Laura Corin Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 The UK blood service is by unpaid donation only. I really wanted to start donating again after we moved back to the UK, so tried last week. They took me through an extensive health questionnaire: checking that I hadn't lived in malarial areas, asking about my sexual habits, ensuring that my cholesterol medication was not a problem, asking about all my doctor visits for the last couple of years... But I was disqualified due to my (three times yearly) bouts of supraventricular tachycardia. They say that it's for my own protection, but I really can't see what giving blood has to do with it my condition.... I'm sad I can't help out. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 None of us can donate because we lived in Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I can't, either. I used to donate, but because I have to answer 'yes' to "Do you have a blood relative who died of CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human equivilant to Mad Cow Disease)?" they disqualify me, despite the fact that I had the genetic testing done to determine that it was the SPORADIC type, not the GENETIC type. I guess they figure 'better safe than sorry'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Buckin' Longhorn Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 None of us can donate because we lived in Germany. Me neither. I lived there for all of the 1980's. Apparently that's the worst time to have lived there if you ever wanted to give blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Yeah - we lived in Europe during the whole Mad Cow thing, so none of us are ever allowed to donate. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I don't donate because I've had Lyme Disease. Some places will allow it; others will not. Unfortunately, there's no way to say for certain that one is completely cured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I don't even know what that is! I can't donate because I lived in Africa all through the 70's and 80's and have had malaria and Hep A. Other than that, I am good! ;) And the funny part is, Dh can no longer donate because they have determined that anyone sleeping with someone who spent almost 2 decades in Africa can't donate either! :lol: Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Another one who can't donate here... for me it's because I lived in the U.K. in the 80's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 It's to bad, because I am a universal donor. Me, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I can't, either. I used to donate, but because I have to answer 'yes' to "Do you have a blood relative who died of CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human equivilant to Mad Cow Disease)?" they disqualify me, despite the fact that I had the genetic testing done to determine that it was the SPORADIC type, not the GENETIC type. I guess they figure 'better safe than sorry'. I'm out for the same reason, and apparently so are my kids. No genetic testing for us. However, I agree, it's much better to be safe than sorry on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I'm out for the same reason, and apparently so are my kids. No genetic testing for us. However, I agree, it's much better to be safe than sorry on this one. :grouphug: Yes, it's a horrific disease. If you are interested in genetic testing it is free and I can PM you the info.....if you are so inclined. (It was taking forever to get my brother's autopsy report back and he left behind a 2 year old son, so we were specifically trying to see if his SON was at risk, so that is why I was tested.) I have no financial stake in this, just thought you may want the info. (You have your blood drawn by YOUR dr and have it sent off to Dr. Gambietti at the National Prion Surveillence Center.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I have lived in Germany, and I also have the added reason of not meeting the minimum weight requirement to donate. DH can't donate because he lived in Germany and Africa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Buckin' Longhorn Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I also have the added reason of not meeting the minimum weight requirement to donate. I would never have that particular problem. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Me neither. I lived there for all of the 1980's. Apparently that's the worst time to have lived there if you ever wanted to give blood. I knew there was something about not being able to have been in the UK during the mad cow thing (I was), but what's the deal with Germany in the '80's? (yep, was there too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I would never have that particular problem. :lol: Me,neither, but I think I'm gonna start telling people that. "Hey! I'm a WHOLE LOT TALLER than I initially appear!" :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I don't donate because I've had Lyme Disease. Some places will allow it; others will not. Unfortunately, there's no way to say for certain that one is completely cured. Same here. I would be afraid to donate, because I wouldn't want to take the chance of exposing someone to Lyme. Before I had Lyme, I couldn't donate because I didn't meet the minimum weight requirement. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehog Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Well nothing so complicated here - I'm slightly anaemic, just enough to make them say "no". I also have low blood pressure and they don't like that either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 ..., and I also have the added reason of not meeting the minimum weight requirement to donate. That hasn't been a problem for me since my college days! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 My veins need smaller needles than they use at the blood donation centers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I am on a permanent non donor list because I had a platelet disorder for a few months when I was 18. Nevermind that I am now 44 (almost:D) and the issue is long resolved. I have the most rare blood type - AB-. It really bothers me that I cannot donate because I am very willing. In my opinion, some of the regulations are too strict, such as the one which prevents me from donating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Another one who can't donate because I was in the UK in the 80's.. (for a whooping total of 6 weeks over two years!