Are There Any Side Effects From Donating Plasma And Platelets?

I am 66 years old with O negative blood. I have been donating whole blood as often as I possibly can for years (I feel it is my responsibility as a universal donor). As anyone who has given knows, whole blood donations are quite easy. I have never had problems with my donations except for once when the technician had trouble finding a vein (probably due to my not being hydrated enough in advance--I no longer make that mistake). About 6 weeks ago I was called and asked if I would be willing to donate platelets as I was identified as a good candidate—I was unaware how important platelet donation is and was wrong in thinking I was too old to donate. Since then I have donated platelets 4 times and am now on an every other week schedule (fits well with the 24 times per year maximum). The platelet donation process for me has been more uncomfortable than giving whole blood but not enough that I can't handle it. Its importance makes my level of comfort for a few hours relatively insignificant. Being cold is easily remedied with a warm blanket and I found today that having a meal and drinking a quart of fluids within an hour of beginning the donation process helped alleviate the light headedness I had previously experienced. Numbness of the lips during the process is relatively mild. The increasing number of bone marrow transplants (which require a large number of platelet donations) has increased the need for donations. Knowing I am helping extend someone’s life each time I donate is very rewarding to me.

If you don't drink enough fluids the day before and eat a good meal about 2 hours before you donate you could get a reaction such as severe dizziness and hyper ventlation. I know because it happened to me once. I have donated many times since and did fine. Just make sure you drink a lot so it goes quicker too.

I had an opportunity to donate platelets pheresis as for saving a life. This was my first time donating platelets, even though I have donated whole blood before.

1.My first concern was - The blood will be passed through a device and then fed back to the donor. Is it safe as the same device is used for all the donors?

I was wrong. The entire set of tubes and other bags which my blood passes through is a disposable one. So it single and it is safe.  

2. Will I feel dizzy.
3.  I dint have lunch, what I had is just a mango juice. Will I be fine.

Everything went fine, it took almost 1 hour, I was asking questions about the process and the machine to the technician, so it was a great experience for me. He just put a needle in my left arm, I think its a double needle. The machine draw blood for some cycle, when it is some 250ml it starts filtering the pheresis part and then put in back to my body through the same vain. Such a process took almost 10 yo 12 mins , and the entire process took almost 1 hr 15 mins. I didnt even realise the something happened. I was watching TV and chatting with the technician. Only thing what I remember is that when the blood is returned I felt a bit cold on my veins. I just have a mango juice and  a burger before the donation and eveything was fine. I actually walked almost 1 to 2 km after the donation may be after 15 mins to get money from ATM. Ha.. They also gave me some calcium tables while I was going through the process. And one juice pack after that.

Your effort is worth it, if it can save one life.

I have donated more than 250 units over a period of 35 years with some whole blood but mostly platelets. I have never felt any after effects from platelet donations. I do as they say, sitting the donor area for a few minutes afterwards, drinking more than usual and avoiding heavy lifting for a time. I am asking my teenage children to donate 3 units of whole blood and 3 units of platelets in the hope that they might become lifelong donors. I want them to try each 3 times and then decide whether or not they want to become regular donors. There is such a great need for platelets and it is something that is very easy to do that very directly benefits other desperately ill people in dire need of platelets (and/or whole blood). If you are reading these comments I hope that you too will become a regular donor, though I do know that it is simply not for everybody. Chris S. Statesville, NC, USA

I have donated three times now.  I had side effects two times out of three.  The side effects were dizziness and near fainting towards the end of the process but both times were due to the fact that I did not eat before I went to donate. The staff was great with helping me feel better and taking care of me.  The one time I did eat I felt great during and afterwards.  My advice is to try it but definately do everything you are asked to do prior to donating so your chance of side effects are greatly decreased. I will make sure I eat just prior to donating next time I go. Yes, I will donate again. My mother passed away from breast cancer and watching her undergo chemo and the side effects from that, make me realize that this is really nothing in comparison to what Cancer patients endure.

I switched from whole blood donations to platelets a year ago after many request because my blood did not have the CMV virus (cytomegalovirus) which means my blood can go right to Childrens Hospital and be given to infants. I was nervous about the procedure but found it to be much easier on my system then donating whole blood. Whole blood donation's left me drained of energy and I did have one bad experience with a trainee having trouble with the needle and pass-out. After platelet donation I feel great you have to remember your only giving platelets so most of your blood is returned to you. I donate every 14 days now and my platelet count is usually around 390 so I give two full units (double platelet donation). I am an active person in my late 40's running 30 kilometers a week and feel fortunate to be able to help others.

