Q: I am a 26 years old man. I was detected with epilepsy when I was in school. Treatment for the same continued for 7 to 8 years. The tablet prescribed to me was gardenal. When I was in college, our family doctor advised me not to donate the blood as the treatment was still going on. After discontinuing the treatment, I never had any problem. Is it safe to donate the blood now? Will my blood cause any problem either to the receiver or myself? Will blood donation result in epilepsy again? What could have been the reason behind my doctor's advice not to donate the blood?

A:There is no problem in donating blood now provided you are not anaemic. Any patient on chronic medication is advised not to donate blood, as the drug levels are high in the blood. Following return to normal health, one can donate blood.