Donating blood

[Guest guest]

Ruth....EWE's pretty good at this too

It's late and I''m running out of puns so I guess I'll just RUMINANT on

the ones so far...... (Thats stretching the old sheepskin a bit far)

Fat ( BUTT...fluffy) jerry

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

The minute the Red Cross found out I have systemic lupus (another autoimmune disorder) I was sent the 'you can never donate blood again' letter. It's too bad because my blood type is O negative and they always got really excited about getting my blood! The no hepatitis ruling may simply be out of ignorance, but they probably wouldn't want our blood because of the autoimmune disorder anyway.

W

[ ] Donating blood

I have a question for you all. Last year, following 9/11, I attempted to give blood. At the time I had been in remission for 7 years, was on no medication, and basically had forgotten about my AIH. However, the people in charge of the blood drive, including the supervisor with whom I was eventually transferred, totally refused to consider anyone with any type of hepatitis as donors. Is this another example of lack of knowledge on their part, or is there any danger to the blood supply from our blood? Sharon G.

[Guest guest]

I used to donate blood very regularly. I have O negative blood so they

really liked getting my blood since O negative is used in very serious

emergencies when there is no time to type and crossmatch the blood. When

the Red Cross found out I have systemic lupus, they told me I could no

longer donate blood. I got a letter telling me that because I have systemic

lupus, I can never donate blood again. Like AIH, lupus is an autoimmune

disease. I asked a doctor why the Red Cross wouldn't take my blood and he

said there is some fear that receiving blood from a person with an active

autoimmune disease might trigger an autoimmune disease in the recipient of

the blood if they had the genetic tendency toward autoimmune diseases.

Don't know if this is true or not. However, even if not for the AIH and

lupus, they wouldn't take my blood now since I lived in Europe for over six

months. When my daughter tried to donate blood for the first time a couple

of years ago, they asked if she had lived in Europe for more than six months

from 1980 to the present. When she told them she lived in Germany from 1984

to 1986, they said she could never donate blood. They told her it was

because they are afraid of mad cow disease being transmitted through a blood

transfusion.

W

[Guest guest]

I know that my platlettes and iron are too low for donating but my husband also had a false positive. It was caused by his thyroid being off and the meds he was taking. He's been told that after 2 false positives, he can never donate again. I'm glad they are so particular but it is hard on him because he felt like it was something worthwhile to do and he has done it regularly for years. But as a blood supply recipient, I can't complain at the care they take to have a healthy blood supply!

Amy

[Guest guest]

A peanutbutter sandwich? I had to laugh at that - about as much

vitamin B12 in that as a microscopic flea. She should've told you to

go home and eat some meat, fish, dairy products or eggs instead,

which are all sources for B12. Any change in your eating habits

changes your bodys system for a few months - this could be temporary

or it could mean you need to at least be taking a daily multivitamin

with B12 in it (which everyone should be I think)

<<joni>>

*Duct tape is like The Force: it has a light side, a dark side, and

it holds the universe together *

[Guest guest]

A peanutbutter sandwich? I had to laugh at that - about as much

vitamin B12 in that as a microscopic flea. She should've told you to

go home and eat some meat, fish, dairy products or eggs instead,

which are all sources for B12. Any change in your eating habits

changes your bodys system for a few months - this could be temporary

or it could mean you need to at least be taking a daily multivitamin

with B12 in it (which everyone should be I think)

<<joni>>

*Duct tape is like The Force: it has a light side, a dark side, and

it holds the universe together *

[Guest guest]

Well, that makes me sad So, i couldn't donate if dh or ds needed

blood, or to anyone else for that matter

Thanks,

Steph

>

> Kelsey has been informed when she was diagnosed to not be a blood

> donor.

> Trish

>

> ---

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph

I am on a liver support group and people with any type of hepatitis are

not accepted as blood donors. However if we choose to sign our donor

cards then some of our organs could be looked at for transplant just

not our livers depending on the damage. I guess as they don't know how

AIH starts they don't want to chance it being passed in blood to

someone else. At least that is what I have gathered by talking to other

groups.

Marie (Ont)

>

> Have you ever been told you cannot donate blood? My work recently

had

> a blood drive and when sheet said " hepatitis " was a permanent

> deferral. But, I thought I'd ask since " hepatitis " and AIH are not

> really the same thing. They said " probably better not. " So, do

people

> with other autoimmune diseases also get deferrals?

