I have read a lot of experiences on BME, and found that many of them are about very recent experiences, so I decided to write one about my nipple piercings which I got about 6 months ago.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened The Piercing:
I had been thinking about getting my nipples pierced for a few months, but never actually committed. Then one day, I just got up and decided that that was the day. So I went down to the local piercing store recommended by friends, and signed up.
I decided to get both done, as I think one looks lopsided, and that barbells look better on guys. So I went in the examination room, lied down, and let the piercer do his thing. Boy was I nervous, and for good reason, it hurt like hell!!!! Both the piercing and the barbell insertion hurt more than anything I had ever experienced before. And the second one hurt even more than the first. When it was done, I couldn't even look in the mirror from fear of passing out. They were incredibly sore the first night; I could hardly sleep from the constant pain. By the next day it was bearable, but I had to be ridiculously careful not to have anything touch them.
The Healing:
I did the saline soak twice daily as recommended by my piercer for about a month. After that time they didn't hurt nearly as much as when they were fresh, but I noticed that they were still very sensitive, and not in a good way. So for the next 4 moths or so I continued with almost daily soakings. There was also a large amount of discharge, but I was told to expect this. The months went on and my nipples never really seemed to feel any better. They would be ok so long as nothing (or anyone) touched them. Occasionally, they would be a little sore after I cleaned them, but I didn't think this was anything out of the ordinary.
I decided to try changing the jewelry, as the barbells I had in were very short and did not allow for easy cleaning. So I went out a bought two curved barbells, 15mm diameter so that the part through the nipple would be relatively flat. There was very little problem inserting them, but man, was there a different feeling when they were in... I could constantly feel them through my nipples. When I would walk, I would feel them swinging back and forth, and it felt REALLY good. So good in fact that I decided to take them out as it was too distracting. Unfortunately, this was the only good experience I had with my nipple piercings. So I went back and got longer barbells, so at least I would be able to slide them around for the cleaning.
The Day I Took Them Out:
About 6 months after I had been pierced, I was getting kind of fed up with my nipples still being incredibly sensitive, and if anything did touch them, the soreness that would ensue. I had to change the way I lived, as I was afraid to let anything touch my chest. Even hugging became a fear that my nipple rings would erupt in paint. So I decided to set an ultimatum, that if I wasn't feeling better in 2 months, I would take them out. Then I thought about this, and it seemed really silly because if they hadn't really gotten any better in the past 5 months, why would they in the next 2?
Then that day, I looked at them in the mirror as I got out of the shower. (I know, one would think that I would do this everyday, but I never REALLY looked at them in a mirror) I thought, wow the piercer did a really crappy job, they are nowhere near horizontal. Then I thought back, and I remember them not being like that when they were first done... I took a closer look, and not only were they not horizontal, but one hole was about where it should be, and the other hole was on the bottom tip of my nipple! Almost identically on both of my nipples! So not only were my barbells not horizontal, but they weren't even flat with my chest! The barbells were on the diagonal through my nipple, which meant they were even MORE prone to catching on things!
It was at this time I decided that the nipple rings had to go. I took them out (with a great deal of pain AND blood), and have never looked back. It's been almost a week later and there is no sign of the original holes, no scare, nothing. One thing is clear; my nipples did not like those barbells, and are MUCH happier without them! And unfortunately, so am I! Too bad by the time I paid for the piercings and different jewelry, it was over $250... and I doubt that even if I were to get my nipples pierced again, the store would let me reuse the jewelry.