I donated plasma

sillylilykitty · 11-06-2007, 12:53 PM

Last Saturday I went and donated plasma with my older sister and her boyfriend. My sister ended up not being able to because they couldnt get a needle in her vein (they had 3 unsuccessful tries). I did it and it didnt go so well, the nurses had to help me (the only way they could was to talk to me). I would feel very hot and cold at the same time and I felt like I was going to faint. It happened 3 times 2 when I was getting my cells back (since they only take the plasma) with the saline and the other time was afterward (about 10 minutes after leaving the place). I need to go in again and do it all over again if I want my sample to be helpful (not to mention to get another $40). They said if my body reacts the same way I can't donate anymore after that.

I think I will try again this Friday. I hope everything goes well because I want to be able to go in and help people and get some money too.

Cheetah · 11-06-2007, 01:06 PM

You're brave! I wouldn't be able to donate blood or plasma or anything like that, because I've got an insane needle phobia (i.e. they'd have to chase me through the parking lot screaming with the needle). <<;

I had to take Xanax last time I had to have my blood tested. >@_@<

sillylilykitty · 11-06-2007, 01:45 PM

He, you sound like my friend, scared of needles. I'm not afraid of them, I just don't want to watch them put it through my skin or even worse, into my vein.

lovemygreys · 11-06-2007, 02:00 PM

I always wondered (mostly when I was a poor college kid LOL) how much people got for donating plasma. How often can you give it?

Sorry to hear you had some bad side effects. Hopefully all will go smoothly next time!

sparkybeagle · 11-06-2007, 02:12 PM

Good for you. I had to pick up plasma from the lab for a patient the other night. It is really weird to hold a bag of plasma or blood for that matter and think that it came from one person and going into another.

Jak · 11-06-2007, 02:50 PM

Yup very brave. I do well with small needles. But when its big and deep, like when they give you a blood test, I hate how it feels. Good luck!

Kiira · 11-06-2007, 02:55 PM

Wow... I don't think I could ever donate blood or plasma... Just the thought of it makes me dizzy. Last time I had a needle stuck in my arm I thew up...

You are indeed very brave...

sillylilykitty · 11-06-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jak

Yup very brave. I do well with small needles. But when its big and deep, like when they give you a blood test, I hate how it feels. Good luck!

They didnt even use a big needle for it, they used a small butterfly catheter, like this one: http://narang.com/images/disposable_...alpveinset.jpg

If it was a big needle...I dont know, I guess I would still do it, I just don't watch them put it through the skin either way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

I always wondered (mostly when I was a poor college kid LOL) how much people got for donating plasma. How often can you give it?

Sorry to hear you had some bad side effects. Hopefully all will go smoothly next time!

I think you are allowed to donate every 2 days (you must come in 2-14 days after your first sample), that is how long it takes for your body to replenish your plasma (or at least thats what I remember them saying). The first time you give you get $40 the 1st and 2nd time you come in, then depending on your weight $25 the 3rd time and either $35 or $25 the 4th and $25 the 5th and so on. If my body does well next time I think I will go in once a week, since I make no money now and Christmas is coming up I would like my own money for presents.

Mdawn · 11-06-2007, 04:11 PM

Good for you!! You are much braver than me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah

You're brave! I wouldn't be able to donate blood or plasma or anything like that, because I've got an insane needle phobia (i.e. they'd have to chase me through the parking lot screaming with the needle). <<;

I had to take Xanax last time I had to have my blood tested. >@_@<

Your like me then. I have a very difficult time with needles. Also, it isn't just the needles that freak me out...the idea of actually taking blood from me makes me uncomfortable. I can get a shot it I have to (I'll stall for a long time though) but I can't have someone taking something from me.

I know, I'm weird....

digits mama · 11-06-2007, 04:20 PM

I know people that would have died without people like you giving your own for another.. KUDOS to you sillylillykitty.

lovemygreys · 11-06-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

I think you are allowed to donate every 2 days (you must come in 2-14 days after your first sample), that is how long it takes for your body to replenish your plasma (or at least thats what I remember them saying). The first time you give you get $40 the 1st and 2nd time you come in, then depending on your weight $25 the 3rd time and either $35 or $25 the 4th and $25 the 5th and so on. If my body does well next time I think I will go in once a week, since I make no money now and Christmas is coming up I would like my own money for presents.

Interesting...that's not a bad "part time job" I suppose LOL How long did it take?

