I don’t know if this is allowed on this sub, but I had a really bad experience giving blood yesterday. I did everything right, I’ve given blood 3 or 4 times before and have had minimal effects. But this time I was continuously passing out and throwing up for 3 hours. I was getting chills and moaning a lot it was probably the worst like medical experience I’ve had in my entire life. My iron levels were ok so they think it was because I was on my period? Has anyone else had this experience before while they were on their period? No one had warned me that you weren’t supposed to give blood when on your period so I was kind of confused.

Also, if you’ve had a similar experience before how long did it take you to feel better? I called off work yesterday and even today I haven’t yet stood up for more than 30 seconds without someone holding me. I’m asking this because I have a dishwashing shift tomorrow and I’m scared that if I bring myself to get up and go I will pass out and get a concussion or throw up or something. Especially because my shifts are about 8 hours long with heavy lifting, running around a lot, generally strenuous.

If anyone who’s experienced this or knows a lot about donating blood could help me out I would love that!!