Apixaban and tattoos : Ok. I know this... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

31,216 members36,861 posts

Apixaban and tattoos

Diamonddaisy profile image
29 Replies

Ok. I know this is a strange question to ask.

I am currently going through a divorce . My soon to be ex and myself had matching tattoos done on our backs. I really really need a cover-up. The design is definitely not me any more even though there are no names or dates.

So, how do I go about this with apixaban. Would I need to miss a dose or two? , would that be safe?,.

I'm on 5mg apixaban twice a day. I have had only one episode of afib 12months ago. On lowest dose of bisoprolol and only have the occasional ectopic beat.

If anyone has hat a tattoo, did it take longer to heal and what if any was the bleeding like. I've had this tattoo for 18yrs, I really need it gone

Many thanks

Written by
Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
29 Replies
Coral39 profile image
Coral39

My daughter has just started on these and she’s been told to not have tattoos for at least 2 years til she has had op

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Coral39

I don't think I'm having an op. I've only seen the consultant once and he wanted me off the bisoprolol but I panicked I've had scans and have no damage to the valves for reassurance.

I might go and talk to the tattoo shop and gp and see what they both say. Thanks for your reply 🙂

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Diamonddaisy

I know someone who was even asked about taking Apixaban when she wanted eyelash tattooed I think it's best to ask experts about it to be honest Risk of bleeding and combination of dye needs professional input

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Vonnieruth

Thanks for replying. I am going to speak to the tattoo artist who is very professional and also my gp. My daughter has done the design for the cover up herself as we both have ehlers-danlos syndrome and its amazing. It's will be a shame if I couldn't have it done but won't just go ahead if there are too much risk involved sadly. X

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to Diamonddaisy

Can they not be removed by laser treatment.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to seasider18

Was hoping for a cover up of it with another one rather than removal. X

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to Diamonddaisy

I thought that laser removal would not cause bleeding but it is probably much more expensive.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to seasider18

Probably is more expensive and I understand also more painful

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Vonnieruth

Good luck with it Hope you get all sorted I guess the bigger the tattoo the bigger the risk of bleed to skin but professionals know best

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

My immediate thought would be why introduce an extra risk. No names no pack drill, only you will know that they are matching tats and it is behind you like your relationship would appear to be. Strangely I was chatting to an old soldier about his tats,loads of them , three different girlfriends names a larger one for his wife to name a few!

By all means ask GP . As I understand it the area will look different after removal.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Bagrat

Thanks for your reply. I think I will speak to my gp. Before making a decision. Just wishing I'd done the cover-up strait away 4yrs ago but my caring roles got in the way I hadn't liked it for longer than the last 4yrs too.

My daughter has drawn a beautiful one to cover it with to reflect how strong we both are with our other health issues x

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to Diamonddaisy

If GP feels it's reasonable that sounds great. Have heard and noticed with friends that having tats can be very addictive for celebrating life events. If GP ok try not to let this open the door for more!!😉

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Bagrat

I think it would be my last anyway. I have just a few discreet ones personal to me. I've never gone to a point where I look like a wall full of pointless graffiti 😇

Upsky profile image
Upsky

I think it would heal awfully, I’m not sure your tattooist would do a great job if wiping away blood doesn’t actually stop it, but anytime I’ve scratched or nicked myself it scabs proud flesh, I’ve aked a nurse and doctor if it’s the longer bleeding that makes it do it and neither are sure. I just think if you’re not going to be on anticoagulant life long then maybe wait.

My arms are full of little pink scars now where I’ve caught myself on brambles, so feel for sure a tattoo would look bad after healing.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Upsky

Thank you. That is interesting.

