Does it hurt to donate peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC)?

No, donating PBSC is a mostly painless experience.

In the days leading up to donation, the filgrastim injections can cause mild side effects like muscle or bone aches, headache or tiredness. These usually go away within 72 hours of your last injection, and most donors manage them with over-the-counter pain relievers.

On donation day, the only discomfort PBSC donors usually feel is from the IV placement, similar to a routine blood draw. The collection itself is painless.

Watch: Does it hurt to donate PBSC?

Expert explanation

Video • 1 min 32 sec

Rayne Rouce, MD, BS
Physician scientist and leukemia and lymphoma specialist
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital

Joey
PBSC donor

Dr. Rouce explains what PBSC donors can expect to feel before, during and after donation, followed by donor Joey sharing his honest take on the experience.

Why the PBSC donation itself is not painful

The PBSC collection itself is painless for most donors. The only discomfort you’re likely to feel is from the IV placement, like giving blood or any other procedure that uses a needle.

During the donation, your blood flows from one arm into an apheresis machine, which collects your blood stem cells and returns your blood through your other arm. This part of the process is completely painless. You’ll be awake the entire time, and the care team will be there to make sure you stay comfortable.

What filgrastim side effects feel like

Before your donation, you’ll receive daily filgrastim injections. These help move blood stem cells from your bone marrow into your bloodstream so they can be collected.

The shots themselves can feel like a quick sting (like a flu shot), but the discomfort passes quickly. The more noticeable side effects show up as your body responds to the medication. Most donors describe mild muscle or bone aches, sometimes paired with a headache or extra tiredness.

Many donors say it feels a bit like having the flu or being temporarily stiff. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help you stay comfortable.

How quickly side effects go away after PBSC donation

Filgrastim side effects usually go away within 72 hours of your last injection. Most donors are feeling like themselves again within three to five days. Many donors say the experience felt manageable from start to finish:

You’re going to feel like an elderly person for about five days. For me, that meant stiffness. The shot itself was pretty easy. Tylenol definitely helped to make that go away, so I could go about my daily life.” 

Joey

PBSC donor

Your body replaces the collected blood stem cells naturally within about a week. After donation, most donors are back to their normal routine quickly—while knowing they’ve given someone the chance at a life-saving transplant.

You’re more powerful than you think

Whether you’re already on the NMDP RegistrySM or thinking about joining, you could give a patient the chance at a life-saving transplant.
Join the donor registry (Opens in a new tab)