Side effects of donating blood?
 

I gave blood on Friday morning.

Before taking my blood they took my Blood pressure, 126/60 and checked me for anemia. I am 61 and generally in very good health.

I finished the day with no noticed side effects except I might say I was hungry and thirsty a bit more than usual.

Saturday I did normal activities but tried to concentrate on doing nothing strenuous because I was planning to autocross on Sunday.

Sunday morning at 4 am I woke up with stomach cramping flulike symptoms and felt chilled. I got up, took soda, pepto bismo, and some other things. By 7 am I felt slightly better but almost did not go to the autocross. Once there I was ok until it got up to about 80 degrees, then I started getting general cramping and felt nausious. Whenever I got feeling too bad I would go to my truck, crank up the ac and take a nap. I did not run the event because I felt too bad. (You know I had to really feel lousy). (It was 95 and pretty humid yesterday.)

So is it possible this is just side effects from giving blood?

Or did I get a touch of the flu?

I had a dream a little while ago about eating so I think I will go eat. (up at 415 again today.)

Possibly a combination of the two... but you really ought to take it easy after being drained of your life blood!

Can't rule out that there was a problem with the blood donation procedure, however, I have never experienced any side effects.

It can take the body several days to restore the lost blood cells once you give blood. It probably takes longer if you are older too. Did you drink a lot of fluids following the donation?

I have been drinking a river, but with the heat I have also been sweating a lot.

I'm guessing you just picked up a bug. I ain't no doctor though. Hope ya feel better.

You may have just sat next to some one with the flu while you were waiting.
You have good BP for your age !! I always try to get plenty of exercise for a couple of days before giving blood & also plenty of fluid just before. I think it may thin it a little & make the process easier. I have no idea if its correct but it works for me.

Look after yourself TOM !!!!!!

But did you stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night??

My guess is that flu-like symptoms come from a flu-like cause; not giving blood.

A co-worked used to go regularly with me to donate even though EVERY time he donated, he passed out when he stood up. I doubt that I would have continued to donate, but he did--even advising them that he had a history of passing out, and they'd give him extra time and a drink--he'd still pass out--even if only for a few seconds.

Low on fluids, overheating, extra excertion...hmmmm...ripe circumstances for a viral attack.

A friend of mine once donate blood in the morning, followed that with his routine 5-mile run, and later joined us that night at a Christmas party, enjoying a couple of margaritas.

Excused himself and went to the bathroom, wheras he passed out and bonked his head on the basin on the way down.

We called paramedics and had him resting on the sofa while watching his skin turn every shade of color in the spectrum...including white.

Some combination of activites...and consumption, just aren't a good idea when donating blood...

I hope you feel better! And if it is because of giving blood, that is VERY unfair to do something so kind and get such mean payback. :(

I must have the flu. I am staying home from work today trying to get well. Thanks for all the comments!;)

Don't rule out West Nile virus from mosquito. Not that it's what it is, but a blood test could confirm it if that's what it might be.

a buddy of mine had flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite, fever/sweating profusely/chills, weak. His doctor suspects West Nile, so he took a blood sample for testing..

I would get jittery feeling after giving blood so I quit.

Syphoning off blood from your system by donating is good for your health, in that some impurities cannot be filtered out by your body, so your body then needs to make more fresh.

Are you accusing our dear friend, Tom, of having impure blood??
Forget that comment, Tom, spread those impurities around.
Thanks for donating!

Not slamming your friend, but all that exercise/alcohol after blood donation doesn't strike me as too bright to do - especially since they always advise to not exercise, and to 'take it easy' the rest of the day after donating. Maybe he wasn't advised of such? Regardless, he probably shouldn't do that again.

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