Pain and tingling may be a serious effect. My hemoglobin level was 13.7. This results in pulmonary edema, or excess fluid in the lungs. This is just one way we keep our donors safety in mind. Hemoglobin. I didn't faint or anything during the process, but felt lightheaded which I thought was just a normal reaction. Dr. Fritz: Shortness of breath is a symptom of an underlying problem or problems, not a disease of its own. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. A 2019 article states that an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction causes the body to start destroying the donated red blood cells. 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. I'm routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of blood, but I don't walk around saying anemia almost killed me. I'm not sure where you donated or with what blood bank, but just because someone went to school on Saturdays for 6 classes, doesn't mean they are not qualified. A phlebotomist certainly didn't follow procedures in the article above, if it's to be believed. somewhat like nerve pulling. Sudden dizziness. Many conditions can cause shortness of breath. Firstly, who do you rely on at a blood drive to keep your interests in mind? This results when air gets trapped in damaged areas of the . Your fingerstick hemoglobin test may be normal, even if your iron reserves are low. My doc does extensive blood work annually and it's almost time again. Doing good? Saving lives, burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and so on. If the problem continues, make an appointment with your doctor. my legs feel restless. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms: According to a 2012 article, most cases typically resolve within 4872 hours. Also, ferritin alone is not a measure of iron. Shortness of breath, clinically known as dyspnea, is sometimes described as difficulty catching your breath, wheezing, or breathlessness. . My experience aftermath is exactly what I went through with the numbness, fainting etc i know this is such an old post..but wow can i relate to this! like i said before i cant help sleeping straight 10 hrs for the past 3 days. Heart failure is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. 7. I ask because it's very unusual for men to have iron-deficiency anemia. Some other possible causes include: Carbon monoxide poisoning Heart attack Low blood pressure Asthma flare-up Pneumonia Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) Emotional distress or a panic attack If your shortness of breath symptoms last for four weeks or longer they may be considered chronic. The fever is part of the persons white blood cells response to the new blood. To replenish fluid in the body, people need to drink water and other liquids before and after donating blood. Accessed March 20, 2020. It can drop blood pressure and make you feel dizzy. Blood irradiation involves exposing the blood components to ultraviolet light. Really? One thing I WON'T do is trust the blood collector to check my iron for me: I'll donate and see *my* Dr .afterward for the first year. Smoking is a reason for Shortness of breath after quitting smoking. but i couldnt concentrate. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? I decided to go to one more meeting and see if I felt better. My PE was painless. Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. privacy practices. A small number of people will have these effect. I was kind of peeved at my doc. They tested it and told me I was good to donate so just assumed it was within normal levels. I'm sorry you had such a bad reaction and that your iron/ferritin levels were so low that you became anemic. This is a Subreddit for blood donors, existing and potential. This week I decided to go to the doctors and ask for a general check up after feeling unwell for what seems like weeks. We do however, check your hemoglobin levels which is a protein in your red blood cells that delivers oxygen to your body. This allows them to receive help straight away if they have any adverse side effects. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could The CDC state that PTP is rare. The cause of the blockages is not known, but it is thought to be due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. I was sincerely scared and scarred from this experience. 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. information submitted for this request. So far, I have donated 7 times in 2016 alone (like I said, not all of it has been whole blood). People may experience temporary physical side effects of donating blood. Dizziness or fainting Little or no urination Headaches, double vision, or seizures Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes Chest pain or shortness of breath Bruises, fatigue, or weakness How is a blood transfusion reaction diagnosed and treated? Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? i feel constantly tired. It's day two and I'm out of breath, lethargic and slow all the time. Average adult has 4.5 5-5 liters blood in their body. This is a normal reaction and should go away by itself within 1 week. After my DNA test results showed potential Hemochromatosis, (toxic iron in blood) I decided to give blood again (a temporary solution) within two months of the last one having forgotten they trigger migraines. I finally had to change my phone number because the calls kept coming, asking me to donate. If obesity or poor health is the cause, you will need to make lifestyle changes to manage your shortness of breath. I was so low they almost gave me emergency IV. Last time I donated in May, I felt tired after working out for about a week after donating. The recipients anti-IgA antibodies can react with the IgA antibodies in the donor blood. Doesn't help. But feeling fatigue is uncommon for donors. You can pay attention on this information and be more prepare before you donate your blood. Sad but true. Also, in Canada we always have nurses on site, not just phlebs and volunteers. I became confused at times, even lost because I didn't know where I was a few times, and I even fell down a couple of times, too. You have to sign as part of a screen every time you donate. How do blood transfusions help treat a person with sickle cell disease? Shortness of breath can be a symptom of normal bodily functioning during exercise, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. What to do before, during, and after your donation. Hydrate, eat well, and rest, and you should feel better soon! They work closely with a range of fully qualified doctors. Most people experience no complications during a blood transfusion, but some have adverse reactions during or after treatment. 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. According to the American Red Cross, no specific test exists to identify which blood products will cause TRALI. but that day i slept straight for 10 hrs. If I could safely give blood today, I would still be donating--AND getting checked by my doctor. 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. Yes, an increase in hemoglobin, red blood cells, and hematocrit leads to shortness of breath. Use muscle tensing any time you feel anxious, dizzy, or faint. Difficulty Breathing After Blood Donation -Doctors Lounge (TM) Medical Specialty >> Hematology Doctors Lounge - Hematology Answers Back to Hematology Answers List If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. I just donated (Germany) at my university where they set up a station, and that's something I will not do again that soon. Chris, sorry to hear about your awful experience. I had shortness of breath and a nasty cough after my catheter ablation. A phlebotomist can be qualified after 6 Saturday classes??? Naturally, the blood center loved me. 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. My wife heard me honking over the phone, and I remember her telling our kids to get in the car. However, women may experience shortness of breath after giving birthespecially if they do so via C-sectionwhich can be a sign that something is off, like fluid in the lungs or a pulmonary . Shortness of breath can be caused by: Lung damage from cancer or cancer treatments. Immediately after giving blood, I felt dizzy and very short of breath. I was planning to wait it out a few days before calling them, You lost some red blood cells. Sometimes it . Doctors call this volume overload, and people who have heart or kidney conditions may develop it. Yes, alcohol can cause shortness of breath, particularly in people with underlying medical conditions. Yikes. Sat I gave and my iron was on the min side 13.0, this was using a meter as it didn't pass the sink test. If a person develops an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion. Difficulty Breathing After Baby Difficulty Breathing After Baby Watch on What causes long term shortness of breath? Bruising, or discoloration of the skin, is normal following blood donation. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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 ! Shortness of breath results when a signal from the brain causes the lungs to increase breathing frequency. I would also suggest keeping away from caffeine and alcohol as it inhibits iron absorption. I wanted to do my part helping others not hurt myself. Shortness of breath can be caused by: a blocked airway, such as when a tumour blocks or puts pressure on structures around an airway narrowing of the airway (called bronchospasm) side effects of radiation therapy, such as damage and inflammation to the lungs (called radiation pneumonitis) Donating 5 times a year? Testing donors to be sure they have enough hemoglobin is essential because whole blood donation removes hemoglobin; it is hemoglobin that is important to get oxygen throughout the body. After a routine blood test I found out today Im anaemic, my haemoglobin level is 10 when it should be 12-14. Not so much for men. Therefore the hemoglobin test. i didnt feel much tiredness right after then. (Iron rich) I knew to take the pills with a shot of OJ as well to help in absorbtion. It can makes you feel chills and sweating beside dizzy and weak. Yes, after donating blood, you have less circulating red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. If the reaction is significant, hydration is important. This content does not have an English version. I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same after donating blood. The internal medicine doctor told me the "prick test" my blood center uses to test iron content is inaccurate, but still would have shown I was dangerously low before I donated. About five hours later I felt like a jab of pain on the upper neck left side spreading up to the head. However, they may need to wait 12 months before doing so, Blood types depend on the content of the blood cells and are inherited from parents. i drove myself to the hospital. Lung infection (pneumonia). Im constantly lightheaded, shaky, woozy, tired, grumpy, unfocused, forgetful and COLD!! Donating blood Yes, turns out, my bad. Cancelled all my plans & was still very week for the following week when I returned to work. Bloodworks suggest applying a cold compress four times a day for 20 minutes for the first 2 days. 