JDiver

Unfortunately, this is true for a number of us.

cmn.jcs

I've donated platelets 4 weeks in a row--I'm amazed I've passed the iron check each time. Guess those iron tablets are working. I wouldn't normally be donating this often, but I'll be moving soon and starting a new job, so I want to get ahead some.

JY1024

I tried to go last week, but all their chairs in the evening were full.

Hope to get in the schedule this week. <fingers crossed>

Sorry to hear that you'll be leaving BOS, but I guess that'll mean less competition for platelet spots in the schedule.

goalie

Donating blood as we speak

Pint #: 97
BP: 111/64
Pulse: 80
Blood Type: Red

jeffreyty002

Giving blood is actually great. However, not everyone can do that especially those who may have health conditions. To those who are physically fit or healthy donating blood is actually one way to save many lives.

Zooter

Is donating platelets more painful or time consuming than normal blood donation?

Canarsie

The process of apheresis can take anywhere from 90 minutes to three hours, depending on a number of factors: the type of machine being used and whether you are giving a single, double or triple amount of platelets as two of those factors.

The “pain” is similar in both cases; but it only lasts momentarily if the needle is administered correctly by the phlebotomist.

I have donated platelets at least 125 times. For many people, the most significant “concern” is what to do to pass the time while donating platelets.

nkedel

That depends -- my local place no longer does dual-needle apheresis, but with the older dual-needle kind you would have two needle sticks.

With the newer, single needle kind you have both intake and return of the blood and if you don't have good veins (A) you can't do apheresis (whether platelet or double RBC) at all, and (B) the failure of the return is relatively painful, much more so than donating whole blood.

I've been asked several times to give platelets and after two failures just have to say "no." I'm not sure how one predicts having good enough veins for the return flow.

Canarsie

Interestingly, the place which I frequent had the dual-needle apheresis machines before employing the single-needle types, which are great because they leave one hand available to read or control a device to listen to music...

...but after a few years, they then reverted back to the dual-needle models. I forgot what was the specific reason — perhaps due to what you mentioned — but there was something about the single-needle machines which caused them to revert...

nkedel

I'd like to be able to give platelets (there seems to be a relatively good supply of A+ around here), and was told that the dual-needle ones would work a lot better for my kind of veins. Sadly, they haven't gone back.

I need to give them a call to see if my most recent trip outside the US counts as a travel deferral or not -- sadly, I think it did.

cmn.jcs

The place I donate was originally single-arm donations (back in 2012, no guarantees on what it was prior). I think it was ~2 years ago that they went to double-arm as the standard--the reason I've heard is something about product quality--double-arm is better, but not sure how it leads to better quality. I do know the machines are capable of single-arm, and the staff will do it on request, but it seems that orders from on high encourage double.

JY1024

Certainly agree. When I used to be on the one-arm machines, I'd bring an iPad to read or play games. Now the new center I've been going to for the last couple of years uses the Amicus machines and prefers the two-arm donation. See prior post. Thankfully, the center that cmn.jcs and I go to has Netflix/Hulu accounts (via Roku) on each TV that's attached to each chair. ^


When I started giving, it was on a one-arm machine. I was quite apprehensive about having both arms immobile when I switched over to the Amicus machines. However, I've now not only become accustomed to them, but also slightly prefer them. In the past, I was always a little bothered by the return in the same arm. Never painful...just never really enjoyed the sensation of the return happening every minute or so.

Zooter

What's the rationale for donating platelets? Is there a greater need because fewer people donate? Due to the greater time commitment?

Canarsie

There is a high demand for platelets; and one donation is equivalent to up to 18 donations of whole blood.

goalie

First time in 40 years of donating that I was denied . Low iron and they attempted 3 times but it was a no-go. Rescheduled for Thursday morning and hopefully the steak I have for supper on Wednesday night helps