I was just wondering about people with RSD who have thought about getting a tattoo or already have one. I have been told to try to avoid anything like that because of our condition! Please let me know your thought's? Thanks so much and if there are spelling error's it's most likely because I am in so much pain right now that I cant even think! It's -25 degree's here and has been for the last 2-3 days!

I've got two tattoos, both of which I got since developing RSD.

I didn't have any problems with either tattoos. No spreading etc. The one thing I will say though is that I wouldn't ever have one on an RSD limb. For me, injections in the limbs that have RSD causes major problems (one time it caused me to be unable to walk and the next I got myoclonic jerks) so I would never have anything done in those areas that wasn't needed.

Good Luck if you go ahead with getting a tattoo. Follow the advise for cleaning them etc.

i would never get tatoos for fear of rsd spread and infection. everyone reacts differently to needles. when i got accupuncture i got rsd spread. why play with fire. plus why would i want to have more pain inflicted on me by getting tatoos. rsd is painful enough. like i said earlier everyone is different. its just my opinion.

PS - i'm not trying to judge anyone who has tatoos. i'm just in enough pain from rsd and can't handle anymore. but some people may like tatoos and if you do, then i would check with your neurologist and pm dr about it and see what they think about getting one with rsd. plus the people here are really kind and helpful and offer alot a great advice. whatever you do, i hope you will things will work out and you'll be okay. soft hugs.

I still have unhealed acupuncture wounds from 10 Jan 2010 so there is no way I would have a tattoo. If you are one of the 7 - 8 % like me you would be totally screwed. http://www.rsds.org/1/publications/r...pring2008.html and that's on top of the chance of it spreading

i got rsd spread from accupuncture. spread to all my limbs. just horrible. sorry you had problems with it too Kevscar. that's another reason i wouldn't get a tattoo either.

Let's say there is only a 10% chance of you developing spread. Is it worth that gamble to you for a tattoo?

If you decide to go ahead, I'd highly suggest choosing something very, very small and see how you react--not that would even be a guarantee for future sittings, but...

I have had very close calls from IVs causing spread.

For me, getting a tattoo helped me 'deal' with my RSD. I have one on my lower back which is an orange butterfly, and then 2 others, one for my nanan who died and the other for my granddad. no one else knows what the tattoo means as it isn't 'in your face' that its about RSD, but I know that the orange butterfly symbolises the pain from RSD (burning).

I have another tattoo on my hip which is also about RSD, but also life in general. its a feather with a quote saying 'Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow'. Its a quote I try to live by.

Obviously, everyone is different. I spoke to my Pain Management Doctor about his thoughts on a tattoo before I got one and I would NEVER have one on an RSD limb due to the issues I've had with needles in the past. I did figure at the time though that I was only 18 years old, I'm stuck with this damn illness forever, I can't let it take over my life anymore then it has done.

hi Ali. if tatoos make you feel better and you stay away from your initial rsd site then i think thats good.
i just had a bad experience with accupuncture where the needles they put in caused my rsd to spread. i also got bruising and swelling in the needle sites. it was a very painful procedure which i stopped after a few visits.
i also had rsd spread to my neck where my nerveblock injections were done.
neither were all in my original rsd sites so i'm afraid of needles.
i did get a flu shot in my non rsd site that i didn't have a reaction to, so you never know.
everyone is different and you have to do what is right for you.
i personally couldn't take anymore pain from tatoo needles, but if you can handle getting tatoos and its not in your rsd site then maybe its ok if it makes you happy. emotional strength is also important in dealing with the constant pain rsd brings.
i would just suggest anyone wanting a tatoo to see their dr first to make sure its ok with the rsd they have.

I've always wanted a little tattoo, but am terrified that it might trigger something. But we're all different, and just have to do what we think is best.

My son just got his first tattoo, but he's healthy, so it wasn't a big decision.

There is a huge variance on the amount of trauma the artist causes depending on their skill level, so if you decide to move forward, do lots of research to choose the right artist.

If you start and can't manage it, there's no shame in tapping out in your situation.