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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
        
(Message started by: ClusterChuck on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:46am)
Title: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by ClusterChuck on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:46am
WTF???  I have been donating blood for YEARS!!  I strongly believe in doing that.  I can't tell you how much I have given, I just know it is a LOT !!

Well, I went to give blood, the other day, and while I was sitting with the nurse, going over my history, etc., I started to get a hit.  I briefly explained what was happening, and excused myself, so I could go suck on some oxygen, in my van.  After the hit, I came back in, and she REFUSED to take my blood!   She said that I obviously had a problem in my head, and if they were to take a pint of blood from me, it would trigger problems.  Also, I take pure oxygen, so that eliminates me.

WTF??  I have given blood hundreds, maybe even thousands of times.  As most of you know, I have been a CH'er for around 27 years, chronic for the last seven.  Now, all of a sudden, because I suck down oxygen, I can't give blood?  Why don't they ask about oxygen on the questionaire, if oxygen is a problem?  I am, presently, not taking ANY meds, so that can't be the problem.

Has anyone else been rejected for this?  Does anyone know anything about this?

Chuck
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Frank_W on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:59am
I donate blood every 56 days, Chuck. I've never had a problem, although I refrained a couple of years ago, because I was on Verapamil and using Imitrex. I don't know why oxygen would be a contraindication for donating blood. That's just stupid. Red blood cells carry what? OXYGEN! Duh...

Maybe some of the more medically knowledgeable people will speak up on this thread...
[smiley=huh.gif]
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by giffy76 on Jun 28th, 2005, 9:11am
The last several times I'v given blood I end up pissed off because the nurses are Idiots and have no manners. I don't know about other meds but trex is ok to be in your system when donating, at least that's what I was told. as for the o2, that sounds pretty ignorant.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Gator on Jun 28th, 2005, 9:20am
Not for CH related reasons.  They quit taking my blood just before I got hit with CH.  I don't understand why using O2 would disqualify you or even CH for that matter.  It's not like it's a blood borne problem.

I use to give blood a couple times a year.  I figured it was the right thing to do, it made me feel good to do it and I even got paid time off work for a little while sometimes.  I always filled out their little questionaires honestly, to include the fact that I was stationed in Greenland in '83, Korea in '87, Japan in '88 and TDY to the Philippines in '90.  In 2003, the Red Cross came to Creative Labs doing one of their blood drives and naturally, I volunteered.  They refused to take my blood because I was stationed in Greenland 20 years before.  For the better part of 20 years they had been accepting my donations and suddenly I wasn't eligiible?  I could see being ineligible for my being in Korea or the Philippines, maybe Japan, but Greenland?  I asked the dude when Greenland was placed on the list - he said it had always been on the list.  So this guy is the first person in almost 20 years to actually READ the ineligibility list?  [smiley=JAW_DROP.gif]  Now THAT'S scary.

Now that I think about it and to be fair, it wasn't always the Red Cross I donated to.  About half of that time, I also donated to the Oklahoma Blood Institute.  [smiley=nono.gif]
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by AussieBrian on Jun 28th, 2005, 9:59am
Dunno the situation in other countries, but here in Oz we donate blood in our own time for no money.

Been doing it for years, and for much of that time I was a plasma donor, too (1hr each fortnight).

Coupla years back I was involved in a rather nasty first-aid situation and copped a fair bit of some-one's body products on me and in me.  Had all my blood tests over the next 3 months, of course, and the Coroner told me I had absolutely nothing to fear.  

No risk at all.

The Red Cross barred me as a donor for the next 12 months on account of the risk.

Who was lying to me?  
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by seasonalboomer on Jun 28th, 2005, 10:07am

on 06/28/05 at 09:59:19, AussieBrian wrote:
Had all my blood tests over the next 3 months, of course, and the Coroner told me I had absolutely nothing to fear.  


Dunno how it is over there, but when the coroner is the one giving you "medical advice" it does seem you are either ahead of yourself a bit, or maybe listening to the wrong guy. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Have you asked the mortician's advice on the subject?
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by AussieBrian on Jun 28th, 2005, 10:18am
Point taken, and happily.

I was referring to the Coronor's Office - not so much a person as a thing.

And I still say that nurses know far more about CH than doctors ever will,  because it's the nurses deal with us at the coal-face.

