Bone Marrow Donation Procedure

[Metalcherry]

It is something that i have been contemplating for a long time and i finally plucked up the courage to start looking into it properly but im sort of drawn back when i was sent a book about donations etc

I am happy enough to remain on the register if i am accepted until in 65 but i was reading through some of the "risks" and they stated something in the book re, during the actual taking bone marrow operation, there may be complications and could be as serious as paralyzing and some other problems which "could" occur if any probs and then it goes on about how you are covered by medical insurance etc.

Has anyone ever done bone marrow donations or know anyone who has done it and if so, is there any real risk in it? I know all operations are risky but i have never seen something like this before.

[LesMTS]

Apparently it hurts quite a lot afterwards but donors suffering serious, long-term side effects are rare (<1%).
It's a really noble thing to do, though, and they only call you up if you're really needed (not like standard blood donations).

[Shannow]

I was consdering signing up for this a while ago as well but never got round to it becaus ei'ma massive fanny.

[Metalcherry]

I am actually fine about any discomfort afterwards, its an operation afterall lol. I have always wanted to do it since seeing a story when i was younger about a kid who needed it but i was way too young to be able to donate. Now with the recent stories of the little girl who needs it recently has made me remember. Plus they do not receive that many donations compared to blood or other donations so they need as many people on the register.

At the moment, since i am slightly overweight, there is a chance i would have to put it on pause until i lose weight which im willing to do but i can sign up. I think the line about being paralysed made me a bit worried lol.

[evilglamcaitlin]

I'm on the register.

I wouldn't worry too much. The chance of you being called ever in your lifetime are pretty slim anyway, nevermind that once you go in for more exact match tests there might be someone who's a better fit (i.e a sibling or relative). Although if you are called, anytime under three weeks before the operation and you can't pull out as they'll start killing off the bone marrow in the other patient.

[Metalcherry]

I saw that in the book as well lol. Luckly i am not one to chicken out of things like that.
Going to start filling out the details tonight to get the ball rolling. I think you have to see a doctor afterwards if you can nto attend a clinic? I just missed the one in Pollockshaws a few weeks ago so i would have to go to the doctor to get the other info.

[Witch]

my uncle used to do this and blood donation. He got a nice wee award and everything, if he was going on saturday id have asked for you

[evilglamcaitlin]

You have to give blood first, and they get a preliminery tissue type from that. I originally just wanted to be on the register, but after having to give blood the first time so they could register my tissue type I joined the platelets donation team and now give every 3-4 weeks, as opposed to 3-4 times a year that you're allowed to give blood.

The chances of you getting called are very slim, and I'm not entirely sure on this but I think you can only get called once in your lifetime. If you want to help more and youe blood type is either O or A I'd thoroughly recommend looking in to donating platelets as well. It takes about 1-2 hours instead of the usual 10-15 mins that giving blood takes, but it is essential in helping some patients with cancer, most notably leukemia, new born babies and patients in emergency situations.

As for tissue typing, they just fill an extra test tube of blood when you go to donate, it's pretty painless.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

The chances of you getting called are very slim, and I'm not entirely sure on this but I think you can only get called once in your lifetime.

People who donate almost always only donate once in their lifetime but this is due to difficulties in finding useful matches rather than any safety concerns.
A larg number of people (most?) on the list will never donate at all.

[evilglamcaitlin]

The odds of finding a marrow donor in the general population are around about 1 in 20,000.

I'm a bit sceptical of the procedure, tbh. My friend's sister had a transplant and died a few weeks later. It's usually a last-ditch attempt, I know. My friend received a transplant too and it went well for a bit, but then he just deterioated. He didn't make it.

I'm trying to find statistics for the success rate but most of them are rather vague because of all the different factors affecting the patient

[Metalcherry]

It does say that you can be called up to a max of 4 times to donate which is the limit they claim in the book i got but its extremely rare.

The thing i was thinking was that i was going to expand my tattoo and i know blood donations do not take people who have had tattoos within 9 months of having them done to ensure they are clear of any diseases, would this fall under this as well? Not anytime soon, was thinking in the next 6 months i was going to start expanding a bit.

I have never found out what my blood type is so will check out the platelets at the same time.


p.s. lol@ your sig LesMTS - got a tshirt with that sort of thing on it :P

[evilglamcaitlin]

I doubt the tattoo thing would be a problem, plus as Les said, the likihood of you getting called ever is pretty slim, so you should be okay. Plus the tattoo stipulation about giving blood is about the blood which is actually already in your body, where as I think I'm right in saying that the bone marrow is where all your blood (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) is made.

Personally I think everyone should sign up. The odds are so slim of you ever being a match for someone, and if you were you'd have enough time to think over your decision and be reliably informed by any doctors about the exact risks involved and the nature and reprecussions of the procedure, and you can easily pull out. The question people should be asking is why shouldn't they sign up.

[Metalcherry]

Well im filling out my form tonight. they did say however, if you do sign up, the cost of the tests etc to apply are quite costly (i think its around 150-200quid) which they shell out for for donors.

I think the tattoo thing was holding me back since i got it done but at least now i will give it a go. theres nowt to lose

thanks chick x

[Largest of Gregs]

it hurts like FUCK when it's being taken. Fine afterwards mind!

[Metalcherry]

I have a high pain endurance im sure i can survive. Been through the wars with burns, falling down ruths stairs and splitting heads open with metal gates. sure a little bone marrow couldnt compare to that lol!

guess you did it? How exactly do they take it, do you get given a GA?