I just started donating blood - twice this year: May 3 and Oct 8

I didn't see any question on whether or not someone had CFS, CFIDS, FM?

I noticed that if you have taken Accutane it is OK to donate blood if it has been 4 weeks since your last medication. (I disagree; Accutane has a butylated inert ingredient. I suspect there is reproductive harm to not only women, but men, too; for the rest of their lives ... not just during the time the medication is being taken)

I noticed a question about having a particularly odd sounding type of Central Nervous System damage ... so I suppose you would be declined if you had that?

There is no question about whether or not someone has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I think they shouldn't be allowed to donate blood (they probably have an autoimmune immune system ... would that affect a recipient?)

... and anyway, even if they can pass the volume of red blood cells or hematocrit test (38 or above per their test machine), they will someday need their blood ... so why donate it?

Also, for donated blood that turns out to be mostly immature red blood cells (they evaluate it more when their blood lab does more tests) what do they do with it? Put it in the mix - or just use parts of it?

There was also a question on 'have you been in jail?'
Does that mean they wouldn't take your blood?

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While it has been several years since I worked for the American Red Cross in Blood Services allow me to address these questions.

 

Accutane, taken in oral form most often, is used primarily by adolescents for control of acne.  There are certainly risks, often tragic, if a pregnant woman takes this medication.  That is why you are to use 2 forms of birth control while using it, not become pregnant and do not take it if you are pregnant.  Long term sides effects are possible with this drug as well as many others.

 

You refer to an odd sounding CNS disease, do you mean Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease?  If so then yes you would certainly be deferred as a donor for life. This disease is a degenerative brain disorder and there is  possibly some variant in Mad Cow Disease.  Surgical instruments used on a person with this disease must be destroyed.  Sterilization will not eradicate it from instruments.

 

CFS has NEVER been traced to being passed from one person to another via a transfusion.  If you have MS you can't donate.  Some forms of MD you can.

 

Blood is always being replenished by the bone marrow, the blood you have today will not the the entire same stuff the 9th of November.  The fluid component of blood is replaced within 24 hours of donation.  The 45 day wait between donations is for the RBC's to become mature.  One donation often helps 3 people, Platelets, Plasma and packed RBC's are used.  AT NO TIME is blood "put in the mix".

 

"Have you been in jail"?  That question should have been properly stated by you, the complete question has a time frame of being incarcerated, and then the deferral period is for 1 year.  The concern there is due to POSSIBLE TB exposure, Hepatitis, etc.

 

If you are truly concerned I suggest you contact either the CDC in Atlanta or the FDA who both govern blood donations be it for the ARC or any other place where DONATIONS are accepted.  Selling plasma...well that's another story all together.

 

sorry to be so long winded....but blood donations are serious life saving gifts and I hate to see the questions misquoted and/or taken out of context.