experience about self blood donation?

[Guest guest]

Hi, sisters,

I never had experience of having not enough iron in my blood BUT......

Yesterday, I went to the hospital to donate my second unit of blood.

Unexpectedly, the nurse told me that my iron was low. Before I donated my first

unit of blood two weeks ago, my iron was 13.6, before I donated my second unit

yesterday morning, my iron was 11.6, lower than normal. Now, I must be even

lower. My Myo will be in two weeks.

After I finished donating the blood, I felt dizzy. The nurse immediately put my

feet up, gave me ice to put on my chest and under my neck. After a while, I

tried to stand up, I could not make it. A senior nurse saw me and immediately

stopped me from walking. She wanted to put me on wheel chair and called the

doctor.....they gave me 5 cans of juice and one cup of water to drink......

After a long time, I was stable so I went to my doctor. Then I was told that I

needed to taker iron suppliment twice a day ( I was also advised to take stool

softener because the iron pills may make me constipate). I don't like to take

those pills but my body tells me that I cannot go into surgery like this. Does

it mean if I just lose one unit of blood in the surgery, I will feel dizzy and

need blood transfusion? I have to boost up my iron in two weeks. Anyone have

similar experience after blood donation?

Lai