personal question re platelet donation and potential side effects

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Hi all, I am a Sr 1 nursing student. This is a personal question so forgive me but I cant think of a better group of people to ask about it than nurses.

I donated platelets yesterday evening. When they return the remaining blood components, they do this with saline. On the screen I saw that they had processed my entire blood supply (it gave real-time whole blood ml's already processed and ml left to go-- the total amount of ml's it wanted to process was 5450 ml or 5.4 Liters which is clearly my entire blood supply). I did the two arm process which draws from one arm and simultaneously returns remaining blood to the other arm. I dont know how much saline was infused along with my blood being returned to me.

Immediately after donating I went to the 'recovery area' where I chose a snack to munch on and noticed upon chewing that my tongue was hurting. Next day being today, I have had intermittent pain in my tongue. It is a muscular pain, not a superficial one that a sore might cause. I have never had this type of pain before and I dont know if this is completely coincidental to the donation.

I have heard that anemia can cause tongue pain. My theory is that by infusing a large amount of saline that they may have diluted my ratio of RBCs to overall fluid volume, thus causing anemia and my strange symptom.

What say you all? Is this possible?

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I think it's more likely you had a reaction to the anticoagulant they give when they do returns cycles (makes my lips numb and tingly).

In places I've donated they give you under 500cc's of NS at the end which doesn't seem to be enough fluid to dilute you.

Actually, that may be a 250cc bag. I remember it being pretty small.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Wait another day. And don't read too much into what was done.

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I have heard that anemia can cause tongue pain. My theory is that by infusing a large amount of saline that they may have diluted my ratio of RBCs to overall fluid volume, thus causing anemia and my strange symptom.

What say you all? Is this possible?

Good for you for donating platelets! I suggest you call the organization you made the donation through; they should be able to answer any questions you have.

I have been donating platelets with the Red Cross for around 10 years now and I highly doubt any issues you have are related to anemia. Be sure to call your organization and ask though - they can provide you with some good information. Make sure you let them know if when you get pain/tingling/numbness during or right after a donation. They will probably give you some Tums, which may or may not help.

My biggest issue after donating is sore and stiff leg muscles when I first get outta the chair. I've found that doing a lot of stretching, quad sets, and ankle pumps while they are getting me disconnected helps relieve them.

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Congrats to you for donating, also!! I've been donating platelets for quite some time also, just did my 128th donation last month. I agree with Intern67, just call the blood bank where you did the apheresis and they will answer all your questions and concerns.

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Oh, it's probably the anticoagulant. When I used to donate, it would do all sorts of weird things to me - make me tingly and so restless I could barely sit still. Also, the inside of my right ear would get extremely itchy. Never the left, just the right.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Now I'm curious, which anticoag do they use?

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Specializes in CICU.

My lips and jaw sometimes get tingly (Sp?, is that a word?), was told it had something to do with the anticoagulant binding to calcium, so they usually give me some tums to eat during the donation. It is also my excuse to get a milkshake that day...

Can't think of the anticoagulant they use, and I don't recall ever getting a NS infusion?

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Specializes in Hospice.

I also am guessing that you experienced a minor citrate reaction. I know of several platelet donors who drink a milkshake or even take a couple of tums prior to donating - that seems to help to prevent the side affects. You might also check the staff at the platelet center, they may have other suggestions too.

As for the processed amount, don't panic at the large numbers:) The FDA (blood and blood products for transfusion are considered pharmecuticals) very closely regulates how much blood can be processed, as well as how much can be collected. And these regulations are based on the smallest donor possible (110lb. female), to ensure the process is safe for everyone.

Platelets are pretty amazing, and very interesting to learn about. It's awesome that you took the time to donate:)

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Specializes in Hospice.

In places I've donated they give you under 500cc's of NS at the end which doesn't seem to be enough fluid to dilute you.

Actually, that may be a 250cc bag. I remember it being pretty small.

It usually is 500cc, to replace some of the volume of the plasma they collect to suspend the platelets in.

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