hey guys-

do any of you have any experience w tattoos on immunosuppressants? I have one but got it last year while on cellcept...it was fine. but it is much smaller than the one I want now...an angel spreading his wings and bowing his head on my back..

my neurologist says it is too dangerous to get as I am immunosuppressed...I really want it and it's frustrating not being able to get it as my mom and brother are getting them today...

I know what your all going to say..I think.

Tyson, There are a lot of things I'd like to do too but can't. Why? Because there are pretty bad consequences if I do. It's a no-brainer for me when it comes to things like that. Again, why? Because I value my life.

Do you value your life?

How do you work problems? Do you talk them over? Write them down? This is an important aspect of being a physician.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. If it gets infected, the consequences of that are enormous, especially on the back near the spine (CNS) and lungs. If you get a tattoo and it gets infected, which is highly likely given your history of infections, it can easily spread. Lung infections are very difficult to deal with and get rid of while immunosuppressed. Sepsis can kill you very quickly. A CNS infection can cause permanent damage. Bacteremia/blood poisoning is also a huge concern.

What is your motivation for having a tattoo? Do you value it over having the best health you can? Over life?

This is no longer about how old you are or that you're a "guy." This is about valuing your life and whether or not you make choices to ensure your life is as good as possible. It's again like you're playing chicken. Why? Only you know the answer to that.

I am sorry that you are young and are dealing with a bad disease. If you're angry about that, then get angry. But don't put your life in jeopardy simply because you like a design. Why don't you get it put up on a wall instead?

You know what I'd like? I'd like my dog back.

Annie

Can't have certain types of scans like MRI's if you have tattoos...
Think about that. You can ask for iron free dyes if available.

I think it is unwise to get a tattoo while immunosuppressed.

Think before you Ink:

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Cons.../ucm048919.htm

Annie- you seemed to have taken this message completely off track and semi-personal, and im sorry about that.

i was simply asking if anyone had experience with getting a tattoo while on immunosuppresants...I never gave any hints that I didnt care about my life...i was simply questioning as the board as it is here for...

I do value my life, and thats why i dont plan on getting a tattoo

My motivation for getting a tattoo is that, the tattoo I want symbolizes all I have been through better than anything I can think of, so I want it to remind me of how strong I am....how immature is that? Not at all


I realize you would like your dog back, and im sorry for your loss, yet i didnt quite see the correlation between the two.


Hope this doesnt upset you...



I get a little frustrated with this board as there is no adolsence thinking except for me here..and dont get me wrong this board has helped me a great deal...yet it also has its downs. I am 18, any 18 year old would want to have a tattoo espescially this situation where I have been deprived of many things which normal teenagers would have.

Dont get me wrong I am grateful for being alive and all of that but sometimes I would just like to have a little understanding of what I cant have, and I know I have the right to get mad about it, and so I came here for that to an extent. More or less to ask if anyone had any experience with this.

'Inking' as you call it may seem immature and maybe someday I wont want it on my body...but its not like its a HORRIBLE procedure that has never been done before.

I realize you may be trying to help those of you who responded but it seems like I dont get the benefit of being 18 here, where I shouldnt have to conceal my thoughts it feels like i do.


Hope your all dooin well!

Tyson, The correlation between wanting my dog back and wanting your tattoo done safely is that neither can happen.

Everything is personal but I was not attacking you. We've had this conversation before about you pushing the envelope too far. No way do I think you are immature. You know that. No way do I think "inking" is immature!!! And you are not an adolescent, you are an adult and can do whatever the heck you want to. If you want to get a tattoo, go ahead and do it. Sometimes the risks are worth it. Only you can decide that.

I have good friends who are immunosuppressed. The slightest cut or cold can turn into disaster. So while I don't have experience with tattoos and immunosuppression, I do know how easily a situation can go from bad to worse.

I cannot respond like a teen, for I am not one. But I do believe I have responded to you with upmost respect each and every time.

Annie

Id never disagree with you about responding respectfully and I know your mission is aimed to help me.

Hope your doin well

I have been at this for 8 months now and I've been warned about infections but always had the idea it wouldn't happen to me. I have been sorta careful but not as much as I should. Well Monday I came down with some kinda infection and it was a minor one I think, BUT it knocked me on my butt for 2 days. I barely had the strength to walk to the end of my driveway. I ran a low grade temperture for 2 days but the doctors put me on antibiotics and I'm fine now but have a much greater respect for this disease. So the thought of risking infection is out of the question.
Mike

Tyson,
I'll keep my post simple. If your neurologist told you that getting a tatoo can be dangerous due to your being immunosuppressed then I wouldn't do it. You've already been through enough as it is. Adding that tatoo may cause you even more health problems.

I know its not what you want to hear but I would hate to hear that you are going through more illness because of the tatoo.

Good luck with your decision.

Shari

i understand about post that get turned around i have felt the same.. and i got a tattoo on immunosuppresants- immuran 2yrs, i never thought about asking my doctor-( but if he said not a good idea) i would not have to think about it i would not get one but since i never thought about asking my doctor did not think oops think" that it was his business, i wanted one and got one i do mark yes for mri's i have two tattoos -52yrs of age and love it! .yahooo

Linda, I'm glad you were able to get tattoos with no ill effects. If Tyson decides to do the same, I hope he too has no ill effects.

I personally value everyone's opinion.

Annie