Yes I've donated for years off and on but today  hours after I left I noticed I felt weak... After waking up I started work as usual, but about 30 minutes of standing on my feet caused me to feel very dizzy, confused, light- headed and weak. I laid down for a while then felt better.. I don't think I'll donate again....

No, just make sure you drink lots and lots of water. If you don't you could have side effects. But if you drink lots of water you won't have to worry about it

I have donated platelets many times and whole blood few times. Donating platelets takes a bit longer than donating whole blood but from what I heard, if you are AB-ve like me, donating platelets would be more useful than donating whole blood. The only side effect I remember is that the first time I felt dizzy and had to stop in between. They had some count of measure of how fast they can draw the blood. Next time when I visited them I asked them to reduce that. Thou it takes little longer, I was absolutely fine. Platelets will be very useful especially if you have CMV negative as the platelets can be used for infants. As long as eat and drink lots of fluids before and after the donation and you are in good health, then you should be absolutely fine. The best part of the whole process is after almost 2 hours when you feel you deed might help in saving a  person/child's life

I donated platelets for the first time today.  I normally donate whole blood, and I'm a heartier female and have never had a bad experience donating so my blood center asked me to donate platelets as well.  I ate a decent breakfast before going in, but I must not have had enough fluids because with about 5 mins. Left in my donating I threw up all over myself, and my phlebotomist.  Also in trying to catch myself I jammed the needle already in my arm, through the vain so now it hurts.  All and all though, I did this to my self, and the technician did give me a new shirt and bought me lunch at the sub shop across the street.  I will probably do it again in the future.  Also, after I donated I was talking to a college from work, and found out her leukemia relapsed recently, she hadn’t told anyone at work yet, and she had needed platelets a couple days ago, and she gave me a huge hug.  Even though for a couple hours I was very uncomfortable, and I did throw up, the hug made it all worth it.

I donated Platelets today and the only side effect I had was that I got really cold, but as soon as I got into the car with the heat and home in a nice warm bed, I felt fine.  I was sorry to read that so many people had problems!

Well I donated today and began blacking out in line at wal mart about 3 hours after donating. I was out of it and left everything on the counter and made my way to a bench outside the store and passed out. It was really scary. I ate well before and after and had plenty of fluids as well!

You could have side effects such as dizziness or fainting. I think you would be fine if you just eat a little something and drink plenty of clear fluids before donating.

Platelet and plasma donations are two different things. When donating plasma they judge your donation amount by your weight while platelets they take a small amount if blood at the begining of the process and calculate how many platelets are in your system to determine the donation amount. Plasma is the glue that holds the blood cells together and platelets are your white blood cells.  They are both drawn through an apheresis machine that separates the red blood cells from product that is being drawn (i.e. Platelets or plasma). Plasma takes about 45 minutes while platelets take about 90. They are both very safe and very rewarding. Only about 2% of people report having any side effects and those are generally mild. I am a platelet  donor and I go every 2 weeks to donate.  I have never had a bad experience and I will continue to donate as long as possible.

I donated platelets for the 1st time yesterday; I normally donate blood only.   My experience was great.   My technician, Richard, made the experience enjoyable and kept me entertained throughout the process.   About 45 mins into the procedure; I had cramping in my toes, but after sucking on some tums, the cramps went away.   I also felt cold but Richard brought me some heat packs and placed them in my hands and on my shoulders and that gave me warmth.   Richard said that I would benefit many patients by donating platelets rather than blood; although, both are needed.   I gave a double donation of platelets my 1st time and have no bad side affects.   Please consider donating; you are saving up to 3 lives with your donation.

About two years ago, I started giving platelets because my mom needed several units and I was so thankful that someone else had given of their time and platelets for my mom!  I now donate platelets (I used to donate whole blood about every 56 days) about 10 times a year.  I have to drive over an hour each way to the closest donation site, but it is so worth it!  I am possibly giving life to someone else, by little effort on my part!  I have never had any side effects except tingling in my lips (which goes away with tums that they give me during the donation).  I would encourage anyone who is interested to donate if possible.  It is very rewarding!