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidiyaDawn Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 (edited) What's with the weight requirement anyway? I have an aunt who is only 4'10" and weighs 90-something lbs - given her height, that's a healthy weight. Yet they say she still can't - I think they insisted on 110lbs. My mother couldn't donate either - she's 5'2" but she only weighs 97lbs dripping wet. Now SHE could stand to gain some weight, but my aunt? They even went all spy-like on me back when I went a few years ago. I'm 5'8" and at the time I weighed about 115lbs -- the lady didn't believe me and kept looking and commenting on my "skinny little legs". +eyeroll+ Edited December 23, 2010 by LidiyaDawn spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I'm actually okay with all the restrictions mentioned so far.:confused: Just as an FYI, you can donate to bank your own blood if you are planning a surgery or whatever. I highly encourage anyone to do this ahead of time when they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 They call me "underweight" and I'm occasionally anemic. I've never been able to donate. I had surgery in high school that had at least a moderate need for blood transfusions. My parents weren't crazy about the possibility of that and I was even more underweight then and couldn't give the amount of blood I might have needed. It was an odd situation. We even tried for a few weeks to get me to gain weight. I could probably gain it now if I wanted to. ;) LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 The last time I donated, I fainted down a flight of stairs, so I stopped donating. However, I spent a semester at Oxford in 1989. Does that mean I cannot donate if I get my nerve up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I read recently that the blood banks around here are no longer allowing people with chronic fatigue syndrome to donate blood because of the connection of CFS with the XMRV retrovirus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 If you sudden drop in hct caused a bout of SVT, which stressed your cardiac muscle's blood supply, and you had an MI, in this country, they would lose the lawsuit. Can you give plasma? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I faint too easily, but hubby has a key chain for the gallons and gallons he has donated over the last 40 years. They call him regularly. O negative, baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 DH can't donate because he had a false positive on an HIV test once when he donated...it was a total weird fluke--he's about as low risk as he could possibly get for HIV, and he went to his doctor and got another test right away--but now he's on a list and can't ever give blood again. I haven't tried in awhile, but I have terrible white coat hypertension, so the times I have tried I've been turned down because my blood pressure was too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 They have a lot of exclusions here. My husband cannot donate because he is from Germany. None of us can donate because we lived in Germany. How about if you lived in Germany before 1965? Another one who can't donate because I was in the UK in the 80's.. (for a whooping total of 6 weeks over two years!) Does it matter which part of the 80s? I faint too easily, but hubby has a key chain for the gallons and gallons he has donated over the last 40 years. They call him regularly. O negative, baby! My grandmother had O negative, and she was called on a lot. I have the opposite type, AB positive (so not as rare as some) but quit giving in my early 20s when I had low iron. I was thinking of giving again once past menopause (when the iron thing won't be a problem) but now I'm wondering if I can even give at all! My parents took me as soon as I was old enough, and it wasn't even an option the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 How about if you lived in Germany before 1965? Does it matter which part of the 80s? From the Red Cross site: In-Depth Discussion of Variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease and Blood Donation In some parts of the world, cattle can get an infectious, fatal brain disease called Mad Cow Disease. In these same locations, humans have started to get a new disease called variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD) which is also a fatal brain disease. Scientists believe that vCJD is Mad Cow Disease that has somehow transferred to humans, possibly through the food chain. There is now evidence from a small number of case reports involving patients and laboratory animal studies that vCJD can be transmitted through transfusion. There is no test for vCJD in humans that could be used to screen blood donors and to protect the blood supply. This means that blood programs must take special precautions to keep vCJD out of the blood supply by avoiding collections from those who have been where this disease is found. At this time, the American Red Cross donor eligibility rules related to vCJD are as follows: You are not eligible to donate if: From January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996, you spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 3 months or more, in the United Kingdom (UK), or From January 1, 1980, to present, you had a blood transfusion in any country(ies) in the (UK). The UK includes any of the countries listed below. Channel Islands England Falkland Islands Gibraltar Isle of Man Northern Ireland Scotland Wales You were a member of the of the U.S. military, a civilian military employee, or a dependent of a member of the U.S. military who spent a total time of 6 months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas during the specified time frames From 1980 through 1990 - Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or Germany From 1980 through 1996 - Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece. You spent (visited or lived) a cumulative time of 5 years or more from January 1, 1980, to present, in any combination of country(ies) in Europe, including in the UK from 1980 through 1996 as listed above on or associated with military bases as described above, and in other countries in Europe as listed below: Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia/Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland (Republic of) Italy Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) Liechtenstein Luxembourg Macedonia Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) Netherlands (Holland) Norway Poland Portugal Romania Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) Slovak Republic (Slovakia) Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Yugoslavia (Federal Republic includes Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 How interesting! Apparently, DH can't give blood - he lived in Germany from birth (1979) until he was two. I just told him and he had no idea. He said he'd never given blood before (not a fan of needles), but that this made him feel a lot less like a chicken :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabelen Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I stopped