Hey guys,

I am 19 now and I have been wanting a tattoo for several years. It is a small one with a very important quote. My rsd is not too bad, and I seem to finally have it some what under control after an inpatient epidural this past summer. I have had rsd for just about 5 years and I don't want to hold me back too much.
Would you suggest not getting a tattoo? Do you guys think it would inflame or spread, or would I be fine?

I"m not a dr, but yes I do think it could be a problem. When I had accupuncture done, my rsd spread quickly thereafter. I can't imagine what a tatoo would do, but I don't think it would be good. You may want to ask you neurologist or pm dr. Good luck and take care.

I do receive regular ancient Chinese acupuncture. I don't know if that makes it seem any different.

I've had rsd for 10 yrs and have 3 tattoos. I am looking at getting my 4th one also. I may hurt after but I'm going to do it. If it hurts too much then I will have my heating pad with me and meds. I am determined not to let this hold me back. Its up to you if you want to get a tat. I can't tell you if its the right decision or not. I would suggest talking to your drs about it. You might have to do something different. Like take antibiotics, or lay in a position that won't set up a flare. Also tats hurt. Not as much as rsd definitely but they hurt. Think of a big shot right under your skin multiple times in the same are. I am not trying to discourage you but thats how it feels. I'm not a dr, just a sufferer like you. When I get mine done I will have to lay down with a pillow under my leg.

Everyone's different. You have to do what works for you. Good luck no matter what you decide, but you may want to just check with a doctor first. Take care.

Ditto to you Allanira. Take care.

Personally I would not get one if especially if you already went through something as aggressive as an inpatient epidural to get your RSD under control. You also mentioned it is only "some what" under control so this would also be a red flag to me (if I were in your shoes) that the possibility of coming completely out of remission is very real.

In the end if having a tatoo means so much to you that you would do it even knowing the risk then by all means go for it. If however you would rather it stay where it is today then I wouldn't expose myself to that risk. Asking all of us the questions seems to me that your gut is questioning this.. follow your gut instinct!

Maybe if you just hold off and either get a custom temp one done or even a tshirt or bracelet made with your very special quote on it for now.. then when you are 100% sure go for it

Just my thoughts..

Just a touch of a sensitivity pin (Gold Coloured with a ball instead of a point) on my arm 4ins outside the afected area caused my RSD to spread from below the wrist right upto the elbow.
As long as you are willing to accept the risk that it could cause a major spread then go ahead.

Well, I can let you know when I finish mine, in a couple of months. I got the first part of it in July last year. I haven't finished it because I don't have money I feel I can justify spending on it. I did not have full blown RSD then, just the beginning of it. I was taking anti-seizure meds by that time and they worked really well. At one point I could barely feel it (yes, pro did this, my pain tolerance is really high). I got this done on my outer thigh, which is pretty meaty. I know when they're closer to bone they hurt more.

Would it matter that it's just the skin rather than inside the body? I really should know this before I finish it. I have allodynia, but it's mostly in my feet. You know, my cats scratch and bite me if I play with them rough. That doesn't hurt more then it should, but it's my arms. I'm sure if the cat laid down on my foot with his or her soft fur it would hurt!

Yes, talk to a doc about it.

I have 1 on each shoulder blade and my upper outside left thigh. The one on my thigh was pree rsd in that leg. I also have 3 cats a dog and 1 goober boy. All of them press on my knee and lower leg. They don't mean to and it does hurt, but I grin and bare it till I want to scream. The tat on my left shoulder blade is post rsd. It hurt like usual just not as bad as my knee. Like I said before. Its up to you if you get one. My rsd isnt like your or anyone elses. We are all different and so is our rsd. We can't expect to react to the same thing the same way. Personally I will be getting my 4th as long as this doesnt spread out of my left leg in the next year. Gotta save up and make sure I have some control of my rsd before I get it. If I do have spread then I will wait till I have it under some control before getting it. Its a memory tat for both my sons. A turtle and a frog with their birth dates on it.

I have had RSD for 11 years & I would highly
Advise you to think long & hard before getting a
Tattoo. Just yesterday my neurologist advised me against getting a simple skin biopsy for fear of causing a flare in my RSD.
(The biopsy was not for cancer or anything life-threatening)
After the Dr. spoke for a while, basically it boiled down to "is it worth a possible spread of your RSD or at the minimal a flare?"
From personal experience I can guarantee you it is not worth a spread of your RSD to another limb or portion of your body.
(I am dictating this reply due to a spread of my RSD which rendered my left wrist, hand & fingers useless). After multiple, multiple procedures I still have no use of my left hand and this isn't expected to change.
SO ... If a tattoo is worth the possibility of losing the use of one of your extremities, then I guess that is a decision only you can make.