Tattoos

HeartsinPain said...
Hi all I’m hoping to finish Lyme treatment in April or May and would love to get a small tattoo in honor of getting through this tough time. I was wondering if tattoos are safe for us to get?

Regardless of Lyme - I wouldn’t get one.
Some of the ink could get into your bloodstream.. and I read it can travel to the lymph nodes. ( I don’t know if that’s true)
There’s also the risk of infection.

With lyme - I wouldn’t want anything foreign injected under my skin that may cause my immune system to react.

HeartsinPain said...
Thanks very much guys, I’m seriously going to have to rethink doing this!
One thing I’m curious about is will I always have Lyme? Meaning if I was fully treated within four months of getting the infection will I always be concerned to have Lyme?

Many LLMD's believe this to be true. If you get run down, your immune system suffers...then possibly you could relapse.

The people in/near my location (Canada) that I am in touch with are all still well. (That's just a handful of people though) Two were acute infections - one was a child and was actually under-treated. That was 2-3 years ago.
Another one was not acute - and she's been well for maybe 3 years now.
And my husband works with a lady who's husband had it and he has been well for at least 6 years now.

My Dr has a patient who treated many years ago (She told me this in 2013 that it was years prior) and he has been well ever since.

Because you caught it relatively early - could make a difference. Maybe the risk of relapse is less...I would think so.

Due to toxicity from injecting dye in your skin, I would not do it. I also would not have cosmetic surgery, procedures, or implants for the same reason. It gives your immune system something else to react to (like mercury amalgams) or be suppressed by, and affects your detox organs.

If I ever get better, I plan to do a few taxing things that might not be 100% recommended for someone with Lyme. And that will be part of the point. I bet a lot of us will. Staying up too late, traveling, exerting ourselves for something we care about or enjoy, eating a cookie, playing with kids who have the sniffles, etc. I bet a lot of us do those things now! I think that HeartsinPain should do what feels most meaningful, knowing the risks. A tattoo will be more permanent than the things I mentioned, granted, but I'm reluctant to say no way if it's something that resonates strongly with someone. I would advise waiting until your system has been strong for a while before doing it, though, and to try to find a tattoo artist who knows about and uses nontoxic inks.

Or perhaps a different ritual or activity could commemorate recovery just as well, like a mural or a fundraiser or a trip. Or custom spirochete jewelry. ;)

Thanks so much everyone I really appreciate everyone taking the time to write in and voice their opinions! Thank you all!