Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.

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JennyMay 02/09/2009

On first glance you probably thought that was a pretty stupid question, but let it be known, I'm no longer taking coumadin.

Here's the situation: I was on coumadin Jan 07 - Nov 08. I am now taking 160mg aspirin daily, for the rest of my life. With my history of a dvt (which was a one off, caused by the contraceptive pill) and the fact I am now on aspirin, will I be permitted to give blood? I searched the red cross website and read through their "terms and conditions" but nowhere did they mention aspirin.

The victims of the victorian bushfires are in urgent need of blood and I'd like to help in the best possible way. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer :)

dero 02/09/2009

What was the reason you clotted the last time, I can't remember?

JennyMay 02/09/2009

The pill. They found one clot in Jan 07, assumed that was the only one, and then three months after coming off the 6 month coumadin course a clot that wasn't discovered the first time had grown back, so I had to go on the coumadin again for a year. It was always the pill.

dero 02/09/2009

If the pill was the reason, I don't see any reason why you can't donate blood and since you have been off of warfarin since Nov 08.
The other thing you can also do is check with the Red Cross themselves, ask to talk to a person about it.
But I would think that it would be OK and THAT, is my un-professional advise.

JennyMay 02/09/2009

Well, I'm not so concerned about having been on the coumadin in the past, I'm more concerned about being on Aspirin now. Anyway I might call them

deleted_user 02/09/2009

Upper Extremity DVT is actually a rare side effect of donating blood. At the lab (private/for profit) where I used to work, we did not take donations from people with a history of blood clots. I imagine the Red Cross has the same rule, but you can always call before you go down to donate.

deleted_user 02/09/2009

I was just on www.warfarinfo.com
and that question was asked and he answered by saying they won't take someones blood if thier inr is over 2.0.

Ferr 02/09/2009

My daughter works at a medical unit where they get blood donors and she said once you have been on Coumadin or have a history of blood clots they will not take your blood for donation.

deleted_user 02/09/2009

I used to donate regularly before I had a clot. And once that was done, and tried again, they told me I couldn't give blood anymore, even if I wasn't on coumadin. I would think the same thing would apply for the aspirin because it is acting as a blood thinner and I would imagine that is not what they would want to give someone in need of blood. But, I agree, call them and see what they say.

dero 02/09/2009

So there, I have been corrected. I stand aside in front of the pros.
They know!!!
That's what I like about this group... We have pros.

RetiredNavy02 02/10/2009

As long as you have been off coumadin for at least four days, you should be able to donate. Here is some general guidelines for a leading specialist here in the U.S.:

http://www.fvleiden.org/ask/01.html

The warfarinfo website as already mentioned is another good website, however, Mr. Lodwick is not a physician, he is a pharmacist who is certified as a anticoagulation care provider. As such, he is not a specialists in the treatment of thrombosis and thrombophilia patients.

Regards,
Tom in Connecticut

deleted_user 02/10/2009

SophieB, if it turns out you can't donate, you might be able to motivate others to donate, instead. Just think if you are able to persuade three or four friends or co-workers to give blood!

I was a regular blood donor and also did pheresis for a time...the Red Cross noted me down as being under a doctor's care (and not donating) while I'm taking Coumadin. I asked the hematologist how long after stopping Coumadin I will be able to donate and he said three or four days. He and I both were thinking in terms of my blood being acceptable and neither of us was considering the risk to me of futher clotting. This is an interesting post. I'm glad you asked.

deleted_user 02/10/2009

Crazy! I was just wondering about this on my drive to work this morning. Anticoagulated brains must think alike!

I'm still on Coumadin, but if I ever go off of it, I was hoping to be able to donate blood again. I have a fairly rare type and used to get calls from the Red Cross asking if I could come in and donate. It will be a shame if I can't do that anymore!

deleted_user 02/10/2009

After my PE 14 years ago I was told by the Blood Clinic that I could not donate when I went to do so. I was given no reason.. and really I have no idea why. I was off coumadin for about a year. Maybe different clinics in different cities have different policies?

uh too many different's there...

Not sure?!
Lori

JEB2007 02/10/2009

I've decided to not donate blood because of my clotting history. Before my DVTs, I would try to donate and I actually clotted the needle at two different sessions. That was NOT a pleasant feeling. I also wouldn't someone with a clotting history to get phlavitis and lose function of that vein in their arm. My sister has and it's not much fun.
My understanding (not medical fact!) is that various countries have their own rules as to how long you have to be off of anticoagulants before donations, be it lovenox, coumadin, or aspirin. It's best to check with each facility.

deleted_user 02/16/2009

You might check on a pheresis program. They don't use all your blood but it's just as useful to those in need. As a matter of fact, they take a double unit and then put your red cells back in you, using the plasma for medical need. I have no knowledge of whether that gets around the problem but you can't lose by asking?

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