Blood Donation ?

[kimsaunsc]

Is there any reason not to donate blood while on prednisone for PMR?

[SnazzyD]

Well, this came up at the top of the search. It says that you have to have had your last dose at least a week prior to giving blood in case it is masking an infection. Sounds reasonable. It doesn’t mention dose though.

medicblood.org/wp-content/u...

A UK page gives a phone number to call to discuss the issue. Injected steroids as intra joint have the 7 day rule. For tablet steroids it said to look up the condition for which they are needed, in this case autoimmune conditions, and this is where the phone number came in.

my.blood.co.uk/knowledgebas...

As to whether it is a good idea for your constitution, it depends on you. I couldn’t give blood on a good day even when I was young. I’d be exhausted for a month.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

Oral steroids also 7 day rule -

Steroids are medications that can be prescribed to decrease inflammation and swelling. Steroids may mask an underlying infection, so a donor should be deferred for 1 week after the prescribed last dose when taken by mouth or injection. (No deferral for topical steroids, e.g., cream applied to skin, drops to eyes.)

[SnazzyD in reply to DorsetLady]

So 1mg as well as 40mg?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

Don’t know, doesn’t say amount. Think it would be at doctor’s (at donor clinic) discretion.

[piglette]

I used to give blood and even got some badges. I stopped when I got PMR as I felt it would not be a good idea. As I have now had a blood transfusion they will no longer accept my blood anyway.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

I gave regularly as well for about 20 years, until I started on blood pressure tablets - really felt sad about that. Too old now!

[Dambusters in reply to DorsetLady]

I JUST managed the silver badge when the same thing happened .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Dambusters]

Ditto!

[SnazzyD in reply to piglette]

Gosh, so one transfusion and that’s it?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

I’ve just re-read rules, and think they might have relaxed them - age permitting I could probably give blood as my BP tablet is not mentioned - but still need to discuss with donor staff.

No - if transfusions given since 1980!

[SnazzyD in reply to DorsetLady]

😮

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

The fact you might have eaten one burger in the UK is enough to stop you in some countries ...

[fmkkm in reply to PMRpro]

Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease or something else? I stopped watching news so curious what I missed here.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fmkkm]

The variant CJD, yes. If you were in the UK for more than 3 months between 1980 and 1995 (or thereabouts) many countries won't have your blood.

[fmkkm in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting, I didn’t know that was still in effect. Thanks

[Mary63]

Once I was on prednisolone they would not allow me to give blood.

[Bcol]

I used to donate, but as soon as started on the Pred they told me I had to stop. Peter

[kimsaunsc in reply to Bcol]

I didn’t know that prednisone precluded me form donating. Thanks for aharing

[Weegie51]

In Scotland you cannot donate until 12 months from last steroid dose!