From: lelle@wpi.WPI.EDU (Helene)
Subject: Re: Anasthetics and piercing
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 00:47:42 GMT

In message<92097.163047JRUNNE@auvm.american.edu>, JRUNNE@auvm.american.edu writes:
*Hey...I just got done discussing piercings with someone, and they informed
*me that in Germany, where they got theirs, piercers have no problem with
*using local anasthetics.  When I got my QC, it HURT LIKE TOTAL FUCK.  I had
*discussed anasthetics with my piercer, who insisted that using them was
*dangerous, especially for genital piercings, and may result in nerve damage,
*etc.  Well, the guy I spoke to had a PA and lots more, had used anasthetic
*every time, and had no problems.
	
	I've had my left nipple pierced twice and I have a QC, all
done with Xylocaine.  I had no problems with the local at all. 

In message <rqrkmINNrrs@grapevine.EBay.Sun.COM>, batman@batcave.Sun.COM (Karl MacRae - Burnin' with Optimism's Flames) writes:

*We once tried a side-by-side experiment with two nipples;
*one had a doctor administered anisthetic, one had nothing.
*Guess what? It hurt more to have the anisthetic adminitered
*than to have the piercing done in the un-numbed nipple.
*In addition to this, when the novacain wore off, that nipple
*was much more sore from the anesthetic.
	
	Before going to get my nipple pierced professionally, I tried
piercing it at home, with no anasthetic.  The needle of Xylocaine hurt
a lot less than the needle trying to pierce...  But yes, I was sore
afterwards.  A lot.  I'm really glad my SO drove home, I probably
couldn't have.  

*My advice; just do it. It only hurst for second.
*It's more the FEAR that's a problem than the pain; fear
*magnifies pain exponentially. Deal with the fear, the pain
*becomes a minor issue.

	I think you're right.  I'm going to get my nipple re-pierced
(again...  BTW, is piercing the same nipple three times a problem?
The first time the ring was partially open and was healed inside.  The
second time my [steel] ring started to migrate, so I took it out.) and
am seriously considering having my SO do it for me (he's pierced two
of my friends, but they're male) without numbing, other than possibly
ice.  When I got the QC, my piercer used Xylocaine, but it didn't
take.  The pain was intense just during the pierce, and it hurt when
he put the ring through and closed it, but it hasn't hurt since.  I
guess it's not unusual for [women's?] genitals to be unresponsive to
'normal' anasthetics.  The fact that I was totally unprepared for the
pain probably made it more of a shock, but less painful (if that makes
any sense).
  
In message <1992Apr7.162144.22550@muddcs.claremont.edu>, bgribble@jarthur.claremont.edu (Bill Gribble) writes:

*The act of being pierced with anesthesia seems to me somehow empty, like 
*artificial insemination instead of fucking.  But hey, whatever floats 
*your boat.  I guess there are just some people for whom the experience of 
*being pierced is more important than having the ring and some for whom the 
*experience is an inconvenience.  Personally, I feel sorry for the latter 
*group -- they're missing out.

	My rings were and are of great enjoyment to me.  Also for me
just the actual 'doing it' was intense, with or without anesthesia.  I
only enjoy certain kinds of pain -- the piercing kind not being one of
them.  Still, the experience thrills...  I have no need for the
feeling of conquering pain, I just endure it, but I must admit to
liking the endorphin rush after.  :)

		Helene, anxiously awaiting titanium or niobium rings...