Anyone ever donate plasma before? My friend and I have been trying to go in for the past week but things keep popping up so we can't. Tomorrow evening we're going to go in. I'm a little nervous.
What do they do your first time? It says that they take about 2 hours the first time.

 

I've never done it, but I heard it can be quite painful.

If donated repeatedly, you'll look like a heroin addict due to the scaring.

 

i donated bone marrow, well technically I sold my bone marrow for 130 bucks 7 years ago

 

I meant to go sign up to be on the list thing, but I was sick the day they came to my school and wouldn't let me. I didn't realize you get paid to do it.

 

i want a plasma gun :wtc:

 

I thought this thread was going to be about TVs.

 

It takes a long time, phlebotomists are new and few, hurts and makes your arm swell up

 

I donated plasma for about two years when I was in college. It's not a bad rap. The center I donated at had TV's set up so you could watch movies while you donated. You could do homework or read but they don't let you fall asleep. The first time takes a while because they have to do a few tests and possibly even a physical (look up and cough!). After the first time they simply weigh you and take a pin-prick blood sample to test for protein.

They use a pretty hefty needle for donating because a small one would make the process last even longer (it lasts about an hour as it is). It's probably 16 guage or so. Yes, it gives you scars, pretty much for life. I've still got mine and it's been 2-3 years since I've donated. At first it's a little painful when they stick you but you get desensitized after a few times. If you have a problem with needles I wouldn't do it. But if you're not a candyass you'll have no problem.They withdraw your blood, centrifuge it to remove the plasma, mix the remains with saline and pump it back into you. It sounds a little freaky but it isn't that bad IMO.

Try it a few times and see what you think. Some respond well to it, some don't. I never had any problem. I'd do it again if it were worth my time. Now that I have a real job and I'm not a poor starving student it's not really practical. Also, if you're fat it's a pretty good way to loose weight . Every time you donate they take an average of about 1000 calories worth of proteins and sugars from your bloodstream.

 

So it hurts? I thought it wasn't supposed to.
Eh, 40 bucks each visit and a bonus the first time. I'll see how it goes the first time and decide if I want to keep doing it.

 

Wow. 40 bucks each time? They only paid us $25. Yes, it hurts a little the first few times, the inital stick that is. After the stick it's fine. It's not like it hurts the whole time you're donating.