Commuting - Blood Donor....

I donated Blood Wednesday (got my 17 gallon pin) and rode my usual commute (14 miles one way) today. First time I tried to ride to work the day after donating. Don't know if THAT was the main factor I got tired early into the ride or the 12-15 headwind. Probably a little of both, PM ride home was alot better, but I did take it kinda easy. Anyone else here a regular blood donor????

Yeah, I always seem to ride sluggishly and tire quickly when I've just given blood...but only for about 24 hours. Or maybe I just convince myself that the effect exists, because it's a damned good excuse to slow down, take in the scenery, and enjoy an easy ride...

Same here, donate=weak and tired compared to my normal weak and tired approach.

I donated Blood Wednesday (got my 17 gallon pin) and rode my usual commute (14 miles one way) today. First time I tried to ride to work the day after donating. Don't know if THAT was the main factor I got tired early into the ride or the 12-15 headwind. Probably a little of both, PM ride home was alot better, but I did take it kinda easy. Anyone else here a regular blood donor????

It was the wind. Although I have not yet reached my 5 gallon pin, I have donated in the evening and commuted 18 miles to work the next morning many times with no effect. Just drink more water.

VIP donor.
Ten Gallon Pin last year!
Congrats to you and your lifetime of dedication!

Now....how do we get other BF members to join us?
Post a challenge????

VIP donor.
Ten Gallon Pin last year!
Congrats to you and your lifetime of dedication!

Now....how do we get other BF members to join us?
Post a challenge????
im up to my 90th plasma donation,donate 600mls twice a month, a VIP donor is a 100th donating donor and recives a medallion for this and every 50 donations thereafter,but wait theres more, an invite to the christmas party with the nurses and other donors. Water is good for the blood flow in the veins.No we dont get paid which keeps the integrety of the donations.

I just had a thought....... Is there any health benifits to giving blood?

I suppose that giving blood for whatever reasons is always a good thing. but I was just curious.

I just had a thought....... Is there any health benifits to giving blood?

I suppose that giving blood for whatever reasons is always a good thing. but I was just curious.
The health benefits are knowing your blood products are saving someones life.

Nope, haven't noticed any weakness the next day. Probably got too much blood anyway.

crank'n: You donate 600ml twice a month?? Here in Vic it's the other way round - 600ml every two months.

I have been training with a HRM and notice about a 10-15 bpm increase for a given level of exertion right after donation. Additionally, I seem to reach my LT at a much lower intensity (which is consistent with the higher pulse). My HR seems to come down fairly linearly over the next 5-7 days but I haven't done any significance tests on the data, just simple observation. So with that, I'll say it was probably a combination of wind/donating.

Has the nurse ever lectured you about not riding home the evening after giving blood? I had one get so excited I thought he was going to start yelling at me when he found out I was going to ride my bike home from the donation site...1 mile of pancake flat at 10 mph.

im up to my 90th plasma donation,donate 600mls twice a month, a VIP donor is a 100th donating donor and recives a medallion for this and every 50 donations thereafter,but wait theres more, an invite to the christmas party with the nurses and other donors. Water is good for the blood flow in the veins.No we dont get paid which keeps the integrety of the donations.



Wow...that's an achievement!
I did platelets/plasma donations for a long time.
It was specific for a while althought they could never tell me if I was a match for a patient.
I've been on th Bone Marrow Regsitry for ever...hoping for my chance some day to be a life-saving donor.
That would be cool!

good for you!!!

I have heard that the process of regenerating of blood cells after donating somehow promotes resistance against illness. I'll be donating today - that will put me at 7.75 gallons.

I just had a thought....... Is there any health benifits to giving blood?

I suppose that giving blood for whatever reasons is always a good thing. but I was just curious.



I've asked that so many times...to no answers.
I can't help but think that it would be good for the body to regenerate/replenish it's self.
Like a cleansing....

It's good for the spirit! That works for me!

I've signed up to donate at work for their blood drive.. I'll make it to the 1 gallon mark at that time.

There is a disease, can't remember the name, that causes iron to accumulate in the body (liver?). My colleague had friend die from this, but the solution is simple: donate blood regularly. This chap had gone too far, so that was too late to save him.

Why you should donate blood: http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/blooddonor/bdc_why.htm

The first time for me was to find out what my blood type was before I got married!

