The Frizzy Fibro
Fighting fibromyalgia & humidity daily.

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Tips for Donating Blood (and making it easy!)

Arm shown donating blood
My latest donation!

Hating shots and needles is something children worldwide can relate to. So why, you might ask, would a former pediatrician’s office dramatic performer willingly subject themself to a needle every few months? The answer is simple: because I can. Despite my chronic health issues, none of my pre-existing conditions prevent me from being able to donate blood, so I try to as often as I can. I wish that I had asked someone for tips for donating blood when I first started.

When I tell people how often I donate, I regularly get questions from those who have either never donated or who hated the experience so much their first time that they never donated again. A few of those questions tend to be…

“Does it hurt?”

“Have you ever fainted?”

“Are there side effects?”

And my answers to those are: Not if done properly and you go prepared (more on that below). Yes, exactly twice. Yes, but none that outweigh the benefits for others (and never for more than a day).

With all that in mind, it is important to prepare your body for a blood donation, regardless of if you have a chronic illness. After multiple blood donations, I have accrued the following tips for donating blood via personal experience, old wives tales, and shared insight at the post-donation snack table. I hope these work for you too!

Tip #1 “Iron out” your timeline for donating blood

Low iron is one of the most common prohibitors of blood donation. The first step in the intake process is a finger prick to determine your blood iron level. Whether you normally run close to anemia or not, my first tip for donating blood is to take an iron supplement for at least a week before your donation. I personally take an iron supplement every day as I made a connection between the two times I fainted and my iron level being just above the acceptable threshold. This is why it is important to “iron out” your donation schedule ahead of time – last minute donations don’t allow you to prepare.

Tip #2 CHUG

Water, that is. I typically schedule my donations for the afternoon to a) allow me to eat a nice full meal before I donate and b) allow me time to down at least 1400 ML before I need to donate. It is just as important to drink a lot of water after your donation as well, as your body needs to replace the blood you’ve lost. I have found that the more hydrated you are, the faster your donation goes. For me, this makes the overall experience more positive and shortens my recovery time.

Tip #3 Turmeric takes the work out of donating blood

Similar to the water consumption, I have found that taking turmeric supplements in the days leading up to my donation (if I am not already doing so) shortens the time it takes to complete a donation. Turmeric is a naturally-occurring blood thinner, so it makes sense that it would aid in facilitating the donation.

Tip #4 Respect the Rules

There’s a reason they tell you to eat before and want you to snack before you leave. There’s a reason they tell you not to exercise for 24 hours afterward. There’s a reason they tell you to donate using your non-dominant arm. All of these things contribute to how successful your donation is and how you feel after. Please follow these recommendations and rules for your own good, because I have seen firsthand what happens when you don’t (the aforementioned fainting).

So those are my top tips for donating blood! Do you donate often? Did I miss anything? Let me know down in the comments below!

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Tips and Tricks for Cold/Flu Season

November to March in the Northeast is a terrible time period for several reasons. It’s cold, dark, rainy, and, worst of all, a veritable petri dish for all things communicable. As someone with a weakened immune system, I dread this time of year.

In college, I basically accepted that I would be sick and rolled with the punches. However, as a working adult, being sick and taking a day off is not always something I can afford. Now 3 years out of school, I have figured out what helps limit my interactions with germs. Below is a list of tips and tricks for reducing your chances for getting sick (unfortunately there are no guarantees in the world of immunity).

Surrounded by germs – you have to fight to survive!

Sanitize your cell phone

I cannot stress this one enough – your phone goes EVERYWHERE with you. It is exposed to so many germs because you touch it when you’re out and about and not washing your hands. We are all guilty of being on our phones while we eat and that results in germ transfer. In a perfect world, we would do this every day, I typically use a Clorox wipe or an alcohol wipe.

Wipe down your work station

First thing in the morning, I use a Clorox wipe to clean my mouse, keyboard, desk surface, and phone. This was a tip I picked up at a previous job where there was an open office plan and people often worked at others’ desks. While I now have my own office, I have continued this practice. We spend all day at our desks and without thinking can touch our faces while working on something. Many eat lunch at their desk as well and should try to reduce the germ contact with food.

Take your vitamins and consider herbal medicine

I am a huge proponent for preventative care, so vitamins are always a part of my regiment. Another option to consider (with the guidance of a professional) is traditional Chinese medicine. There are several herbal supplements that are designed to be taken at the first signs of imbalance in your health and in my experience, have prevented the onset of illness.

The “train glove”

When I was commuting on the subway, I saw an older, sophisticated-looking woman do something that I immediately put into practice. In the middle of the summer, she reached into her bag and from a plastic baggy produced a leather glove which she put on the hand that she used to hold on to the pole. My germaphobic heart loved her efforts. I never fully adopted this methodology, but I always carried tissues and adopted a similar style of avoidance. I did occasionally get a judging glare from a fellow commuter, but I did my best to summon the aura of the fabulous woman I had observed and be resolute in my decision to avoid the germs as best as I could.

And if all else fails, STAY HOME!

If you think you are coming down with something, work from home if possible or take the day. You might be able to nip the virus in the bud by resting and giving your body a break. Additionally, I find coming in to work when you’re under the weather to be unprofessional. There is no benefit to coming in when you’re under the weather because you’re only extending the time you’re going to be sick for and you’re potentially spreading what you have to other people. Obviously, not every work place has the same sick time and rules, but do what you can to take care of your health.

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