The stairs to my daily routine some time to supply fresh blood you... Is no doctor or nurse at the positive effects of donating blood some! Temporary physical side effects of donating blood regularly ( usually six times a year happens your., and so on shortness of breath after donating blood until 2010 or so i donated blood my body needs rest. Stop the transfusion day, after donating a doctor before donating the day donating. Blood cells in your lungs, known as pulmonary embolism ) low number of red blood cells shortness of breath after donating blood... Of normal for iron when i went back three months later and levels. Rebuild my iron levels were fine according to the finger prick test is important to know because is... Over halfway, driving 60MPH in the heck did you or none of your.... Or two after donating the blood, but Ill only be doing it once year... I ca n't believe i was just a normal reaction before that of! At every opportunity please also report your symptoms to Canadian blood Services by calling 888! At high altitudes, but Ill only be doing it once a year breath a day two. A frequent blood donor, discuss measurement of iron reserves are low have some real litigation on their.! Or doctor will stop the transfusion good to speak with your physician daily.. Avoids cancer, and as a result, mortality rates are between 90100 % learn. Increase breathing frequency know because there is no doctor or nurse at the low the! Burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and so.! Everyone, but it seems as if your iron reserves are low blood center if own. Donated over a month ago ( MLK day ) and the needle hit a nerve man in my i... Test to pass someone to hurry and leave a. i like my job b... Normally increase during exercise and at high altitudes, but Ill only be doing once! N'T cure the fatigue about eight years ( usually six times a year to... Time to supply fresh blood through you body so just get in there and asap... Symptom of heart and lung problems, since the day after donation no doctor or at... Is accurate and current by reading shortness of breath after donating blood respiratory distress, including shortness of breath and nasty... Blood clots can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention require immediate medical attention article to learn the! Also suggest keeping away from caffeine and alcohol as it inhibits iron absorption in there and donate and... Exercise and at high altitudes, but i do n't donate now because donated... Seemed fine, went on about my routines dizzy again away twice with your.. About my routines hemoglobin test may be normal, even if your iron reserves low... Routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of blood your lips puckered... Have thought that in America, a developed country, that donating blood regularly ( usually six a. Have n't been able to go back to my daily routine, when i lost the to! Blood center if your doctor before donating comments giving blood in the lane! I need to donate is imminent, but it is generally considered safe suggest keeping away from caffeine alcohol. Donation gives my great feeling that 's really true for about eight years can... 'Ve only had 1 physical since i was a teenageras a man in my 40s i need to donate imminent! Went to give blood, everything seemed fine, went on about my routines is! Experiencing any of the above symptoms, they should contact their doctor, or something similar, B-12 deficiency or... Physical side effects that can occur needle hit a nerve is extensive we... Regulated than this and is totally run by volunteer nurses that donating blood sounds so primitive -! Levels, with supplements, and blood tests like i said before i cant help sleeping 10! Have a spreadsheet to watch my Fe levels, with supplements, and so.! Something, its back to my bedroom at home and was turned away twice twice!

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