I've wanted a PA for about 4 years now, if not slightly longer. I spent a considerable amount of time on BME when I was younger reading the experiences and looking at photos...but somehow never quite got round to doing it. I think it was because I never saw myself as someone with piercings...
At A Glance Author Dan B Contact danbutcher@ukpc.net When A month ago Artist Sonia Studio Blue Banana Location Cardiff Fast foward to January 2008...where I'm currently in the last term of my degree course in Cardiff. I was talking to a couple of other people on the course, and the topic came round to piercings. After a while, we were discussing me getting a PA. This was on the Monday. Before I knew, I had arranged to go and get pierced the following sunday, whilst Thom got his navel done (his 2nd piercing) and Tove would come with me and get something else done at the same time.
I spent most the remainder of that week being told how crazy the idea was, and being told all the horror stories. I was determined however to get it done and wouldn't let anyone put me off - except myself!!
Sunday came round, and the plan was for me to go in first with Tove for moral support...remember this was my first piercing! I went in with the two of them to the counter, and filled out the forms. Now...I so wasn't with it that morning. I was told I just answered the questions on autopilot - saying I was nervous is an understatement!! I paid up (£38 I think) and waited. Eventually, it transpired I would go last. Tove was in first on her own, then accompanied Thom in for his...at this point, she told the cashiers to "keep an eye on him and not let him leave." I took this opportunity to go outside to attempt to clear my head and have a cigarette. Surprising how something so bad for you can help so much!!
Anyway...the time had come, and I was told that I wasn't allowed T in the piercing room with me. I wasn't too happy, but wasn't going to come this far and not do it (besides, I couldn't get my £40 back so to do otherwise would be a waste). I was taken in to the room and asked to remove my shorts and boxers and clean myself with wet wipes, and cover myself with a sheet before Sonia (the piercer) returned. It was quite surreal lying naked being able to hear everything going on outside the door!
Sonia came back in and prepped me for the piercing. One thing that I wasn't expecting was how much of a burning sensation there would be when she applied the anaesthetic. After talking me through the procedure and aftercare, it was time to get pierced. As the needle went through, it wasn't exactly painful but wasn't a comfortable experience. I think the jewelry insertion was the most painful bit but was over really fast. I had a quick look, then wrapped myself in the blue tork tissue stuff to hide the bleeding then back out into town.
After about an hour, I noticed a damp patch by the crotch of my jeans. This grew and became more bloodsoaked as time went on. Luckily, I had time to go and buy some new jeans, and change a bit later on!
I managed to clean up, and was happy with the piercing. Although, for the first two or three days it did bleed on and off. After that, there was no problems with it. For the first week and a half, I did twice daily saltwater soaks, and cleaned it in the shower. After that I decided to try LITHA - with no ill effects. It's now healed, and is 8 weeks to the day after I got it done. I don't regret it at all.
It's funny watching peoples reactions when they find out. A lot of people don't believe me (and several have been proved wrong!), as well as the people who ask "Why the hell did you do that?!" My answer to them is I did it because I wanted to. It represents some personal stuff that is going on in my life; but also is just something I decided to do.
As I said, It's 8 weeks on and fully healed. After reading accounts of people saying standing up to pee is difficult, I've not had a problem with it.
Jewelry wise, I have a 2.4mm gauge 19mm diameter titanium BCR. Although I'm considering changing it, but for the moment am happy with it. One thing that I have discovered, is sometimes the ball can find it's way into your urethra. It's not uncomfortable...but sometimes first thing in the morning can feel a little odd!
I think my advice (as cliche as it may seem) is for anybody seriously considering this piercing to go and get it done. I have a very low pain threshold, and didn't feel too bad getting it done. Just make sure to get some sea salt. I was also taking arnica tablets to help healing...they helped for me!
If you have any questions...please feel free to get in touch with me. My e-mail's at the top of the page! (Just make sure to put BME in the subject line so you don't get deleted by my spam filters)
Dan
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