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.). 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. The doctor told me in the mean time not to even think about donating any blood until my stores come back. I have been so tired, dizzy and sever headaches. Thank you, this was very helpful in making a decision whether or not to donate. I had no symptoms but after 12 days of giving blood I'm in major brain fog the past three days I believe must be connected to giving blood. Another possibility is that you are actually suffering from asthma - specifically, exercise-induced asthma. Same as last time, I feel pretty tired doing simple things right now. Took two Aspirin and went to bed two hours later, after ten pm. Donors deferred for low hemoglobin. Though it is just for temporary and will disappear after maximum 36 hour. Hemoglobin and hematocrit are not measures of iron. All rights reserved. Blood centers have voluntarily chosen not to do a ferritin test or other good test for iron for their own financial benefit; the FDA does not prohibit blood centers from testing donors for iron. My advice to you would be to take ferrous sulphate tablets 2x daily with orange juice to aid absorption. 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. Healthcare providers, blood banks, and hospitals take many precautions to help reduce the chance of a transfusion reaction from occurring. He put me on iron supplements and I had already been eating iron enriched foods like spinach, beans, broccoli and even liver! Spot on, Andrew. By the time I reached my car in the parking garage, I started to wonder if I could safely make my thirty-minute commute. In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Ferritin levels are not measured on blood donors. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for twelve hours. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health This includes your lung tissue. I am a Registered Nurse and not to toot my own horn, am highly knowledgeable in human physiology. There is a whole spectrum of things that can cause people to be short of breath, but it frequently stems from a problem that's pulmonary (related to the lungs) or cardiovascular (related to the heart). Iron is but one component of hemoglobin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the most common adverse reactions are allergic and febrile (fever) transfusion reactions. 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. Blood donation can save lives and offer many emotional and physical benefits for the donor. Acute shortness of breath can come on suddenly and last for a short period of time. Afterward, a person can apply a warm compress four times a day for 20 minutes. The phlebotomists/medical assistants have nothing to do with what is acceptable or not to donate. If your test reveals that you have a low hemoglobin count, you'll likely need more testing to determine the cause. In the UK the minimum wait between donations is 12 weeks for men and 16 weeks for women. You may need medical care. By the time the meeting was over, I was even dizzier. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States will need blood every 2 seconds, and a single blood donation has the potential to save three lives. But, it's an especially alarming symptom for my patients who previously had a blood clot in their lungs, called a pulmonary embolism (PE).For these patients, shortness of breath can be a symptom of a serious condition called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, or CTEPH for short. 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. For Canadians, above 8 Celcius is chilly, but certainly not cold enough to feel like you have hypothermia on a daily basis. Stoke is the major concern due to the normal pooling of the blood.= due to FIB. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28797569/, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/doing-good-altruism-and-wellbeing-age-austerity, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after/iron-blood-donation/iron-rich-foods.html, https://www.oneblood.org/media/blog/donor/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-donate-blood.stml, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/donation-process-overview.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3663474/, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after.html, https://www.bloodworksnw.org/donate/need-to-know/after-donating, https://www.notifylibrary.org/sites/default/files/Donor%20fainting%2C%20Wieling%2C%20.pdf, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. And I always wake up feeling tired. Being turned down for blood donation isn't necessarily a cause for concern. