FatGirlJenny's Logboek, 05 feb 16

Yes, hydration is key. Also deep breathing is also a good technique. 

I hope you take a sweater, because with your lower weight you will get very cold after donating. Proud of you. 

no advice, just thumbs up 

Thanks, guys. I had a couple of cups of oral saline (salt water), and sipped water all morning. Had my BPC and a nice fatty grass fed sirlion. Everything went great! :) 

Oh, yea! I tried to get an appt to go back and give platelets. They said I don't weigh enough. Really?? I'm still "overweight". WTH? Do you have to be in the obese range to give platelets? 

Losing weight by giving part of your body away to help others--two birds with one stone! ;-) 

I used to do apheresis for platelets every 2 weeks and plasma every other visit. There are weight limits and that is to gauge how much to remove, etc... Ask them what the minimum weight is? I see plenty of healthy weight people giving all the time. 

I give blood which is the most rewarding thing I do. I have very special blood, that saves babies lives. No antigens, which is rare. Nurse told me there is not one woman, that gives at her clinic, that has antigen free blood. It seems to be a man thing.  

Oh, and by the way, just eat good before and after. I passed out once, and when I woke up, all these pretty nurses were looking at me, and I thought I had gone to heaven. 

..and to your question... no need to take extra protein before or as a result of giving blood or blood components. Stay hydrated though regardless of WOE. Hydration is always good and in giving blood, it helps with intra-venous/arterial volume allowing for a quicker/cleaner stick. If you do end up doing apheresis, it can be a 1.5 to 2 hour process... Drink water but make sure you go pee just before laying down. 

LOL @Warren. That is SO cool! I will ask next time Frosty. I'm going back 56 days, which is when they told me that I would be eligible to donate again. Thanks. I didn't have extra protein, just a normal amount. Which felt strange, just because I normally only have BPC until early afternoon. Go pee?? Yea, I was about to burst in that little mobile station with no bathroom... lol.  

No advice here either, just a THANK YOU! My life was saved by blood donations a few years back, and I'm not allowed to donate myself. It really is a super hero thing to do! And thank you, too, Frosty and Warren and everyone else! 

Being a regular blood donor myself, hydration is important to replenish the lost fluids in the blood but if you fainted, maybe you are a bit low in Iron? They should have raisins along with OJ at the snack bar after you donate.  

@FatGirlJenny - I would advise against any of the 'snacks' that they have there since they're going to be 90% carb based which is fine if you happen to eat carbs as your primary source of energy but you're don't; you're body will not know how to immediately use those. Bring some fats with you *if* you need to eat afterwards. I was full keto when I used to donate and never partook in the 'snacks'. If you get dizzy, etc... Just rest a bit and drink water, even afterwards, water is very important to bring your liquid levels back up. 

Thank you, Droppit. They are actually starting to send out emails now to tell you where (not who) your blood is used. I thought that was super cool! @Chicken Whisper, no low iron issues. My level today was 16! They told me I had "man blood". LOL @Frosty, thanks. I prancersized right by the snacks with my bottle of water. LOL! I can home and had a few pecans, took a little nap (just because I could), and have felt great all day! I think the reason that a t I had the problem the last time was because I was almost in a fasted state. I had fasted the day before, had a little Bacon and eggs about 3-4 hours before giving. Today was a great success! :) 

jenny don't pass out this time...you must have good blood cause they dont take every ones blood...I have high blood and they don't like that. 

@FRED I didn't, I didn't pass out last Tim. I almost did though. You mean high blood pressure? No worries. Still with this way of eating, and that will be a thing of the past. I HAD it too, along with lots of other problems. If you take blood pressure meds & ever start feeling dizzy, make sure your pressure hasn't dropped too low. At some point, you'll probably need to stop the meds (if you're on any). 😉 

jenny Thanks for the comment on BP...yes i am down big time only one tablet a week now and it is staying very stable...Also my blood sugar is getting close to normal. No wonder i feel so young again.