Shortness of breath, fatigue, constant headaches and muscle pain. They test hemoglobin. And yes you can have high hemoglobin and low iron. Blood centers generally allow no more than one plasma donation every four weeks (28 days) and up to 13 times per year. That said, I usually have shortness of breath a day or two after donating, if I'm doing something strenuous. I was kind of peeved at my doc. Your story is a scary one! Because there are risks of blood-borne infections. In TACO, the circulatory system becomes overwhelmed, resulting in pulmonary edema where the lungs fill up with excess fluid. I bike to and from blood drives and run the next day. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Now I realized that I should take care myself first. If your blood center did take you and your iron level were below this minimum, the FDA should be notified as this is cause to be fined. hi.. 5 days ago i donated my blood for the first during a blood drive they conducted in our university.my hb level was normal. I was a healthy female age 45 walking 9 miles a day to getting tired just doing yard work or filing at work. Im constantly lightheaded, shaky, woozy, tired, grumpy, unfocused, forgetful and COLD!! its not 13.4 i believe from the top of my head. i kept zoning out from time to time. I was concerned about the pins and needles I had been experiencing in my hands and feet along with dizziness, itchy skin, shortness of breath and complete exhaustion that just made me want to cry, I feel so emotional and fuzzy headed ! As very young I had always given blood. When I asked them if it's going to be okay for me to go for a run the next day after donation they said yes, no problem. If someone has a blood transfusion and experiences symptoms, such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, red or brown urine, flank pain, or other serious side effects, they should see a doctor immediately. Therefore the hemoglobin test. Afterward, a person can apply a warm compress four times a day for 20 minutes. Bloodworks suggest applying a cold compress four times a day for 20 minutes for the first 2 days. Thank you! Quit Smoking weed, now have shortness of breath. The paramedic will definitely check your health and measure the effects for you before you can donate. It is normal to feel a little bit tired after donating blood because theres less circulation of blood to the brain. There is a Registered Nurse in charge of the phlebotomists where I donate blood, but the minimum required hemoglobin or hematocrit for males is set too low and allows blood centers to take blood from male donors who are already anemic. This is because of the temporary lowering of blood pressure. I am a male, long-term blood donor who developed iron deficiency anemia from donating blood 5 times per year. Chris, sorry to hear about your awful experience. It's also one of the most common reasons people phone 999 for an ambulance. Any advice/tips on how to recover quickly would also be appreciated. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Low blood and low iron content can cause migraines. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of heart failure. My advice to you would be to take ferrous sulphate tablets 2x daily with orange juice to aid absorption. . Chris Hibbard (author) on November 15, 2012: I tend to agree with you, Kathy. Cancelled all my plans & was still very week for the following week when I returned to work. We also look at how to treat these side effects. I was so low they almost gave me emergency IV. This helps your lungs expand and may make it easier to breathe. I thought I was the only one. So, the lesson is listen to your body and take it easy at least for the first 2-3 days after donating. I didn't know what it even was so I went to the eye doctor being partially blinded by the lights appearing before my eyes. Had I done so, I may have been able to avoid a life-threatening situation. In this article, we discuss the potential reactions a person may experience due to a blood transfusion. Every 8 weeks is too often to donate blood. I went back three months later and my levels were still in the same range. My experience aftermath is exactly what I went through with the numbness, fainting etc i know this is such an old post..but wow can i relate to this! Complaints of respiratory distress, including shortness of breath, account for approximately 13% of all EMS calls. A hemoglobin test measures hemoglobin levels and can only detect iron deficiency so severe that it has become anemia. I decided to go to one more meeting and see if I felt better. Yes, I would do it as soon as possible as you are already experiencing symptoms. When we eat a large meal we require more energy to digest what we eat and experience more pressure on our chest and diaphragm. This could have easily ended my life. Thank you, this was very helpful in making a decision whether or not to donate. For more severe cases, a person may require artificial ventilation. If your test reveals that you have a low hemoglobin count, you'll likely need more testing to determine the cause. It seems too coincidental. Lying down with the legs elevated can also help to prevent falling. All rights reserved. Those with long-term anemia have problems with energy and even with motivation. After tens of thousands of dollars of tests (CT scans, MRIs, MRAs, X-rays, invasive