I can't get my gauges out of my ears. Does anyone have experience and can help?

I have small gauges in my ears. Size 6 I think. They’re flared, smaller in the middle and bigger on both ends so they don’t fall out. I’ve had them in for about a year.

Originally I had to stretch the hole to be big enough to fit the LARGER end of the earring in, but for the past year the hole has shrunk to be only the size of the middle. So I can’t get it out. I don’t want to rip my ear trying, but I’d really really like to change them. I’ve tried vitamin E oil to lube em up, but as soon as I get it to what feels like being close to out (but, isn’t really that close at all probably) it starts to hurt and I get nervous and stop.

Has anyone else had this problem before? Any advice? Anything? Thank you. :)