Blood donors: Platelets?

Can someone tell me the difference in the process of donating platelets vs. a standard blood donation? Is it more than just the size of a needle? Thanks.

Message edited 8/11/2006 5:08:23 PM.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

Yes, I think it's more involved of a process and may even involve pre-testing. But, I'm not positive.

Message edited 8/11/2006 5:17:20 PM.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I think that they take the blood out of one arm, get the platelets out and put the blood back into the other arm. I've never had it done, but i think that's the process. It also takes much longer.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

Thanks. DH was called to donate. I am joining him.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I have donated platelets twice and like someone else said they have a setup in one arm and recycles through the other arm. It takes awhile and they usually sit you in front of a tv for the 1 to 1 1/2 hours half it takes. My first experience went very well, the second did not. The second time I donated I went to the center in Hauppauge, waited half an hour and then they told me they didn't have appointment scheduled for me, when they were the ones that called me to schedulede it. Any way a nurse is available and she completlly reaks of cigerettes. Anyway I was there to help people so I am already upset that I had to wait so long and didn't say anything that the woman reaked of smoke. Anyway she starts setting me up and other nurses keep calling her to help them, I forgot to mention this woman was in her 70's very shaky hands. So now she finially gets me completely set up and then gets called again by the other nurses. After sitting there almost two hours she comes back and says she didn't put in correctly and can I stay so she can do it again. I said no way and told her to disconnect me. The next day both of my arms were bruised badly and I called every high ranking person I could find with Long Island Blood Services. I still donate blood when I can, but because of the above poor experience I will never donate platelets again.

Message edited 8/11/2006 7:59:08 PM.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

My mom does this every 2 weeks. It takes a long time.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

They put your blood through a centrifuge to take the platlets out & then put the rest back in your arm.

I can't bring myself to donate platelets.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I am a blood donor and do it as often as I can. I really believe in it. I have never done platelets, but know its needed just as much.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I am a blood donor and I have done platelets many times. It is a long process, depending on how many platelets your body produces, up to 80 minutes. If you are a single donor, it will take about an hour.
I now do a double platelet(I have a lot of platelets) donation every other donation and platelets/red blood cells on the alternating donation, which "only" takes an hour or so.
The platelet is a two arm machine, which means you can't move your arms at all the whole time - kind of annoying.
The platelet/red blood cell machine is a one arm machine so you can read or at least just move your other arm.

BTW, if any one is thinking about it - they mostly use platelets for children with leukemia....that was enough for me to start donating

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I don't know anything about it... but I do know that my brother goes often to do it. About a month ago he missed lunch and stopped for a quick bite to eat at Burger King. When they did a test before the donation, he was turned down from all the crap in his system from BK!!!!!!! They said it was very common. So now he knows to not only no eat BK before donating, but not to eat BK from all teh crap.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

I donate both blood and platelets whenever I can. My mom has a blood disorder and often needs to have platelet tranfusions.

Re: Blood donors: Platelets?

Yep-it's called apherisis. It's a long process and your hemoglobin levels have to be very high to withstand the process. You also have to meet certain health and weight requirements just like single blood donation.

I would do it in a heartbeat if they would take me but last week when I went to give blook my levels werent high enough..

that's a whole other story..

Good for you for giving blood or your platelets..it will save many lives!