donating blood last time I tried in the UK when I was told they would only be able to use my plasma because I had holidayed in Sri Lanka. It doesn't help that I am usually borderline height-weight, take a long time to get a pint of blood out of me and have fainted every single time I've donated. Of course now that you post all those restrictions there is no way I would be able to donate. I lived in Spain from birth to 1988 and then moved to the UK where I lived until 1999. My dh can't donate either because he has had malaria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I'm sorry you can't donate, Laura. I help coordinate and work our local blood drives. Most of the volunteers are people who can't donate for one reason or another, but who want to help. Maybe you could inquire as to whether they need volunteers occasionally. Even if you can't donate blood, you could still help the cause overall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missesd Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Can you still donate if your pre-diabetic and on Metformin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I have the most rare blood type - AB-. It really bothers me that I cannot donate because I am very willing. In my opinion, some of the regulations are too strict, such as the one which prevents me from donating. I'm also AB- and would love to donate, but I lived in the UK for 10 years. :( Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I had no idea there were so many European exclusions. I couldn't donate because I'd been to Cambodia and the DMZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 But I was disqualified due to my (three times yearly) bouts of supraventricular tachycardia. They say that it's for my own protection, but I really can't see what giving blood has to do with it my condition.... I'm sad I can't help out. Laura Low blood volume (and also anemia) causes the heart to beat faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I can't either because of the height/weight thing. I guess I understand that a pint of blood from someone who has less blood to start with has more of an impact on the body than a pint from someone who has more blood volume but it is frustrating. I always feel guilty when people are doing blood drives and I have to say no. My DH can't give blood either because he lived in Germany and because he caught some strange tropical disease in Haiti so our whole family looks like losers during the group blood drives. I am signed up as a marrow donor. I checked on the forms that I was at a healthy weight (I think I am for my body) but I wonder if they would disqualify me for that too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I can give blood, but I really don't like to because it makes me feel bad too. I am not anemic, don't have any previous conditions, have never left America except to say I went to Canada.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 Low blood volume (and also anemia) causes the heart to beat faster. But I've been assured by my cardiologist that my SVT is a quirk rather than a problem. He's happy to treat it if I find it a nuisance, but doesn't otherwise see a need. Oh well. I did try to donate while we lived abroad - before the SVT was diagnosed - but ran into the same CJD restrictions that others have mentioned. The UK continues to import plasma for use with people born after 1st January 1996, presumably in order to try to foster a 'clean' generation. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 But I've been assured by my cardiologist that my SVT is a quirk rather than a problem. I have SVT as well and there have been two times where it was considered a problem, once when I was pregnant and another time when it converted to atrial fibrillation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I'm not allowed to give blood, due to living in Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 (edited) early '90's when the whole mad cow thing was going on. The US automatically eliminates anyone who was in the UK during this period. Weird, I know. You'd think after this period of time, if I were infected, I'd be forming at the mouth at least. ETA: I see more info was provided by another posted regarding the limits on donations from those who have lived in the UK and Europe. Edited December 23, 2010 by Stacy in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 It's the introvert's ideal charitable act (beyond writing a cheque). I go, I donate, I drink tea, I walk away. I only need to engage with others as much as I am interested in doing so. I am prevented from doing it too often, so I don't have to feel guilty about not doing it every week. That's why I'm peeved. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockey Mom Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I can't donate because I lived in England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Huh. I never knew this stuff. I also have SVT, but am not on treatment for it, mine is also a few-times-a-year occurence. I also have low blood pressure. They did allow me to give blood in high school (pre-SVT dx), but it came out so slowly that they gave up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachaheart Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Another one who can't donate here... for me it's because I lived in the U.K. in the 80's. Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Me neither. I lived there for all of the 1980's. Apparently that's the worst time to have lived there if you ever wanted to give blood. Me too. I was born in Germany in 1980 and was only there 2 yrs. What is weird is that I had given blood 3 times many years ago. Then they changed the guidelines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 early '90's when the whole mad cow thing was going on. The US automatically eliminates anyone who was in the UK during this period. Weird, I know. You'd think after this period of time, if I were infected, I'd be forming at the mouth at least. ETA: I see more info was provided by another posted regarding the limits on donations from those who have lived in the UK and Europe. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (the human version of Mad Cow Disease) usually strikes when the patient is in their 60's or 70's. That was why so many doctors and nurses were shocked when my 47 year old brother was diagnosed/dying. During the incubation period it is completely asymptomatic. He had muscle weakness (but had just had the flu, so thought it was just residual from that) and some mood changes. It went downhill VERY rapidly. Muscle weakness in July, altered gait by August, unable to walk by October, diagnosed in December, dead in January. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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