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Experiences getting a tattoo with CFS?

Posted , 1 user is following.

grailmoth
grailmoth

I was wondering if anyone with CFS has tattoos and what the experience was like? Did you have a flareup afterwards?

I haven't got any tattoos currently, but I've been planning for it for nearly a decade, and I'm so sad that now I'm finally in a financial position to actually make that dream come true, I have an illness that might make it impossible.

Basically I'm worried about how exhausting the process of getting the tattoo and healing might be and how bad a flareup it could trigger.

I still think it'd be worth it to get the tattoo I've always wanted because the tattoo is for life and the flareup is...maybe for a few weeks.

But it'd be good to be able to plan time off work or something if it's going to be a bad one, and have strategies to make getting the tattoo less exhausting.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • linesy91
    linesy91 grailmoth

    Posted

    I would honestly not recommend it.  I had a huge half sleeve done in a day sitting and the crash after was absolutely brutal.  The worst it's been since I first got ill.  

    If you are set on it then I would say wait until you are doing okay, drink lots of fluid with electrolytes and do not do it in one sitting if possible.  

    • grailmoth
      grailmoth linesy91

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, yeah that sounds pretty intense, I don't think I could do that! Mine is a half sleeve as well but I'd be getting it done in at least 2 sittings, really as many as I need I guess.. I'm not sure if I could sit for more than an hour at a time.

      I'm thinking of bringing noise cancelling headphones just to block out sound because auditory input is very tiring for me even if it's relatively quiet. Aside from the buzz of the needle, if they have any music playing (I don't know if they do that) it would be really hard.

      I have been trying to think if there's anything small I'd like to get, so I can find out how my body copes without committing to something I might not be able to follow through with. Problem is I've never liked small tattoos...

    • linesy91
      linesy91 grailmoth

      Posted

      I think you just have to remember that your body will have to deal with it after.  The toxins from the ink, the attempt to repair the skin after all the damage etc.  To be honest we get so little pleasure out of life I would say go for it, maybe try to stretch it over 3/4 sittings if you can.  I did 9.30 - 6.00 and I don't know why I was so stupid.  

      Also, take some coconut water and lots of sugary snacks.  You'll get the shakes and feel like you'll have the flu.  

      Good luck!

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