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 Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:22 am
My freshman year at college, I ended up in a dorm room by myself. Because I was alone, I always felt at liberty to relax and take my binder off as needed- especially when I slept. However, this year I live with a roommate, and I don't have the same level of comfort. . . So I end up wearing my binders constantly, aside from the time I spend in the shower.
So, recently I have noticed that I feel some pain in my chest, especially around areas where the tissue is particularly sensitive, or where my binder hits when it rolls up while I'm sleeping. I have gotten the area checked out by a doctor, who said that it was nothing to worry about (i.e. no lumps or anything else that could cause soreness or irritation), so I am certain this is the result of my constant binder wear.
So I suppose I'm just wondering how other guys deal with giving themselves a break from binding, especially when they live with other people, and also if anyone else has had issues with this type of soreness after long periods of binding. . . I'm still a little nervous about it.
Thanks!
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:53 am
I think binder breaks are really important. What starts off as minor pains can eventually grow into much more serious issues. Near constant binding can cause breathing problems, back problems, and even deform the rib cage if worn tight enough for long enough. The raw sores it can cause on the skin will only become more raw and at risk of infection if they aren't given time to heal. Also binding long term really breaks down the fatty tissue under the skin, and if you're planning on ever having chest surgery it actually makes it more difficult to remove the tissue, or so I've heard.
Does your roommate actually share the same bedroom as you or do you share a sort of apartment type dorm room with separate bedrooms and shared living spaces? Just curious since you said you now sleep binding. I'm trying to think of suggestions for when not to bind. If the roommate has different class hours than you, try finding out what their schedule is so you know when you are more likely to be guaranteed the place to yourself.
Have you considered bringing up your concerns to the school or anything to see about getting a private room again on the basis that you're transitioning? I've known a few people who have done that and weren't charged extra due to the circumstances.
What is your roommate like? How do you think they would handle it if you told them that you're trans? If you think they'd be ok with it, it might end up being more physically comfortable for you and safer healthwise, for the sacrifice of having to out yourself. Only you can determine if that would be worth it.
I can't say that I can really relate. I didn't do the dorm thing. I've mostly lived with people that I'm out to and comfortable with. I tried to bind as little as possible when I was at home or in my room because I did develop some pretty serious breathing problems after binding too much. That said I'm asthmatic. It ended up getting so bad that I had to quit binding all together. It was winter at the time so I resorted to layers and hoodies and such. If it's cold where you are, I suggest finding a hoodie or something to wear and appreciate that you can wear layers while you still can before it gets got again.
Sorry I don't have better advice for you. I'll try to keep thinking about it and I'll get back to you if I think of something more useful.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:08 pm
I've had breathing problems associated with binding. I know of people who have developed pleurisy due to binding too much for too long. I know my lung capacity isn't as much as it once was due to binding.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:15 am
I had a roommate my freshman year, and then lived in a house with other folks for a year and half some time later. In all three places that I had other people living with me, I usually wore sports bras when at home (it may be easier for me since I'm a B and so I can somewhat get away with wearing Frog Bras instead of a binder if I wear the right kinds of shirts). I ALWAYS took them off when sleeping, even if, freshman year, it involved waiting until my roommate was asleep and then taking it off under the covers. Granted she was totally understanding anyway,but it was my own comfort that made me "secretive" about it.
And not to hit a dead horse, but I really want to emphasize the health risks. I know a guy who got chronic bronchitis and ended up not being able to bind AT ALL for at least a year, so he was stuck wearing huge sweatshirts in the summer to try and hide his chest. Myself, even though I take really long binding breaks (sometimes I stay home unbound for a whole weekend), I've developed numerous infections over the past year and now I have to be extra diligent about keeping them clear because otherwise I may be unable to get surgery until they're cleared up. And trust me, having the equivalent of a peeling sunburn underneath your moobs is not fun when you have a binder rubbing against it and itching it.
And even if you haven't had problems like these before, please start taking breaks as if you did. I bound for almost four years before I had skin issues. I thought it was a sudden allergy when it hit, because it was that much out of the blue. Same with most folks I know who get breathing problems, just one asthma attack gone wrong or an extra bad bout of pneumonia and it just doesn't go away until the binding habits are changed. :/
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