LymeNet Flash: Blood bank told me OK for me to give blood. How do you feel?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Blood bank told me OK for me to give blood. How do you feel?

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Topic: Blood bank told me OK for me to give blood. How do you feel?

Kerryblue
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4077

posted

Recently friend went to donate blood & Lyme was not on list of people who can not donate.

I was told even with FM not to give blood much less people suffering from Lyme or post Lymies.

I personally do not feel right about taking chance of giving anyone this horrific disease.

For more than 25yrs. have suffered & to take chance passing this life on would be out right cruel.

Has anyone here given or accepted blood? [confused]

Has anyone here

[ 05-03-2017, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: Kerryblue ]

Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

SickSam
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 45330

posted

I gave blood before I knew I had Lyme. I'm way too sick now though.

If I were well enough, I would only give blood if there were a serious shortage and people would die without the blood. I just don't want to pass this stuff on.

Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015 | IP: Logged |

Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177

posted

I would NOT donate blood ever, or my organs for that matter.

Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016 | IP: Logged |

ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147

posted

No, it's a real no-no to me. I had a blood transfusion after giving birth and I think that that has contributed to the state I am in now.

Some people with Lyme may do so (give blood) because they are not too badly affected by Lyme, but they can never tell how the same pathogens may take off in a different person's body.

Also very troubling is the fact that many people have spirochetes/borrelia in their systems with their immune systems handling it, so may give blood without realising that the spirochetes are there. What happens when those spirochetes find themselves in the body of someone who is under stress already?.......

Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008 | IP: Logged |

sixgoofykids
Moderator
Member # 11141

posted

I have been well for 8 years now, so I don't think the Lyme would be an issue in donating blood for me. I don't do or take anything to stay well from Lyme. For a person sick with Lyme, no, I don't think anyone who is sick should donate blood.

I can't donate blood because babesia is on the list of diseases that if you have ever had it, you can't donate.

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sixgoofykids.blogspot.com

Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

Kerryblue
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4077

posted

I went to blood bank the other day.

Lyme is of ailments you can give blood if you have, if you had some sort treatment.

To mention the list Very long ailment you can`t give blood.

They said was OK to give blood. I told them in good conscience I could not do that. I had treatment later got worse.

I called later they told me if you had some sort of treatment you can give blood...DUH, I thought.

Got into disagreement tad heated they said used to be on list but they took it off...DUH, I thought again.

I said over some extra pints blood you would take that chance to have someone live horrific way I live?

She gave me argument.

I asked her to least bring it up again as I asked at blood bank.

I am shocked, after I told her how sick many of us are even after treatment.

She still gave me hard time & we hung up.

How can any of live with our selves & do this to another human??

Huggggssss, to all in need...

Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

terv
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 29410

posted

I have hemochromatosis, HH, (iron levels get too high) so I need medical phlebotomies.

I was initially under the care of NIH (in study and got free phlebs). Once I knew I had lyme I went in there and told them they couldn't give my blood to the NIH hospital patients (I feel so guilty for those who got it when I didnt know I had lyme).

The director of the study talked to one of the NIH lyme brains and I ended up in an 30 minute argument with her over the issue.

Anyway I then I had to find somewhere else to give. Lucky me my county has a blood donor center that accepts blood from HH patients. Because of this new directive, they were not allowed to throw my blood out. So then I told them I had babesia because that was on the list of things you couldn't have. That opened up a whole other can of worms so much so I tried to undo my checklist.

Finally I had to have my lyme doctor talk to my oncologist who then had to tell blood center not to use my blood. Amazing all that happened.

Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

No, NO, NO.

If you've had babesia, then a GREAT BIG NO!!!!

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Christopher J
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 46401

posted

People who are sick with anything including Lyme shouldn't donate blood. It's irresponsible and there are more than enough well people to do so.

Posts: 173 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2015 | IP: Logged |

Robin123
Moderator
Member # 9197

posted

A top LLMD said recently that the Lyme bacteria doesn't survive well in the blood bank supply, but babesia does.

Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006 | IP: Logged |

dal123
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6313

posted

Absolute BS from this top LLMD. Do NOT give blood if you have Lyme and any co-infections. I know many people who have contracted problems like LD from blood transfusions.

Posts: 532 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Right .. and I know someone who got babesia from a blood transfusion.

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Kerryblue
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4077

posted

We may have to have more people call the Red Cross being that gave me such hard time about this.

I asked them to least consider putting back on the list.

Many of us have had treatment then still cropped up with symptoms of co-infections or Lyme, as I did.

I stand with would not give this life I live to anyone.

I am unable to get any more treatment. Daily,
Just about, have another neuoro symptom. It has been scary & awful way for any human to live.

BTW/ Lymetoo & others they told me they knew of NO ONE having a problem from a Lyme person passing this on???? Duh, again Big Mistake..

Hugggssss, to all in need

Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

unsure445
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 15962

posted

You are not permitted to donate bone marrow if you have Lyme disease, not sure why blood would be much different.

With the lack of knowledge around these diseases from our governing bodies, its no wonder they still allow it.

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unsure445

Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008 | IP: Logged |

randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290

posted

no way, ever. myfriened, who died, firmly believed she got ill from blood transfusion.

I'd never put anybody at risk.

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do not look back when the only course is forward

Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

mrsfarmer
Member
Member # 50042

posted

A blood transfusion is the conclusion my LLMD and I came up with on how I got Lyme's disease. It was life or death for me so I couldn't refuse the transfusion, but my husband donates and we recently found out he has been exposed to lyme's disease and didn't know it (he has no symptoms). Everyone I talk to now has it. I feel as if it is just something most people have now and it seems inevitable. [Frown]

Posts: 74 | From over here | Registered: Mar 2017 | IP: Logged |

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