tatoo artists using same ink??

[BellaMamma]

So when all of my doctors asked me how I think I acquired Hep C, I told them that I believe it was from a straw.  Some of them were skeptical when I told them that I have never shared a needle, since they all know that I was an IV user for years. I'm not better than anyone else, because I contracted this disease either way, but I found it rather insulting that doctors found it rather amusing that I swore I always had a fresh needle right out of the package.  The doctors always questioned my several tatoos, but I told them all the same...I always made sure that the instruments were sterelized and the needles were always right out of the package.  Then I learned something new from the Pegasys nurse, she told me that alot of tatoo artist reuse ink, and some people don't keep that in mind when checking the tatoo shop.  Got me paniking...Most of my tats are from a best friends nieghbor, he did my tatoos as well as my best friends, alot of old friends(who were users) and nearly half the people in her apart. complex.  He did all his tatoos in his house, and he always used fresh needles, but I never checked the ink.  Since Hep C can stay alive for hours in dried blood, I'm now rethinking how I got my Hep C.  And to top it off, no one except my mother and father and one brother know about my condition.  I refuse to tell others about it, I am private and believe it is my choice.  However, I would find it extremely irresponsible of me not to inform my best friend about the ink situation.  I think I'm just going to call her, and claim that I want a new tatoo(which would be a lie) and just ask her if I could watch him in the act giving another tatoo, because I am just trying to stay safe about his tatooing process.  She'll ask me why...thats when I'll say "well you know, Sharon, some diseases, like Hep C, can stay in dried blood for hours, so if he reuses his ink, this could be a problem."  My best friend, Sharon, would then think of her own health, and would definately investigate further.  It kills me to think that this tatoo artist could of possible reused his ink, and passes Hep C to lots and lots of people, including me.   I hope that is not the case, because that would be a tragidy.  Has anyone else known for sure they got thier Hep C by tatoos?  And has anyone else known for sure that they got thier Hep C from a straw?  

[BellaMamma]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice.  Thats why I joined!

[nygirl7]

Bella if you take vitamins do NOT take one that has iron in it.......iron is a no for people with hepC.  Any of the "mens" vitamins like Centrum usually dont have it in there.

My doc never gave me them I just went out and got them myself.   It's a good idea because eating patterns fall off greatly on tx (all I ate was ice cream the whole time basically) so at least you are getting some form of nutrient supplementation to help with that.

[Marcia2202]

I don't know if I'm following correctly, but I personally believe it is very important. These kind of discussions can lead to prevention of spreading the virus. A lot of people are getting tattooed and it is always good to be able to give a piece of good advice.

[Ugly14U]

Who cares? I mean, Really. I shot lots of heroin and coke, , I'm sleeved (tattooed shoulder to wrist) shared needles even though bleached( bleach doesn't bother hep C) bloody rolled up bills, straws, and just generally lived the life. Screw Shame. I am what I am. I've weighed the rigors of TX against the wild life I lived, and while unfortunate, hey- I called the tune, I'll pay the Piper. This is the way it is, and I ain't whinin'. By the way: Sat is my last Peg shot, one more week of pills (Boce trial) and I'm on down the road....AMF, Y'all.- Rich

[nygirl7]

Sorry if that confused you, I meant I shared straws.

My doctor insists this is how I got it back in the 80s.  At the time I we didn't really know or think about hep or HIV (wasn't discovered really) so who would think? We ALL walked around with nosebleeds all the time (heck we were addicts).  Years later when many of my friends starting dying of AIDS it turned out they also all had HepC - so I guess I was very lucky not to be coinfected too.

It really doens't matter where you got it just as long as you found out you have it so you can treat it.  The tattoo fellow is NEVER going to admit reusing ink I'm sure...but if he's not educated about hep really he probably would figure he was just saving a few bucks.

Also it's not just that the hep could be on the syringe it could also be on the works themselves.......it can live for days..........

I think you should get a biopsy too - since you could have had it possibly since birth....it would be best to know exactly where you stand. With your liver enzymes being that high (mine were high too we should get a special prize) it might be time for you to treat nwo rather than later.

[GSDgirl]

Walrus, I don't have any scientific studies but I have heard from different sources that the virus can live in dried blood on a surface for 4 days.  Many of us paid special attention to "clean" autoclaved, sterile wrapped instruments when getting tattoos, never even thinking about the ink.  Not that the ink was reused but contaminated unknowingly.  Heck, my first was at an easyrider motorcycle rodeo and I didn't pay attention to anything LOL.