Dixie,
So glad you asked this...I haven't donated in years, because I didn't know what was wrong with me and the blood bank said thanks, but no thanks! Now that I know what it is, dear hubby doesn't want me to cuz I already feel so rough.

But I'd love to know how that's worked for others too!!

HUGS!

I was on the ProHealth FM board last year for a live chat with Dr. Lapp. He suggested that any of us with FM or CFS not donate blood until they know more about what is going on with us.

I checked lots of websites tonight, and they seem to be about 50/50...some said its ok, but several doctors felt the answer should be no since they aren't sure what exactly is wrong. SO?????

HUGS

I would agree with those that say don't donate blood. They don't know what causes fibro and they don't know if it can be transmitted from a blood donation. I don't know but it is better to be safe than sorry. I would hate to think of someone getting fibro from blood I donated. One thing we can do is if we have to have surgery we can donate our own blood to use if it becomes nessary for us to get blood.

I used to donate blood all the time but I was healthy then. It also kept my cholesterol and triglyceride levels where they needed to be. The reason I stopped was due to some medications I was taking. I always felt better after donating but I do see a point where it might be possible to pass Fibro on to someone else. That isn't a thought I even want to entertain.

Hi Dixie,
This is a good topic, and one I have thought about for the last few years. I was never sick with fibro symptoms until after my hysterectomy, 7 years ago. I had severe complications and had to have 6 blood transfusions over the course of a few days. It took about 6 months for me to recover, and ever since then I have been ill. I was dx'd with fibro after 3 years of testing for everything under the sun.

I think until they decide whether this can be transmitted through blood transfusions, maybe we should all just not donate blood.