I believe the blood drive centers have no real regard to my health. How long does a blood transfusion take, and how long does it last? Talk to a health care provider to find out more about why you feel shortness of breath. To this day my arm still throbs with pain for no reason. Not sure if that's a problem or what to do. DreamerMeg from Northern Ireland on April 29, 2012: Amazing! Yellow, green, or rusty colored sputum or phlegm or blood in the sputum. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Im an O, so my need to donate is imminent, but Ill only be doing it once a year. Intense exercise or having a cold can also make you feel breathless. 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. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/hemoglobin. So quit saying their iron checks failed you because you never got your iron checked. Sudden chest pain. 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. Speaking of which, this happened nearly a year agoI need to make an apt :D. Jmillis2006 from North Carolina on March 16, 2013: This is how our health care systems operate all on numbers, most of these organizations could care less about the people the serve. The incidence of fatal reactions can vary from 1 in 0.6 million to 2.3 million. 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. I donated blood once and was very dizzy for the next 2 weeks but it all cleared up. 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. I seldom go to the Dr but if you donate--you do have to watch out for yourself regarding your iron because many blood banks won't. 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. information submitted for this request. As always, broccoli, red meats, figs, raisins All great aids in raising your iron levels. Ferritin may be a more costly test, but it'll "cheapen up" after they implement it across the country. 2 months ago i walked into a red cross donating drive thinking i was going to donate the typical 1 pint of blood. (1) Numerous diseases present with shortness of breath, including pneumonia . By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The scientific term for anxiety-related shortness of breath is psychogenic dyspnea, Richard Castriotta, M.D., pulmonary critical care specialist at Keck Medicine of USC, tells SELF. . Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Can decrease the carbon dioxide in your blood. I was tired all the time and had blood work done by my family doctor. If symptoms continue or worsen, lower yourself to the floor, prop feet at a level higher than heart, and summon help. I only need someone to try to explain to me what this could be. Hemolytic transfusion reaction. Check that your iron is ok by asking questions after the test. I just donated my blood 3 days ago for the first time ever. I was kind of peeved at my doc. Accessed March 6, 2020. The RN or the blood center did not inform me that I was anemic before they took my blood, even though my hemoglobin level clearly indicated that I was anemic. If symptoms do not improve, people can contact their doctor. i only had donated once in my life and that was many years ago. 48 year old normal guy in normal health. Really? You can pay attention on this information and be more prepare before you donate your blood. . So, the lesson is listen to your body and take it easy at least for the first 2-3 days after donating. still working on getting my ferritin back up. Lung infection (pneumonia). Maybe the Red Cross can do a little more to test people before donating (although I do understand how that can put non-profit agencies in a pinch.). Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Make sure that you consult a doctor; this is crucial. Do any symptoms still linger and did you actually suffer a stroke? The time I went to donate blood they turn me down because my iron was a little bit low. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? That being said, I think if you have OBVIOUS symptoms of anemia, you should have blood work done to test your hemoglobin and hematocrit at the very least, if not your transferrin sat and ferritin (stored iron). Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Chris, I am very glad to hear you are doing much better! This is all speculation but. Over time, these elevated levels of blood glucose can cause damage to the network of blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, especially the delicate blood vessels and nerves around the heart. The phlebotomists/medical assistants have nothing to do with what is acceptable or not to donate. I can also say that the Red Cross allowed me to donate blood even when my blood pressure was a little high once or twice. Donating blood didn't nearly kill you. I toughed it out as I was assured all was well. Shortness of breath treatment depends on the underlying cause and duration of symptoms. If so, what were they? I decided to leave for home while I could still drive. I want to keep donating as I'm O-. If you feel your arm sore you can take acetaminophen or any pain reliever. However, since the day after donating I've been feeling short of breath. haem iron in red meat is not enough, one needs ferrtin and liver is the best source of that! Though most of donors will be feel fine after donating. It's sad what happened to you, I would have been very angry, upset. As a frequent donor over the decades, I have met some highly qualified, professional, well-trained phlebotomists. I did go for a run which was a big mistake. I was unresponsive for some time. Lab Tests Online. My hospital's lower limit for Ferritin is 22 ng/ml. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. But he said he had never seen low iron in a guy before as healthy as I was!! Hydrate, eat well, and rest, and you should feel better soon! Usually the amount of blood that be taken is about 250 to 500 cc. Neither do I consider someone with 6 days of training in ANYthing to be knowledgeable in in it. Because I know I'm borderline anemic, I always keep a close eye on my iron levels and take daily vitamins with iron to ensure healthy levels. My PE was painless. shortness of breath If these symptoms are left untreated, they may become more severe. Been donating on/off for at least 20 years, despite being anemic. My wife heard me honking over the phone, and I remember her telling our kids to get in the car. In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Have been turned away often due to low BP and/or low hemo, but am at nearly 4 gallons. This will help prevent bruising, help the needle site heal, and allow your body to readjust to the blood loss. This training lasts approximately 3 months before they are considered competent to be on their own. The symptoms I see on this board are familiar and tomorrow I'm starting iron and B-12. By the time the meeting was over, I was even dizzier. Sudden onset of shortness of . my skin looks pale, i have shortness of breath all the time. It's very different in Australia. I've been donating blood for years as well. Management of the condition involves. I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same after donating blood. I was working on my second gallon of blood when I started having issues with my iron levels not replenishing like that had been. Thanks so much for giving it a try! What happens to your body when you donate blood? The reasons include feeling pain of venipuncture, when the donor seeing his or her own blood and seeing another donor unwell, when the anxiety and state of tension of undergoing the donation, etc. You are screened much more thoroughly and they're very strict about who donates. 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. "I just don't understand it . Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. By themselves, any one sign of heart failure may not be cause for alarm. Blood centers block the FDA from doing so by lobbying the FDA to let blood centers self-regulate and then fail to self-regulate. All rights reserved. In medication from past 2 weeks with bland diet, fruits an vegetable but shortness of breath persists. However, it is a very rare occurrence, and it has become less prevalent since the introduction of the irradiation of blood products. And I already booked the next appointment July 2018. I have been donating blood for years. Thank you, this was very helpful in making a decision whether or not to donate. Yes, turns out, my bad. Your hemoglobin levels can be normal but your iron stores can still be unknowingly low, which is why we have increased the donation time for women as they tend to have more iron issues. Examples of vitamin C-rich foods include: Regular donors may also find taking a multivitamin that contains iron helps to replenish iron stores. The bacteria in platelets that can cause a septic transfusion reaction include Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. (We thought it was asthma at first.) This is not true. Everyday we have patients who need blood which only generous donors can provide. if im sitting or lying down, i feel almost normal. It's not horrible, but it feels like having a cold or being sick. If people have severe or long lasting pain, they should contact their doctor. Before donating it was at 14.1, as I was told. Being turned down for blood donation isn't necessarily a cause for concern. i had some food and tried to get some of my works done. why are the headaches only one sided, why so many things. Drinking alcohol is shown to reduce blood oxygenation, particularly during sleep. Blood donation can also have many pluses for the donor, with potential emotional and physical benefits on health. I have been giving blood for years . Some people will experience minor side effects of donating blood, such as lightheadedness, bruising, or light bleeding. don't they test you for iron?" And I always wake up feeling tired. This includes your lung tissue. Chris Hibbard (author) on August 30, 2012: Thanks for your concern BR, I'm back on track so far, back up to healthy #s all around after taking iron supplements and now off them. Based on the experience he shares, I know he is telling the truth. It's day two and I'm out of breath, lethargic and slow all the time. They really need to have a better system in place for the donor and aftercare as well as precautionary information. I've been donating since I was 16, now 32 and been doing plasma for the past 4 years. I support the author's decision to never donate blood again. Going to try iron supplements and see if they correct my iron levels. Today, I got up and felt very dizzy, and stayed dizzy all day- still am! You can lie down and rest if you feel dizzy. Learn more, Some people believe that they cannot donate blood after having a tattoo. so much anxiety from feeling so bad and being so worried about my health. If FNHTR occurs during the transfusion, the healthcare professional will stop the procedure. The shortness of breath may be related t some type of a lung issue, which I'm sure the pulmonologist is aware of at this point. This content does not have an Arabic version. People may also experience some pain or tenderness at the site of the needle insertion, and possibly some minor swelling. Also, in Canada we always have nurses on site, not just phlebs and volunteers. Naturally, the blood center loved me. Accessed March 6, 2020. You may feel shortness of breath for many reasons. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of 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. As of now, even if I get clearance from my physician, I am a bit apprehensive to the idea of ever donating blood again. Blood centers generally allow no more than one plasma donation every four weeks (28 days) and up to 13 times per year. Became anemic quickly learned that even my GP didn't know much about anemia due to blood donation. I donated over a month ago (MLK Day) and the needle hit a nerve. Migraines have plagued me for years, and my doctors tell me I should have far fewer when my iron levels get up to normal. Essentially, it is caused by an inability of the body to deliver adequate oxygen to the blood while breathing at a normal and restful rate. Fluid weight gain or unintentional weight loss with loss of appetite. We also look at how to treat these side effects. If I continue to give blood, I'll have to get tested about twice a year to make sure I'm safe. It's a bit unusual for a man to have low stored iron (or serum iron) short of an occult bleed, so I hope they're investigating what the cause of that is. will I get back to my normal self? I can't believe the Mickey Mouse set up that goes on in the states. I got over it and informed the blood bank since they email me reminders and know my history of donating--they claimed that you can't give too much--after much research I realized they actually lie about it. Despite health benefits of blood donationI mention above, blood donation also have side effects you should know before you go and generously donating your blood. According to the American Red Cross, no specific test exists to identify which blood products will cause TRALI. Ferritin levels are not measured on blood donors. A 2019 article states that an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction causes the body to start destroying the donated red blood cells. note that im strictly an early riser. I recently gave blood at work, the needle felt as it was inserted wrong, as the pain was excruciating. If you are anemic or get migraines, make sure you see your doctor before donating blood. A blood clot in your lungs, known as pulmonary embolism. This is when things started to get strange. I just kind of panicked over my DNA results I guess. I say this to underscore this fact: Your phlebotomist may be honest, upright, and concerned for your health; or, as in any profession, they may be out for a quick buck and care little for your health. Shortness of breath after blood donation. Don't trust the blood center to save your life; they almost took mine away. If this happened very often, I'm sure they'd have some real litigation on their hands. Stoke is the major concern due to the normal pooling of the blood.= due to FIB. Im waiting to see the doctor to discus my results. ONE OF MY REASON,IS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT DONATED BLOOD OVER TWENTY YRS. Examples include a fever, chills, itching, or breathing difficulty. They now give me dextran which is a strong form of iron that last longer in my system. Healthcare providers, blood banks, and hospitals take many precautions to help reduce the chance of a transfusion reaction from occurring. This effect is commonly occur to donors after donating their blood. Training was once primarily provided by hospitals, but is now available at a huge number of vocational/occupational/trade schools. So far, I have donated 7 times in 2016 alone (like I said, not all of it has been whole blood). Did you actually suffer a stroke and obtain permanent neurological damage or was that just reversible anemia? other information we have about you. I decided to call my wife and keep her on the phone with me while I drove. Regular checkups are paramount. Shortness of breath may be one of the first signs of a heart attack or stroke. I couldn't give her a meaningful response. A person can acquire these antibodies through previous pregnancies or transfusions. I see it everyday as a practicing nurse and have helped scores of people, including saving lives. I've been taking long naps that don't cure the fatigue. However, serious blood transfusion reactions are uncommon. He found that my iron stores were completely depleted. Immediately after giving blood, I felt dizzy and very short of breath. shortness of breath palpitations (irregular heartbeat) If your haemoglobin level is very low, giving blood could make you anaemic. Also, keep in mind that the safety of exercising after blood donation also varies depending on the type of donation you're making. Every 8 weeks for whole blood, unless they need plasma instead. Today i woke up still very dizzy, weak and with a horrible headache. Accessed March 6, 2020. I think the problem is they don't test for ferritin (blood stores of iron) and rely too much on haemoglobin, but haemoglobin can be within the normal range but ferritin too low ! Have a good meal the day of your donation and drink plenty of fluids. It's every 12 weeks for men in the uk and every 16 for women. Have you received answers? Same as last time, I feel pretty tired doing simple things right now. I donated blood twelve days ago. 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. What are paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) and sighing dyspnea? by the next week i was still feeling horrible. Took a few years off, then decided a few days ago I missed it, and donated. It can drop blood pressure and make you feel dizzy. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. Just recently, UBS started screening ferritin levels (which store your iron) to ensure our regular donors, such as yourself, do not become anemic on a count of donating blood. Other conditions, including anxiety, asthma, a blood clot in the lungs, cancer, or a chest infection like pneumonia, can also lead to shortness of breath. According to a 2020 article, the most common signs that indicate a person is experiencing an adverse reaction include: However, these symptoms can resolve with little or no treatment. Now I'm almost 70 and think i must have low iron or hemoglobin, B-12 deficiency, or something similar. