Sunday, 03 July 2011
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Donating Plasma: The Facts (According to Me)
Essentially, plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains albumin (protein), water, and various other materials. The composition of plasma is something like 90% water. Could be more, could be less. I'm just spitballing here. Anyway, plasma can be easily replaced by your body and it only takes about a day after donating to restore your body's supply.
There seems to be a lot of confusion and overall non-knowledge of the process of donating plasma. Well, I've been donating for the past few months and I'd like to give you a few little factoids and pieces of advice to help you decide whether plasma donation is right for you.
1. Drink lots and lots of water. And when you think you can't drink anymore, have another bottle. Trust me, you'll thank yourself when you get to leave the donation center after only half an hour as opposed to the non-hydrated noobs who will sit in their chairs for up to an hour and a half donating plasma. I've recently just cut out sodas all together, except for about once a week when I want a treat. Believe me, it's done wonders for my donation times. Plus, when I leave the donation center, I'm not as dehydrated because I've still got some water in my system. Basically, water should be your go-to beverage the day before and the day of every plasma donation.
2. Eat healthily. Okay, so maybe I'm not much of a healthy eater, but the two days of the week when I donate, you bet your sweet ass I take extra care to ingest plenty of protein, vitamins, etc, to keep my body happy. Eating healthy before a plasma donation not only raises your protein and iron levels, but it also keeps you from feeling sick while donating. I made the mistake of skipping a meal before donating once, and let's just say that I almost had to be unhooked for a trip to the bathroom to throw up. Needless to say, I eat before and after every donation these days. Also, try to eat healthy because if your protein and iron levels are too low, you will be deferred for the day and won't be able to donate.
3. Don't just do it for the money. The fact that the donation center pays me money for donating plasma isn't the only reason I continue to be a loyal patron. I'll admit that it definitely sweetens the pot a great deal, but I also donate because the plasma I donate is used to treat hemophiliacs and children with other autoimmune disorders. If I did it solely for the money, that wouldn't be enough incentive to keep me coming back. The money is nice, but make sure your heart is in the right place before you take the time to donate.
4. Wear pants or take a blanket. If you are a cold-natured person like me, then you will be nearly frozen solid by the end of your plasma donation. In order to give your system a boost of re-hydration, you will be injected with 500 mL of Sodium Chloride (I think) and when it enters your body it is freaking cold! It's one thing to be normal cold and cover up with a blanket, it's a completely different story for your insides to be cold. Don't worry, though, it's a weird sensation, but it'll only last for about fifteen minutes.
5. You will begin to look like a drug user. As stated before, I've been donating plasma for the past couple of months. And in those months, my arms have begun to resemble those of a heroin junkie. If you don't believe me, just look at the picture below for proof. I just want you to know that if you donate plasma for a prolonged period of time, you will begin to notice track marks on your forearms.
6. Bring something to occupy yourself. Don't be a silly duck, bring your laptop or a good read along with you to your donation. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to read last year's edition of Vogue, Cosmo, Bass Pro, or any other doctor's office type magazine you'll be likely to find. Not to mention the fact that you probably won't even be able to read the print due to the excessive amount of wear and tear those zines get. Condensed version, just bring your own method of entertainment and it'll all be kosher.
Donating plasma can be an excellent way to make some extra money or to save for that vacation you never seem to have the money for. In fact, my best friend's dad has been saving every cent of his donation money so that sometime either this year or next, he'll be able to take his wife on a cruise. How sweet is that?
Have you ever donated plasma before? Do you donate blood? Why or why not?
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- From: clumsyandunaware@xanga
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Comments (39)
Good tips. I have donated plasma, before. I did it for about a month, had a few good donations... but my blood pressure was too high. It was my anxiety that got to me. First time I went, I didn't take any snacks or money for the vending machine, so after the few hours you have to WAIT, I was hungry. When I finally went back, I almost passed out in the process, lol. I eventually had to give them proof that I didn't have cardiac issues, but I didn't have health insurance and just haven't been back, since. It is worth it, though, for people who can do it with no problem.
Although, with one arm basically stuck in the same position (I was litterally told not to move my arm at all, because they often had a hard time finding the vein and the needle would move. One time, it was so painful, because they blew the vein. I couldn't stand it, it hurt so bad), so I would have had a hard time reading a book or being on a laptop, lol. I just listened to music and watched their TV.)
Anyway, good tips. I would definitely tell people to give it a shot.
