Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

A Tattoo To Symbolize The New Me

Rebecca92

By Rebecca92
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Rebecca92 Apprentice
Rebecca92
Posted

Being diagnosed was a life changing moment for me and I want to get a tattoo to symbolize getting better and feeling better. I have no idea what to get or where I was thinking maybe getting it somewhere on my back or side. Any ideas?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted

I see so many people wearing wrist bands for different causes... I always wondered why they didn't just get it inked on??? I do understand some people not wanting ink, but figured someone would do it... So, maybe a Celiac wrist band???

MJ-S Contributor
MJ-S
Posted

You could do the gluten-free logo (gluten-free with a circle around it). The downside might be if the logo changes over the years (new FDA regulations, etc.) then it could look outdated. Or retro.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

A Phoenix rising up from a pile of wheat...this is what my son suggested when the question of a symbolic tattoo for Celiacs came up about a year ago. I thought it was perfect.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I think tats are beautiful; however, you may want to be aware they are considered autoimmune triggers. On the other hand, if you're Celiac you've already been "triggered".

mbrookes Community Regular
mbrookes
Posted

Before you get a tatto, remember it is permanant. How will it look when you are 65? Probably all wrinkled and sagging. Sure you want that?

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

My Mom would take offense to that! Her seahorse is still pretty!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


angel9165 Newbie
angel9165
Posted

I actually did get a tattoo after my diagnoses. Some would question how relative it is but for me, since it was a colonoscopy that finally led to the diagnoses, it seemed to fit. I will let you figure out where I got it but it is a circle with the line through it in the middle is an arrow pointing down (to mean, exit only). Now of course it will be 9 years before the GI doc does another colonoscopy so he will get to see that (hopefully once I'm under and they roll me over..lol) but my dermatologist got a kick out of it when she did my head to toe skin check last month. :P I guess if, as I age, it sags, nobody but the person who sees me naked will know. ;)

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I think tats are beautiful; however, you may want to be aware they are considered autoimmune triggers. On the other hand, if you're Celiac you've already been "triggered".

Yeah, it's not recommended for folks with autoimmunity to get tattoos. They're kind of scary because there is essentially no FDA regulation on the inks. We're more prone to sensitivity and allergy than folks with normal immune systems and once the ink is in your skin there's almost no way to get rid of it. I wanted a tat about ten years ago, even had drawn my artwork, but red reaction is so common I decided not to do it.

Open Original Shared Link

That said, if you get one anyway I love the phoenix idea!

Rebecca92 Apprentice
Rebecca92
Posted
  • Author

A Phoenix rising up from a pile of wheat...this is what my son suggested when the question of a symbolic tattoo for Celiacs came up about a year ago. I thought it was perfect.

I absolutely love that idea! I think that is what I'm going to go with. I know that all tattoos sag with age but I would never get a tattoo that I can't cover up if I need to.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I would be so thrilled if you post a picture of it if indeed you do decide to get that tattoo!!!

My son will be thrilled too!

I might even get us both tattooed if you come up with a pretty one!

Hahahaha

You made my day!

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

I just looked it up, and while there is no wheat in tatoo inks, there is enough other stuff I would never want put in my body to keep me from ever getting one. Here is the info:

In the United States, tattoo inks are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as cosmetics and color additives.[2] The FDA and medical practitioners have noted that many ink pigments used in tattoos are

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I absolutely love that idea! I think that is what I'm going to go with. I know that all tattoos sag with age but I would never get a tattoo that I can't cover up if I need to.

I like that idea also. Do keep in mind that you don't want red in the tat as that is the color that more folks will react to. I have multiple tattoos and don't regret a single one. I have mine in areas that are easy to cover and have a bit of 'meat'. Upper arms, thigh or butt are good places that are the least painful. Areas over bone like the inside of the shoulder blade, ankles, wrist etc are more painful. Go to a good artist and have them do at least a couple of drawings of the design for you to look at so you know they are actually an artist. The artist will use a transfer process to put the design on before inking so do get a good look at that before they begin. Look the shop over to make sure it is clean, make sure the artist uses new needles on you and nonpowdered gloves. Be aware that they do hurt. You will have 7 to 10 needles going into your skin at a high rate of speed. The outline will hurt the most and if you have to use 2 or more sessions for the addition of color make sure you give it a good month or two between sessions. A good tat is also VERY expensive. Expect to pay at least $250 and up for one. If you are getting a bargain tattoo you will regret it. Give it a great deal of thought as the only way to remove them is by laser and that will leave a scar and is a very painful process.

