Passed out while donating blood. Am I not a good donor?

The same thing happened to me every time I tried. I stopped trying.

My wife had the same thing happen to her when she gave blood the one and only time.

You must not be hungry. It is important to eat before donating, and drink water until you slosh. Have a snack right after, like, within five minutes.
If you are not hydrated, you will fold, it is a given.

Next time just drink a gatorade or something before hand. Tell them that you get “orthostatic” (use that word) when you give blood and that you need some extended time lying down afterward. You’re not a bad donor.

Yes, let the person who preps you get orthostatic.

It used to happen to me all the time. I was borderline anemic. I gave up trying to donate.
Did they test your blood before they tried to draw it?

Getting orthostatic actually has nothing to do with being anemic (unless you’re severely anemic). It has to do with an autonomic reflex after giving blood, often related to fluid status.

It also has nothing to do with whether you’re used to it or not. I’m a physician, I’m extremely used to being on both ends of needles. I get orthostatic when I give blood and have fainted. As I said before, now I just drink a fluid bolus before and tell them that I need extended time after to recover (usually 10 or 15 minutes). Then I get my donut and leave.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostatic_hypotension

Some people just get sick when they watch people stick needles into them! It doesn’t particularly bother me. One time it did though, when the lady kept digging around with the needle looking for a vein. Made me nauseated to see the needle working under the skin for so long.

But @Rarebear is a doctor so don’t listen to me.

Hell, I need to lay down when I am getting blood taken for medical purpose. I haven’t even tried to donate blood.

Wait, I have tried but there is/was a law about not giving blood if you’ve had a tattoo done in the last five years. That means I’m never eligible.

I sometimes pass out when giving blood. I have a long history of fainting in medical settings. Or from bloody movies. Or simply reading about injuries or medical procedures.

My theory is it stems from standing on a chair as a 1-year old, tipping over, and pinching off the tip of my finger. It’s still gone, I have a stumpy fingertip.

Whatever the cause, sometimes when I give blood it invokes vasovagal syncope – my blood pressure drops and I pass out.

It happens less and less as I get older. I donated a kidney a couple of years ago and made it through all the testing and the procedure without falling over.

As for donating blood – keep trying if you like! I was black-listed at one office, but before a friend was having surgery I sneaked in at another location and they let me through to donate for her.

If you often have very low blood pressure in daily life I think I wouldn’t try again. If that’s not the case then if I were you I would tell them you have fainted before, drink plenty of fluids beforehand, and give it one more try if it’s important to you.

Don’t feel bummed.

I never give blood. I need every drop of iron I can keep in my body. You know, there are men out there who need to donate (blood let) for medical reasons, I figure that’s the universe’s way of getting blood into the supply. I’m sure some women too, but I assume many more men. Still, there are shortages at times. Giving blood is so important, you get credit for trying.

Also, @Rarebear is a doctor and I would trust his advice on this. Read his answer if you read just one.

Thanks everyone! It’s funny because I’m a nursing student and have done multiple IVs, shots, etc. on patients and I have never passed out. I got the option to shadow in the OR for a week and never once felt faint! I don’t know if it was the pain I felt today (and I have a really high pain tolerance…) or just the autonomic response like you all were talking about.

And now that I’m rereading my question maybe I worded it wrong. I know I’m not a “bad” donor, but would it be wise to donate again in a couple of months?

I still have months to think about it, but I might give it at least one more try. Thanks everyone for the answers!

I got shot and almost bled out. I passed out too.
It’s only a problem if you don’t wake up.

^^word. And thank you—you know what I mean.

Not much to add, I almost passed out once and now I make sure I’m well fed beforehand. No problems since.

I got sick my first time, too -nauseated ad had to lay down on the floor afterward. I learned to make sure and eat a good meal beforehand and drink plenty of fluids, and I’ve been fine ever since.

The first two times I gave blood, I passed out when I was almost done. Once I was lying down, everything was fine. The third time I donated, I warned them before they put in the needle. They had me lie flat the whole time and I was fine.

Unfortunately, the last time I went, I couldn’t give because my iron was too low. :(

I only gave blood once. I don’t remember feeling much of anything. Maybe a bit light headed. But that quickly passed.

Many people pass out after giving blood. That’s why they don’t let you stand up immediately, and then make you eat a cookie and drink some juice afterward. If you are physically nauseated while giving, I would suggest checking with your doctor just to see if there might be a medical reason for it.