>

> Just wondering.

>

> Steph

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph! (and everyone else *smile*)

Like several others have said, hepatitis of any type makes you a no-no as a

blood

donor.

For those of you who want to be donors, make sure your family knows!! Make sure

you have documentation (most state's put it on their driver's licenses) for your

wishes and all that. It's a terrible decision for someone to have to make when

you've gone, but in several cases now, I have personally seen how the family has

gained comfort from the *knowledge* that their recently departed loved one's

wishes

were well known and carried out -- as some on this list can probably attest, for

many

donor families it is a source of comfort and healing to know that the loss of

their

loved one was " softened " by being able to help someone who truly needed it.

However, when I asked my doc about donating blood/organs/etc. he was very

upbeat about it. Bascially his comments were that he was glad I was willing to

be a

donor, but due to the hepatitis and other medical issues that it was doubtful

they

would be able to harvest me for transplants, but my tissues and such would

probably be very helpful for research. LOL So, I'm still listed as a " donor, "

but Doc

is sure it'll be for research purposes not transplant...unless medical science

makes

some pretty big headway quickly....

So...we volunteer at the local Veteran's Home to helpfolks out instead. For

those

of us that want to help out in some way, but can't do it in a direct way like

donating

blood, we just have to look at different avenues to give/help out. The Red

Cross is

the main organization that does blood drives here in the States....volunteering

time

with them can also help to make a big difference in someone's life!

Reverting to lurker mode again...

Nikki in MT

AIH

[Guest guest]

Steph

U know this bothers Kelsey as well, shes never donated blood and shes

only 10, here in Ontarrio U have to be a certain age, I beleive 16.

They run an ad here for the Canadian Blood Clinic, slogan is ...'blood

its in you to give', this ad bothers Kelsey alot, even to the point

she wrote them a letter compplaining about the ad, saying not EVERYONE

can donate blood. It bothers her in the fact that shes labelled as not

being able to do something that any other person could do if they

wanted to. My husband has been a blood donar since age 16, his is O

NEG, a vary rare blood that can be used for many other types other

than just O NEG.

Trish

>

> Well, that makes me sad So, i couldn't donate if dh or ds needed

> blood, or to anyone else for that matter

>

> Thanks,

> Steph

> >

> > Kelsey has been informed when she was diagnosed to not be a blood

> > donor.

> > Trish

> >

> > ---

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy

I am not sure that it is a rule, if you are approaching your doctor you

will soon know if it is acceptable. I was told on the liver support

group that people with hepatitis can't donate, that group has a lot of

participants in the USA. I kind of think that with the drugs etc that

we have to take that they probably would not want our blood. Maybe if

someone was in remission it would be ok but your doctor is going to be

the best source. I would be really interested to hear what he says,

please let us know.

Marie (Ont)

>

> ---------------------------------

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

> Post your free ad now! http://personals..ca

[Guest guest]

I was told that since my jaundice was so bad i could never be a donor. I am type 0+ and used to donate.

I was also told that with all the meds I take I am not a good candidate for donation.

theWV hillbilly

[Guest guest]

Hi--

There have been many posts about members wanting to give blood. Think

of it from the perspective of the person receiving blood. Would you

want blood from someone with a disease of unknown cause? I would not

wish AIH on anyone. If there's the slightest risk of triggering it in

the receiver, why take that risk. There are so many ways to

donate/volunteer your time, expertise, money...that why focus on what

you can't do?

Also, giving blood requires more work from your own body. Many of us

are fatigued as it is. You shouldn't stress your body unnecessarily.

Right now my daughter is mad at me because I don't want her to give

blood (she's 17). She's quite underweight and very active in sports,

so I don't want her body working overtime replacing the blood she'd

give. She wants to be a vet, so I'm much happier to see her volunteer

at the humane society. Like I said, there are lots of ways to give.

--Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Neither of us can donate blood as I have PBC and has hep C. We

are animal people - he's a bit more extreme than I am (glancing at oil

painting of the dog over the fireplace - LOL).

So we do what we can for the local Humane Society. We donate 20% of

the purchase price for one of the items in our online store to the

animal shelter/rescue league of the buyer's choice. We are vendors at

their annual walk-a-thon and also donate proceeds from that.

I think it's a matter of looking at the positive rather than than the

negative. You could volunteer at blood drives, etc.

Sandy C.

