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1401877 tn?1288107639

POTS and Blood Donation

Hi all,
I donated blood last night and have been feeling really POTSy (my term for when I'm really experiencing my symptoms badly) and I've been very weak,muscles are weak, really hard time breathing, racing heart, basically feel like i ran a marathon...  I'm guessing donating blood was probably not a great idea when you have POTS but I did it anyway.  Anyone have any idea how long it will take my body to recoup and go back to my regular level of POTSiness??
Thanks for any help!!
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
You don't GET POTS from blood donation. You have POTS and blood donation makes the situation worse.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I actually got POTS from donating, last October.  Was healthy and happy until I sat up from giving blood.  Was immediately sick, went to the emergency room twice and then admitted to the hospital for three days less than a week after donating.  I'm thankful for the doctor who diagnosed, but now, every six to eight weeks I have a POTS episode that lasts for six to eight weeks.  Can have symptoms in between, but they aren't every day.  I've been banned from further donations.  Anyone else out there who got POTS from blood loss/donation?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I got really sick after I donation I fanted and turned blue also Throw up. How I feel dizzy and week all the time it's been over a month
Avatar universal
Hi! I know you left the question long time ago but I'm still answering. I'm diagnosed with POTS  and have donated blood a few times. After donating I've been quite "POTSy" too, been tired and a bit dizzy. However, I found a great help from eating something salty and drinking water A LOT right after donating!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i could never donate blood with POTS, everytime i would faint. i was usually fine by the end of that day tho after eating some pizza and cookies (i was donating at my high school, lots of free pizza and cookies)
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