Fibromyalgia Support Group

The only tattoo I have, I got before the fibro reared its ugly head, but I got it in a spot (right over my breastbone) that the tattoo artist said is "probably the most painful place to get a tattoo." It's a pretty small design, so it was done fast (less than 10 minutes), but I was still sore later from so much of my body being tense while it was being done.

I would definitely recommend you pick a fleshy spot, not somewhere close to the bone or on a joint (I have a coworker who did her daughter's name on her wrist- ouch!). Most artists do a "test spot" before starting, to see if you can tolerate the sensation. I would warn them ahead of time that you're not sure you're going to be able to do it, so they know to check first.

If you're just doing a name, it probably won't take very long, but ask the artist how long s/he thinks before starting. Also, if it's something with a base design and then additions/elaborations/colors added, you might make sure the basic design is something you like, so the artist can stop there and ask if you're OK to keep going, and you won't end up with a half-finished-looking tattoo.

At every tattoo place I've ever been with, on my own or with friends/family, the artists have been very willing to talk about the customer's needs and discuss plans with them. After all, they're putting their art on your body- they want you happy with it.

Also, a lot of places give you iodine or bacitracin following a tattoo, for maintenance. I'm allergic to bacitracin zinc, so ended up switching to a neosporin antibiotic+pain relief, and my tattoo came out fine, so I know those antibiotic pain creams are okay for aftercare. That might help a little with localized ouchy.

The other option - a charm necklace or bracelet. I always like being supportive of the original plan, but there a lot of ways to carry your children with you, that don't carry the danger of triggering a flare.

Hey. I just thought I'd reply to this one.
Diagnosed in may with fibro and cc. And Sunday I just got a second tattoo. It's the same process as your first. I had my first on my shoulder before getting all this crap in my body come out. I got my new one (thumper , for my daughter) (she used to kick like thumper in uterine) on my ankle. It hurts. As it will obviously. The worst part for me was having my leg bent at an awkward angle for 45 min. My hip was screaming worse than the tattooing.
I say go ahead :-) its a memory. You can deal with the fibro pain every day and you get up the next and march forward.. Getting a tattoo is temporary pain.
There. That's my piece on it

I LOVE being tattooed with fibro. As long as its in a place where you can sit comfortably, it gives you a focal point of pain and for however long I'm being tattooed I don't have any other pain. I like to do some deep breathing and really tune into the sound of the needle and the feeling of being inked... It's as close to Zen as I know how to get! Good luck!

The brain can only process so many messages at one time. Have a headache, Bang your thumb with a hammer and you'll forget all about the headache! LOL

I haven't had my first one yet but I know a number of people who have gotten tattoos after fibro and had no more issues than anybody else.

I have gift cards - it's all paid for - just gotta work up the nerve.

Enjoy!

i have 11 of them all upper body on my arms and forearm and 2 above my breasts seriously they all hurt lol thats what everyone says they do but it's like a awesome hurt i'd rather feel that pain instead of the pain from fibro or kidney diease. i also take muscle relaxers and hydro be4 i have a tat so that helps some ppl just take otc meds be4 it helps ..... also i'm usually pretty tired when i get one so i just like chill well i'm gettin' mine . i dk if i'll get them on my legs my legs hurt the worst wit this shit . i've always had a low tolence of pain so ya i don't think fibro has made the pain worse.... also for aftercare the only thin' my tat guy has his customers use is A&D and of course antibact soap !!!!sorry so long but hope i gave u the right advice. sandy

Mine didn't hurt any more than you would expect. It hurt at the site while he was doing it, and was tender for a few days, but for me didn't cause any flare ups and wasn't any worse than I expected it to be.

If you are concerned, you could always get it done a little bit at a time. Most people I know who have large tattoos have done them over several visits... there's no reason you couldn't do a small one that way.

I got mine when I was 18- about 3 years after my symptoms started. Like Tonirexx said, mine hurt at the site and didn't cause a flare for me. To me, it's no worse than a bee sting. And in my opinion, if it's something you truly want, it's easier to deal with the discomfort it causes. Also, I can say that the colors cause more discomfort because they use more needles to cover the larger area. My tattoo is relatively small- most people don't even notice that it's there because I put it on the inside of my ankle (for that purpose). It was something personal to me and I did it solely as something symbolic so I didn't want it to be "in your face obvious". :o) I agree that you should definitely be upfront with the artist. Maybe they will have had experience with this situation before. Good luck and enjoy!

I have had 4.

yes they hurt. Someone is sticking needle in you at high speed. Lol

But totally worth it.

I do agree to stay away from bones and tendon areas.

Fleshy is the best place.

I got 1 tattoo same year I was DX'd, but had FB much longer. It was my first but definitely NOT my last. A 2 1/2 inch with colour on my lower back, slightly above where the place that they call "tramp stamps" lol their term not mine. I had a BMI of 15 at the time, so very little meat there, it hurt like hell, took almost 6 hours, i hadnt eaten so almost passed out several times. Make sure you eat and are hydrated. Daughter had a heart w/wings at same time on her forearm. It was a wonderful "bonding" experience for us. Mine is a Cougar and a memorial tat to the father of my children, so I wanted to keep it classy! I know a Cougar could be taken several ways hahaha but this ones significance was that it was his favorite car, a 1968 Cougar. He had the car longer than me. And yes it did help with closure! If God forbid my current hubs passes away anytime soon (he has stage III cancer) I intend to have his military dog tags inked on me. They are wonderful momentos of different stages of our lives. Good luck and hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine! Musta

I have the exact same experience as phoebe when exposed to pain. Not tats but skin stuff w/ dermatologist. He says I'm his only patient that doesn't want lidocane before a biopsy. When have undergone some "painful" skin treatments, they are a total vacation from the fibro pain. Zen indeed

I don't notice the pain during the treatment, just notice I don't hurt all over right then. My mental state is even better for about a day afterwards.

PeaceN2you's logic probably explains why.