I've given over a dozen times and have never had any side effects other than once or twice when I've given in the Winter months I've gotten cold but they have blankets at the ready.  On one other occasion the machine stopped working during the collection so they had to stop and couldn't use what I had, initally I chalked it up to bad luck but then the technician admitted they've had trouble with the machine and it's happened to others.  That made me mad so I stopped going to that clinic and went to another one that is a little farther but never had any issues.  Anyway I feel it's very worthwhile, just make sure you have the time because it routinely takes an hour and a half to two hours from the moment I walk in.

---   Minor discomfort < Help saving life  ---

I had a very horrible experience in the middle of donating plasma.I was about 20minutes into donating and 3/4 the way done,which I thought was a little unusual because I had donated before and never had the container fill up as fast,when I started getting really hot and told the nurse immediately. That wasnt the worst part,it was when I started to black out and my upper extremities began to jerk uncontrollably,which lasted for 20 seconds and within that time,I had lost control of my bodily fluids and urinated on myself. Now I had never had any previous medical conditions of any before I had donated,but it appears that I went into a seizure. To top it all off,I heard a nurse state that the other nurse jessica whom had hooked me up had the machine running at a 100. When last time I checked,they are suppose to adjust the machines according to body weight. I weigh only 142 lb and ate a good meal with plenty of water before I donated,even brought a reciept back to show I had ate. I feel not only outraged,but highly upset! What if this were to happen again to another person? I'm telling my experience in hopes that someone may see this and take extra care and consideration when donating. This happened in knoxville tennessee off seventh street. Now I'm not saying don't donate,but what if I had lost my life donating plasma because of the careless actions of a nurse? You decide,but I'm telling my story.

I donated platelets today for the first time.  I experienced tingling in my lips and was given some tums to suck on.  They told me that is to help replenish the calcium you are losing during the process.  I did begin to feel cold after awhile, but that was about all.  I'll definitely donate again.  There are so many cancer patients going through chemo that need the platelets.

I donated the Platelets for the first time and there was very mild irritation (numbing of lips). It was a wonderful experience when I met the Leukemia patient who held both his hands together and told us that how we helped him stay alive for few more months. It was really an emotional moment knowing that some one is counting his days and think about the trauma that the patient and the family have to undergo. I had donated blood a number of times but this was a different experience all together.

I have donated several times and suffered mild side effects.  Just increase calcium/fluid intake a couple days before donation and you should be fine.  Remember to eat before and have a hearty meal afterward; increase fluids after donation and follow their directions concerning activities/alcohol.  (Once I went running and felt horrible; once I went barhopping and felt quickly drunk, then horrible.)

I have donated whole blood 89 times.  My father in law died this summer - Waldenstrom's Leukemia.  In his last 2 months he needed many platelet transfusions.  About a month after he died, the red cross called and suggested I switch from whole blood donation to platelets, and I accepted.
My first donation was fine - took about 65 minutes.  I was cold but no other symptoms.  It was a lot tougher than a whole blood donation, though.  My next platelet donation is tomorrow.  This time I will eat and drink before going.  No aspirin products.

I also donated platlets just before two days. The only side effect is that my hand has some red spots. I don't know why but it is there.

Honestly, other than the very rare occurance of an allergic reaction, most people's problems stem from not drinking enough and eating enough. I know I am feeling it right now but I have no one to blame but myself since I had not planned my trip to donate today.

Just the other day I had a bad reaction to the sodium citrate that they put back into your body with your red blood cells. It was the scariest time of my life. It started with nausea and then my hearing went. After a few moments my entire body cramped up and I passed out. I was rushed to the E.R and I Will never donate again!!

I too had a bad experience when I got home. I went out eat at a restaurant was nauseated, bad clod sweat, passed out, fainted they called 911. I had to got to the ER I had 2-bags of fluids I was severely dehydrated. The medic said they should not take so much at a time this can be very dangerous. SHould not take by weight only a set amount no matter what,

Hi guys! Recently I've donated blood for the first time and had some negative experiences. Most websites will tell you there are none or negligible side effects after donating. Since this wasn't my case, I decided to dig a little deeper and expose all possible side effects. You can read about mine and others' experiences here:
www.mcarticles.com/a/blood-plasma-donation-side-effects-what