Giving plasma?

tzigane

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#1
I've been thinking off and on the past couple of months about giving plasma. I don't know about the rest of the country, but around here, you get $200 for giving. I have a few friends who've done it. I could use the extra money while I'm unemployed in school.

Here's the catch: to say I'm super squeamish is an understatement. I pass out every time I have blood drawn or get a shot, and if they lay me down, I just start hyperventilating and almost fall out on the chair. I passed out once in high school during a history lecture on Civil War amputation. I can't watch TV or movies with any amount of gore (well, I can, but I have to close my eyes and ears during gross parts) otherwise I feel like I'm going to puke and get lightheaded.

I've been working on desensitizing myself to blood, and on a good day I can watch gore for about a minute or so. Last time I got blood drawn, I still hyperventilated, but this time 2 years ago I also had the same reaction to gynecology exams, but not anymore (hurray!).

From what I hear, giving plasma is so much, much, much worse than giving blood. For those of you who've done it, is there any hope for me? Or do you think the amount of work that it would take to get me there surpasses the benefits of being able to do it?
 

DJEtzel

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#2
If you're making $200 doing it, I would try!!

Here, I get $40 a week for donating. I've done it 4 times now. It is not much worse than giving blood as far as the procedure goes, but there are tubes and machines around that show your blood pumping in and back and yada yada... and you have to actively squeeze your fist to get it to keep moving. It takes at least an hour for most people. My quickest time has been about 50 minutes, and at the end most places send a solution to re-hydrate you or something (saline I want to say it is?) back in your arm and it's very cold and a little uncomfortable.

It's no walk in the park, but for $200 I would sure be trying if I were in your shoes! lol.
 
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#3
I have given blood "traditionally" (like through the Red Cross or whatever) various times, and I was always completely fine with it. No nausea, no headaches, no nothing. I got my cookies/sandwich/juice/whatever afterwards and I was fine.

I gave plasma three times. All three times I had muscle aches in my arms afterwards, and felt sick to my stomach, as well as permanently cold for the rest of the day (I would go home afterwards, take a hot bath, and then wrap myself in an electric blanket). So, needless to say, I haven't done it since. The places around here pay like $25-40 per donation, though, so quite a bit less.
 

tzigane

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#4
Yeah, everything you guys are saying is what I've heard about it - it makes me queasy just thinking about it! But since you're pretty consistent across the board $40.... makes me wonder if I'm misremembering or I misheard. I think I'll call later this week and confirm the amount. I'm not sure it's worth it for $40, at least in my case! A quick blood draw is a pretty traumatic thing for me as it is, let alone all of that crap.
 

Equinox

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#5
I've never looked into plasma donation until reading this thread, but I checked the website of a local place. They listed the compensation to be roughly $200 *per month*, and I'm assuming it involves multiple sessions. So the $40 per session quote sounds about right to me, too.

I'm extremely squeamish about giving blood and needles, too, but now I'm thinking about it!
 

tzigane

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I've never looked into plasma donation until reading this thread, but I checked the website of a local place. They listed the compensation to be roughly $200 *per month*, and I'm assuming it involves multiple sessions. So the $40 per session quote sounds about right to me, too.

I'm extremely squeamish about giving blood and needles, too, but now I'm thinking about it!
Ahh, that may be what I was thinking about. It makes a lot more sense. The website of my local place just said, "Contact the store for more information about compensation!" Of course....

Still, if I can get used to it, might not be an awful idea. Maybe I should start by donating blood regularly until I'm able to handle it.
 

meepitsmeagan

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#7
Ugh. I'm about just as bad as you when it comes to needles and blood and everything. Takes a lot for me to even be able to watch the dogs get shots. I used to skip school on blood donor days.

I've tried and tried to get over my fear. I can normally get a shot now without much issue. There is NO FREAKING WAY I could sit in a chair for over an hour with that situation. NO way. I'd probably stroke out. I don't care if it was for $1000 bucks.

But, if you think you can handle it, more power to you. :)
 

tzigane

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Ugh. I'm about just as bad as you when it comes to needles and blood and everything. Takes a lot for me to even be able to watch the dogs get shots. I used to skip school on blood donor days.

I've tried and tried to get over my fear. I can normally get a shot now without much issue. There is NO FREAKING WAY I could sit in a chair for over an hour with that situation. NO way. I'd probably stroke out. I don't care if it was for $1000 bucks.

But, if you think you can handle it, more power to you. :)
What have you done to get to that point with shots? Did you just go get it done a lot?
 

Equinox

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#9
I've never, ever donated blood before and the thought of it makes me squirmy all over. Deathly scared of getting shots and needles, although I don't have any problems with piercings.