Hungrylady Rookie
Hungrylady
Posted

I love the idea of celebrating the life changing moment. I have had my head down not paying attention to how drastically my life has improved! I think anything with a renewal touch would be good. A re-birth if you will. I feel like a million bucks today and all of us know how to appreciate days like that. When you're sick you feel worn out, old, dead, unable to feel alive. Once we've been gluten-free you feel free, alive, sometimes even electricfied. If I had to decide I might do a ligthening bolt into a hand or something that gives the thought of life. Maybe a bolt into the fountain of youth, lol.

I hope everyone continues to feel good and improve, live life and enojy it every day. Best of luck finding a tat, let us know how it turns out.

Poppi Enthusiast
Poppi
Posted

Before you get a tatto, remember it is permanant. How will it look when you are 65? Probably all wrinkled and sagging. Sure you want that?

All of me is going to sag. Since my saggy body is unlikely to be on public display when I'm in my old age I don't think a few extra decorations are going to matter much. All my tattoos (already done and planned for the future) mean something special to me. They have marked important events in my life. The births of my children (I have a tattoo for each of them), the loss of 3 unborn babies, marriage, life changes ... I love that my skin is becoming a visual story of my life. I think I'll cherish it just as much when I'm 80.

GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted

A Phoenix rising up from a pile of wheat...this is what my son suggested when the question of a symbolic tattoo for Celiacs came up about a year ago. I thought it was perfect.

That is a great idea! I love this. (I don't have a tattoo or want one but this is a great way to symbolize celiac)

Rebecca92 Apprentice
Rebecca92
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for your replys, I'm going to find a good artist to draw me something out. This isn't my first tattoo, I've been wanting another one for a while but just wasn't sure what to get. I didn't want to just get something random I wanted something that had meaning behind it. and thanks for all your safety concerns, no worries there though I will only go to the best, most professional tattoo parlor I can find (since its going to be there for the rest of my life!) I can't wait to get it drawn out! I'm so excited!

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

I've often thought of getting the word "Celiac" tattoo'd on the inside of my wrist as a sort of medic-alert bracelet. I might add the wheat with the slash through it symbol as well. Just in case I am ever hospitalized and they stick a feeding tube down my nose. Those feeding fluids are not gluten free I learned! My Mum was in hospital on a vent for 2 weeks and I looked at the label on the can.

I've also thought of putting a DNR on my wrist as well after seeing my Mum on the vent for 2 weeks!

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I've often thought of getting the word "Celiac" tattoo'd on the inside of my wrist as a sort of medic-alert bracelet. I might add the wheat with the slash through it symbol as well. Just in case I am ever hospitalized and they stick a feeding tube down my nose. Those feeding fluids are not gluten free I learned! My Mum was in hospital on a vent for 2 weeks and I looked at the label on the can.

I've also thought of putting a DNR on my wrist as well after seeing my Mum on the vent for 2 weeks!

I signed up through Medic Alert. I wear a bracelet now when I'm out. If I ever get the DH figured out (who am I kidding, it's DH) I'll need a new one. Bracelet is getting crowded.

I like their service because you have a profile where you can update info, phone numbers, etc.

zus888 Contributor
zus888
Posted

Love the idea. I just got my first tatt last year for my 40th birthday. I LOVE it. It's on the inside of my forearm. It's a very meaningful tattoo to me. I'm planning on getting another very soon.

As for the old and wrinkly. If we're lucky, we'll all get to that point. I had given up hope in ever reaching a point of getting old and wrinkly, so if it happens, then I'll be grateful, and how my tatt looks will be the last thing on my mind. As one person put it: I'll be as old and wrinkly as you, but I'll just be more interesting to look at! LOL! I like that perspective, even if I don't have a lot of tattoos.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Thank you all for your replys, I'm going to find a good artist to draw me something out. This isn't my first tattoo, I've been wanting another one for a while but just wasn't sure what to get. I didn't want to just get something random I wanted something that had meaning behind it. and thanks for all your safety concerns, no worries there though I will only go to the best, most professional tattoo parlor I can find (since its going to be there for the rest of my life!) I can't wait to get it drawn out! I'm so excited!