You get to find your blood type, you get a mini-physical: temperature; blood pressure; pulse rate, you get tested for HIV, hepatitis, and a couple of other things. You get juice and cookies! All you want!

There is a disease, can't remember the name, that causes iron to accumulate in the body (liver?). My colleague had friend die from this, but the solution is simple: donate blood regularly. This chap had gone too far, so that was too late to save him.

Hemochromatosis - A coworker has it and has to open a vein every 2 weeks. They can't use the blood for donation unfortunatly so he has to pay to have it done. Scary illness, not very fun from what I have observed.
And it seems to accumulate in all of the body's organs not just the liver.

There is a disease, can't remember the name, that causes iron to accumulate in the body (liver?). My colleague had friend die from this, but the solution is simple: donate blood regularly. This chap had gone too far, so that was too late to save him.

It's called "hemochromatosis"

Donating blood regularly can minimize the effects, but it's not a cure. Also, since the blood has so much iron, it's usually thrown away.

Learn More (http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/illnesses.html?article=672)

I've asked that so many times...to no answers.
I can't help but think that it would be good for the body to regenerate/replenish it's self.
Like a cleansing....

It's good for the spirit! That works for me!


I agree, people really don't need any other reasons than just to give.

But I was curious if the regenerate/replenish had any beneficial side effects.

I agree, people really don't need any other reasons than just to give.

But I was curious if the regenerate/replenish had any beneficial side effects.

Probably only for Keith Richards.

Hmm... I think it's time to start donating blood again. Haven't done so in a while.

The health benefits are knowing the blood products are saving someones life.

Entirely Off-Topic:

Lemmy Kilminster of Motorhead heard about Keith Richards having a total blood transfusion in order to clean up his system. After 20-30 years of ingesting every drug ever, he thought it might be a good idea. The doctor ran a test on him beforehand, and determined that his blood had been so toxified for so long, his body had developed a tolerance, nay, necessity for it to be that way. If he were to get pure blood, it would probably kill him. And if his blood were to be transfused to a healthy person, it would probably kill them. Moral of the story: Lemmy is beyond human, and you should neither donate to nor accept donations from him.

Maybe you should change "Dalí" to "Lemmy Kilminster" in your signature ;-)

I've never noticed ill-effects, but everyone at the Red Cross swears we should. I've seen a few people pass out, faint, etc. after giving. I think it's more mental than physical, but that's just my opinion.

Off-topic, I've had a few surgeries over the years. After been anesthesized, when you wake up a nurse tells you, "don't drink alcohol, don't drive heavy machinery, don't make life-decisions for the next day". I've always listened intently then I get up. They say, "where are you going?" I say, "I'm driving my dump truck down to the liquor store, drinking a bottle of whiskey, and enlisting in the Marine Corps." It's funny to see their expressions.

I've never noticed ill-effects, but everyone at the Red Cross swears we should. I've seen a few people pass out, faint, etc. after giving. I think it's more mental than physical, but that's just my opinion...

There's something called the vasovagal reflex that is probably responsible for the ill-effects. Google it.

I just had a thought....... Is there any health benifits to giving blood?

I suppose that giving blood for whatever reasons is always a good thing. but I was just curious.

If you're on a diet, you weigh less for a couple of hours. ;)

I'm only up to about 4 gallons. I have actually ridden 5 miles home after donating a few times. I just spin easy and haven't had a problem. I could definitely feel a difference, but it wasn't really something that concerned me. By the next morning, I was OK.

Before I started cycling and getting fit because of it, I'd actually get a headache after donating, and would be sluggish and perhaps a bit headachy the next day as well. Now it doesn't bother me much at all.

...years ago I got lectured about riding my bike home after donating, Now I just don't mention it.

Nope, haven't noticed any weakness the next day. Probably got too much blood anyway.

crank'n: You donate 600ml twice a month?? Here in Vic it's the other way round - 600ml every two months.
Because the red cells{blood** are returned to the body during a plasma donation, the boby recovers quicker when donating plasma. The plasma is a yellow fluid .My blood group is o pos with neg platelts.
Whole blood donations are once a month, to allow for the build up of the red cells.
Ask the nurse, you may be able to donate plasma.

...years ago I got lectured about riding my bike home after donating, Now I just don't mention it.
Same here,the bike is my only transport, in the questionare theres a question about opperating machinary after the donation, the trick is to drink plenty of water. When i did it the temp was about 38 deg, wasnt a good idea.