I'm probably tempting fate saying this but I've not had even the slightest scratch since last August when I had my first and only episode so haven't experienced how I would bleed or scar. I have usually healed very quickly in the past except for when I had a hysterectomy 14 yrs ago and the stitches kept tearing but that's the stretchiness of the skin with the ehlers-danlos which I was unaware of then. X

in reply to Upsky

Right, thanks Upsky . I did the skin on my knee in slightly in March and am scarred for life. I thought it was because I'd put calendula on it but 'scabs proud flesh' sums it up.

momist profile image
momist

I find your question interesting for ethical reasons - not including any judgement about the desirability of tattoos.

It's your body, and you can do anything you wish with it. No one can force you to take any specific drug, however powerful the arguments are in favour of you taking it. Any anti-coagulant drug you are prescribed, is given to reduce the likelihood of you developing a blood clot which might cause a stroke. If you stop taking them, for any period of time, then you have chosen to take on that increased risk. No one here can advise you to do that. If I were to tell you that the chances are good that you would not have a stroke, and then you acted on my advice and were unlucky enough to suffer a stroke, then you could assign blame for that to me, and quite rightly so.

This must be your decision alone, but please discuss it with both your doctors and the tattooist. You might also like to review the meaning of 'chance' again and I would recommend viewing the video by Dr Sanjay Gupta about anti coagulation and the risk of stroke, as this might make your mind up for you.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to momist

Thank you I'll do that. My original thought was if anyone had had experience having one done on apixiban. Buy I appreciate all of the comments received x

mswillow profile image
mswillow

Hi hop e this helps I was wanting small tattoo so when I went in to soeak to the them they said woukd need letter from gp to say they it wiuld be ok. But all tattoo place said because more bleed risk it ca n actuall y push the ink out and tattoo woukd not be successful and they not take responsibility that... so I decided againt.. I know your different as cove r up but that might be even more that mignt not work ..

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to mswillow

Very much appreciate what you have said. And probably having a rethink now x

Your tattoo has been a part of you for as long as you have had it and although you have moved on, the time it represented is a portion of your life. Right now it may be a painful reminder but it later years you may look back on that chunk of time with more fondness than you have now.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to

That would be nice though I can't see that. I'll probably wind up with it still and hope it fades

🤞

Upsky profile image
Upsky

Right I can catagorically say you’ll be fine, I’ve just been coerced by my eldest son whilst on holiday to have a tattoo so I had 2 done and didn’t even bleed 😂

If I find where to put a photo I will give the evidence 😂

in reply to Upsky

This is a change of tune! You can add a photo to the start of a post.

momist profile image
momist in reply to

The start of a NEW post, i.e. your own post. It's a pity that the forum is so restrictive.

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to Upsky

Awesome. I will still do some advice searching. Before I make a final decision x

Hi sadly l have to admit to feelings of envy - not a good emotion...

For years l toyed with the idea of a small body art something to make a statement rather like Helen Mirren's interlocking V's (love thy neighbour) or Marian Faithfull's little bird but alas I procrastinated for far to long and now sadly my skin is to old and wrinkly - another missed opportunity.

I can ruminate and ponder and wonder what if but alas l have left it to late..

I hope you get the go ahead from the professionals that allows you to make the change you so desire...

Carol..

Diamonddaisy profile image
Diamonddaisy in reply to

I'm 60. Because of my ehlers-danlos I'm lucky my skiing is still soft and fairly supple. No one believes my age. Its probably the only good point in a cruel syndrome. X

CH11 profile image
CH11

Sorry, know it’s an old thread but I am interested in what the outcome was, did you ever get that tattoo done?

You may also like...

Apixaban and tattoo

I’m due to have a tattoo, but of course I’m on blood thinners could I come off them for a few days...

Tattoos!

a rebellious little tattoo when we reach 60! Now i am on anticoagulant Apixaban, I expect this is...

Tattoos

anticoagulant medicine and am an avid tattoo collector. I haven't gotten tattooed recently but am...

Apixaban

Having been on apixaban for 1 year. Just had the results of 1st fasting blood test. Was really...

Apixaban

thursday, Friday or Saturday. I took my first dose of apixaban tonight. My INR was down to 2.2....