Cons of blood plasma donation?

[Frangible]

My medical coverage is pretty much non-existant lately and I've been hit with a lot of medical bills, that in addition to house payments has made me on a rather lean budget.

One thing I was considering doing to help rectify this was donating blood plasma twice a week. Supposedly they put the red/white blood cells etc back into you. I don't mind getting jabbed by needles and it's a couple hundred bucks per month, which would help me with my debts.

Is there any downsides to this, long-term? I know short term there's not many ill effects, but I just worry that having something taken out of my blood like that so regularily might come back to haunt me later.

Anyone know either way? Thanks.

[scarlet_owl]

1. My husband did it for years without any ill effects

other than permanent hole scars in his arms. If you smoke pot or drink, you might want to stop before they do the health checkup on you. Our plasma center will disqualify you if you have THC or alcohol in your system. I hope this helps and good luck!

[Frangible]

2. it does, thanks

I've heard vitamin E applied topically can prevent scarring or some such... will look into that.

[The Flaming Red Head]

3. I did it twice a week for 10 years

you have permanent craters in your arms that lay people might think are track marks. That's my biggest downside to it.

Find a good book and read it while you lay there and remember there's always a black market for kidneys if you need money really, really bad. (hey why do you think god gave you two of them for?)

[sir_captain]

4. How much were you giving?

I'm shocked anyone let you give blood that often--it's not very healthy...