Just wondering if anyone can answer the following…
I know that i cant have a tattoo on the arm where ive had 11 nodes removed, but is it literally just in that arm? Does the no needles rule spread to the shoulder? I wanted to have a tattoo on the back of my shoulder, would this be a risk to my arm?
Thank you and healthy and happy new year
I don’t think it would be a very good idea at all - could you not do it on the other arm?
finty xx
I agree with Finty, that doesn’t sound a good idea. I asked my lymphodema nurse about having an injection in my shoulder (physio suggested to help with shoulder pain) and her reply was only if I absolutely had to.
Thanks both of you, ive already got one on the other shoulder.
What if it was closer to the centre of my back, say from the shoulder blade inward? Again, where is the cut off point?
Lulu34, maybe you can answer this as i think you are a bcn? My bcn has left so i dont have one to ask at the moment! Thanks
you can have a tattoo any where you wish… however if you have one on your affected side you may be more at risk from lymphoedema… its up to you whether you are prepared to put up with the increased risk.
some people will have a tattoo or injections or other breaks in the skin on the affected side with no complications, some people can get a paper cut or indeed no breaks to the skin and develop lymphoedema… we cannot say for sure who will and who wont get it… however what we do know is that there can be an increased risk for people who have a large number of nodes removed who have breaks to the skin or other trauma to the affected side.
in terms of the drainage it tends to be worse the lower down so hands and lower arms would tend to be affected more than shoulders.
Lulu xx
My onc told me that the cutting points are spine, breast bone and waist.I have followed that to the letter - and still got the big L.