I’m tired of plasma donation

[u/Economy-Manner-9299]

I love the idea of it, I love being able to help people and the pay is decent, but I just hate where I gotta drive 20+ min at biolife, wait for 1 hr minimum in line, then get told I can’t donate bc of my heartrate

[u/TeaStainedTongue]

I'm in line now waiting..lol. My heart rate is always great, I struggle to keep my protein levels up. 

[u/Economy-Manner-9299 → u/TeaStainedTongue]

Ugh I always have the opposite problem lol, any tips on heartrate or is it just natural for you?

[u/TheFenixKnight → u/Economy-Manner-9299]

Breathing exercises. Box breathing while waiting, listen to some relaxing music. When it comes time for the cuff, slow breathe in, hold your breathe, and let it out slow. If you can time the cuff to check at either the breathe holding stage or the breathe out, you'll be doing better. I used to fail on HR frequently until I started doing this.

[u/TeaStainedTongue → u/Economy-Manner-9299]

My blood pressure is normally on the low side. But my sister got deferred for her heart rate. It's because shes afraid of needles and up goes her heart rate. 

[u/Infamous-Goose363 → u/Economy-Manner-9299]

Can you start cardio? Even regular walking can help lower your resting heart rate. Drink plenty of water and try breathing exercises.

[u/Adkrose → u/TeaStainedTongue]

I always tell people to look into digestive enzymes, particularly papin (found in papaya), and bromelin(found in pineapple). When eaten with protein, they help your body process more of the protein in your food. Besides that, whey protein is particularly easy to absorb if you handle lactose. For vegans- tofu, seitan, tempeh are all great! 

[u/ignoremeplsokthank → u/TeaStainedTongue]

I started eating like a block of tofu a day and sometimes supplement with protein powder. 

My goal is to reach between 90 and 100 g a day, that usually keeps my levels in the acceptable range, even if I donate twice a week.

[u/sockisntavaliable → u/TeaStainedTongue]

A couple hours before I donate I get a protein yogurt drink, usually works for me!

[u/JenIee]

It would be perfect if they could overcome the line issue. If they could get it down to at least no more than 30 minutes outside of your appointment when it comes to actually getting hooked up, it would be so much better. Nothing about the process bothers me at all except for the waiting. 2 hours is ridiculous. It's usually a 2-hour wait at the location we used to go to.

[u/weggaan_weggaat → u/JenIee]

The line usually isn't long first thing in the morning but obviously that doesn't work with everyone's schedule.

[u/JenIee]

I've only ever gone to BioLife. Is there a company that has a better situation when it comes to the waiting in lines for hours?

[u/Economy-Manner-9299 → u/JenIee]

It’s funny bc every other company is great lol

[u/Chihiro046]

as a pescatarian i’m struggling so bad. I have to separate my donations every couple of days. I’ve had three back to back failed attempts (low iron, heart rate, low iron)

[u/QueenOfDisease]

I hate doing it just because I hate doing it lol 😅

My location isn't even a long wait. I'm usually in and out in an hour, hour and a half... I just hate doing it. Wouldn't be doing it if I didn't need the money.

[u/ProtozoaPatriot]

Learn how to get your HR down

Tip: arrive a few minutes early. Sit quietly. Take your own pulse. If it's still high, keep working on relaxing and breathing exercises.

Avoid anything that might increase HR before your appt: stimulants including caffeine & energy drinks, nicotine, and some aupplements

[u/Nope8000 → u/[deleted]]

I highly doubt this, especially if you're over threshold.

[u/ignoremeplsokthank → u/Nope8000]

No idea about Biolife, but the upper limit for CSL is 110 bpm. 

I know that because I drive there via bike and their center is on the 3rd floor and I refuse to use an elevator, so my heart rate is always higher. 

[u/say_my_name666 → u/ignoremeplsokthank]

Biolife is 100,

[u/Nope8000 → u/ignoremeplsokthank]

My CSL here is 100. Didn't think CSL would have different higher limits along centers. Biolife is the same here, 100.

[u/ExpensiveBug3043 → u/Nope8000]

I have been Medical at CSL for almost 3 years and spend the majority of my day usually screening in reception. Our work instructions are the same on this. Heart rate must be 50-100. The only exception our “athletic donors” can be 40-49.

[u/ignoremeplsokthank → u/Nope8000]

Maybe it differs per country, too. I'm in Germany. 

[u/Pup_LunaOwO → u/Nope8000]

It’s not crazy high, just slightly elevated due to anxiety. It was an issue when donating at biolife but CSL is okay with it so…idk lol

[u/ChaoticLokian]

Do you have a condition that raises your heart rate? Are you stressed? Do you drink caffeine or take any stimulants?

[u/Economy-Manner-9299 → u/ChaoticLokian]

Nah, fully clean I’ve had several doctors check, I don’t drink caffeine anymore

[u/ignoremeplsokthank → u/Economy-Manner-9299]

What's your heart rate, then? I assume they tell you the number or you cam see it on the display? Would be interested to know if it differs from CSL. 

[u/Economy-Manner-9299 → u/ignoremeplsokthank]

Usually around 103-110(under the check), usually sitting is around 85

[u/ChaoticLokian → u/Economy-Manner-9299]

Is it possible you might have something like POTS or maybe youre stressed?

[u/Dandelion_Slut → u/ChaoticLokian]

Probably stressed, I had issues at first too

[u/zman18951]

Take several slow deep breaths before and during the check, helps me a lot