Needles dont bother me really. Though, a few weeks ago they had to draw blood at my doc's office to check my thyroid levels and my arm hurt for *days.* Felt like they plunged the needle THROUGH my arm, not just into my vein. I usually give blood every time the Red Cross sends me the reminder to do so, but haven't since we moved to SC 2 years ago

Just haven't gotten around to finding the closest donation center. Maybe I should give plasma instead and make some $! LOLOL

sillylilykitty · 11-06-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

Interesting...that's not a bad "part time job" I suppose LOL How long did it take?

Needles dont bother me really. Though, a few weeks ago they had to draw blood at my doc's office to check my thyroid levels and my arm hurt for *days.* Felt like they plunged the needle THROUGH my arm, not just into my vein. I usually give blood every time the Red Cross sends me the reminder to do so, but haven't since we moved to SC 2 years ago

Just haven't gotten around to finding the closest donation center. Maybe I should give plasma instead and make some $! LOLOL

It took a long time! But most of it was waiting in line and then the free physical and all the questions they ask to make sure you are fit and everything is in the ranges (Total protien, packed cell volume and plasma evaluation). They said if it's your first time it takes around 2 hours and if you are returning it takes however long in line plus around 30-40 minutes for the actual donating plasma part. They had tv's playing a movie everywhere in that facility (waiting room and where you donate).

nlkeple · 11-06-2007, 06:31 PM

My husband used to give plasma, but here they only give 15-20 dollars. I imagine it could be different now because this was years ago. He always did it because his mom is an ER nurse and endorses it. I never could because my iron levels were always to low.

Renoman · 11-06-2007, 08:25 PM

I've donated plasma in the past. The initial visit to register took forever. There was paperwork, blood work, about 9 million questions....

The actual donating visits took about 1 hour but seemed like forever while lying there waiting for the machine to go through the process.

When I did it they paid (if I remember correctly) about $45 - 50 dollars. I'd do it again if there was someplace close by.

FilleBelle · 11-06-2007, 08:29 PM

I don't mind the physical reality of needles, but the idea of something in my vein sucking my blood out of my body disturbs me greatly. I always go to give blood when the Red Cross reminds me that it's time, but I also cry from the moment I walk into the donation center to the moment they sit me down at the snack table and hand me my cookies. It's extremely embarrassing.

Renoman · 11-06-2007, 08:42 PM

If I thought about what was happening - I got a little creeped out. Hey, they're taking my blood - sucking stuff out of it and giving me back empty blood - and they expect me to replenish the stock. Well, that's an exaggeration but you know what I mean (I hope).

The first time I went I was scared senseless. But lying there thinking I was going to get paid for lying on my butt (and it was totally legal

) put things in a much better light.

sillylilykitty · 11-06-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renoman

If I thought about what was happening - I got a little creeped out. Hey, they're taking my blood - sucking stuff out of it and giving me back empty blood - and they expect me to replenish the stock. Well, that's an exaggeration but you know what I mean (I hope).

The first time I went I was scared senseless. But lying there thinking I was going to get paid for lying on my butt (and it was totally legal

) put things in a much better light.

Yeah I don't think about it like that when I'm actually there, or I would freak out.

I was pretty scared, I could control it and calm myself easily though, only by putting my trust in God.

StevePax · 11-07-2007, 09:15 PM

I did it when I was in college. We could go twice a week - the first time it was $15. The second time in the same week was $20. First time in the second week was $15 again, and second time in the second week was $25. If you skipped any, you had to start over again.

Every time, I laughed that they called it "donating" plasma, like we were all there doing it from the bottom of our hearts. I was there doing it from the bottom of my empty pockets, and it wasn't a donation of any kind! I was prostituting my plasma. And when I'd recruit others to come with me, I'd get a referral bonus, and suddenly I became a plasma pimp.

Good times. I'm glad their over, years ago, but they were good times.

sillylilykitty · 11-07-2007, 10:22 PM

I dont think I will be able to go that often. I only have 2 arms! I have only gone once almost a week ago and my arm hasnt recovered yet, I still have a small bruise that hurts when I move my arm too quickly.

I have to admit if I wasnt getting money for this I wouldnt be doing it. But the thought of helping other people is definalty a bonus and rewarding to me. There are many things I could do for money, many I will never do.

Im starting to get nervous about my second visit....I should stop thinking about it..

sillylilykitty · 11-10-2007, 08:55 PM

I went in on Friday to get it done and they wouldnt let me donate. They asked me a bunch of questions about what happened afterward and everything and then they said I hadnt eaten enough so they had me eat some more food. By the time it was time to prick my finger and everything I was so stressed out, my blood pressure was too high so they said I had to come back another time

I was too busy to do it today (friends baby shower) so now I hope I can get it done tomorrow.

Now that I finally know what to eat I need to stuff my face before I go and bring snacks for the waiting room (they said that is why I had a bad reaction the first time, I didn't eat enough before hand).