Question I've been meaning to ask

[momoftwoboys]

Has anyone donated blood or plasma after their diagnosis of PPCM? Is it safe to do so? Under what conditions is it not safe to do so?

[ibvalerie]

HI

I just had surgery for a new by-v pacemaker/ICD, with a possiable lead wire extraction. (I have had 5 other pacermaker implants) There was the chance that I may have needed blood, anyways I was not allowed to donate my blood for myself?! How crazy is that? Anyways I was told anyone with any kind of cardiomyopothy cant. At least that is what I was told...

HTH-
Valerie
DX 6-14-04

Mommy to Madie 6-11-96
Gabie 8-7-00
Nathan 6-17-04

[amyls]

I don't think you can if you are still on meds. I wanted to give after 9-11, but I called and with all my meds, they said no. Plus I am on coumadin.(That was a BIG no!)
I used to give blood, and I'm glad I did because I ended up having 7 transfusions when I hemmorraghed in July of 2003. I also needed 2 when I had the emergency c-sect in 2000.
I am not sure why you can't donate for yourself. I wanted my husband to donate for me, when I was so sick in 2003, but they said no, even though we have th same blood type.
amy

[Natasha]

They told me no, too. They said that they don't want any complications from taking blood from a weakened heart. I even told them that I was fully recovered and they still said no. I think we are done helping others in that way.