u/Arts_Myth

I was born in 1967, diagnosed with hypopituitarism in the early 70s, and put on hGH soon after that. At that time, there was just the one source for it, cadaveric extract.

Then came the reports of iCJD from said treatments, at which point any further benefits (as understood at that time) were diminishing, so we agreed to stop. Since then, I developed a strong dislike of needles, syringe or butterfly, and was adamant about not giving blood.

Turned out I didn’t need any extravagant explanations, though, as I later learned that, because of the iCJD risk, my blood, along with my organs, is considered unsafe for donation, just as I was starting to rethink my personal aversion to doing so. Still, I can’t help but get a bit annoyed at the frequency of blood services and organ donor ads telling me “it’s in you to give.” Not mine, apparently. At least, in a pinch, I can donate my body to science, which I kind of already did back in the 70s…

Any other 70s/80s hGH recipients in a similar situation? Any hard feelings, or just a general acceptance?