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Hi, my name is Matt,I'm 20 years old, and I was just diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I had a quick question, I am interested in getting a tattoo but I want to know if it's safe/healthy. I tried reading around the Internet and a lot of people seem to say it's safe, however, one person claimed that the inks in tattoos can affect myelin... is this true? I really want a tattoo but I would never compromise my health... So if this is true, I guess I will just have to forget about the tattoo. Thanks!

Hi Matt,
I remember reading an article on the NMSS website that stated that some tattoos, if they have a particular shape, can respond to the magnetic field in an MRI and induce tissue damage from burning. Personally, I wouldn't risk it since you never know which shape is going to respond to the resonant frequencies during an MRI (although the shape that was mentioned was that of a lightening bolt, but I image that it would have to be the correct size as well).

By the way, you can fix your signature by following the info posted in the Forums FAQ thread.

NHE

thanks for the info on the signature LOL, it was really starting to make me angry!

my only comment on tatoos is,
if you want one, put on a temp one for 6 months, then if you still like it, try to visualize it on your grandfather, and if it still looks good, go ahead

using this stratigy, I have (so far) prevented any of my kids from getting a tatoo

LOL, trust me, I have used the grandpa check to the best of my abilities, I'm not big on the crazy weird tattoos that some people get. The tattoo I was thinking of was small (maybe 5"x5") , simple, and meaningful something I would be proud to show my grandchildren should not become horribly deformed with age lol

I hate to disagree with NHE, but I think you'll be ok..

>Here's< quite an in depth article about the MRI question.

But don’t fret – if your tattoo was obtained within the past 20 years you are almost assured that this is not going to be an issue for you.

I found the article form the National MS Society. Here it is...

Thinking twice about tattoos?

NHE

Dont know wether its a pro or con or niether.
I had tattoos long before I was dx.
That doesnt mean anything though.
Since my dx, I have added several more, and working on my half sleeves.
I am determined that I want to still do the things I want to do, MS or not. Now I realize that could be a stupid statement to make but thats my choice.
Now, my advice for you, personally.... If your only 20, give it a few more years before you tat up your body. At that age your intrests change, and will continue to change. Tattoos are for life.
Here are but a few on the backof my arms:

NHE wrote:I found the article form the National MS Society. Here it is...

Thinking twice about tattoos?

NHE

THANKS EVERYONE! And I just wanted to say, I haven't read this article yet ( my eyes are bad and I don't always have patience for my computer's narrator LOL) but I'm definitely going to read this.

Also, I agree that interest change but as I said I'm not doing some crazy skull tattoo, this tattoo has to do with my MS, I want it to represent my strength in overcoming this stupid disease!

LAST NOTE: I'm not too worried about it interacting with the MRI, I'm more worried about whether it can affect the growth of myelin. Still have three the article to see if that says anything about that but I really do appreciate everyone's response! Sorry for my late response!

-Matt
http://mattsms.blogspot.com/

I meant to say " still have to read" "three", Lol, stupid voice recognition software!

I've got 8 tattoos...various shapes and sizes...never been a problem in any of my MRI scans!

though i am not too worried about the MRI thing, i wonder, what colors are better as in less or no iron? i wanted black but now i am open to lighter colors. also if i find anything out on the myelin thing ill keep everyone posted, starting to think it is nothing though.....

I have 4 tattoos. Some before dx and some after. None of them made the MS any worse and the one on my neck was no problem in the MRI scan.

Ultimately you choose what you do with your body and it sounds like you have thought about exactly what you want and where. Personally I only have tattoos of personal significance and all are my own design.

Good luck!

Hi Matt, first let me say, I really do understand you wanting the tat.. but my daughter got one at 18. She had our blessings
She never had a bit of trouble and went to a reputable place to get it.

Then one winter her back started to hurt ( she does not have ms)

She went to the dr and the lymph nodes where the tat is where swollen.

He gave her antibioitcs as a precaution.
and said to rest and use heat.
So for a few yrs.........when it is cold and she is on her feet (working)
it hurts...........the ink got into the nodes..
I read everything I could find before the got the tattoo..

I guess the point I am trying to make...

There are dangers and there are side effects and they can be serious..
No one knows what the long term side effects will be now??
It is a foreign agent to your body.. not worth it imo.

try something temp. then you can change it as often as you want too

stillfighting wrote:Hi Matt, first let me say, I really do understand you wanting the tat.. but my daughter got one at 18. She had our blessings
She never had a bit of trouble and went to a reputable place to get it.

Then one winter her back started to hurt ( she does not have ms)

She went to the dr and the lymph nodes where the tat is where swollen.

He gave her antibioitcs as a precaution.
and said to rest and use heat.
So for a few yrs.........when it is cold and she is on her feet (working)
it hurts...........the ink got into the nodes..
I read everything I could find before the got the tattoo..

I guess the point I am trying to make...

There are dangers and there are side effects and they can be serious..
No one knows what the long term side effects will be now??
It is a foreign agent to your body.. not worth it imo.

try something temp. then you can change it as often as you want too

wow, good point, thinking twice again, maybe I should just look into making my own temporary tattoos LOL I already have an airbrush for the job, hmmmm......... either way, lots more research to do, I'll also hold off until I can switch my primary care physician to a MS specialist so I can get a medical opinion, but really, thanks!