I am 19 years old, and I have a chronic illness. When I was told, I just about cried. Knowing that I had someone wrong with me that would affect each and every thing I did in my life...for my entire life, is something that no younger woman should take lightly. After researching it and it's symptoms for a week afterward, I felt I had a pretty good grip on the disease and I knew that I would persevere as usual.
At A Glance Author cuthalcoven Contact [email protected] IAM cuthalcoven When N/A
The only thing not covered was body modification. You see, Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the lower intestines and colon. It's painful, and since it takes a long time to heal, it tends to affect the overall immune system. It takes a lot out of a person to deal with a flare-up (when the disease is active) as opposed to the relatively symptom-free days of remission. You get tired easily, and you're often dehydrated. Getting up in the morning is a hassle you tend to avoid.
Piercings take a lot out of your immune system also. You're essentially trying to force your body to hold a foreign object that it would rather not have. The immune system goes into overdrive, attempting to rid the body of the intrusion, and eventually giving up and healing around it. (That is, if the piercing is the proper gauge, well placed, and well cared for)
I went to my doctor to talk about the various risks I could be setting myself up for if I continued getting modifications. This is what came out of the conversation. Crohn's disease and Colitis are rapidly becoming more common. In fact, roughly one to two million American's currently suffer with it, many more are still undiagnosed. Because of that, I realized that other people on BME might have it, and might want answers to some of their questions.
What follows is a basic checklist of some things to do and things not to do, which might help speed healing and generally make you a little more comfortable during the healing period. Also included are some guidelines of what to do BEFORE you get modded, to help your maximize your body's immune response.
1- Take your medicine. This is pretty obvious, but many people don't do it. Taking your medicine as prescribed can increase the periods of remission and make flare-ups few and far in between. This will give your immune system a break, and return your body to homeostasis. This sets up a better habitat for a new piercing or tattoo.
2- Don't get a new mod during a flare-up. This kind of goes along with number one. During a flare-up, your body needs rest and relaxation. It needs to focus on getting you better, not on some bit of metal that is really bugging it.
3- Drink lots of water, eat healthy snacks often throughout the day. Water is essential for good health. With a person who has Colitis, it is mandatory. Because of increased bowel movements and less absorption, you run the risk of being severely dehydrated. If you don't eat throughout the day, you can suffer from malnutrition. Both of these things can get bad enough to land you in the hospital. Wouldn't it be easier to just drink and eat and be merry? I think so!
4- Talk to your piercer or tattooist. Explain to them that you have a chronic condition that cause you to need an emergency break. Don't be afraid to ask them to stop so you can go to the bathroom! Be sure to ask beforehand where the location of the bathrooms are, so you don't have to search them out in your time of need.
5- Also, talk to your doctor. Tell them you are planning on getting a tattoo or piercing, and see if you may have to increase your medicine or be put on a course of antibiotics. If your doctor isn't pro-mod, then find another one. You should never feel like you have to explain your choices to your doctor. They should only assist you in doing them in the most risk-free way that they can.
6- Consider taking a daily vitamin. This is a good idea for every day and every person, but even more-so when you have an illness like this. It depletes your body of vitamins and minerals that are needed for a healthy life. (And, healthy extras!) Be sure to get one with extra Iron in it though, because the blood loss associated with Colitis can cause it's sufferers to become anemic over time.
7- Get to know your body.Know how it handles stress and injury, so that you'll know in advance when something isn't going as planned.
8- Research the particular thing that you want. For tattoos, it's pretty general. For piercing, however...check the risks of the piercing, and check how often it is healed correctly. Don't get something that has a low rate of success and a high rejection rate. Don't run to try the up and coming "newest" great modification, without being able to find some sort of verification that it is able to be healed completely.
9- Expect that it will take longer to heal. My tattoos take about a month to heal, and piercings generally take almost double to suggested times to heal. This is just something you'll have to deal with, if you really want the piercing or tattoo.
10- Finally, be able to tell yourself no. There are some procedures that cause a lot of trauma and harm, even to healthy people. Know when to stop and realize that it could be potentially hazardous for you, even if someone else has successfully healed it.
I hope this helped some of you, as I know it would have helped me when I was searching for my own answers. It's easier to view them all in one place than to search and find just a little at a time. I hope all your mod ventures are a complete success!
If you want to reach me for more questions, comments, or just to hear that someone knows what you're going through...feel free to IM me or to email me at [email protected]