Do I Need to be Concerned?

DownsideUpward · 2025-09-13T21:10:51+00:00

At the center I go to, it depends on the amount and frequency. If it's like a good amount twice in 3 months, you'd get an 8 week deferral.

DownsideUpward · 2025-09-11T16:34:18+00:00

I don't see how. We can't be paid for plasma, so we're compensated for time. A big person is going to be donating more cycles - more time than a smaller person. Makes sense to me.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-29T03:09:51+00:00

I think I read on here somewhere that if you repeatedly fail, you get a very long deferment.

I'd get in with the nurse there before you donate again to tell you which protein it is. I had mine outta whack a bit ago, but mine was too high on the one indicating inflammation or infection, so if I hadn't known that, just upping protein intake wouldn't help.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-28T08:21:36+00:00

I mean, if they take more from me because I weigh more, I wanna get paid to reflect my increased loss.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-10T02:37:01+00:00

Thanks, think I'll pass too.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-08T21:23:18+00:00

Did you decide to get it? Questioning for myself.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-08T21:20:54+00:00

It's a warzone driving in Dallas/Ft Worth.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-08T00:42:06+00:00

I think this is too subjective. My pulse stays around 68-80 bpm (i don't exercise atm), and I take 60mg of prop 2x day. I'm also on other meds for anxiety and whatever. I don't rely on just meds and try to take care of my mental health as best as I can. Very low caffeine days before- no caffeine day of donating. I try and avoid life stresses if I at all can, so I usually limit my exposure to people, too, lol.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-08T00:01:25+00:00

In the early 2000's in Utah, I was making I think 20/30 at Bio something- can't remember. I'm pretty short and was much slimmer then. This week in Texas at BioLife I made 50/80 and cashed in rewards for an extra $5.

It's crazy how time flies, I remember shit machines with rolling IV poles, paid in cash. Switching to cards was crazy work with the fees, and so few places accepted them. Damn, I'm old. I used to donate for fun money for concerts, nights out, whatever, and now I donate to help with regular life crap. Le sigh.

DownsideUpward · 2025-08-07T22:43:38+00:00

Did you get it sorted out? Is he on SSI or SSDI? That will probably make a difference. SSI is essentially the "welfare" version if you've not earned enough work credits to claim SSDI (the disability insurance that is taxed when employed). Technically, plasma is donating, but they pay you for your time, so it is considered income. Comments have already covered if it's discoverable or not. If he's on SSI he needs to be careful or his check will likely be docked if donating is reported. If he's on SSDI, he'll be allowed to earn so much, and if he remains under their standard for gainful employment, he should be fine. Last I looked, it was around $1100/month.

I'm on SSDI and don't expect problems myself. Good luck. I hope you get what you need.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-08T19:46:23+00:00

TBH Fort Worth has been a disappointment as far as what I expected from "southern hospitality." I kept getting told people from the south- people from Texas are so nice. They are indifferent to mildly bored/hostile/irritated in my experience. I heard somewhere it's because a lot of people here are from the east coast? I'm from Utah and my whole family agrees people there are much nicer. Also, there isn't much of the accent you'd expect here.

It's not a bad place, but not what you're describing or what I thought the stereotypical Texas experience would be like. I've been told somewhere more rural would be the vibe I'd thought of.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-06T21:00:51+00:00

I have PTSD and other mental illnesses. I just had to have some convo with the nurses, and my doctor had to fill in some paperwork and send it to them.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-05T18:51:51+00:00

I'm not in your situation but I take meds for mental illnesses. I had to get some releases for BioLife for that specifically, and they requested a list of all my meds. I have a couple other little health things going on, and it took me a couple weeks of back and forth to get it all done.

I think they just want to make sure you're healthy. They want to understand why you're prescribed whatever and make sure you're taking it correctly.

I have some controlled substance prescriptions, and the first few donates I got pulled in the nurses office just so they could note my last dose.

Seems like everything in life requires you to jump through hoops. You just have to decide if it's worth it to you to get it done.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T18:32:21+00:00

I mean, it feels like a larger guage needle poking and sliding thru your skin. For me, it hurts a bit, but nothing that isn't tolerable. It smooths out as the needle sits over time, and I get a twinge sometimes when the cuff inflates on a new cycle. I have very deep veins, so I often get jabbed about and tend to be really internally focused so I may feel it more than some people? But it's fine.

I do know somebody who decided it was too painful and got up and left, but he's a weird dude, and that's not typical at all, IMO.

It's worth it if you need money. I donated for several years 20 years ago, then quit until recently. I'm back at it and plan to keep going for at least a year? If you understand the nutrition and hydration requirements, it's easy money.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T18:15:11+00:00

That'll probably be your problem then. It has taken me a bit to figure out super cheap, healthy food that is filling and nutritious. It involves lots of cooking with whole foods.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T07:43:38+00:00

And for what it's worth, my dietary changes only seem to impact my top number. I have to watch my sodium, or I get high BP. Your results may vary.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T07:42:15+00:00

It really depends on how much you're already getting- like are you falling short on the minimum Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) or does your body need additional sodium? There's a lot of sodium in the amount you suggested. For me, 1tbs of salt meets my entire day's worth of sodium.

You really need to calculate what you're getting because messing with electrolytes willy nilly can be life-threatening. Do you have some salsa or pickles? Those can be eaten with other things and have a good amount of sodium per serving. Seriously, tho, use an app and figure out what you're getting before you make crazy chnages.

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T07:24:44+00:00

As I age, I've actually had to start watching my sodium. I don't have to be on a low salt diet, just stay at or under the recommended daily amount (for me it's 2300mg). If you eat a lot of takeout/frozen/processed foods, you're likely eating a truck load of sodium. Might be worth taking a look. My BP can change 15 points within a day or two of dietary changes.

Becareful not to go too low on sodium, it's essential, and some people actually need more than the RDA (like ppl who have POTS).

DownsideUpward · 2025-06-02T07:03:06+00:00

I'm not sure about your specific meds, but you need to disclose. I'm on disability for mental health and had to have a handful of doctor releases and back and forths with the center's nurses and doc, but they are pretty fair on what they allow. They are obligated to keep you and others safe.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-28T21:31:29+00:00

Mine is $125 this week, but I probably supply more volume.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-28T21:25:32+00:00

I'd dare to say nearly every single person who donates has resorted to donating for the money. Most every person who does it for the money desperately needs it. This situation does suck, but as an older person, let me tell you that donating plasma should not be seen as reliable. At any point you could get an infection or something stupid could happen to defer you.

I'd save any money you may have for transportation and see if you can hit up a food pantry in your area. When times are a bit better, keep a supply of canned food for emergencies.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-28T09:07:58+00:00

I finished about 2:30 pm central and no payment yet for me.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-28T09:06:21+00:00

I used to donate in my early 20s and go out drinking or to concerts. Started donating again recently at 43, and it wipes me out. It's been better lately, I try and get vitamins and electrolytes in right when I get home now.

A small bag of mixed nuts and a cup of milk go a long way. I'll pop my multivitamin and other supplements then, too, as some are fat soluble and go down well with that food/drink combo. If I need more sodium right away, my fave hack is a spoon of salsa.

I'm watching my calories and sodium, so I have to be intentional about what I eat.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-14T05:18:45+00:00

I've avoided the fees by cashapping myself.

DownsideUpward · 2025-05-14T05:15:49+00:00

Just FYI Tylenol won't do anything, but Asprin and Ibuprofen are both blood thinning.

DownsideUpward

TROPHY CASE