Blood donation

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Blood donation

Postby Ivor » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:37 am

Does anyone here donate blood regularly? (other than falling off bike and sliding down tram lines)
and if so... how do you find it affects your riding? how long does it take for you to return to 100%?

I gave blood yesterday - bad timing since I had planned on going to Palace last night but there you go (last nights short ride left me feeling slightly dizzy, but I'd expected that and took it very easy).

Anyway, riding in this morning didn't feel too bad, took it reasonably easy and noticed that I was feeling (understandably) a bit low on power.
However, I really noticed it when I stopped though, with very bad pins and needles with toes and feet having a distinct lack of circulation going to them (left foot worst).
Perhaps I should skip a day after donating in future.
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Snoop Doug » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:38 am

Did you get a biscuit? Mmmmmm, biscuits :lol:

Tram tracks my ar5e :shock:
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Ivor » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:42 am

[quote="Snoop Doug"]Did you get a biscuit? Mmmmmm, biscuits :lol:

yup, AND I got the cute nurse.

[quote="Snoop Doug"]Tram tracks, my ar5e

indeed, that's what I hear. :)
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Re: Blood donation

Postby adrian » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:00 am

[quote="Ivor"]Does anyone here donate blood regularly? (other than falling off bike and sliding down tram lines)
and if so... how do you find it affects your riding? how long does it take for you to return to 100%?

I do. I find it usually takes just a day or so before you're feeling yourself again.
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Jon H » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:09 am

Blood volume returns to nomal within a day or so, as it's just replacing fluids. Blood cell count takes longer; I think it's several weeks before it's fully restored, but I usually feel back to normal in a few days. I try and donate in the autumn after the racing season has finished, then again aound Jan/Feb before it's started, and miss out on a summer donation which would be right in the peak of the racing season.
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Nick W » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:19 am

Have you put some in the fridge for another day?
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Ivor » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:21 am

[quote="Jon Hemming"]Blood volume returns to nomal within a day or so, as it's just replacing fluids. Blood cell count takes longer; I think it's several weeks before it's fully restored, but I usually feel back to normal in a few days. I try and donate in the autumn after the racing season has finished, then again aound Jan/Feb before it's started, and miss out on a summer donation which would be right in the peak of the racing season.


great thanks for the info everyone. I'll keep an any on my performance and try not to give blood within a few weeks of a TT then.

[quote="Nick W"]Have you put some in the fridge for another day?

I asked about getting half back but they didn't seem to be interested. :)
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Re: Blood donation

Postby kieran » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:42 am

I am a regular donor and just donated at the start of April. Jon is mainly right about the effects of it, but it should only affect high end stuff. I have never noticed any real effects riding afterwards (I often donate at lunch time and then cycle home after work, anything from 10miles to 25 miles). But I do force myself to drink a lot of water before and after donating. I try to time my summer donation so that I donate just before going on the family holidays.
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Andrew G » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:38 pm

[quote="adrian"]I do. I find it usually takes just a day or so before you're feeling yourself again.

:P :lol:
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Re: Blood donation

Postby Alex S » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:51 pm

your red cells regenerate back to normal in 24 hours, but your iron levels take a couple of months to settle apparently.
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