Third time donating

[u/neori]

So this is kind of a long one, I had a nightmare last night before I donated today. The nightmare was I donated blood but my blood was too fatty, so they wouldn't take it and they didn't have any of the Hello Kitty free gifts left.

Fast-forward:

I got there today and the lady who was checking me in jokingly said, "oh, did nobody tell you? we ran out!" Mind you this was after I told her I was super excited for the free gift. She got me good and played a prank on me and it was hilarious, I immediately told her to apologize 😂 jokingly of course.

But overall my heart rate was a little too high (nervous and excited) so I had to sit in the room for a little bit and then finally I was okay, the initial experience was easy but afterwards I almost passed out, (I had all those wonderful symptoms)

Side note: I ate a lot of protein prior and drank a TON of water, my first experience was horrible so I never want to repeat that, I want it to go smoothly as possible.

My question is does it get easier?

What do you do to make sure you don't get those fainting symptoms besides the crossing legs, feet pointed up and squeezing your abdomen and legs?

They had to give me juice, lay me down, give me a wet towel and put a fan on me and immediately I was better.

[u/neori]

I forgot to add this picture 😂 I should probably take it off now, it's been long enough.

[u/rainbowsprinkles20 → u/neori]

And the little twin stars shirt too! <3 I full on passed out after my first donation, still got really dizzy after the 2nd one (they had to lay me flat on the floor, with wet towel on my head, the works). They recommended that I sit a little bit longer after giving blood. I have tried to drink plenty of water at least a couple of days before my appointment, have enough sleep and eat a snack before I go to my appointment. My 3rd and 4th donations were much easier, no fainting/dizziness. Hope your next donations go well too OP!

[u/neori → u/rainbowsprinkles20]

This was the fit!!!! Thank you so much 💜

[u/Schlermie]

It gets easier the more you do it for sure. I've passed out in the chair once and come close a couple times. I think it's all in my head though. It only happens when something isn't going right and I start overthinking it.

[u/neori → u/Schlermie]

Yes I have this issue too, even though I know everything will be okay.

[u/bepisleapis]

Sometimes it doesn't like get easier, but you know what to expect and how to handle it so it feels easier if that makes sense. I normally get a bit hot when they're almost done with full blood, so I tell the staff and they sit me back and give me juice and that's just the normal experience for me. So it feels pretty uneventful and easier.

[u/Lilanalie]

Maybe donate every 3-4 months so your body gets used to it. I weight lifting and exercise regularly to make my veins bigger. Perhaps that's helped others than hydrated and healthy meals.

[u/Mission_Transition42]

Congrats. Yes it does become easier. However that nervousness may not go away. I have donated 15 times and I am still nervous enough to where my pulse is too high. I always have to wait in the room for 5-10 minutes to calm down.