I'm excited for you too! Glad to hear you're not sensitive to the ink. You'll have to post the artwork for us when you get it drawn. B)

moose07 Apprentice
moose07
Posted

I've often thought of getting the word "Celiac" tattoo'd on the inside of my wrist as a sort of medic-alert bracelet. I might add the wheat with the slash through it symbol as well. Just in case I am ever hospitalized and they stick a feeding tube down my nose. Those feeding fluids are not gluten free I learned! My Mum was in hospital on a vent for 2 weeks and I looked at the label on the can.

I've also thought of putting a DNR on my wrist as well after seeing my Mum on the vent for 2 weeks!

Just so you know getting DNR tattooed on your body does not make it necessarily make it legal. My brother's friend had it tattooed across his chest however never went through the legal process to actually get a DNR. So his tattoo was nothing to the doctors when he needed to be resuscitated. His family at first chose to keep him alive.

In regards to the OP on where to get your tattoo. I don't recommend the rib cage, it hurts a lot! Everyone said a foot tattoo would hurt the most but that was nothing compared to my rib cage.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

yes, I am aware. My Uncle is a lawyer and has a standard "living will" available to all of us should we choose it. And all of my family is aware of my choice.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,133
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Exhausted-momma
    Newest Member
    Exhausted-momma
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
    • captaincrab55
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By captaincrab55 · Posted

      Imemsm, Most of us have experienced discontinued, not currently available or products that suddenly become seasonal.   My biggest fear about relocating from Maryland to Florida 5 years ago, was being able to find gluten-free foods that fit my restricted diet.  I soon found out that the Win Dixie and Publix supper markets actually has 99% of their gluten-free foods tagged, next to the price.  The gluten-free tags opened up a  lot of foods that aren't actually marked gluten-free by the manufacture.  Now I only need to check for my other dietary restrictions.  Where my son lives in New Hartford, New York there's a Hannaford Supermarket that also has a gluten-free tag next to the price tag.  Hopefully you can locate a Supermarket within a reasonable travel distance that you can learn what foods to check out at a Supermarket close to you.  I have dermatitis herpetiformis too and I'm very sensitive to gluten and the three stores I named were very gluten-free friendly.  Good Luck 
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      Okay well the info about TTG-A actually makes a lot of sense and I wish the PA had explained that to me. But yes, I would assume I would have intestinal damage from eating a lot of gluten for 32 years while having all these symptoms. As far as avoiding gluten foods - I was definitely not doing that. Bread, pasta, quesadillas (with flour tortillas) and crackers are my 4 favorite foods and I ate at least one of those things multiple times a day e.g. breakfast with eggs and toast, a cheese quesadilla for lunch, and pasta for dinner, and crackers and cheese as a before bed snack. I'm not even kidding.  I'm not really big on sugar, so I don't really do sweets. I don't have any of those conditions.  I am not sure if I have the genes or not. When the geneticist did my genetic testing for EDS this year, I didn't think to ask for him to request the celiac genes so they didn't test for them, unfortunately.  I guess another expectation I had is  that if gluten was the issue, the gluten-free diet would make me feel better, and I'm 3 months in and that hasn't been the case. I am being very careful and reading every label because I didn't want to screw this up and have to do gluten-free for longer than necessary if I end up not having celiac. I'm literally checking everything, even tea and anything else prepacked like caramel dip. Honestly its making me anxious 😅
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      So you're saying that you think you should have severe intestinal damage since you've had the symptoms so long?   DGP IgG antibodies are produced in response to a partial gluten molecule.  This is different than what tissue transglutaminase antibodies are  produced in response to.   TTg IgA antibodies are produced in the intestines in response to gluten.  The tTg IgA antibodies attack our own cells because a structural component in our cell membranes resembles a part of gluten.  There's a correlation between the level of intestinal damage with the level of tTg antibodies produced.  You are not producing a high number of tTg IgA antibodies, so your level of tissue damage in your intestines is not very bad.  Be thankful.   There may be reasons why you are not producing a high quantity of tTg IgA antibodies.  Consuming ten grams or more of gluten a day for two weeks to two months before blood tests are done is required to get sufficient antibody production and damage to the intestines.  Some undiagnosed people tend to subconsciously avoid lots of gluten.  Cookies and cakes do not contain as much gluten as artisan breads and thick chewy pizza crust.  Anemia, diabetes and thiamine deficiency can affect IgA antibody production as well.   Do you carry genes for Celiac?  They frequently go along with EDS.
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      I was tested for celiac at the same time, so I wasn't taking naltrexone yet. I say that, because I don't. The endoscopy showed some mild inflammation but was inconclusive as to celiac disease. They took several biopsies and that's all that was shown. I was not given a Marsh score.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.