Do any of our members donate blood ?

I was talking with Mrs Fred about donating blood and the fact that we have never been able to donate blood in France. As far as I know we still can not donate because we lived in the UK between 1980 to 1996 and they wanted to remove the risk of Mad Cow. (No I'm not getting into the politics of it all)

I also said that I doubt I would be able to donate blood anyway as I have been on Bio's for around 12 years, I also don't think anyone taking Oral or Bio treatments for psoriasis can donate. But it got me thinking and I don't know if any of our members do donate blood.

Thoughts ?

I don't donate because it's scares me, afraid I'll get dizzy...  but quick online search doesn't bring up any answers in the Netherlands ( I bet Caroline can do better :

I did it a few times when I was young but I fainted every time and in the end they politely said maybe don’t bother again!    however after having children and psoriasis and a couple of ops I’m no longer worried about needles, but I’m pretty sure they don’t want my blood now because of being on P meds.

(Wed-23-01-2019, 21:47 PM)artemie Wrote: I don't donate because it's scares me, afraid I'll get dizzy...  but quick online search doesn't bring up any answers in the Netherlands ( I bet Caroline can do better :

It's not something I would do either unless in an emergency.

I did do a search, but I prefer to get it from our members as I know they provide the best information out there.

(Wed-23-01-2019, 21:57 PM)Turnedlight Wrote: I did it a few times when I was young but I fainted every time and in the end they politely said maybe don’t bother again!    however after having children and psoriasis and a couple of ops I’m no longer worried about needles, but I’m pretty sure they don’t want my blood now because of being on P meds.

Yes that is my thinking the treatments we take could stop us giving blood. Mrs Fred also asked if we did give blood could we pass on psoriasis.

They didn't want my blood, Fred.

(Wed-23-01-2019, 22:02 PM)Bill Wrote: They didn't want my blood, Fred.

Did they say why ?

They told me if I stopped taking dimethyl fumarate for six months I could donate.

(Wed-23-01-2019, 22:07 PM)Bill Wrote: They told me if I stopped taking dimethyl fumarate for six months I could donate.

So it does look like we can;t give blood because of the treatments we take, but I bet in an emergency they would take it.

I do actually understand their reluctance as I knew someone that got AIDS from a transfusion and ended up dying, so they have to be careful.

They take blood from people on Tecfidera in other countries. I can understand the caution.