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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Donated blood at work yesterday (above the usual blood, sweat, and tears...   )
This was my first ALYX donation. Since I'm O+, they love my red blood cells. The system takes your blood, centrifuges it, keeps the red blood cells, and returns the rest of the blood. You don't lose any volume of blood, so you feel better after. They also get two units of red cells.
It's also only one arm, and 30 minutes, so it's much more tolerable than the apheresis, which I've also done before.
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Posted 2/25/10 7:38 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
yeah, the love me 2...i told them next time i will try it out. it shouldn't be too bad
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| Posted 2/25/10 7:58 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Posted by BabyBoy
yeah, the love me 2...i told them next time i will try it out. it shouldn't be too bad
There was no discomfort, doesn't take too long. There was just the faintest of tingling in my lips, but I think I only noticed it because I've done apheresis, and the tingling was noticeable, so I was looking for it.
Your iron levels need to be higher than for whole blood donations, though. The last time I donated, I wanted to do the ALYX, but my iron was too low. It was fine for whole blood, though, so at least I was able to donate. This time around, I made sure I took a vitamin with iron in it beforehand.... 
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| Posted 2/25/10 8:18 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
I'm O+ too.
Is that something you need to make an appt for ? Or is it walk in during a regular blood drive ?
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| Posted 2/25/10 8:42 AM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Posted by GoldenRod
Donated blood at work yesterday (above the usual blood, sweat, and tears... )
This was my first ALYX donation. Since I'm O+, they love my red blood cells. The system takes your blood, centrifuges it, keeps the red blood cells, and returns the rest of the blood. You don't lose any volume of blood, so you feel better after. They also get two units of red cells.
It's also only one arm, and 30 minutes, so it's much more tolerable than the apheresis, which I've also done before.
How does it work with one arm? I'm also O+ but apparently also have AWESOME platelets but when I tried to donate them, they said my veins were too small (after I was all hooked up and they tried to do) to go out one arm and back in the other. I'm curious how the one arm deal works!
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| Posted 2/25/10 8:46 AM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Just found this by googling:
Q What does it mean to donate with the Alyx System?
Blood contains red cells, plasma and platelets. Red blood cells are an absolutely essential component in emergency medical situations and can mean the difference between life and death for trauma victims and those undergoing surgery. Red blood cells are also used to treat people with certain types of cancer and sickle cell anemia. Because red blood cells are so essential, they are also the most needed blood component – with approximately 14 million units transfused every year.
Systems that collect individual blood components have been in use for over 20 years, safely providing millions of doses of platelets and plasma. The new Alyx System specifically collects red blood cells and helps increase the supply of this critically needed blood component.
If you qualify to donate with the Alyx System, you can safely and comfortably provide two units of red blood cells with one donation – and touch more lives.
Q How can you touch more lives?
To qualify as a donor on the Alyx System, males must be at least 5’ 1” and weigh at least 130 pounds, and women must be at least 5’ 5” and weigh at least 150 pounds.
Q Why are the donor requirements different for men and women?
Men and women have different total blood volumes. Even for men and women of the same weight, their blood volumes will differ. Because of this difference, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has established different donor requirements for men and women.
Q How long does it take?
A typical donation on the Alyx System takes just 20 to 25 minutes.
Q Is there any discomfort?
The Alyx System uses a needle that is smaller than the one used for whole blood collection, so you may find it more comfortable. Some donors may feel a slight tingling of lips, or a slight chill. If at any point, you’re experiencing discomfort – tell your donor technician.
Q Should I do anything different after donating with the Alyx System?
Just as with a whole blood donation, donors should drink plenty of fluids; and refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours immediately following donation.
Q If I wanted to donate with the Alyx, what would I do?
Alyx machines are now available at the West Orange donor center and at many community and corporate blood drives throughout the area. It is likely you may see the Alyx where you go to donate. However, certain sites may not have enough room for Alyx or the machines may be out at other locations. You may not know if Alyx will be at your drive or not. But please ask about Alyx wherever you go!
Q Will this donation count as two donations in my total?
Yes. Because you must wait twice as long after your double red cell donation (112 days), your donation will be counted as two, for milestone purposes.
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| Posted 2/25/10 8:50 AM |
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My4GirlsMyLife
My 4 girlies
Member since 2/08 9702 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
 Awesome !!
I donated blood a few months ago,and since I am AB+ they wan't my platelets now, so I am going to make my 2hr appointment soon .
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| Posted 2/25/10 9:44 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
I've done that before as well.. now doc advised me to chill..red blood count never seems to be high enough.
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| Posted 2/25/10 10:01 AM |
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
you know what, i would of forgot about the iron if you didn't say anything. The women told me make sure the iron is up for the test.
ALYX will allow you to cut the line..i would schedule but every time i walk in, there is nobody on the machine
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| Posted 2/25/10 10:17 AM |
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Q How can you touch more lives?
To qualify as a donor on the Alyx System, males must be at least 5’ 1” and weigh at least 130 pounds, and women must be at least 5’ 5” and weigh at least 150 pounds.
I've never heard of this. And apparently I don't make the height or weight requirement. I bet a lot of women won't.
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| Posted 2/25/10 11:11 AM |
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SKPtzu
Oh boys
Member since 6/08 1388 total posts
Name:
SKPtzu
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Q How can you touch more lives?
To qualify as a donor on the Alyx System, males must be at least 5’ 1” and weigh at least 130 pounds, and women must be at least 5’ 5” and weigh at least 150 pounds.
I've never heard of this. And apparently I don't make the height or weight requirement. I bet a lot of women won't.
I make the height requirement, but not the weight...very bizarre, I'd love to know the reasoning behind their qualifications.
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| Posted 2/25/10 11:16 AM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Posted by SKPtzu
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Q How can you touch more lives?
To qualify as a donor on the Alyx System, males must be at least 5’ 1” and weigh at least 130 pounds, and women must be at least 5’ 5” and weigh at least 150 pounds.
I've never heard of this. And apparently I don't make the height or weight requirement. I bet a lot of women won't.
I make the height requirement, but not the weight...very bizarre, I'd love to know the reasoning behind their qualifications.
Because they take 2.5 pints of blood as opposed to the one point of a regular donation so it's all about ratios of how much of your blood (based on your height & weight) they are taking.
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| Posted 2/25/10 11:37 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Donated blood yesterday (ALYX)
Posted by Wendy
Posted by GoldenRod
Donated blood at work yesterday (above the usual blood, sweat, and tears... )
This was my first ALYX donation. Since I'm O+, they love my red blood cells. The system takes your blood, centrifuges it, keeps the red blood cells, and returns the rest of the blood. You don't lose any volume of blood, so you feel better after. They also get two units of red cells.
It's also only one arm, and 30 minutes, so it's much more tolerable than the apheresis, which I've also done before.
How does it work with one arm? I'm also O+ but apparently also have AWESOME platelets but when I tried to donate them, they said my veins were too small (after I was all hooked up and they tried to do) to go out one arm and back in the other. I'm curious how the one arm deal works!
The same needle and tubes take the blood in, then pump the extra blood, along with anticoagulant back through. You can see the tube change from dark red, to pink, to clear as it returns.
You really do need decent veins to do it, though, because of the return.
It's a good excuse for keeping some extra pounds on.... "Oh, I can't lose weight, since I want to donate my red blood cells...." 
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| Posted 2/25/10 1:24 PM |
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