IMO: Folks who are ABO group O should not donate pheresis (platelets nor plasma). They should donate regular whole blood by gravity, or perhaps packed cells via pheresis. This is particularly so during times of critical need (summer months, winter holidays in the US). Exceptions apply (ie HLA matched, or special type platelets).

Again-my opinion (I'm a Blood Banker, in a Blood Bank right now).


--And a HUGE HUGE thanks to all you wonderfull donors-whatever/wherever you donate!

As far as excersize after donating, depends upon the individual. A nice meal prior to donating, along with rehydrating + sugar (cookies, crackers or fruit) afterwards, works for me. Folks who normally have a low red cell mass (HCT), say just above the cutoff for donation, should take it easy.

[Edited to hopefully make better sense]

...years ago I got lectured about riding my bike home after donating, Now I just don't mention it.

Well, it's either that or walking. Seems like cycling is the way to go. Heck, it's only 5 miles home from my normal donation spot. If I take it easy I don't even feel it. The only time I ever felt it at all was when I donated at work within 1 hour of heading home, which is a 10.5 mile trip. I now donate in the morning.

I donate regularly and have not noticed any difference in my AM comute the morning after. Like JavaMan I just drink more water afterward.

Well, I'm sure in the minority here, but it takes me 5-7 days to bounce back from donating whole blood. I don't notice on easy bike rides, like my commute, but running or challenging bike rides are extremely tough post-donation. For what it's worth, the donor center people say it takes me so long to rebound because I'm on the small side (I'm not sure I see the connection, myself). I've stopped donating whole blood for this reason and only do pheresis now.

Camel, what's "packed cells via pheresis"? I'm type O...

I ride to and from the donor centers and haven't noticed any weakness. I've done a few at school which is a 32 mile commute. They all like me because I have a big fat vein and can fill a bag really fast!

Benefits: Helping others, Girl Scout cookies (last one I did was put together by Girl Scouts)!


...years ago I got lectured about riding my bike home after donating, Now I just don't mention it.

I hide my bike and stash my gear before going in because they refused me a couple of times.

Well, I'm sure in the minority here, but it takes me 5-7 days to bounce back from donating whole blood. I don't notice on easy bike rides, like my commute, but running or challenging bike rides are extremely tough post-donation. For what it's worth, the donor center people say it takes me so long to rebound because I'm on the small side (I'm not sure I see the connection, myself). I've stopped donating whole blood for this reason and only do pheresis now.

Camel, what's "packed cells via pheresis"? I'm type O...

Some centers collect red blood cells via pheresis (like platelet pheresis-but it doesn't take as long). The platelets and plasma return to the donor in this proccess. "Double" units can be collected from some folks with this method, usually larger people with a near above average red cell mass (HCT). If the donor meets the criteria, the blood center will split the donation into two, resulting in two red cells from one donor with the same expiration date. I find these "double" units excellent when transfusing to one patient, because the patient gets exposed to fewer donors.

Small folks donate the same amount as larger folks (excluding above), therefore smaller folks have donated a higher percentage of there red cell mass. Some smaller people who may be towards the low end of the cutoff criteria for donation (low normal HCT), would take longer to "rebound".

Small women, due to there monthly cycle, may perhaps be more affected than small men are with the same RBC mass. Sometimes people can have a lower oxygen carrying capacity (the "hemoglobin" or "Hgb"), yet the same RBC mass someone else the same size-and still be OK to donate.

No worries-as the blood center screens everyones oxygen carrying capacity (Hgb) prior to donation.

Obviously, if someone feels better physically or emotionally donating one method over another, they should do what feels best!

Like Lieren, I usually get winded a lot quicker for about a week after donating whole blood. I'm a bit on the bigger side (200 lbs.), but probably am not quite as fit because I don't ride as much as most everyone else on the boards (mainly commuting/cruising/errand-running). The big plus is that, for a couple weeks after donating, drinking just a beer or two will blow my ever-lovin' mind.

Do good, get free juice and cookies, become a cheap drunk. The only way it could get better is if there was a buffet involved.

Like Lieren, I usually get winded a lot quicker for about a week after donating whole blood. I'm a bit on the bigger side (200 lbs.), but probably am not quite as fit because I don't ride as much as most everyone else on the boards (mainly commuting/cruising/errand-running). The big plus is that, for a couple weeks after donating, drinking just a beer or two will blow my ever-lovin' mind.

