Donating does a lot of good. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Toward the end of my time donating, I strictly used my left arm for both donations each week, simply because I had less issues with it. When i donate plasma the first one goes ok but the second one my protein level is to low what is going on and what do i need to do so they are not low. A person may attend a follow-up to ensure that any associated issues receive appropriate attention. The first time i said something about it, they told me the cuff was likely too tight. Is it safe to donate this soon? Any ideas on how I can get my iron levels to drop? Some people experience bruising during or after the procedure. camarochix72 (author) from USA on October 05, 2016: From my experience, the procedure itself is not the issue. Ive never experienced this, personally, but Ive seen a hand full of people who have. I used my right arm three times with no issues b4 the needle removal pain started. The fact that you needed to have a biopsy tells them that there is a possibility, even if only a slight one, that some other medical issue may be present. The risk of experiencing adverse effects of donating plasma is low. Have you ever experienced this? Anyone who suspects an infection should contact the donation center. The color of your plasma depends on a few things: (1) How hydrated you are (the more hydrated you are the more it clear it will be), (2) What types of foods you eat and when you eat (eating fatty foods or right before your donation will make it milky white/cloudy), other foods like carrots can turn your plasma a red/orange, (3) Medication like oral contraceptives or medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can make plasma green. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. We avoid using tertiary references. It is a relatively safe procedure, but there can be minor side effects. I saw mines and everyone else's was the same (reddish hue color) but this one girl's was light greenish or brownish. If a bubble reaches the lungs or brain, it can become life threatening. I've been deferred for 8 weeks at my usual plasma place because of a machine malfunction. Hi I was wondering when u donate I seem to have smaller draws but I look at everyone else and there draws are much bigger how do I make my draws for each cycle bigger. I wish I had a good answer for you. In contrast, the plasma donor will receive substantially less citrate since most of the added citrate remains in the collected plasma. I used to donate platelets regularly, and this worked best for me. I'll try super hydrating but if they have the same problem I will likely give up. Usually when the needle semi-blocked by scar tissue, it results in slower return speed, but it can affect just the draw cycle or both the draw and return cycles. I've been donating plasma for 5 months and suddenly my protein level is too low. Youll want to re-bandage your arm with new gauze and leave it on as long as it takes for the new scab to form and all bleeding to stop. Donating plasma can cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration and fatigue. undressed.I am not sure I could donate plasma again, I never want to experience that again. I have been giving plasma 8 times in the past 8 weeks. She has to have another check done and could take cpl weeks for results?? Regulating body temperature by absorbing and releasing . Did you eat a McDonalds cheeseburger before you went in for your donation? When I told her it hurt she kind of wiggled the needle around and the pain subsided. Deferred once for low protein, hadn't really eaten much the night before, or day of, so ok. No problems since, really. The saline lately makes me feel sick at the end when returning cycle. At that moment I had a burning pain where the needle was in my arm. There are some things to consider before giving blood. camarochix72 (author) from USA on November 05, 2017: Your experience sounds horrifying! Still, to ensure high standards of care and hygiene, only donate at accredited centers. My second or third donation during that time the phlebotomist blew my vein in my left arm. And don't worry about having low numbers two days in a row. > OIDP Home Drink plenty of water. Last night my chest, stomach and back of neck hurt, weak and nauseous. Question: Does too much protein make your plasma cloudy? If they accidentally puncture an artery instead: If this happens, the attendant will stop the donation immediately and apply firm pressure to the area for at least 10 minutes. Everything went right. It always stops after a minute or so, and the rest of the donation is fine. So for anyone who has that problem just remember, close your eyes as breath slowly as theyre checking it. camarochix72 (author) from USA on November 06, 2015: Sounds like an issue that needs to be brought up to the center's management. One of the best (and easiest) ways to stay well during and after your donation is to do muscle . (2020). Also because vitamin C helps the absorption of iron, limiting it to around 200 milligrams per dose can also help. Opening and closing your hand aids in the flow of blood through your veins. All rights reserved. camarochix72 (author) from USA on January 03, 2018: Depending on how busy the lab is that they use, assuming your center is like the one I went to and they send samples to an outside lab, it could take a few weeks. If it is not your iron levels keeping you from donating, ask to speak to the nurse on staff, many times the phlebotomist won't be able to give an answer, but the nurse will. Your donation time may also be longer than others if you arent opening and closing your hand during the extraction cycle. Patients across the United States depend on plasma protein therapies to treat rare and sometimes chronic diseases. Find answers here: Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases. People who have taken Accutane, oral Retin-A, or finasteride in the past month can't donate. In most cases, you can give plasma after getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of the donation! Question: What can I do to get my heart rate lowered so I can donate plasma? First one went fine. From start to finish, the entire plasma donation process could take between 60 -90 minutes. Eating leaner meats and avoiding greasy foods before your donation will help clear this up considerably. Plasma is in charge of maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Instead, try eating more fruits (bananas, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, pineapples ) and vegetables (celery, carrots, sprouts, kale, collards, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and all forms of lettuce, but avoid broccoli, baby spinach and cauliflower because they are higher in protein). The structure of the veins can vary; thin walls, deeper into the arm or even smaller. Question: Does being cold cause blood flow to slow when donating plasma? People who smoke regularly are also at risk of having high hematocrit levels. