2006-08-23 12:02:57 · 8 answers · asked by LP 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Donating platelets is quite a bit different from donating a unit of blood.
When you donate blood they put the IV in and in 5-10 minutes you are done. The stick kind of hurts but as soon as the needle is in place it does not hurt.
When you donate platelets they have to hook you up to a special machine that removes the platelets and returns the rest of your blood back to you. Sometimes they have to use 2 needles - which only hurt when they put them in. You do have to keep your arm still while these are in place - I had 1 in each arm so I couldn't read the book I brought so watched a movie instead. The length of time depends on your size and platelet count. It can take up to 2 hours. Because the machine separates blood and platelets the machine has to put a special anticoagulant mixed in which when given back to you can make your lips tingle or get a bit numb. If this happens they give you some Tums to chew. Some people get cold while they do this, so the American Red Cross has nice warm blankets for you. My platelet donation experience was very good. It only hurt for a minute when they put the IVs in and afterwards when the procedure was all done I felt much better than I usually do after donating blood. None of that light headed wiped out feeling. I prefer donating platelets to blood - especially because I have trouble getting my iron level up high enough to donate very often. Also, you can donate platelets more often than blood. Platelets are a VERY VALUABLE product! THEY ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 5 DAYS!!!!! That means that a lot of platelet donors are needed to make sure that these are always available when needed. Open Heart Surgery patients often need platelet transfusions as well as cancer patients and leukemia patients.
2006-08-23 12:19:16 · answer #1 · answered by petlover 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is about the same as giving blood except that they take platelets. Could take about an hour. Doesn't hurt any more than getting a blood test, but the needle needs to be in your arm for about 45 minutes. It just feels strange, not hurting. No big deal. And it is a very kind and caring thing to do!
2006-08-23 12:06:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Donating platelets takes 80mins. There are 2 needles. Flow coming out, and flow coming in. You can not move your arm for these 80mins, so if u want a bit of freedom, have them both in one arm. So, does it hurt.? Yes, a little. The overall experience is much more difficult than any of the others. Which is why no one wants to do it. No one wants to sit still, with their arm/arms straight for 80mins. That, along with the first time u are allowed to bend your arm once it is all over, is by far the worst part. Sticking of needles is not an issue. It is very uncomfortable,very inconvenient, & very time consuming for someone that doesn't have cancer. Very much needed for those that DO have cancer, which is why I do it. but it does take some self motivating. I usually do it on Sun w/NFL pregame & games. American Red Cross calls me weekly. They can be very aggressive, and annoying, which tells me one thing.Patients very much need my platelets.And yours too. So stop being a weenie and donate.
2016-12-03 06:47:46 · answer #3 · answered by Wallace W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is just like giving blood. The machine pulls out your blood, separates the platelets, and gives you back the rest.
It takes quite a while, so bring a book or your iPod to listen to music or something. Sometimes they have a TV on but not always.
2006-08-23 12:05:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking about a double-red donation, it just feels like a regular donation. They hook you up to a machine that recirculates your plasma back into your body and adds IV fluids into your veins. You cannot donate again for twice as long as if you'd given a regular donation, but other than that it's nothing, really.
2006-08-23 12:06:11 · answer #5 · answered by Cat Loves Her Sabres 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same amount of pain as getting a shot . they draw out the blood run it through a centrifuge to separate plasma from plat lets then set up a iv to put what they are not using back into your bloodstream
2006-08-23 12:08:54 · answer #6 · answered by john2112 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It dosen't hurt very much. You just sit in the chair, and the nurse stick a needle in your arm and leaves it in until they get as much as they need, and then your done! Sometimes, afterward, you get cookies:)
2006-08-23 12:05:48 · answer #7 · answered by elvenjewl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they just stick a needle in your arm i dont think it hurts and its savin a life
2006-08-23 12:05:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