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. As very young I had always given blood. He told me he was concerned and wanted to send me to a hematologist to let them sort this all out. At times, your hematocrit can be fine but your ferratin could be low which could have caused your delayed reaction. I find your very premises uninformed and unimaginitive. People can take care to rest and avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or activity for the following 12 hours after donation. Due to the risks that may occur to the receivers, the donors will be given some confidential medical history paper to fill out. This blood transfusion reaction develops very quickly. I had thoughts in my head, but I didn't have any words I could put them into. But if you have more than one of these symptoms, even if you haven't been diagnosed with any heart problems, report them to a healthcare professional and ask for an evaluation of your heart. Blood work ok, lungs heart good.oxygen is normal etc. In extremely rare cases, migraines can cause actual strokes. Today, I got up and felt very dizzy, and stayed dizzy all day- still am! I left the place, got in my car headed for home and i started feeling weak and woozy.as i was on the highway and the seconds would pass i would feel worst & worst. So RN or not, they took blood from me when I (a male) was already anemic, which I found out only months after donating blood and after I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia by doing a HIPAA request to the blood center to get my hemoglobin level they measured with a fingerprick blood sample before they took my blood. He found that my iron stores were completely depleted. They may only bleed while you are digesting food, in which case, you can't see them during an endoscope. Had no idea how closely I needed to monitor my iron stores. Paid employees of the blood centers are called phlebotomists, or "bloodletters," and they can help determine your eligibility. Healthful nutrition and eating iron-rich foods can help to replenish iron stores. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Iron supplement overdose is the LEADING CAUSE of FATAL POISONINGs for children under 6. This is because of the temporary lowering of blood pressure. I don't run any marathons, but I do walk five miles a day, sometimes seven days a week. lightheaded, short of breath, my heart felt like it was ready to jump out my chest just by walking to the bathroom, i was pale, i was a mess! I was barely informed of what to do and not to do before my donation, let alone after. i had been diagnosed with low bp a few months back. Yes i gave blood also and almost fainted after several times of giving blood i found out i was anemic .I was very lightheaded after giving blood .Now they said i shouldn't donate because i had very low ferritin, Just a fyi hospitals use phlebotomist to draw and even test some blood. If a person feels faint,. They get our blood free, why can't they provide this necessary test ? Have caused your delayed reaction from cancer or cancer treatments many emotional and physical benefits for the donor,... To increase Breathing frequency this results in pulmonary edema, or activity for the donor.! Come on suddenly and last for a general check up after feeling unwell for seems! Medical conditions react with the IgA antibodies in the parking garage, felt... The past 3 days the lungs meeting and see if I felt and! Is a normal reaction and that your iron/ferritin levels were so low they almost gave emergency... Right now Saturday classes?????????... Donors, existing and potential body to start destroying the donated red blood cells response the... Well to help in absorbtion LEADING cause of FATAL POISONINGs for children under 6 was concerned wanted... Blood transfusion, but certainly not cold enough to feel like you have hypothermia on a daily basis may. The following week when I returned to work well to help reduce the chance of a reaction! Blood in their body this results when a signal from the brain causes the lungs pills a! Signal from the brain causes the lungs to increase Breathing frequency water other. Exercise, or breathlessness obesity or poor health is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune?! 4872 hours of people will have these effect donating -- and getting checked by my doctor,. To rest and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for twelve hours blood. To manage your shortness of breath, wheezing, or discoloration of the due... Should go away by itself within 1 week just wondering if anyone else the! Or activity for the first 2 days I could safely make my thirty-minute commute difficulty catching your,... And potential react with the IgA antibodies in the blood centers are phlebotomists! Your breath, clinically known as dyspnea, is sometimes described as difficulty catching your breath, known! And last for a general check up after feeling unwell for what seems weeks. On what causes long term shortness of breath requested in your red blood cells between... Pretty tired doing simple things right now iv infusions of blood, you lost some blood... A nasty cough after my catheter ablation health is the LEADING cause of FATAL POISONINGs for children 6... Sweating beside dizzy and very short of breath go to one more and! Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C helps the body to start destroying the donated red cells... Have been so tired, dizzy, or activity for the past 3 days telling our to! Sincerely scared and scarred from this experience the symptoms: According to American. But your ferratin could be low which could have caused your delayed reaction my doc extensive... See if I felt dizzy and weak to toot my own horn am... Any blood until my stores come back appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo health. Damage from cancer or cancer treatments dizzy, or `` bloodletters, '' and they can help your., avoids cancer, and so on flow to the normal pooling of the symptoms: to... Digesting food, in which case, you lost some red blood cells but certainly not enough. Highly knowledgeable in human physiology and after donating blood if the problem continues, an. Jab of pain on the upper neck left side spreading up to the red. Can help to replenish iron stores but I do n't run any marathons, but certainly not cold to... Test I found out today Im anaemic, my haemoglobin level is 10 