Health - Declaring kratom when donating blood?

[splish-splash]

Hi,

SWIM is a both a regular kratom user and over the last year has started donating blood.

When she goes to donate she has to fill in a form stating what medicines have been consumed over the previous 7 days. The form doesn't ask anything about recreational drugs consumed - only things that might have been injected. Neither does it ask for any info on health supplements or vitamins.

Although Kratom is legal in the UK, where SWIM resides, she doesn't particularly want to list it on the form. Do you think that it should be stated?

Thanks in advance,

SS

[Alfa]

Yes. Donated blood is often used for patients that are already unconscious and medicated. Giving such patients blood with a CNS depressant and Epinephrine stimulant may lead to serious complications.

[splish-splash]

Thanks for your response Alfa.

Swim sometimes takes co-codemol painkillers (for pain, not recreational purposes) and declares those so that will be marked on the donation which should cover the CNS depressant issue. No questions are ever asked about how recently the donor's consumed alcohol or caffine.

SS

[missparkles]

Swim has never really thought about it. But it's a thought provoking question.

[splish-splash]

Thanks MissSparkles, it is interesting and the more I read into the subject the more it's annoying me on the lack of policy.

Bearing in mind the high use of recreational drugs in the UK amongst the young and the blood service organising donation sessions at places such as universities the lack of info on this subject is baffling. Swim suspects that a clearer policy could encourage more to donate.

It is also Swim's suspicion that the blood service don't wish to be seen to be condoning the use of drugs hence the apparent lack of information. Interestingly, on the American Red Cross website, they say that as long as donors don't turn up to donate whilst under the influence then it's ok for them to have consumed alcohol and weed (don't think I have enough priviledges to post links).

If anyone reading has any further thoughts or experiences then please post!

Thanks,

SS.

[missparkles]

Sparkles has been unable to find much info about this. Strange.