Sjogrens World Forums

Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: nasa007 on May 06, 2008, 11:23:30 AM

Title: question about donating blood...
Post by: nasa007 on May 06, 2008, 11:23:30 AM
Does any one know if you can donate blood if your have sjogrens?
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: LenV on May 06, 2008, 11:25:41 AM
My doctor told me I could not donate because of the medications I take for Sjogrens.

Billye
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: Pooh on May 06, 2008, 11:32:52 AM
Yes my rheumy told me the same thing.  Giving blood is a NoNo for most of us.  If you are considering this please advise the blood bank that you have Sjogren's ahead of time.  I'm pretty sure they tell you they can't accept your donation.  The same applies to those with Lupus.

Pooh
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: irish on May 06, 2008, 11:33:47 AM
nasa,You would need to ask your doctor about this but I would seriously doubt if it is a good idea. You may even find that the questions asked when you go to donate would be if you have a chronic health conditon or autoimmune issues. It is my opinion that we would not always be able to replace the blood we lost at the normal rate. Many times people with sjogrens will have their bone marrow affected and the hemoglogin will be lower than is desired. Irish ;D ;D
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: nasa007 on May 06, 2008, 11:39:18 AM
Wow, thanks for everyon's quick reply. I thought the same, but thanks for all for confirming it.  What a great bunch, peace to all.
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: Scottietottie on May 06, 2008, 04:27:16 PM
Hi  :)

I used to be a regular blood donor but got told to stop as soon as I got an autoimmune dx. I got a thankyou letter and a little certificate and a don't come back letter.

I just hope I never damaged anyone in the interim as I was at least 20 years before a dx was forthcoming.

Take care - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: lynnmarie219 on May 06, 2008, 07:24:12 PM
Ive heard the same thing about blood donation......so do you think this applies to organ donation as well (I'm an organ donor and don't know if I should be) ? I remember this coming up on the old boards, but I don't remember if we ever came up with an answer!  ???
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: salsen on May 06, 2008, 10:33:28 PM
The local blood bank looked up some meds I was taking and I was ruled out of donating - Plaquiniel being one of them.  Possibly because this med helps to thin the blood that it eliminates you as a donor. 
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: Patze on May 07, 2008, 04:15:12 AM
Hi Nasa,

Before all of this, I tried to donate twice and the RC could only get a quarter or less of what they needed because I would coagulate so fast it would clog the needles.  I was told to not bother trying to donate again.  It's funny as several members of my family always donated regularly (including the parental units) and I was considered a slacker (even after explaining what the RC had said).  After discovering all my medical issues (and all the meds I'm on), they don't mention that anymore, wonder why? ::)  Turkeys! ;D

Patze




Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: wordnerd on May 07, 2008, 10:41:29 PM
Lynn - That's an interesting point.  I'm an organ donor too, but now that I think about it I doubt anyone in their right mind would want any of my organs... well at least not my pancreas, liver, lungs, or kidneys.  So until they start doing brain transplants... perhaps I should get that changed on my id...
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: lynnmarie219 on May 08, 2008, 05:03:13 PM
I know that in addition to actual organs they also use bone marrow, skin, eyes, etc....they can use almost every part of the body now! Hmmmmmm....I wonder  ???
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: JannaLee on May 09, 2008, 03:58:24 PM
I'm on the Bone Marrow Registry.  Should I get out of that program?

Janna
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: lynnmarie219 on May 09, 2008, 07:34:34 PM
I have started a new topic under General Discussion just on Organ Donation as I think this is an important topic.....I just didn't want it to get lost under the Blood Donation questions!   :)

I hope this helps!
Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: Rania on May 10, 2008, 03:54:17 AM
Ops, I didn't see this thread untill now. I responded in the other thread before reading this one, and I have said pretty much the same as many of you do in my post in the other thread.

Rania  :)

Title: Re: question about donating blood...
Post by: Katybarstool on May 10, 2008, 01:15:14 PM
Rana

I was on the bone marrow register for around 25 years before I was told I was a 'possible' match and had to donate lots of blood for testing. I wasn't a good much as it turned out, and I was ill for months after giving so much blood - even though, at that point. I was not diagnosed with any illness.

Thinking about it now, I'm so relieved I was not a match.  I would hate someone who has been so ill   having a donation from someone who has turned out to have a bagful of conditions.

Kathy