I am considering plasma donation and was wondering about the process - is it painful, how long does it take, etc?
2006-10-13 12:37:44 · 6 answers · asked by Brittany H 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
There's two ways, one arm and two arm... the process is pretty much the same. They draw the blood out of your arm, centrifuge it to seperate the parts, keep the plasma and then pump the red cells back into your bloodstream. One are takes longer because it only has one needle, so it has to withdraw, seperate, and put back in, then start the cycle over. Two-arm is faster because it can continually draw from one arm, while continually replacing into the other.
It doesn't hurt anymore than giving blood, which is really just a needle prick.
Well, they pump some saline into you at the end to replace lost fluids, and if it's really cold it's one of the weirdest feelings ever.
2006-10-13 12:47:06 · answer #1 · answered by ensnentill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you donate plasma, you're donating the part of the blood that contains clotting factors (platelets and other proteins). You get hooked up to a machine that draws your blood, separates the blood from the plasma, and then returns the plasma-less blood to your body. I believe they only take a pint of plasma in total, but I could be wrong. Because your body can regenerate these elements much quicker than it can replace blood, you can donate plasma much more often (I think the recommendation is every two or three days). When you donate blood, nothing gets returned to your body. You get hooked up to a tube that ends in a pouch, and your blood flows into the pouch until it is full. You can only donate blood once every eight weeks.
2016-05-21 23:55:22 · answer #2 · answered by Beth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully this site helps. I've done it a few times and it hurts no more then donating blood twice. I heard they changed the process a little but back when I was able to do it regularly it took about an hour or so and one needle in your left arm placed the blood into the seperator then placed it back in your body in the right arm. (hence the giving blood twice comment) It just feels a little like having an IV fluid because they do give the blood back. Sorarely do you well the woozy things and such
Check it out it really is a great thing.
Bless you
2006-10-13 12:44:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The needle stick is uncomfortable, but most donor centers take the most talented nurses because they like their donors. The anticoagulant may decrease the ionized calcium in your blood stream, but a chewable calcium antacid (TUMS) will counter this if it happens. It takes about 75 minutes to 2 hours.
2006-10-13 12:54:23 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You donate plasma when you donate blood. They just separate it. It doesn't hurt and doesn't take more than 30 minutes. Afterwards, you might feel a little dizzy because you have low blood sugar, and that's why they give you cookies and juice.
2006-10-13 12:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
hi Hun
please seek medical advice from your doc they will be able to know the positive and negatives an be able to tell you real facts about it xxxxxxx best of luck and good on you xxxxx
2006-10-13 12:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by amber1234 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