Do good, get free juice and cookies, become a cheap drunk. The only way it could get better is if there was a buffet involved.


I started donating at a Moose Hall that had an awesome buffet and beer and wine!
I was in college...go figure.

I am a multiple gallon donor.

Since my (successful!) cancer surgery in 11/03, I can't donate again until 11/06.

I really do miss donating, and the Red Cross misses me too. I'm O+.

Hopefully a couple BF members can pick up the slack for me until next November?

Thanks!

... and maybe dancing girls (or boys, for the lady donors).

I can't give blood, although I tried :( (I spent six years in Europe during the 80's, which makes Me a "Mad Cow Risk" ;) )

There was a medical article awhile back, maybe from my wife’s nursing web-site, that research indicated donating blood had about the same health benefits as taking the daily baby aspirin.

At 200 lbs 8% body fat in my youth (a few more pounds and higher BF% now); I never had an adverse effect or feeling after donating blood. The military never gave the typical Red Cross lecture about not exercising, so the same day as donating, I often lifted weights, ran or swam at lunch time and then did my normal commute home. The only effect I ever noticed was that I might fall asleep a little faster at bed time.

I do think exercise could have more of an effect for someone, maybe <150 lbs.

Another platelet donor here. I'd been donating for years, mostly because I found that I could continue training the next day without any dropoff. In fact, I have actually felt stronger 2 or 3 days after a platelet donation, although I can't prove that it's just psychological. Like some of the others, I just nod politely when they tell me not to engage in any strenuous physical activity. Personally, I don't consider a casual 2 mile ride to my house "strenuous," but it's best to keep quiet and not argue with the nice nurse.

On the question of "why do you do it?": I started because I wanted to donate without giving up my RBCs, plus the hemapheresis unit at Sacto BloodSource provides personal DVD players. Now that I have young kids, it's my only chance to watch a movie uninterrupted.

But the real reason was brought home to me when we visited my mother-in-law while she was undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. The disease and the drug regimen left her with minimal immunity and the slightest infection could kill her. Her shields were down. But everyday she received a unit of platelets, donated by someone like you guys, and it gave her the protection to fight another day. Another day to be a mother to my wife, another day to be a grandma to my kids, another day to be an inspiration to me.

We lost her on May 1. She was the toughest person I ever met.

Anyway, I keep donating because right now there's someone in the same situation that Gwen was in. Someone who's fighting and fighting and needs your platelets to fight another day. Your platelets come in like the cavalry. That might be the day that turns the corner for them. That might be the day that makes all the difference.

So that's why I keep donating.

0 gallon donater.

I still feel tired going into the wind though.

heh, heh. I met Lemmy once - "beyond human" is a pretty accurate description. Smart, funny guy though...

Wow...that's an achievement!
I did platelets/plasma donations for a long time.
It was specific for a while althought they could never tell me if I was a match for a patient.
I've been on th Bone Marrow Regsitry for ever...hoping for my chance some day to be a life-saving donor.
That would be cool!

good for you!!!
I also rotated platelets/plasma for a while ,though the veins couldnt handle the return of red cells on the larger machine,though returns ok with plasma smaller machine.
Do you have donor units that drive arround to country aeras and buisneses?we have one or two in our state, because of gov funding cuts the units have been cut back, yet blood stocks are yously low,hard to figure.
The possible contact with BSE has a huge impact on people here who have been in England in the 1980's,as they are unable to bonate.
Mostly the same people donating all the time.
Hope you get to be called up for the bone marrow harvest.Im on the regester also, though not looking foward to donating because of the ouch factor, do you know somone theat has been involved?

I donate whole blood every 60 days when I come eligible; I'm on their call list. I generally cycle downtown after work to donate at the Red Cross center, after a light early supper at my desk, then cycle 5-6 miles home on the juice and snacks they provide afterwards, and have never noticed a difference. But then, I only commute, and I probably don't push myself the way some of you do. (I'm sure I don't double my fluid intake, either -- that's hard to do!)

The once or twice that I've mentioned it to anyone there, no one has said anything about it being a problem.

I also always thought that the health benefits involved the bloodstream being "cleansed" or whatever. I thought that's why "bleeding" was considered a medical treatment in the middle ages in Europe. Maybe that was just if someone was already sick, it helped by getting a lot of the bad stuff out.

But yeah, I really just do it because it's a relatively easy way to do something unambigously good, and they keep calling me! ;)