I had the cartilage in my right ear (up at the top) pierced nearly 14 weeks ago, with a gun (yes, I know this was unwise!). It bled slightly during the first night as I rolled onto it in my sleep, but has given me no problems since then - no discharge, no pus, nothing. The swelling took a few days to go down but was gone relatively quickly, and throughout the 12 weeks healing I cleaned it and cared for it as instructed.
However still at 14 weeks it is still very painful - untouched it doesn't hurt at all, and moving the stud around doesn't hurt either, but afterwards my ear feels almost bruised and hurts for ages, with a dull ache. This possibly isn't helped by the fact I roll onto my right side every night so it's possibly bashed in my sleep.
I'm sure it's not infected, and I suspect the wound itself has healed. I'm looking for advice as to how to reduce the 'bruise' pain. Would changing the stud to a ball closure ring or equivalent be advisable, as these are apparently easier to sleep on, or should I stick with my current silver stud? And is there anything else I can do to help reduce this pain!
Thank you :)

I had 4 cartiladge piercings in my left ear for over a year. It was difficult for me to put the earings in because they were put in at an angle. Also, the pain never really went away. I eventually ended up taking them out and letting them grow shut.

NO NO NO don't change the stud you will probably make it worst best thing you can do is ice it while going to sleep and try to forget about it or if it really hurts try to take some pain relief pills