Ok, a little about me to start. Until recently, I was a cutter. I cut myself for about 7 years. In February I attempted suicide and obviously was unsuccessful. I now go to therapy and am trying to kick the cutting habit. Sure, it gives out great endorphins but leaves nothing but a silly scar. I've always like piercings and had my right nostril and a single left snake bite. Unfortunately, I had surgery in December and had to remove them.
At A Glance Author michelle Contact michelle@bme.anon When It just happened Artist ME! Studio My bathroom Location CC, Texas Ok, back to the story, about 45 minutes ago I was upset and had the urge to cut myself but instead I decided that I would pierce something. I just felt that if I was going to put myself through pain it might as well be for something I want. I have been wanting to re-pierce my nostril and my lip but I want to leave that to a professional. I don't want to risk infection on my face. Sooo I decided I would pierce my cartilage, because well if it got infected and my ear just happened to fall off or something I can cover it with my hair. I'm just kidding, I think. :)
Once I was certain that this is what I wanted to do I found a simple stud that I was going to use after I got the needle through. I have some body jewelry but since I just moved back home it's in storage. (Ah, I get sidetracked way to easily) Then I found a needle, which luckily for me was sterile because both of my parents just happen to be nurses and have spare needles in the medicine cabinet. It was a packaged sterile 22g needle.
I got a flashlight and put it to the back of my ear because I didn't want to hit a vessel or anything. I found the spot I wanted, picked up the needle and shoved it through. Much to my dismay, it did not hurt AT ALL. Yes, I say dismay because as a cutter, (I'm not speaking for all cutters, but for some) I wanted to feel pain. I looked down to grab the stud and felt something warm running down my face and onto my neck. I looked up into the mirror and saw blood gushing out of my ear, so much for not wanting to hit a vessel.
I grabbed some alcohol swabs (complimentary of my parents as well) and cleaned some of the blood. I held up a small handheld mirror to look at the back and saw that I pierced my ear at a TERRIBLE angle. After about four minutes the blood flow slowed down so I decided I would pull out the needle and try to put the stud in.
I pulled out the needle and as expected blood started gushing again. I tried putting in the stud but there was way too much blood that I couldn't find the hole. I finally found the entrance hole but couldn't find the exit hole. There was too much blood so I just decided to pull out the stud and accept the piercing as a lost cause.
I would have just shoved the earring through but I get lightheaded, sweaty and dizzy because of my (NEW!) medication. I was frustrated because I couldn't get the stud through so I started sweating too much. After I pulled out what had gone in from the stud I got another alcohol swab and put pressure on my ear until the bleeding stopped.
My ear is a little red, and it just feels like someone twisted it. Just a little pressure but it doesn't hurt. Sticking the needle through really did not hurt at all. I've heard that cartilage piercings hurt a lot, but I didn't feel anything, not even a small pinch. I don't know if my endorphins were already flowing or what, but there was no pain whatsoever.
I may have hit a vessel when I pushed the needle through or I might have just bled a lot because I am a bleeder. When I got my nostril and my lip done I bled quite a bit and even freaked the piercer out.
I do not want to sound hypocritical but I would not recommend that anyone pierce themselves but I understand the urge and money issues someone might face. If you think you can do it, then go for it. You know yourself better than anyone else. If you get shaky and don't like blood or pain I wouldn't recommend self-piercing, but like I said if you think you can tolerate and do it then go for it.
If you have any questions or just think I'm bad ass (just kidding!) email me.
I also have a myspace, the URL address name thing is waterinmylungsagain
Thanks for reading my story and safe piercing guys!