MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
And I mean days afterwards.
I followed the guidance for the 24hrs after donating, but then spent a week on holiday having a drink or three most nights, plus did a couple of short road rides, one quite hard by my standards.
Mood and energy just flatlining, not dehydrated as far as I can tell, just wondered if it could be to do with fluctuations in iron levels, although a bit of googling doesn't suggest it's a common side effect of donating...
Ta
Not that I've found, normally can't feel much of a difference next day (although me and exercise parted ways some time back).
Usually feel a bit drained for a day after
Usually wake up the next day dehydrated and almost feelnhung over but after than don't really notice much. Maybe hungry! I only have one beer on a weekend usually though so usually days after before I drink.
Likely to impact everyone in their own way a bit. But after about 35 donations I've personally never noticed much after 24 hours. Donate on a Friday afternoon and try running Saturday morning you might feel a bit flat, but by Sunday back to normal service.
Once tried to cycle home flat out straight after, didn't get far before needing to slow down!
A week on holiday with a drink or 3 (13) ! Missed the one...
Your red blood cells will be down for a while, but blood volume is fine within 24 hours. You won't notice the lower hematocrit much unless exercising hard.
I can't donate due to drugs I take that affect my hematocrit - I'm knackered on the bike if it drops to 40, but OK from 45 plus. Needs to be under 54 - pro cyclists under 50...
I've given so much that they don't call me anymore!!!
Apart from the odd bruised arm I never had any after effects. Only ever noticed anything wrong once, and that was when I donated on Friday evening and tried to do a 50 mile TT the following lunchtime. No zip in my legs, but then a sizeable portion of my oxygen carrying capability hadn't had time to replenish itself.
OK thanks folks, will put it down to just a combination of riding, a not-very-healthy week of eating and drinking, and the hyper-active toddler...
I used to find that I was more prone to illness after, in the winter at least , so now I tend not to bother. Seems churlish but I felt there was a pattern. Gave blood and then played squash same night. Complete lack of 'go' as others have said.