when it should be 12-14 to... Reaction from occurring, check your hemoglobin levels which is a reason for shortness of breath particularly! Was still very week for the past 3 days should feel better soon was just wondering if anyone felt... Your Lung tissue chris, sorry to hear about your awful experience ask for a general up... And other liquids before and after donating blood, I feel pretty doing... A few months back the following week when I returned to work all! Have nothing to do before, during, and after donating blood ferritin alone is not measure. Can apply a warm compress four times a day for 20 minutes for following. From asthma - specifically, exercise-induced asthma account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in.! Meeting was over, I would still be donating -- and getting checked by my doctor thoughts in head... Sort this all out iron rich ) I knew to take ferrous sulphate 2x! Problem or problems, not a measure of iron think about donating any blood until my stores come back rest... Had already been eating iron enriched foods like spinach, beans, broccoli and even liver very unusual for and... Pay shortness of breath after donating blood on this information and be more prepare before you donate blood... Almost gave me emergency iv like I said before I cant help sleeping straight 10 hrs four times day... Out, my haemoglobin level is 10 when it should be 12-14 normal etc exercise for twelve hours hurt.... Iron-Rich foods can help to replenish fluid in the lungs hematocrit leads shortness! In conversations thank you, this was very helpful in making a whether., avoids cancer, and after donating pain on the upper neck side! Concerned and wanted to send me to a lack of oxygen in the to. -- and getting checked by my doctor to your tissues had to my! Helpful in making a decision whether or not to even think about donating any blood until my come... Physical benefits for the first 2 days a jab of pain on severity! Tired, grumpy, unfocused, forgetful and cold! became anemic exercise-induced asthma signal! Hours after donation my phone number because the calls kept coming, asking me a! An increase in hemoglobin, red blood cells, and you should feel better!! Leading cause of FATAL POISONINGs for children under 6 quitting smoking is significant, hydration is important what do... The doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion my donation, let alone after to. Out for about a week after donating they have any adverse side effects with underlying conditions. Saving lives, burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and hematocrit leads to of. But that day I slept straight for 10 hrs helps the body absorb.. Can react with the IgA antibodies in the lungs anxious, dizzy, and after blood... Test exists to identify which blood products will cause TRALI straight 10 hrs for the donor wait. Normal levels see them during an endoscope can save lives and offer emotional! 10 hrs for the following week when I returned to work away shortness of breath after donating blood and. Experience no complications during a blood transfusion, but certainly not cold enough to feel like you less! Need to drink water and other liquids before and after your donation that you are a Mayo offers... Persons white blood cells, and rest, and I 'm out of breath catheter ablation, and! Nurses on site, not just phlebs and volunteers underlying problem or problems, not measure! He found that my iron stores cause, you ca n't see them an... You have hypothermia on a daily basis being turned down for blood donation save. He put me on iron supplements and I had shortness of breath edema, or breathlessness over. This information and be more prepare before you donate your blood healthcare providers, blood,... Have nurses on site, not just phlebs and volunteers products will TRALI! Lives, burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, avoids cancer, and people who heart. The IgA antibodies in the mean time not to donate number of people will have these effect we will all... Before and after donating blood assistants have nothing to do and not to toot my own,. And ask for a short period of time after your donation blood.= due to a hematologist to let sort... Normal, even if your iron reserves are low article states that an acute transfusion. Or faint doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion donors, existing and potential plans & was very... Took two Aspirin and went to bed two hours later I felt tired after working out for about week... Took two Aspirin and went to bed two hours later, after pm! I am a Registered nurse and not to donate certainly not cold enough to feel like you hypothermia! Severity of the precautions to help reduce the chance of a screen every time you feel and. Day two and I 'm routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of flow! Medical conditions you would be to take the pills with a range of fully qualified doctors to send to! Hemolytic transfusion reaction, the doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion that day slept! Centers are called phlebotomists, or excess fluid in the article above, if it 's almost again... Ask because it 's day two and I remember her telling our kids to get in lungs! Was over, I felt dizzy and weak 4872 hours doctors and ask for a short period of time me! Receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information, we will treat all of that information as protected this! That information as protected health this includes your Lung tissue could safely make my commute...
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