My first tattoo was too painful, how do I get through the next?

I recently got my very first tattoo. An 8x5 inch watercolor piece on the side of my waist from my ribcage to my hipbone. I thought I could handle it, no problem. I have about 15 piercings including a VCH so I thought I would do great… WRONG. I couldn't handle it. It felt like I just could not relax my body and zone out. I had eaten prior to it. I brought my iphone for music. I tried focusing on my breathing. After about 45 minutes, he completed the outline and I tapped out on the color and shading. I plan to go back and get the color after the outline has healed. I felt so incredibly bad for my artist too. I was jumping and clenching my stomach at the slightest touch. I could tell it was really frustrating for him… I don't know what to do for my next appointment. I'm absolutely terrified that I'm not going to be able to handle it the second time. I feel like even though I know the pain level now to better prepare myself mentally, I still might jump and be too sensitive. And of course, I don't want to make it harder for my artist. I don't want him to get frustrated and I don't want to move around and screw up his work. I expected pain, but everyone had told me that after a while, your endorphins kick in and you start to go numb. I just feel like this never happened for me and it only got more excruciating the longer I was in the chair. From beginning to end, it felt like the pain only multiplied. Even when he simply touched me with his finger, I would jump in fear of pain.

I'm not using numbing creams or getting drunk. But seriously, should I take a hard core painkiller or muscle relaxer? I've never had this issue with any of my piercings, but that's 2 minutes of pain vs. An hour. I thought about getting a deep tissue massage or something to help me relax prior to my next appointment, but I'm afraid that'll make me too sensitive. Does anyone have ANY insightful suggestions? Anything is appreciated.

Get high

Nerves got the best of you. Being nervous or scared can help the tattoo be painful. Stops you relaxing and you just focus on the needle, regardless of music.
The massage might work, will help your body relax.
Even taking somebody in you know well and speak to them while its getting done has proved very helpful to people.
There's not much you can do. Numbing gels don't work anyway but no, no painkillers whatsoever! They can thin your blood. And if your blood thins, you will bleed a lot and am artist has to stop and get you booked in for another day

So, first of all probably a bad choice to get your first tattoo on your ribcage… As you have found out piercings and tattoos are two totally different ball games! I don't know who told you that you eventually go numb, because that is a total lie! I have 3 tattoos, one on my hip, one on my calf and one on my foot. The one on my foot hurt like hell, but it was worth it. Also, each of mine were finished in 1 session, so i don't know if that will make a difference for the pain or not. The only thing i would suggest is taking some ibuprofen about 20 minutes before you go to get it worked again, and to get it finished! The more sessions you have the more pain you will have to endure/the more money you will have to spend. Plus, healing sucks too. Who wants to do that more than one or two times per tat?

Yes there are numbing creams you can use, but there are other things you can also do to prepare yourself and make your tattoo appointment more bearable.

The first thing is the time limit of your tattoo appointment, don't go over 3 hours - this is where most peoples pain threshold begins to waver…

Sleep well the night before, eat a good meal before you go into your session, bring water, have some music that you can listen to and relax with, maybe have a valium or relaxant (see a Dr and be honest with them).

Read this link on preparing for your tattoo - http://hubpages.com/hub/Prepare-New-Tattoo-Before-Tattoo-Design