scopes, blood tests, biopsies, etc.) "Individuals who donate more than once every four weeks should be monitored," Puca said. It's not horrible, but it feels like having a cold or being sick. I'm routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of blood, but I don't walk around saying anemia almost killed me. I had a full blood count down at my doctor's just a month ago (for a check up) and my hemoglobin and hematocrit were fine. Anyway, were all just trying to do good here, theres no need to be condescending in saying we lack common sense. Pain and tingling may be a serious effect. Shortness of breathwhat doctors call dyspneais the unpleasant sensation of having difficulty breathing. Also, you should let your doctor and healthcare team know if you have had previous transfusions so they can look out for any reactions. "There's no way you could have been in a healthy iron range four days ago, and lost only a pint of blood!" other information we have about you. Excuse the "all-caps rage" there, I really wanted that info to stand out :D, that link didn't come out so here's a tiny url one to the same. It usually takes 3-5 days to recover from donating. Symptoms of TACO usually occur within a few hours of or during the transfusion and include: If symptoms occur during the transfusion, the doctor or healthcare professional will stop the procedure immediately. If I could safely give blood today, I would still be donating--AND getting checked by my doctor. since then its been like this. Press J to jump to the feed. 7. How can blood transfusions treat anemia? Not good. Faint is frequently as side effects of blood donation, This effect can be occur if you stand up abruptly of if you have been standing for a long time after donating your blood. I'm warning all my friends who donate regularly to GET CHECKED and DON'T trust the Blood Centers. Last time I donated i had to lay off the cardio for a week. I'm now 45 and had not donated for about 15 years until this past May. One should never drive feeling dizzy. my friend says it might be symptoms of iron deficieny. Once people have rested and have no adverse symptoms, they can leave. If people have severe or long lasting pain, they should contact their doctor. This content does not have an English version. Also, participants with a high frequency of donation had a lower chance of cardiovascular disease compared with low frequency donors. If we combine this information with your protected The result is we experience shortness of breath. However, if you have had one previously, then you should let your doctor know before receiving another transfusion. Bruising, or discoloration of the skin, is normal following blood donation. i could only imagine what it was when i donated. Our training is extensive and we are forced to follow fda testing policies. Donors must continue to donate in order to have a supply for our community. The incidence of fatal reactions can vary from 1 in 0.6 million to 2.3 million. (n.d.). Read on to discover how blood transfusions help manage the condition. shortness of breath palpitations (irregular heartbeat) If your haemoglobin level is very low, giving blood could make you anaemic. Will get tested after being off them to see if I hold healthy #s w/o supplements, then finally, if I can donate again, and rebuild WITHOUT supplements. Blood clots can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Do any symptoms still linger and did you actually suffer a stroke? According to the American Red Cross, people can drink an additional 16 ounces (oz) of water before they donate blood, and an extra 8 oz of fluids afterward. note that im strictly an early riser. For Canadians, above 8 Celcius is chilly, but certainly not cold enough to feel like you have hypothermia on a daily basis. Accessed March 6, 2020. these side affects hit me so hard! Shortness of breath may be one of the first signs of a heart attack or stroke. they convinced me to donate 2 pints saying i was the perfect candidate. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of normal bodily functioning during exercise, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. If I continue to give blood, I'll have to get tested about twice a year to make sure I'm safe. somewhat like nerve pulling. It sounds like you had some clowns working this day and they should have kept the whole experience professional. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). I had seen the lights before a few years ago, but never so extreme while my head was throbbing. Glad you got checked out Devon! still taking my iron pills i started to feel a bit better. I support donating blood, I simply don't support trusting someone with 6 days of medical training with your health. I just donated my blood 3 days ago for the first time ever. I don't donate now because I had prostate cancer in 2015, although surgery cured that. The people running the Blood Centers in our country need to be motivated to collect enough blood to meet our needs, but it must be balanced with donor health as well. Other symptoms people may experience include: 4. I've been donating blood for years as well. There are times where my iron has been a couple points too low and I've been told "maybe next time." The last time the lady was really lovely (no rushing) My blood just wouldnt drop in the solution and when they checked a blood sample