Long Live Nurses!
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by floridian on Jun 28th, 2005, 10:56am
Blood donor guidelines disqualify anyone who is obviously not healthy: "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities."   Having cluster headaches is not a reason to disqualify, but if you are getting hit when talking to the nurse, not surprising that they turn you away.

source: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 28th, 2005, 12:38pm
Floridian - that's what I was told...requirement of being healthy.  Also, medications sitting around at systemic levels - many of them are on the exclusion list.

First because of weight, then medications, then lack of any veins I could give up, etc...I've actually never been allowed to do it.

In our hospital, we get 3 hours paid time off for donating - but it's not through IRC.  It goes into our own hospital's bank.  I'm not saying that's the only reason I would donate by any means at all, but...that would be a nice added perk!  Ah well...

I officially stopped qualifying once I started having coag issues.  But that one makes sense!

Lizzie :)
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Gator on Jun 28th, 2005, 12:46pm

on 06/28/05 at 10:18:11, AussieBrian wrote:
Point taken, and happily.

I was referring to the Coronor's Office - not so much a person as a thing.

And I still say that nurses know far more about CH than doctors ever will,  because it's the nurses deal with us at the coal-face.

Long Live Nurses!


You've got some good nurses in your neck of the woods, then.  Most of the nurses I've run into - even in a headache clinic where the doctor treated CH - were more clueless than the doctors.  I got into an argument with one that insisted that CH was just an intense migraine.  This nurse worked for the leading CH Neuro in the state.  Brainless bimbo in sensible shoes.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by LeLimey on Jun 28th, 2005, 12:47pm
I used to give blood regularly. I felt quite strongly that if ever I wanted to have others blood available to me or my family I ought to be prepared to give back.
I then had to have several blood transfusions and now I can't give blood ever again because of the risk to others from my blood. Its supposed to be screened before it was given to me (or anyone else) so why can't I give ever again? I feel quite bitter about it.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Gator on Jun 28th, 2005, 1:05pm
Yeah and there's a lot of people running around with my possibly diseased blood in their systems because it took 20 years for me to draw a screener that could read.  

Greenland is on the list that a person who has been there can NEVER donate again.  You'd think they would be a little more careful with that.

I think they got some splainin to do.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by floridian on Jun 28th, 2005, 1:16pm

on 06/28/05 at 13:05:20, Gator wrote:
Yeah and there's a lot of people running around with my possibly diseased blood in their systems because it took 20 years for me to draw a screener that could read.  

Greenland is on the list that a person who has been there can NEVER donate again.  You'd think they would be a little more careful with that.

I think they got some splainin to do.


Spending time in most European countries puts people on the US blood donor ban list due to the Mad-Cow epidemic that occurred there (and numerous cases of the human form of the disease, Creudzfelt-Jakob disease).  Greenland is a colony of Denmark, and meat imports were governed by Copenhagen.  

Iceland is also on the list, and I lived there for more than 6 months after 1980, so I am persona non-grata at the Red Cross.  But since mad cow keeps popping up in the US, maybe they will change the policy.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 28th, 2005, 5:08pm
Heyyyyyyyyyyy watch it with the "Nurses Suck" commentary.....pleeeeeeeeaaaaase???


;;D
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jun 28th, 2005, 7:03pm
Man, those are some funny stories. Doesn't suprise me that it took them 20 years to decide to start READING the paper that you had filled out dozens and dozens of times.  So they potentially gave out diseased blood for 20 years just cause they didn't bother to listen to your answer to their question.
Thanks for the funny
BMonee
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Charlie on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:01pm
They rarely, if ever ever, take blood from epileptics because of the anti-convulsants. A lot of clusterheads use the same stuff. Some of these drugs are kindy iffy anyway.

Charlie
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Kiwiinoz58 on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:04pm
Just a little light relief. I was a nurse for years. I also donated blood 3 monthly as I've got a fairy rare blood group and can't remember even being asked if I'd been to another country. Never had a problem till about 8 years ago when I fainted as soon as I stood up. Kept lying down for longer and longer times but still as soon as I stood up, plonk flat out on the floor again. Now I'm not wanted anymore cos I'm too much of a problem. :-/
Cheers,
Jacqs
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by mynm156 on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:04pm

on 06/28/05 at 17:08:01, Lizzie2 wrote:
Heyyyyyyyyyyy watch it with the "Nurses Suck" commentary.....pleeeeeeeeaaaaase???


;;D

Nurses    I  LOVE em.  :-* However, let me tell you I have met some that should never have passed thier boards. ::)
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Jonny on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:08pm
Walking into the Red Cross for me is the same as walking into a new Docs office......"Oh shit!!" ;;D

Edit to clarify.....Red Cross dont want my blood and a new Doc thinks im there for good drugs.

