[Valo]

I'm seriously considering getting a tattoo; I had been before my accident took place! My question is, is there any danger - I'm a C5 Complete injury so my sensation stops at my arm pits on my chest, however my sensation on both my arms goes down to my wrists.

If I'm going to go for it I'm going to get it done on my upper left arm. I always carry Nefedapine capsules in case of an attack of Autonomic Dysreflexia will that be enough?

Any advice would be great!

[dom]

i had one once,don't like it much but when i take my viagra it grows on me

[brenrich]

Hi guys,

I've had 6 tattoos since my injury. I'm C4/C5 complete and have partial feelings in my arms to my wrists. The guy I went to said I was his easiest client because I never flinched due to lack of feeling. No going into shock, no infection, all healed after 7 days.

The only problem was not being able to get into his chair but we worked round that.

Tattoos are very addictive. I'm going to get more.

[Gibbo]

is it a bad idea getting them on legs with no feeling? do u rekon u wud get spasams?? thanks

[Apparelyzed]

Everyone's different, but if a tatooist tried to ink my leg, he'd better be prepared to get a good kicking!

Simon

[C6-JEN]

So are you definatly safe from AD if the tattoo goes on a part with no feeling? sorry to say it again but i get really paranoid about these things

[brenrich]

Each individual is different. I was ok and had no AD when he did where I couldn't feel. Just had an op today on my arm with a lump being removed with no local and had no AD. I guess I'm lucky.

[Apparelyzed]

It is possible to get AD without having sensation.

AD is a complication of the Autonomic Nervous System being damaged by the spinal cord injury.

If the Sympathetic Nervous System, which travels via the spinal cord is damaged, as it would be in the case of a complete spinal cord injury, Autonomic Dysreflexia can occur when any painful stimulus is applied below the level of injury.

The degree to which AD occurs is different in everyone, and can be limited somewhat by sitting upright.

AD in the case of a Tattoo may be reduced by having a local anesthetic applied to the area being inked, such as Lidocaine Cream.

Simon

[bubbleandsqueak]

How about a tattoo over the scar on my back?

Don't you have to white so long because it's scare tissue?

[stef01be]

I'm a C5/C6 quad. Got tattooed post injury and didn't suffer from AD.

It's a good idea to tell the artist that when you feel a spasm coming up, you'll tell him to stop till it passes if you don't want a black line from your shoulder to your ear or something. Sitting still kinda "builds up" spasms, for me anyway.

If you want to get inked on your legs, be sure you position them in such a way spasms are unlikely to happen. If you're freshly injured, take into account that your legs still might lose tone, you don't want that Jordan tattoo turn into Margaret Thatcher, do you?

Tattoos on scars? bad idea I think and a good artist will warn you about them. the quality of a tattoo depends largely on the skin it's being put on. A tattoo is pigment surrounded by scar tissue basically. You need healthy skin to form clean scar tissue around the pigment. Inking scar tissue is a lotery, might work, might not.

Oh yea! Don't drink alcohol to build up courage, it makes the blood thinner, you'll bleed more and it's a tougher job for the artist. A good glass of applejuice, 1 hour prior to the procedure thickens the blood, making it less messy.

S.

This post has been edited by stef01be: 06 July 2006 - 10:36 AM

[twisted_ophelia]

Though I got my tattoo above my injury level (mine is on my shoulder) and didn't have to really worry too much, I know lots of friends who have had tattoos--both quads and paras--and they've had no problems. I also know someone who had ink done over their scar and it looks kinda weird so I'm not sure how good of an idea that one is. My best friend is a tattoo artist and he's tattooed two quads in his shop and never had any problems. I think a big concern would be the spasms--just tell the tatooist about that issue and they should be more than happy to find a way to deal with it that works for both of you. If they're uncomfortable with that, find another artist.

[dirt flirt]

My injury is T6,7,8. Got a tattoo at the top of my scar, lower neck. I felt it more in my big toe than the actual tattoo, felt like my toe was being electricuted. Worth every zap.

[linda]

[size=4]Hello, I am the mother of a C5. She has been inked twice. One on the lower neck at the top of the spine. The second one on her hip. She has had no problems.

[LadyPilot]

Apparelyzed, on Jun 27 2006, 12:58 PM, said:

Everyone's different, but if a tatooist tried to ink my leg, he'd better be prepared to get a good kicking!

Simon

This reminds me of the time I had to have a blood transfusion in hospital. I told the Doc to put the canula in my foot, because I couldn't feel my feet. Although I couldn't feel my feet, my feet could feel and they kicked out every time he touched the skin with the needle.

Getting a tatoo isn't on my to do list!!