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]

The dentist thing upsets me...I would of hope that a dentist would properly sterilize his instruments...thats totally disturbing.  Yeah, I go to the dentist every 9 months.  It's funny, cause when I just went, I informed them I found out I have Hep C...I find it responsible to let them know, for thier safety and others.  When I told them, they kinda acted, well, sorty panicky...but in a "oh let me double check my gloves" kinda way.  It wasn't insulting by far, but now that I've been reassured that dentists can even pass the disease, I find that incident funny now.  Anyways, I already talked to my girlfriend.  She said that she was actually getting a tatoo this weekend coming up, and that she was going to investigate his activities, while he tatooed someone else.  That made me feel better, though it still deeply concerns me. To Rocker: My mother contracted Hep C through a used needle (apparantly in the 70's, HIV and Hep were unknown and everyone used dirty needles) so even though I was a freaking idiot to start using ten years anyways, I NEVER reused even my own needles.  They always came out of the package, and I never used anyone elses spoon.  Someone very close to my mother actually had to get open heart surgery because of a blood disease they contracted due to dirty habits in thier using.  But, ROcker, you are right about using with other people, I did share straws years ago, even when  a clean needle wasnt available, and I shared them with otherusers...how stupid.  Stupid Stupid.  But I must not dwell, only prepare for the future.  I must not dwell...

[epiphiny]

What about asking the tattoo artist whether he reuses his ink, or do you think he might lie?  Also, as someone else mentioned there are other ways to get the virus - the medical profession like to put it down to drug use or tattoos, easy boxes to tick.  I know that's the box they ticked for me even tho I am sure it was a different incident unrelated to drug use (and difficult to talk about) that was the source of my infection.  I say this because I am accutely aware of my acute phase of the disease and it's timing.

But be that as it may, don't hang yourself up on how you got it.  It'll drive you nuts.  But I do think you need to let your friend know somehow.  Seems like your current plan is quite complex - if she truly is your best friend why not be open and suggest she gets checked, for her own safety.

[GSDgirl]

It was explained to me by someone on the forum who is a tattoo artist like this.   Even tho ink is poured / squeezed into throw away cups there is always the possibility that when it is being squeezed from the big bottle into the cup the tip can touch the ink in the small cup and some can be sucked back into the whole bottle and then it is all contaminated.  I have never heard of any tattoo artists dumping leftover back  but I can see how a small amount can be sucked back into the bigger bottle.  

Good luck in how you decide to approach your friend

Denise

[Isobella]

Tough question/situation Bella.  I can see where the conflict comes in between maintaining your own privacy and warning others.  

The way I understand it, when you get a tat, they pour your ink into something and draw from that ink.  The problem would come in if they then dumped any left over ink back into the original bottle of ink.

I think they way you proposed doing it sounds reasonable. If you see that he is reusing ink, encourage her to get tested.  And question him about it, too.  

I don't know of anybody that knows for sure if they got it from a tat. Trying to figure out how we got it can drive us nuts.  I have  4 different exposures and at this point all I care about is that it's gone.  My daughter can claim she was born with it and I dare anyone to come back to me and question that......I'm just not in the mood.

Good luck chickie....please continue to keep us posted

[justme53]

Ya know, these questions REALLY torque me...not yours Bella, but people when hearing that I have HCV asking how I got it. I used to be generous...saying it's normal to be curious. Curious, my A$$. I mean really, when someone tells you that they are going through treatment for cancer or were diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes...whatever, do you ask how they 'got' it? Man, the nerve!

[Rockerforlife]

Back to drug use,i have read that when dealers cut the the drugs some of them are also users themselves ans while chopping the drugs up for sale can contaminate a batch.Have u ever used with another person?...how do you know you didnt mix the wrigs by mistake or shatred the same spoon or water?...do you get your teeth cleaned??..another great way