I stopped donating any part of my blood at age 23 (1 year ago) after I realized how hypocritical I was being. I don't support the medical industry due to its poor ethics, yet I was supporting them by donating blood and blood components. I cut up my blood donor card, and that was the last time I ever donated blood.
I've never donated plasma, but I donated blood once. This non-donation thing could be because I'm scared of needles, or it could be because I moved to a new state and wasn't sure where the plasma or blood donation place was. Anywho. When I finally found out where the plasma place was I happened to be pregnant and apparently it's frowned upon to donate bodily fluids when you need them to help another life form inside you. But I'll keep this all in mind until next year, when I'll not be pregnant and maybe willing to get a needle inserted into my body for the good of soemone else - and maybe a little spending cash. :)
I've never donated plasma, although I'm a regular whole blood donor. I often wondered how the process was different.
I tried once, and it was pretty awful. They infiltrated the veins on both of my arms and had to send me home without even getting any plasma. I had ginormous bruises on my arms for weeks, but at least I still got my $50 for being a good sport about it! I'm pretty sure my problem was that it was ridiculously hot and I didn't drink much water. I'd like to try again, but I'm afraid that if I drink too much, I'll have to force them to stop in the middle so I can run to the bathroom... >.<
if youre not doing it for the money, there are places you can go to do it for FREE. when ya do that, ill believe that money isnt really your motivation. i donated plasma once in high school during a school blood drive. i reacted to something because the following day i had a scary ball, irritation where they injected me. @_@ years later i donated at my workplace. after though, when i went and sat and ate my cookies and juice.... the room went far away and my body heated up, sweat rolling off me. i felt like curling into myself and sleeping. i turned to the nurse and asked if this was normal and pointed to my sweat. she rushed me to the chair and put ice on me. i sat there for half an hour and finally was able to drive home. lol. thatw as scary.
What's wrong with doing it for the money?
I used to donate blood quite regularly (well, regularly for being sixteen) but then, I went to the doctor and finally got diagnosed with POTS, and I was really, really badly anemic on top of it. So, sadly, I can't donate blood anymore. It fucks with my blood pressure too much :\
I use to donate a lot too, but I participate in research studies to find vaccines for diseases and stuff like that. I donate blood often there and get paid, so I'm not allowed to donate anywhere else. I tried to donate plasma and platelets but they told me that they were only accepting "B+" participates for now on. Um, how discrimatory...I have to move i guess.
What a great entry.
I have worked in the plasma industry for over 7 years now. I've even donated myself when there was another center to donate at here in our town. Plasma is something that is critically needed. Just think, we can make synthetic versions of most drugs out there, but those made from human plasma can ONLY be made from plasma.
You are correct in it is an anticoagulant, sodium citrate used during the procedure, but what makes you cold is the room temperature saline solution that they give to rehydrate you and replace lost fluids. If it were 500 ml of sodium citrate, you would have a VERY bad day! The saline is room temperature and with most places the temp being around 70 degrees and your body being around 98, then pumping almost 30 degree less fluids into your vein will cause you to feel cold.
Our town has a large military population and is a rather poor town to begin with, so we see around 300 donors a day at our center. Think of the amount of money that we are putting out into the community each year, some of our donors would not be able to make ends meet without the fees earned from donating at our center. Plus, we have several patients who come to see us on a regular basis and meet the staff and donors and thank us for keeping them alive. It really is a rewarding job to have.
@StatelessPilot@revelife - Can you explain that further? In what way does the "medical industry" have poor ethics, and in what way does not donating blood or blood components that may save someone's life constitute an ethical response to whatever your objections may be?
I'm on anti-psychotic meds bcas I am a schizophrenic and that prevents me from giving.
I would like to donate, but it's nearly impossible to find a vein on me anywhere. I usually sit for about 2 to 3 hours being poked at whenever I absolutely have to give blood for my doctors. Most of the time they have to get the blood from my feet, and even then I get stabbed about 10 times before they find a vein. So I'd imagine donating any blood or plasma isn't really an option for me :/
@transvestite_rabbit@xanga - The medical establishment practices bad ethics in that Big Pharma's products are not designed to make you better, but rather sicker so you require more drugs for your new symptoms and by doing that you become a slave to the medical establishment. They aren't in the least bit interested in curing people or making people better, because that would eat into their profits. In short, they don't give a shit about you. All they care about is money. That's why I refuse any and all routine and emergency medical services, for whatever reason.