Fuckem both!!!!
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:09pm

on 06/28/05 at 20:04:28, mynm156 wrote:
Nurses    I  LOVE em.  :-* However, let me tell you I have met some that should never have passed thier boards. ::)



Yeahhhhhh....  I have met nurses like that, too - and doctors and....just about all kind of professionals out there!

Then again - from a nursing perspective, I've also met some less than charming patients.   ;;D

I agree that there are definitely nurses who should never EVER be allowed to practice.  In fact, I'd be the first to point out a few of them who actually just graduated, if so asked to -- but I just had to say something about the general statement of dislike of nurses. ;)  

Lizzie :)
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by unsolved1 on Jun 28th, 2005, 8:27pm
I don't give blood. I figure I got enough troubles of my own. Plus I'm usually on 10 different medications at any given time (that doesn't help anything). I don't even know what my blood type is  [smiley=huh.gif]

Unsolved
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by BlueMeanie on Jun 28th, 2005, 10:46pm
Hey Chuck,

I commend you for your efforts, but ya can't blame the lady who refused you. Anyone who would witness a wild man running around looking like his heads gonna pop off and runnig off to suck 02 would kinda scare the bijeebees outa someone taking blood. Ya know what I mean.   :o Clusterheads are soo misunderstood sometimes. Maybe next time you won't get hit and they'll never know.  ;)
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Gator on Jun 28th, 2005, 11:03pm

on 06/28/05 at 17:08:01, Lizzie2 wrote:
Heyyyyyyyyyyy watch it with the "Nurses Suck" commentary.....pleeeeeeeeaaaaase???


;;D



I never said nurses suck, though I've met a few...uh, nevermind.  Where was I?  Oh, yeah.  I said MOST of the ones I'VE met were clueless about clusters.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by cootie on Jun 28th, 2005, 11:08pm
Can't give blood for a year after a new tatt.......I'm sure alot of paid donors lie. And people at the recieveing end 'get it' in the end. So many things to worry bout these days.........my blood honks Pam
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 28th, 2005, 11:09pm

on 06/28/05 at 23:03:40, Gator wrote:
I never said nurses suck, though I've met a few...uh, nevermind.  Where was I?  Oh, yeah.  I said MOST of the ones I'VE met were clueless about clusters.



LOL well honey!  You don't have to go to Australia!  I actually came to Jefferson as a student because I had never had such positive nurses all the time I was in the hospital.

It was an extremely obvious difference between the atmosphere of nurses at other places I had worked and gone as a patient.

I'm not saying there aren't nurses at TJUH that are bad, but on the whole it is a very refreshing change!  Of course, I'm slightly biased now!  But before I ever came here or worked here - I truly was impressed by the nursing staff.  

:)
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jun 28th, 2005, 11:17pm
Gator, man, you crack me up.
PF Wishes
BMonee
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Sean_C on Jun 29th, 2005, 12:20am

on 06/28/05 at 08:46:23, ClusterChuck wrote:
I am, presently, not taking ANY meds, so that can't be the problem.


Dammit Chuckles we had this talk before......................... you can't where your summer dresses with the bonnet to the Red Cross anymore. ;;D
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by ClusterChuck on Jun 29th, 2005, 12:52am

on 06/29/05 at 00:20:33, Sean_C wrote:
Dammit Chuckles we had this talk before......................... you can't wear your summer dresses with the bonnet to the Red Cross anymore.


But it is such a cute, light pink number, with a darling red bonnet.  I complimented the outfit with a hot pink purse, and matching hot pink 6" spike heels.    

If I say so myself, it is VERY becoming on me ...

Chuck
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by sandie99 on Jun 29th, 2005, 2:53am

on 06/28/05 at 20:09:56, Lizzie2 wrote:
I agree that there are definitely nurses who should never EVER be allowed to practice.  


There are several nurses in my family and few of them shoudn't be nurses at all... :(
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by Sean_C on Jun 29th, 2005, 6:26am
ROTFLMAO Chuck ;;D
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by don on Jun 29th, 2005, 7:23am

Quote:
matching hot pink 6" spike heels.    


Theres you problem. Spikes are out this season.

Your fashion sense is appaling. I have some nice lavender flats that you could..........never mind.
Title: Re: Red Cross Rejects CH'ers?
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jun 29th, 2005, 1:40pm
6 inch spike heels are never out.  They are hot, specially when placed next to a chick's ears.
Yum
BMonee


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