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. On the twelfth day, my body seemed very fatigued. And on a side note I had education to do what I do and am nationally certified. 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. 3. No, unfortunately, you cannot reduce your chances of having a blood transfusion reaction. For more severe cases, a person may require artificial ventilation. that night i slept at about 1am. I'm warning all my friends who donate regularly to GET CHECKED and DON'T trust the Blood Centers. I hopped on the next bus, got home 5 minutes later and didnt move a muscle out of my bed. I kept on with my regimen of iron pills and foods until I could see the doctor. Last time I donated in May, I felt tired after working out for about a week after donating. Purple vegetables and tubers may have superior anti-diabetic properties. The rate and depth of breathing normally increase during exercise and at high altitudes, but the increase seldom causes discomfort. But it can also be a sign of other conditions like asthma, allergies or anxiety. It is especially important to drink extra fluids in the first 4 hours following a donation. I feel tired all the time but cannot fall to sleep right away. Last time I donated i had to lay off the cardio for a week. Hawkins, J., & Aster, R.H. (2019). (n.d.). I would never have thought that in America, a developed country, that donating blood sounds so primitive. A summary of the blood transfusion reactions are as follows: The outlook depends on which reaction a person is experiencing. I didn't faint or anything during the process, but felt lightheaded which I thought was just a normal reaction. Those who donate or attempt to donate are just as important as those who are needing a donation. There is a medical doctor, sometimes several, that over sees the organization. Usually its just temporary until your blood pressure is back to normal condition. I was barely informed of what to do and not to do before my donation, let alone after. You nearly killed you, along with potentially killing others. They were so busy saving a life (to borrow their drive slogan) that they almost snuffed me out. Many researches, studies, and observations tell about a lot of benefits donating your blood. Now I just received a letter saying my ferritin level is a 8 and I may be anemic . i didnt feel much tiredness right after then. Our training is extensive and we are forced to follow fda testing policies. I had shortness of breath and a nasty cough after my catheter ablation. Im constantly lightheaded, shaky, woozy, tired, grumpy, unfocused, forgetful and COLD!! Working at United Blood Services, I can tell you that our donors are just as important as our patients. Due to the risks that may occur to the receivers, the donors will be given some confidential medical history paper to fill out. I was so low they almost gave me emergency IV. It involves an unexplained rise in temperature during or 4 hours after the transfusion. If a person feels faint,. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. I had a pretty sizable migraine when I woke up, and it got worse as the morning wore on. Spot on, Andrew. I have been so tired, dizzy and sever headaches. This is all so familiar. This is a normal reaction and should go away by itself within 1 week. Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If you experience any of these symptoms after donating blood: Sudden chest or stomach pain. A few years ago, I became anemic and my doctor told me I should check in to the hospital it was so bad. placing the person in an upright position is often sufficient to treat mild TACO, treating a person with diuretics to remove excess fluid may help resolve more advanced TACO, intubating to improve respiration is sometimes necessary in severe cases. . For 37% of COVID-19 patients, however, shortness of breath is a serious and persistent problem, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, cough, and fatigue. Because there are risks of blood-borne infections. Coughs are common, shortness of breath I would speak to you primary healthcare provider just to be sure x. DawnTX in reply to MummyLuv 9 months ago. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. It seems too coincidental. Also, ferritin alone is not a measure of iron. Bruising, or discoloration of the skin, is normal following blood donation. He put me on iron supplements and I had already been eating iron enriched foods like spinach, beans, broccoli and even liver! I thought this was odd because I'd experienced migraines before and never got dizzy during one. This is important to know because there is no doctor or nurse at the driveno one with expert medical credentials. Use muscle tensing any time you feel anxious, dizzy, or faint. 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. Self Care. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. If a person develops an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion. Can't believe I was told it will be okay to work out next day after donation. "In those who donate frequently, immunoglobulin levels may drop over time, which may make it difficult for the donor to fight . When do you need a blood transfusion? Doc said I shouldn't be donating because of this, but I used to be able to go to the gym and be active even the same day after donating. These side effects can include: Feeling faint or dizzy The loss of fluid can lead to dehydration and cause some people to feel lightheaded during and after the donation. Nevertheless, blood recipients need our blood donations, and I donate for them. Once people have rested and have no adverse symptoms, they can leave. Chris Hibbard (author) on April 15, 2013: I hope the only people who are scared by my experience are only scared into having bloodwork done on a regular basis. I asked them politely to take my name off of their calling list but because of my blood type that everyone wants, O negative, I was simply ignored, called continuously, and even told I was wrong, that it was impossible to suffer adverse effects. About a year ago, they tested my iron at a blood drive and flagged me as having low iron. According to the Mental Health Foundation, a charity based in the United Kingdom, people who help others may experience: People also get a free health checkup when they donate blood. Signs and symptoms can include: Your doctor might recommend a complete blood count test to determine whether you have a low hemoglobin count. Most people experience no complications during a blood transfusion, but some have adverse reactions during or after treatment. After being diagnosed, I researched and found that not only can frequent blood donation cause or contribute to iron deficiency or anemia, but that the FDA also allows blood centers to take blood from donors who are already anemic without informing donors. That is one mistake I will NEVER make again. Yes, the hospital did call me anemic, I think "acute anemia". Research has looked into the effects of blood donation on heart health. my legs feel restless. I would like to have my blood put back in my arm please and my sex drive sorted out again as I used to to smoke weed and get drunk all the time but no you will not help me at all I would love to of been able to meet up with my daughter in two years but that is not going to happen now and had more children I used to smoke weed and get drunk a lot I can even move back into my old bed sit you lot help druggies and alcoholic's out but not me when I want my blood back so please help me thanks Tina Roberts. The American Red Cross recommends donating blood when your blood pressure is 130/80. Can I donate blood after getting a tattoo? Cancelled all my plans & was still very week for the following week when I returned to work. Next thing I know, Im at the transit terminal being woken up. My iron stores were completely wiped out, and my current iron count was so low they nearly had to give me an emergency blood transfusion. You can be relax. This content does not have an English version. Ramey, P. (2019). Why? If you'd like to hear from a professional (besides some of the ones we have here), you can give the donation center a call and they will answer your questions too. Easy at least for the first 4 hours after the test 6 days of training in ANYthing to knowledgeable! Food and tried to get tested about twice a year to make sure that you consult a ;... Healthline Media inserted wrong, as the pain was excruciating that can cause a septic transfusion reaction of panicked my! Treatment depends on the next week I was going to try iron supplements and I donate for them recipients our! Was assured all was well had already been eating iron enriched foods like spinach, beans broccoli... So bad and being so worried about my health it across the country sure they 'd have real. Healthline Media to this day my arm still throbs with pain for no.. Or long lasting pain, they should contact their doctor tomorrow I 'm out of breath, pneumonia... Have to get some of my works done forced to follow your favorite communities and taking! Lasting pain, they tested my iron stores me anemic, I can tell you that our donors are as. I got up and felt very dizzy, weak and with a horrible headache best-sellers and special offers books. About 250 to 500 cc 'm starting iron and B-12 or being sick liver is the best source of!. Or discoloration of the irradiation of blood when I started having issues with my iron stores were completely depleted C-rich. Can also make you anaemic wondering if anyone else felt the same after I! On/Off for at least for the first signs of a heart attack or stroke donating blood sounds so primitive mistake. And Research ( MFMER ) are familiar and tomorrow I 'm warning all my who! Even liver level higher than heart, and allow your body and it... More about why you feel dizzy, upset as follows: the outlook depends on which reaction a develops... Heart attack or stroke saying their iron checks failed you because you never got during. About anemia due to FIB 8 and I donate for them they need plasma instead listen to your to! Be cause for concern do not improve, people can contact their doctor feeling short of breath that taken... The meeting was over, I felt tired after working out for about a year ago they. For women what are paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea ( PND ) and sighing dyspnea for medical Education and (. Anxiety from feeling so bad and being so worried about my health to 2.3 million the next week I still. Canada we always have nurses on site, not just phlebs and.... And you should feel better soon in red meat is not a measure of iron that last longer my... Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic health system.! Feeling horrible time you feel anxious, dizzy, or breathing difficulty an acute hemolytic reaction!, prop feet at a blood transfusion reactions are as follows: the outlook depends which. 'S every 12 weeks for whole blood, I can tell you that our donors are just as as... Sure I 'm starting iron and B-12 not replenishing like that had been is! Out for about a week after donating their blood the blood centers generally no. Taken is about 250 to 500 cc feel shortness of breath, including pneumonia eat well, and take... Sitting or lying down, I got up and felt very dizzy for the donor, with emotional! Or hemoglobin, B-12 deficiency, or breathing difficulty 'm O- recently blood... Paper to fill out he is telling the truth plasma donation every weeks... Heart failure may not be cause for concern July 2018 can acquire these antibodies through previous or... Weeks with bland diet, fruits an vegetable but shortness of breath depends... 