[Guest guest]

--- cherylwillow <cheryl@...> wrote:

AMEN CHERYL!!!!!

Kathy

______________________________________________________________________

Post your free ad now! http://personals..ca

[Guest guest]

I

had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

RE:

Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You

worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then

it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't

be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so

no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of

the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you

betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had

been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it

was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it..

Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I had hep b in 1973. Now they say that I'm immune to it, but I couldn't give blood.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

RE: donating blood

I had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ] On Behalf Of Kathy brunowSent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 9:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: RE: Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it.. Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I had hep b in 1973. Now they say that I'm immune to it, but I couldn't give blood.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

RE: donating blood

I had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ] On Behalf Of Kathy brunowSent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 9:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: RE: Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it.. Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Well when I went in they asked.. You have Hepatitis in the within the past 7 years.. Nope had it back in '74.. Alrighty then your ok .. Honest that is what they said to me.. Kathy

-- Re: donating blood

I had hep b in 1973. Now they say that I'm immune to it, but I couldn't give blood.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

RE: donating blood

I had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ] On Behalf Of Kathy brunowSent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 9:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: RE: Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it.. Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

[Guest guest]

Well when I went in they asked.. You have Hepatitis in the within the past 7 years.. Nope had it back in '74.. Alrighty then your ok .. Honest that is what they said to me.. Kathy

-- Re: donating blood

I had hep b in 1973. Now they say that I'm immune to it, but I couldn't give blood.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

RE: donating blood

I had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ] On Behalf Of Kathy brunowSent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 9:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: RE: Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it.. Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

[Guest guest]

I had Hep A as a child - 1962 I think. They won't take my blood. I test positive for A & C.

SuZieDi <godsowndi@...> wrote:

I had hep b in 1973. Now they say that I'm immune to it, but I couldn't give blood.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

RE: donating blood

I had hep A in 1975 and they would never let me donate after that.

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ] On Behalf Of Kathy brunowSent: Tuesday, August 30,

2005 9:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: RE: Heritage/ blood/ bones/ teeth and eyes!!!

When you first find out, you worry!!! You worry if you gave it to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers and then it dawns on you!!!! Damn you used to donate blood...Gail is right you can't be held responsible for the fact the until a few years ago. No one knew so no one was tested.. I my self could have been a bon a fide member of the gallon club at the American Red Cross..I have a very rare blood type AB- so I got loads and loads of calls..Guilt you betsya!!! I feel very very Guilty..Especially given the fact I had been hospitalized for hepatitis in 1974.. Remember we didn't know it was C back then ok..Just relax there isn't a thing you can do about it.. Kathy Boo

-------Original Message-------

__________________________________________________

Next time I'm coming back as a cat

[Guest guest]

I test positive for the b and c antibodies plus the c virus.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

Re: donating blood

I had Hep A as a child - 1962 I think. They won't take my blood. I test positive for A & C.

SuZie

[Guest guest]

I test positive for the b and c antibodies plus the c virus.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

Re: donating blood

I had Hep A as a child - 1962 I think. They won't take my blood. I test positive for A & C.

SuZie

[Guest guest]

The tested for having come in contact with hep A but didn't get it .I hadn't come in contact with hep B and got hep C.So I was vaccinated against hep A and B.

Gail

http://deveauxkennels.tk

mailto:gaila@...

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ]On Behalf Of DiSent: August 31, 2005 6:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: donating blood

I test positive for the b and c antibodies plus the c virus.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

Re: donating blood

I had Hep A as a child - 1962 I think. They won't take my blood. I test positive for A & C.

SuZie

[Guest guest]

if you already have advanced liver damage, like many of us do, do you think it would be wise to get vaccinated against hep a and b, or dangerous? connieGail Deveaux <gaila@...> wrote:

The tested for having come in contact with hep A but didn't get it .I hadn't come in contact with hep B and got hep C.So I was vaccinated against hep A and B.

Gail

http://deveauxkennels.tk

mailto:gaila@...

-----Original Message-----From: Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies [mailto:Hepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies ]On Behalf Of DiSent: August 31, 2005 6:39 PMHepatitis CSupportGroupForDummies Subject: Re: donating blood

I test positive for the b and c antibodies plus the c virus.

Love,DiToday is the first day of the rest of my life.Like I really need that kind of pressure!godsowndi@...

Re: donating blood

I had Hep A as a child - 1962 I think. They won't take my blood. I test positive for A & C.

SuZieThe light at the end of the tunnel may be you