As for what would have kept me donating blood, if they didn't pay me anything for my blood, they have no right to charge a patient for that pint of blood. If they gave blood transfusions at cost (that is, free) I would have kept doing it. Alas, they don't, and their crummy ethics come into play again when they charge patients hundreds of dollars for a single unit of blood. Sorry, I refuse to support an industry with such terrible ethical standards.
@StatelessPilot@revelife - for once, I agree with you. But in my case, I will still donate for a specific person in my life who was just diagnosed with Leukemia. He is going to utilize the medical system - for lack of better options - and I am going to give him plasma.
@StatelessPilot@revelife - Big Pharma is not the entirety of the medical system. If you have a life-threatening emergency (a traumatic injury, for example), will you really tell the paramedics someone calls on your behalf to go away while you bleed out on the ground?
As for blood donations, yes, the blood is obtained for "free," except for the staff that is being paid to collect it, the equipment that is required to collect it, the materials, space, energy, and research required to type it, test it for disease, and store it, the communications and transportation required to get it to the patient who needs it, when they need it...sure, it's "free."
Every pint of blood donated can save up to three lives. If you choose not to donate because you don't like the way the system works, okay, whatever. But your stance is more peevish than ethical.
@transvestite_rabbit@xanga - "If you have a life-threatening emergency (a traumatic injury, for example), will you really tell the paramedics someone calls on your behalf to go away while you bleed out on the ground?"
The answer to that question is yes, for multiple reasons. Not only ethical, but also quality of life after. What if they say "we saved you, but you'll be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of your life" or "we had to amputate your right leg?" Sorry, I'd rather die than wind up paralyzed or an amputee, because my quality of life thereafter would be shit (my airline pilot career would be over at that point, plus I'd no longer be able to do some of my favorite hobbies). I already have all the documentation in place to make sure my wishes are honored in this regard (I live in Mexico now but they have similar stuff to the US with regard to advance directives/living wills). And yes, it is my right to refuse treatment, even if it means I die.
As far as blood, fine, you have a point. But they still put a disgusting markup on a unit of blood. What's the point of that? Making a profit off of someone's misfortune is both immoral and unethical. Period.
@StatelessPilot@revelife - Well, that's your choice. I hope you never have to make it for real.
@Crono09@xanga - I was wondering the same thing.. now I'll have to give it a go :)
@StatelessPilot@revelife - So you don't support the medical field by your own choice, so you would punish those who need it because of this choice? That seems pretty short-sighted. If your intentions (as they have seemed to be) are to protect people from the pitfalls and dangers in life by speaking out about them so much, why aren't you helping to protect them in all ways?
I don't care what you say; I may stay away from doctors, but if I got in as bad of a car accident as my brother did a few years ago and I was losing blood that rapidly, I'd like some to replace my own. There are just some instances when the medical field is needed for immediate care, the kind of care booking-writing quacks and your local apothecary can't provide.
I've tried to donate blood several times, but they always had major problems finding a vein, and all the nurses there said it would be too dangerous to try. I assume I'll have the same difficulties when it comes to donating plasma, which is a shame. I am an organ donor, though, and I want everything harvested when I die :)
I donate blood and plasma regularly, switching back and forth between the two. I am also on 5 bone marrow lists across the country.
I am AB- and I feel as a healthy person, it is a small thing I can offer to people with a slightly more rare blood type who are suffering a great illness. I've also donated blood in the name of a specific person (a child whose parents I met randomly and were having a hard time getting enough matched blood for their son on chemo, who happened to have the same type as I did).
Before my mother died she used 24 units of blood, while we are different blood types, I vowed to replenish, I've got 3 units left to give and I will have met my goal.
If I am not able to donate blood because I lived in England for 3 years will I be able to donate plasma? My grandfather inspired me to donate blood but I can't and it kills me. If I was able to donate plasma I would take the track marks and let the signify the lives I would be helping to save.
Doing it for the money isn't really a bad thing, provided that you take extra care in doing it. its not a bad thing. heck having 'helping someone in need' as a perk as opposed to money being the perk is still doing good for someone who needs it. and even if you do, do it for only money, its still helping in the long run.
as for me? i am yet to do it, but i have been considering. i didn't know you got money for it, but i still consider doing it.
I've considered selling mine at the local blood bank, but it seems so shady on the inside, both the waiting room, behind-the-scenes and the people who go there. It has detered me from selling my plasma there.