MS and Donating Blood

Does anyone know if donating blood is allowed if someone has  MS?  We were having a debate at work about who can donate and who can't since we have this blood drive coming up next week.  

I know it may not be a great idea for us to donate, but is there a prohibition with the meds we commonly take for MS like the DMDs and nerve pain meds.  

[essdipity]

Hi, Julie. Donating blood is no prob for MSers.

Here's a thread that gives definitive info:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/ms-and-blood-donation/show/567732

ess

[Lulu54]

Hi Julie,
I just donated this summer -I should really go do it again.  They told me about the changes to the rules and how MS patients can donate.

When I saw my neuro after this, he again said that there was no problem and then said on behalf of doctors everywhere he wanted to thank me for donating.  He was very sincere -

I say go for it and hope that your iron levels are sufficient that they will let you give!

be well,
Lulu

[Quixotic1]

Yep, it's a go.

I can't, because I have a bleeding disorder and no one who is bleeding to death wants a big IV dose of Clot-Not.

MS is off the no-donate list.

quix

[rendean]

This is good to know. What about the meds? Are there any restrictions due to the meds you take, i.e., muscle relaxants, drugs for neuropathic pain?

I have never done it due to labile hypertension, as advised by my doc, but my BP is stable and I am interested in donating,

Ren

[rendean]

Sorry, Julie already asked what I just asked.Need to read the whole question.  Guess it shows I had a sleepless night.
Ren

[jensequitur]

Evidently blood donation is okay, but I've been told that organ donation is not.  Not sure why - all my bits work just fine, and I'm pretty sure that MS has nothing to do with my heart or liver, but there you go.

[Quixotic1]

We can all donate our bodies and brains to MS research.  That's my plan

Q

[Lulu54]

If you have doubts, you can always call your community blood collection center and discuss the meds you are currently taking and it that would disqualify you from donating.

get some rest, Ren.

[Deb61]

When I donated blood years ago, I had a grand-mal seizure.  I don't know if it was from the MS or not, but I won't be doing that again.  The nurses at the center told me to never come again anyway.

[Quixotic1]

Here is the American Red Cross blood donation eligiblity requirements pages:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements

[green924]

I was just wondering about this... I used to donate pretty regularly, and just the other day got I of my invitation calls. I've always donated bc I had to have like 11-12 units transfussed during my back surgery in '02. This probly needs to be a new question, but...

I used to always feel better for a few days after giving... Seems like everything lately makes me wonder hmmmm? Cause I dont know where my minds gone to hide, but I sure wish I could think like I used to! I think??? lol

Live, Laugh, Love
Mel

[LoveMyBostons]

We can't donate our organs??

[jensequitur]

That's what I hear...  However, like Quix, I plan on donating my corpse to science... mine is going to the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center.

There's forms and stuff you can download - try googling them online.  Here's their mailing address:

  Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center
  Attn: Tissue Bank
  701 E. Hampden Ave., Suite 420
  Englewood, CO 80113-2760

Of course, science will probably give it right back!

[ErinZoe23]

I dont think i will ever share my blood with others. Just because i just am not sure of if it is good or not and don't want to chance it in my mind to give someone something else possibly. My reasoning is no one can say where MS comes from and how you get it and they also do blood tests to detect MS so how i think of it is our blood probaly is fine and dandy but then again if they test for certain things for MS in your blood then yeah you know? And they cant say how you get it and why you get it so keeping my blood to myself is my idea! lol until they are absolutly 100 percent positive where it comes from and how poeple get this MS!  Thats just how i reason it in my mind! lol Might not make sense but to me it does! lol

[green924]

Strange how stuff happens really coincedental?? for me. Last night long after I had been reading this post my local Red Cross called to see about me donating...
I asked her and she wasn't sure, but said to call them at 800-236-3276 to talk with them about donor health. Weird... But I'm calling them later today.

Live, Laugh, Love
Mel