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Today I have a really bad stomach ache and am exhausted and weak. I hava a question? Answer: No. I iced the area and that seemed to help with he pain, but the swelling took quite a while to go down. Get an overview of blood plasma, what makes up blood plasma, the vital functions it provides, how the kidneys filter blood plasma, and how donating, What is blood plasma? If you experience any pain in your arm during your donation, let the Phlebotomist know immediately. This morning I noticed that my eyes are swollen, with a puffy appearance. I'm considering trying to avoid Vitamin C to try and help lower iron levels, but I've been worried I'll cause other issues by doing so. Tell what not to eat so that I pass the urinal test? (n.d.). Donating blood can have positive effects on a person's mental and physical health. I had high pressure on my machine and it took forever to finish in addition. I can't get my pulse down any tips on how to do that. Yours just hadn't been drawn for that particular test until now. However, other research does not appear to confirm this. Watch on. One of the easiest ways I kept my protein and iron levels high enough was either by eating lean red meats (beef, or in my case elk), beans (like a bowl of chili), or a protein bar (Snickers was my favorite because it also had the additional iron I needed) for lunch or dinner the day before my donation. Finally, if you've gotten a body piercing or tattoo in the past 12 months, you're ineligible. Some are OK, while others are not, it's best to check with the donation center directly. Consequently, air got in the line and they stopped the donation saying that it was now contaminated. camarochix72 (author) from USA on October 25, 2016: I also started having issues with slower donation time in one arm after they blew a vein. Answer: A high hematocrit level is a good indicator that you're dehydrated. Question: Does wiggling your feet help with donating plasma? The machine started beeping that my return pressure was high. This is only my right arm, I have no discomfort in left arm when removing the needle. This bandage should be left on for 1-2 hours to ensure that the puncture site has formed a clot and any bleeding has stopped. Breathe in deeply through your nose for the count of 5-8 seconds (until lungs are full), then exhale slowly through your mouth for the count of 8-10. As for the amount of water you're drinking; the more, the better. I hope your next immunization goes much smoother! What could be the cause? I am scheduled for my next immunization in 2 mos. 2. Dean Michael Mancuso on January 04, 2017: I have a yearly Plasma Center physical this week. Maybe youve been told that your plasma is cloudy." Platelet, red cell, and plasma donations may take between 80-120 minutes. Question: Does dehydration make your veins "too small" to give plasma? Then I realized that I have a plasma screen TV. I've recently become a bachelor again. Well, after 5 years of donating plasma, Ive learned a lot, and Im here to share my knowledge of the most common donation issues I've experienced and/or seen. If a person experiences any of these, the attendant should stop the donation and provide immediate aid. Answer: I'm naturally a cold person, and I never had issues with it slowing down my donation. A person can do this every 28 days, or up to 13 times a year. Learn more about how donating blood can affect the body here. For bleeding, raise your arm, apply pressure, then place a bandage over the area for several hours. Greasy birds like duck may also cause your plasma to be milky in color and thicker than normal. This includes any antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and pain killers. To me, and I'm by no means a doctor, the dehydration sounds like a stretch, something else could be in play. camarochix72 (author) from USA on October 16, 2018: Ok. Poppy seeds used to be a red flag, but they don't seem to be much of a concern any more. camarochix72 (author) from USA on October 09, 2014: It sounds like the rate of collection by the machine itself needs to be adjusted. This would be warrant a call to the donation center's nurse. It sucks that it happened to you on your first time. I don't overeat, and I've been trying to pay as close attention as I can to iron levels in the food I eat (iron is in almost EVERYTHING). They handed me a paper about "hematoma" and sent me on my way. If bleeding occurs, a person should apply pressure to the area and raise their arm. It kind of worries me. NIH blood bank: AB plasma donor program. Does this sound normal? Lifting the day of your donation, before you donate and the day after are perfectly ok, just not right after. But I have a totally new one. When you donate, you will be asked to provide documentation and need to pass medical exams, screening, and testing before you become eligible to donate. Check with the facility to determine their specific requirements, but generally plasma donors should: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates plasma collection in the United States. The center didn't have an issue with it; it's more about what works best for the donor. I tried to before but they couldn't find a good vein. I've donated plasma about 9 times now and the last few times i've felt a tightness in my chest after donating like my heart is straining or something. Donating plasma is usually safe. Pass a medical exam and complete an extensive medical screening, including testing negative for hepatitis and HIV, Not have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last 4 months, and. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Supporting blood vessels from collapsing or clogging. Citrate is a substance added to the blood during plasma donation to prevent clotting. I finally just started donating with the good arm every time. I'm not a doctor, but I would recommend seeing one if the symptoms get any worse. The first, and probably the most commonly suggested, is eating less red meat. As a first-time donor, we can only use your plasma to make lifesaving medicines after you've donated twice. I know donors who had to use one arm for both donations each week because of similar issues. Maintaining blood pressure and circulation. Good for you! Everything went black and I passed out. camarochix72 (author) from USA on June 01, 2017: Your height and weight are very similar to mine, and donating twice a week is absolutely safe. An infection can develop if bacteria enter the body through the needle puncture. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Answer: Any of the fatty cuts of beef, pork (this includes bacon), and lamb. 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