I had a patch test for laser tattoo removal last Saturday at what does seem to be a reputable clinic. I filled in the medical declaration form and put that I have MS in the “other information” section. About an hour later, I began to experience sudden, intermittant numbness and weakness radiating above the tattoo site up to my calf. It’s still going on five days later.
I’ve sinced googled “laser treatment multiple sclerosis” and where clinics do display details of scenarios where they won’t attempt the procedure MS always crops up. One even says that it’s dangerous. But my clinic has no such information on its website.
Does anyone else have experience of laser tattoo removal or knows why it’s not advised?
I found several sites which listed MS as being an ‘absolute contraindication’ to having laser, tattoo removal treatment.
None explained why this was; Most if not all other absolute contraindications were skin conditions which seem kind of self-explanatory.
One piece of possible enlightenment came from a google books extract which basically stated that the mechanism of tattoo removal by laser is not fully understood… It is presumed that the lymph system is significantly impacted though and as a consequence a relapse can be provoked.
Happened on your post by chance and was horrified to read your probable reaction to laser treatment for your tattoo removal. You poor thing was my first reaction then horror then anger at the “reputable clinic” not displaying/acknowledging the possible risks of laser treatment in MS. I had heard that the laser treatment can possibly “upset” the lymphatic system as Paolo mentions. This may account for your reaction.
Have you raised your reaction with the clinic? It might be worth it and see if they admit they have knowledge of this especially as you stated you have MS on their form. Have they had other clients with MS? After all you went to them in good faith and trusted they knew something of this neurological condition or a least looked into possible side effects of laser treatment before agreeing to go ahead. MS life is about making informed choices where we can - ain’t it?.
Anyway, sorry if I sound a tad angry but I do hope your apparent reactions to this do not last and are at least settling down.
Hi and thanks both of you for your comments and help. I’ve not approached the clinic yet as wanted a bit more info first. But think I’m armed enough now to politely raise my concerns and ask for a refund. If no success then perhaps I may be less polite! Having seen my GP about it, it’s set the ball rolling to get it checked properly. I’m being referred back to my neurologist and now have a MS nurse. I was given a benign diagnosis last summer so am kicking myself that I may have brought on a relapse through this. Thanks again x
With RRMS, are we not all ‘benign’ until the next relapse? Just saying.
I am not opposed to having optimism, even when based upon false hope.
I am of the conviction that with MS, there is much good to be said about having a positive disposition (despite all that it throws at us) but the tag of ‘benign’ concerns me a little bit.
But in any event, it sounds that the best course of action would be to keep the tattoo.
I know nothing about this, but common sense suggests that by far the biggest risk factor for having an MS relapse is having had one before. The rest (like paying a visit to the laser removal clinic) is surely detail in comparison, if it has any role at all, even a theoretical one.
Of course we try to impose some sort of order on life’s chaos by back-fitting an explanation that assumes we have a big role to play in what happens to us. For instance, a little part of me will for ever remain convinced that I gave myself MS by ignoring the chronic stress for years and years that eventually triggered the shingles that triggered MS’s first appearance in the same place two months later. But in my heart I know that is probably bollocks; that there was a dose of MS with my name on it that would have found me whatever I had or had not done.
I don’t really think I ‘gave’ myself MS, and I don’t think you ‘gave’ yourself another relapse either.
We spend our lives hurtling recklessly around the edge of an abyss, too distracted by life’s wonders to even see it is there… until one day something unexpected trips us up a little and helter skelter, into the hole we fall.
I would vote for ‘keep the tatt’, myself; but then, I like tatts. Only have one myself; I’d like some more at some point but my tolerance of pain is not good at the moment, so I’m not sure about it. If removal is that complicated such that it’s likely to make you feel more poorly, why bother? Is it really bugging you?
I’ve not heard of there being any contraindications to having a tattoo done. I have three. This one just annoys me. It wasn’t really what I’d expected - much bigger and less feminine than I’d wanted. I’d had 4 sessions of removal with no problems back in 2011/12; so was surprised this time. Guess I will just have to be a walking cautionary tale - think before you ink!