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Giving blood with and without surgery and drugs

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/13/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm curious, because I've always wanted to be able to give blood, but I don't think I can...
I'm on oral sulfasalazine, azathioprine (Imuran), allopurinol, probiotics, fish oil, multivitamins, salofalk enemas (and temporarily metronidazole - flagyl). Is it possible for me to give blood?

Also, for those who have had the surgery, are you still on medication for the UC, or if you are not, are you able to give blood?

Thanks :)
Posted 6/13/2014 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with your assessment, you are probably not eligible to give blood now.

Yes, post surgery you can give blood. I had surgery 13 years ago and take no medications.

Sue
Posted 6/13/2014 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried to give blood in the past and they wouldn't accept my blood due to anemia, inflammation and medications.

I have been meaning to ask my surgeon how much blood I owe after my first 2 surgeries. I plan on donating blood after my 3rd surgery which is in less than 2 weeks. I figure that I will owe a lot of blood and will be paying it off over the next few years.

Post Edited (ks1905) : 6/13/2014 11:17:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/13/2014 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think that's very commendable of you...I never thought of it like that I guess...owing blood.
Posted 6/13/2014 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi suebear, wow no medications and giving blood sounds like a good deal, thanks for the information!

As Poppie said, ks1905, that is an interesting way to look at it, but very nice of you to give back.

Thanks guys :)
Posted 6/13/2014 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I'm appreciative of the fact that other people donated blood that I needed for my surgeries, I should pay it forward now that I will be able to donate blood in the future....I do think of it as that I owe the blood. They do call it a Bank, a Blood Bank. I've never gotten anything from a bank without having to repay it later.

If it is legal they should market it blood donations/infusions better. My suggestion is that if it is possible they should give a piece of paper at the end of the hospital stay or blood infusion telling the patient about how much blood was donated to them and list 3 or 4 locations or upcoming blood drives. Either the patient of family member or friend may be interested in repaying the donation or at least it is in the back of their mind.

And now that I am healthy enough to donate it makes me want to donate after not being able to donate blood for some many years.
Posted 6/14/2014 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I live in Ontario, I looked up to see if I can donate and I was refused. I would love to. The rules are too strict - for a good reason thankfully.


It's unfortunate because I did want to donate.
Posted 6/14/2014 8:11 AM (GMT 0)
This was in the 90s my grandmother got a bunch of transfusions. We got a letter saying we could pay x amount of money or have family donate x amount of blood. Yes in the U.S.
Posted 6/14/2014 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I asked when I had UC and was on meds and it was anemia that kept me from being able to. Now after aurgery I'm UC med free and no longer anemic. I still take meds for something else they aren't problen but my veins are so shot I am unable. That bothers me because even before I had a blood transfusion I felt like it was the responsible thing to do. But my veins are so bad from years of iv steroids and potassium and phenogren that I have to have the smallest needle possible just for blood work. So those of you who have been hospitalized may have to look.at that.
Posted 6/14/2014 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I take no medications for my UC now, but I don't donate blood because it is simply more dangerous for people without colons to donate blood due to our propensity for dehydration. I try to give back in other ways.

Incidentally, through four hospitalizations and three surgeries I have never received a blood transfusion!
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