Is it highly recommended that you try donating blood first?
 
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#10
I've never, ever donated blood before and the thought of it makes me squirmy all over. Deathly scared of getting shots and needles, although I don't have any problems with piercings.

Is it highly recommended that you try donating blood first?
I've had my face pierced six times and all the tattoos.. but when I got my blood drawn at the hospital last month I almost barfed. Can not stand the feeling of it being drawn.
 

Saeleofu

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#11
I donated plasma for several months to help pay for Logan and the flight to get him. I actually rather enjoyed it. I get to sit around and read for a while, get money for doing it, and help save lives. Awesome. I'd like to start again, I just need to find the time.

Be sure that you are VERY hydrated and get a good amount of protein before and after donating. Also, DO NOT drink large amounts of alcohol the night after you donate. Not a good mix, trust me :rofl1: I usually stopped and got a GINORMOUS powerade after my donation, and ate a can of tun or chicken prior to my donation.

but around here, you get $200 for giving
Here I got around $50 a week (2 donations a week, your first week you get much more), so $200/month would be about right.
 

Equinox

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I've had my face pierced six times and all the tattoos.. but when I got my blood drawn at the hospital last month I almost barfed. Can not stand the feeling of it being drawn.
Oh god, I didn't even think of that!!! I was worried about the actual needle...

I donated plasma for several months to help pay for Logan and the flight to get him. I actually rather enjoyed it. I get to sit around and read for a while, get money for doing it, and help save lives. Awesome. I'd like to start again, I just need to find the time.

Be sure that you are VERY hydrated and get a good amount of protein before and after donating. Also, DO NOT drink large amounts of alcohol the night after you donate. Not a good mix, trust me :rofl1: I usually stopped and got a GINORMOUS powerade after my donation, and ate a can of tun or chicken prior to my donation.
... and now I'm back at wanting to do it. $200 a month is pretty hard to turn away from for a college student. Oh yeah, and the helping save lives part :p

Glad to hear about a positive experience!
 

milos_mommy

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Sael, do you donate blood regularly without getting lightheaded or anything?

Before I became too underweight to do it, I used to donate blood, but I passed out a few times. I'm not sure why, I was always well hydrated and ate before (I've fainting giving blood samples, as well, if they take a lot).

The passing out/feeling faint isn't a big deal, and I usually feel fine within the hour afterwards. If donating plasma wasn't much worse than that, I'd definitely do it.
 

DJEtzel

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#15
Sael, do you donate blood regularly without getting lightheaded or anything?

Before I became too underweight to do it, I used to donate blood, but I passed out a few times. I'm not sure why, I was always well hydrated and ate before (I've fainting giving blood samples, as well, if they take a lot).

The passing out/feeling faint isn't a big deal, and I usually feel fine within the hour afterwards. If donating plasma wasn't much worse than that, I'd definitely do it.
From what I've been told (and felt) donating plasma is better because they give that blood back to you, so you aren't losing nearly as many fluids as when you donate blood, that usually causes the nausea and fainting, I guess?
 

Saeleofu

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Sael, do you donate blood regularly without getting lightheaded or anything?
Before donating plasma, I did donate blood a few times. It never bothered me. I don't mind needles or blood draws at all.

Donating plasma is easier on your body because pretty much all you're losing is protein and water. You get all your RBCs/iron back. That's why you can donate plasma twice weekly, and blood only once every 6 weeks. If I had a "rough" donation (took longer than usual) it meant I wasn't as well hydrated, so I'd skip the second one of the week and make sure I was really well hydrated the next time.

I also alternated arms, so though I do have a very small scar on each arm, it's barely noticeable. My dad donated plasma for YEARS and he has larger scars, but still nothing terrible.

Also, I lost a bit of weight while donating, which is a plus for m ;) I mean with taking the protein out they're basically sucking calories out of you.
 

Equinox

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Also, I lost a bit of weight while donating, which is a plus for m ;) I mean with taking the protein out they're basically sucking calories out of you.
oh geez, well now I'm sold LOL Giving them a call tomorrow. Anything in particular I should check/ask? They don't seem sketchy...I think?
 

Xandra

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#19
Count yourself lucky. Around here you they do not pay you squat.

Their little slogan is "Blood. It's in you to give."

You can do it out of love for your fellow man and a gingersnap afterwards or you can move out of the way for someone who will.

If they paid me $40 a session I would be all over it. I bet I could withstand multiple leechings a week.

I still plan on donating but it's "harder" to find time for an appointment when there's no material incentive involved lol.
 

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