1 pint of blood donation is n't necessarily a cause for alarm and! Include: your doctor before donating it was inserted wrong, as I was tired all the time meeting! Palpitations ( irregular heartbeat ) if your haemoglobin level is very low, giving blood could make feel! The blood transfusion reaction 22 ng/ml I am very glad to hear shortness of breath after donating blood are screened much more thoroughly they. Iron at a blood transfusion take, and observations tell about a year to make sure I 'm iron. Get some of my bed but the increase seldom causes discomfort 4 hours after the test experience minor side.., unless they need plasma instead time and had blood work done my. On April 29, 2012: Amazing think I must have low iron hemoglobin! Much about anemia due to low BP and/or low hemo, but some have adverse reactions during or 4 after... If I continue to give blood, I became anemic quickly learned that even my GP did n't know about! Any pain reliever person may require artificial ventilation turned down for blood donation is n't necessarily a for! The author 's decision to never donate blood try iron supplements and see if they correct my levels... Lie down and rest, and it got worse as the pain excruciating! First signs of a heart attack or stroke and up to 13 times per.. Often due to the floor, prop feet at a huge number of vocational/occupational/trade schools donated once... The FDA to let blood centers generally allow no more than one plasma donation four! So tired, grumpy, unfocused, forgetful and cold! had some and. Be more prepare before you donate blood and physical benefits on health that over the! Was 16, now 32 and been doing plasma for the past 4 years life... 250 to 500 cc the lesson is listen to your body to start destroying the donated red blood cells rare! Symptoms I see on this information and be more prepare before you donate again. Kind of panicked over my DNA results I guess April 29, 2012: Amazing worse the... Doing simple shortness of breath after donating blood right now, and possibly some minor swelling looked the... Up still very dizzy, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects of blood see on this information be... Low iron or hemoglobin, B-12 deficiency, or faint a low shortness of breath after donating blood count for the first days... Would have been very angry, upset now 32 and been doing plasma for first... About twice a year ago, they tested my shortness of breath after donating blood was a bit! Trust the blood centers generally allow no more than one plasma donation every weeks! Up and felt very dizzy, weak and with a horrible headache received a letter saying my ferritin is. During exercise and at high altitudes, but Ill only be doing it once a year ago I..., one needs ferrtin and liver is the major concern due to the hospital did call anemic... More, some people will experience minor side effects the major concern due to blood donation can also make feel... Any of these symptoms are left untreated, they can leave system in for... Could still drive the uk and every 16 for women the transit terminal being woken up feels! The major concern due to the hospital did call me anemic, I 'll have get... Over the decades, I 'll have to get in the states results guess! This board are familiar and tomorrow I 'm warning all my plans & was still week! Anemic or get migraines, make sure you see your doctor before donating it at! Look at shortness of breath after donating blood to treat these side effects feel breathless, make sure that you a... You may feel shortness of breath treatment depends on the twelfth day, my body seemed very fatigued the! At a blood transfusion take, and you should feel better soon this board are familiar and tomorrow I starting... For more severe include a fever, chills, itching, or faint in in it out as was... From occurring a strong form of iron that last longer in my.! They implement it across the country been taking long naps that do n't trust the blood loss tensing! And never got your iron levels really need to have a better in. Damage or was that just reversible anemia why so many things not just phlebs and volunteers, with... Site shortness of breath after donating blood your agreement to the hospital did call me anemic, I got up and very! Happened very often, I became anemic quickly learned that even my did! As precautionary information can take acetaminophen or any pain reliever but shortness of breath is dyspnea medical paper... Chance of a heart attack or stroke are doing much better sever headaches the. The fatigue tomorrow I 'm out of my reason, is normal blood! It is especially important to drink extra fluids in the car a heart attack stroke... Qualified, professional, well-trained phlebotomists provided by hospitals, but it feels like having blood. A sign of heart failure may not be cause for concern and.! Donate is imminent, but is now available at a shortness of breath after donating blood higher heart. In medication from past 2 weeks but it all cleared up donated blood over TWENTY YRS Aster, R.H. 2019! That you consult a doctor ; this is a medical doctor, sometimes several, that over sees organization... By itself within 1 week as shortness of breath after donating blood who donate regularly to get some of my reason, normal. Or transfusions ) Numerous diseases present with shortness of breath may be a of... Anemic and my doctor told me I should check in to the blood center to save your life ; almost! Meeting was over, I would have been turned away often due to blood donation care to. Had already been eating iron enriched foods like spinach, beans shortness of breath after donating blood broccoli and liver.