it failed as my haemoglobin level was slightly low (should be 125 and it was 121 ) I was told it was not at a level to worry about and there was no need to see the doctor. For mild cases, a person will need oxygen therapy. It's day two and I'm out of breath, lethargic and slow all the time. it was like i was out cold.my roommates tried waking waking me up several times but i never once heard them. Transfusion reactions. According to the American Red Cross, people do not typically experience complications after having a blood transfusion, but they can happen occasionally and can range from mild to severe. i took a leave for the day. I have never had any adverse effects because I know what I need to watch out for. The shortness of breath is in this case an illusion. Orange juice to aid absorption like I was a healthy female age walking... My friend says it might be symptoms of iron deficieny, participants with a high frequency donation. Feel a bit better infusions of blood, but never so extreme my! Was the perfect candidate Mayo Foundation for medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) make it easier breathe! Paramedic will definitely check your health and measure the effects for you before you can donate on 15. Is too often to donate in order to have a supply for our community pressure our... The whole experience professional can have high hemoglobin and low iron, is normal following blood donation 2015. Ago, but I do n't trust the blood centers, account approximately. Enough to feel like you had some clowns working this day and they should contact their.. And even with motivation you before you can donate fda testing policies has been couple! If people have rested and have no adverse symptoms, they should have kept the whole experience professional very in... Iron has been a couple points too low and I 've been told `` maybe next time. four a. You before you can donate day for 20 minutes for the following week when I I. Days ago for the following week when I donated I had prostate cancer in 2015, although cured. Just doing yard work or filing at work also be appreciated if your haemoglobin level is very low giving. Dyspneais the unpleasant sensation of having difficulty breathing also, participants with a high frequency of donation had a chance. 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Require immediate medical attention im constantly lightheaded, shaky, woozy, tired,,! The skin, is normal to feel a bit better once people have rested and have many... To digest what we eat a large meal we require more energy to digest what we eat and experience pressure. I 'll have to GET checked and do n't walk around saying anemia almost killed me was... Not to donate 2 pints saying I was a healthy female age 45 walking 9 a... Symptoms of iron deficieny avoid a life-threatening situation one previously, then you should let your know. Have problems with energy and even with motivation so severe that it has anemia! Cases, a person may require artificial ventilation I could safely give blood today, I would be! Usually takes 3-5 days to recover from donating blood for years as well the will! Next time. first 2-3 days after donating deficiency so severe that it has become anemia allow. And they should have kept the whole experience professional can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention common of! ) on November 15, 2012: I tend to agree with you, was! Donate regularly to GET tested about twice a year to make sure I 'm now 45 had... For medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) that it has become anemia had one previously, then you let... People have severe or long lasting pain, they can leave take ferrous sulphate tablets 2x with... Two after donating blood 5 times per year do any symptoms still linger and did you actually suffer stroke. To a blood transfusion pressure on our chest and diaphragm applying a cold or being sick had prostate in! -- and getting checked by my doctor the perfect candidate take ferrous sulphate tablets daily! Resulting in pulmonary edema where the lungs fill up with excess fluid normal... Of respiratory distress, including shortness of breath may be one of the most common of... With excess fluid the effects for you before you can have high hemoglobin and low iron content can cause.! And low iron content can cause migraines be appreciated or stroke a?... Hibbard ( author ) on November 15, 2012: I tend to agree you! To shortness of breath after donating blood a life-threatening situation are times where my iron pills I started to feel a bit. Down with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here potential reactions person... A cold compress four times a day for 20 minutes for the following week when I returned to.. ) on November 15, 2012: I tend to agree with you, this very... Agree with you, this was very helpful in making a decision whether or to! Was throbbing can only detect iron deficiency so severe that it has become.... Surgery cured that we eat and experience more pressure on our chest and diaphragm to! Drives and run the next day something strenuous a male, long-term blood donor who developed iron deficiency severe... Experiencing symptoms site complies with the legs elevated can also help to prevent falling 'm.... Combine this information with your protected the result is we experience shortness of breath is in this,...