Tattoos and Crohns

So, I made the mistake of telling my mother I might be getting a tattoo today.  (I'm 26, it's not like I haven't given it some thought...)

But now she has made me paranoid...You're prone to infections, your immune system is compromised, you got nadosum in the past what if you get it again and the tattoo is there? Bla bla bla.

Is she overeacting?  Am I underreacting?  I remember once when I was 18 I looked into getting a tattoo but decided to wait since I was super anemic and the tattoo artist suggested to wait until I was less anemic. 

This is why you shouldn't tell mothers things like this haha.

Any thoughts?

Thanks! :)

I have a friend who got a tattoo on methotrexate.They didn't have any problems. But surely there is someone somewhere who got a tattoo and it got real bad cause of there immune system and medications. My general consensus is go for it if its something that will make you happy. Make sure you follow all the typical guidlines, clean shop, proper after care, etc. Maybe I just live on the edge. I dont know. : ) You may also wanna try google with the meds you are on and the word tattoo to see what you find : )

Hi Sara. I have a question . Do you think you will wear the same cloths fashion every day for the rest of your life and never tire of it ? If not remember the tattoo is going to be worn for a long long time . I use to see them on the old folks in nursing homes and trust me , they lose something when they wrinkle a lot .

I Have 4 so far..and i am not done yet. Although i have not gotten one while on remicaide. But i have never had a problem with any of them, and as long as you go to a clean shop.(  new needles clean floors..etc.) you'll be fine. The next one will be down the ribs...Ouch!

Aww Wyzwmn I am so sorry for the loss of your precious baby. Hugs!

Sara I think if you are doing well right now, and the shop is clean you shouldn't have any problems. I have heard lots of folks on this forum get tattoos all the time. And yes don't tell Mom, we tend to be worriers for our kids:) I wouldn't get one on your stomach though, as we Crohnies can have abdominal surgery at all time. And that would just be a waste of money. Hugs!

I got a tatoo while I was on Remicade, Imuran and Entocort together. I had trouble with it healing properly and it toook a little longer than normal. I now have blotchy areas on it that need to be fixed. This could just be me with these problems. I wouldnt go for a big tatoo, but am planning on getting this one fixed and get another small one. I am only on Imuran now so don't think I would have the same problems this time around.

Tanya

thanks for all the responses guys!

And Sniper - my mom said that same thing, she's a recreational therapist and always works with the older population. But for me, I'm an old fasioned girl where I (as for right now anyways) wouldnt want to get anything I have to worry about a lot of people seeing...like my friend who is a teacher and has a tattoo on her arm and always needs to wear a big bracelet, I don't have to worry about always wearing bulky jewelry! Or even on my neck or back which I was flirting with, but then I dont want to have to worry about what hairstyle I'm wearing if I'm going to someone's wedding and it's in a church or temple. However, I'm a big fan of the "you only live once, gotta try it all" philosphy, so yes, I did get one, on my upper thigh where it is just for me...and anyone else who happens to see my upper thigh exposed ;)

My mom definitely freaked me out and worried me, although the thought that my assistant manager has many tattoos and she has colitis and used to be on remicade made me feel better.

i have moderate to severe crohns though right now its pretty much at bay with the remicade, minus the pain and whatnot. that was another thing with the tattoo...i felt like i have limited places to put it since i lose and gain so much weight so fast...fall out of remission? boom, lose 20 pounds....get healthier? boom, gain 35 more! oi vey! plus the stupid stretchmarks in some places...ugh, battle scars...i wonder if that medirma cream actually works...but alas, i'm getting off topic...

i was also freaked out cause i asked my 2 friends how much it hurt and they said a decent amount...and i asked well do you think it hurts more than the humira injections i used to take? and they said probably. so i was freaking out that it was going to hurt a lot, plus i watched my friends get theirs first...But it really wasnt that bad. It hurt yes, but not nearly as much as I remember the humira burning.

it doesnt seem to be bad at all, hopefully it will be completely healed before i go to israel in july since you're not allowed to be submerged in water while it's healing...err...I also got something really simple, just black outline which heals faster anyways...i didnt do color or shading or anything.

Moral of the story? Be honest with your mother after you already got the darn thing! haha

Got a tattoo last week and I take Cimzia. Two other while on 6MP. Hasn't been a problem. Good luck!

I have 3 and all in places where I decide whether they will be on show, one on my hip, one on back and one above belly button. My surgeon is very good and also cuts to just under the tattoo and then goes round it so he doesn't ruin it (the belly button one that is). Never had any issues with any of them and told my Dad when had first one done. Think he was thinking it would look something out of Popeye and was surprised when it was small and delicate and somewhere you wouldn't normally see.