Gave blood, tried riding 2 days later..

[Dianyla]

I gotta tell you gals... Its now like day 4 or 5 and I still feel weird.. In fact, I'm considering calling the Red Cross hotline folks. I have been getting a pressure feeling in my chest and am still dizzy often. I'm afraid to even LOOK at my beautiful bike right now. <sniff> I just don't feel right. Still!

All of the symptoms you have described could be attributed to anemia. If you were feeling otherwise normal before donating, then it is most likely limited to the loss in blood volume and oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It sounds like you might have been somewhat borderline before you donated, and now your body needs longer to recover than you used to need in the past.

When I've been at my lowest iron levels, I wouldn't be able to ride for about a week after my period (I have heavy menstrual losses). For someone who has good iron levels, losing a lot of blood (period, donation, surgery, etc) can be easily recovered from within a few days. If your iron stores are low or depleted, it can take weeks or months to feel back to full strength depending on how much blood you lost.

Talk to your doctor and get your iron (ferritin) tested. If your levels are low (below 25) or borderline low (25-45) then go ahead and add some iron supplements and get retested in 6 months. In the meantime, stay well hydrated, and eat lots of iron-rich foods. Meat, especially organ meats like liver (yeah I know!) contain the most available absorbable form of iron. Vegetable sources like legumes, spinach, etc. are also good but not as bioavailable.

[Tuckervill]

Thanks, Dianyla. I am going to go and get this checked, for sure. It's been a frustration for many years--especially post menstruation, and I take a multivitamin with iron for a few days after because I know I must be low on iron, because I am just so wrung out. The frustration is not being able to get a rise out of any doctor about it. I need to learn more. I have a cousin with pernicious anemia which requires blood transfusions periodically, and that gives me pause, too.

I'm glad I know what to ask for. Thanks again.

Karen

[Torrilin]

Cast iron cooking gear also helps iron levels. It's slow to take effect tho, so it is more of a preventive measure. Red meat is not as much iron as organ meats, but it's got it.

FWIW, "smallish female" in medical terms is most women. Very often you'll find that baseline medical studies were done on men only. On purpose (this is where the scientist in me beats her head against the wall and screams in rage). Average guy for most of the 20th century was 5'7" or 5'8". So unless you're around the healthy weight for a guy that height *or bigger*, it's not surprising to have trouble donating blood. Men who are on the shorter side or skinnier side have trouble too.

BabyBlue, I'd definitely see a doctor since the problem has continued. A day or three for a healthy and active adult is within "normal". Three is kind of pushing it, and a whole work week is just not right. And while it's not *likely* that you're developing heart trouble, it's better to get checked.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Tor... good advice.
I actually called the Red Cross nurses for a beginning and explained what i'd been feeling since Thursday. He said "you're not going to like this, but you need to call your doctor!". Okay.. a little alarming, and definitely not what you want to hear, but I did call my doctor.
He was a little concerned, but agreed that though it was unlikely, its better to be safe than sorry when its about your heart. He sent me to the ER.
Amazing how fast you can get through when you tell them you have chest pains... I only spent 3 1/2 hrs at the hospital. A really fine-looking young doctor (also a mtb'r!) took care of me.
The pressure in my chest (like a small child sitting on me)..the lightheadedness, shortness of breath... well... NOT a heart attack, thank God. But we're still not quite sure what this is.
My EKG was perfect, my blood levels (save for a slightly low potassium reading) were perfect... iron perfect....white cells perfect - no infections going on. No fever. My upper bp number was still slightly up - 133/69...but that didn't raise too many eyebrows.
After laying down in the ER with electrodes stuck all over me...oxygen stuck in my nose and a bp cuff stuck on me for a while.. I was forced to stay still for that time and I felt a little better. The pressure stopped. Of course, the more I move around, the more I feel it. (that concerned my GP as well). It just kills me that you can spend $$$ and still not know what's causing the pain.
The ER doc thankfully didn't make me stay the night at the hospital for observation just to wait for the echocardiogram (sonogram?) he wants me to do next. I have to call in first thing this morning to see when they can do that on me.
I tell ya... I had a strong ride with ZERO problems last Wednesday with my club. Thursday I gave blood... and then all this started cropping up. I have always thought I was really healthy.. never felt any kind of chest pain (okay..except after climbing our nasty North Road in 100+ heat index heat...). I have never felt this..

Folks... I may never donate again (too expensive for me!)..but like I said.. I am an anomoly. Please don't you-gals stop giving blood!

I'll keep you updated! This is just real strange. Ugh..

[Cindyloo]

Could it be that you were slightly nervous about giving blood and felt a bit woozy afterward then that created anxiety? Please don't think I'm saying it is all in your head. I'm just throwing this out there because you said you were conscious of changes in your body. I know when I've had anxiety it can manifest itself as chest pressure and feeling short of breath.

No matter what it is I hope you feel better really soon!

[amymisk]

Keep us up to date.

your symptoms could be from anemia. perhaps you normally have higher than usual levels of hemoglobin and the transfusion dropped you too much, making you symptomatic.

I would venture to guess it was the oxygen that helped your chest pain/pressure go away.

[MM_QFC!]

I donate regularly, and while I avoid riding that day, I ride the next and am fine. I think how you feel afterwards is probably mostly individual. But, that said, I always feel better if I drink lots of water before and after donating, and also take an extra multi-vitamin (with iron) the day before.

That and I treat myself to a volunteer cookie at the donation center. /nod It's all about the cookie!

Congrats on donating. I'm sure we all know someone who's needed blood or blood products, and it's important that we help if we can.

I'm a regular blood donor too and haven't experienced feeling weak or otherwise after, but I am careful to hang out, drink juice, eat some pretzels (and cookies too, oftentimes!) and then take it easy the rest of the day.
BabyBlueNTulsa, you mentioned watching the tour and reading, but did you replenish fluids sufficiently? I know that it might even be better to over-hydrate a bit right the day of and day after donating...
At least this way, you are OK, but you've learned from the experience, so all will be much improved next time, right?