Binding causing upper respiratory infections?

[Kristopher]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone has problems with upper respiratory infections. Since July I have been binding and have has bronchitis once and 2 bouts of Upper respiratory infection. I am feeling the beginnings of another. I was wondering if this was caused by binding all the time? Has anyone heard of this or dealt with this.

[ZenFrost]

If you bind too tightly, too frequently, or with certain methods (such as ace bandages) I have heard of a number of health problems popping up... everything from infections, bruising, fainting, rashes, severe pain, even lacerations. I'm not trying to scare you, but in attempts to create a flat chest some of us try too hard and end up hurting ourselves which is why I have the following advice.

Generally speaking:

Binding more than 14 hours a day and/or 7 days a week is too much. If you can, try to only bind when you go out and give yourself breaks whenever possible.

If you're having any trouble breathing, find a different binding method. Binding should not restrict your breathing or movement.

Some methods of binding have more risks than others: duct tape and ace bandages for instance have higher risks of damaging you than an Underworks binder does, simply because a binder is made for binding, and other things aren't. Even if you're wearing a binder, if it's too small or doesn't fit your body right it can be just as risky as a non-binder binding method. Note though, that even as I recommend binders over other methods, some homemade binders can do a great job without causing health problems.

Men do not have perfectly flat chests, and some even have gynecomastia. If you bind lightly and still have bulges, chances are people wont notice.

Layering loose clothing on top of minimal or no binding can make breasts disappear. I frequently refer people to Lex's Guide (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50305) about layering not too tightly. Even in hot weather you can layer without getting too hot, once you find out what works for you.

One other factor to check is your posture. We transmen often slouch to hide our breasts, bad posture with a binder can cause breathing problems and make the binder dig in places it shouldn't.

I hope this helps.

[NiCo]

Late last year i had tuberculosis and my doctor said it was linked to binding etc.

It was horrible, i tried to hide the illness for a while cause me and my partner were doing all that IVF thingy blah, and if she got stressed it would be shit for her really.

In the end, threw up blood, was coughing up blood and then passed out.

Apparently i was binding too much, and to be honest i didn't care if it had killed me because binding was something i had to do to live my life the way i could until surgery.

It nearly killed me twice, the first time was leaving it until the bad symptoms started (the internal bleeding) and hallucinations, delusions etc and the second time was when someone i once called a "friend" decided to be a c*nt and tell me my finacee was cheating on me while i was in hospital, this was over text, and i flipped out and the trauma i caused on myself deflated my lung.

Not trying to scare you guys, just telling you a point of view.

I haven't stopped binding, and yes, sometimes i feel the same heaviness in my left lung as i did before it all got diagnosed, but that's because for six months after the illness, antibotic should still be taken, i have two weeks left of my tablets to go and then i should be okay. Hopefuly i don't get it again, but it's the same as smoking, i refuse, it's not that i like smoking, it keeps my voice deep.

People have said to me in the past "that is no excuse for smoking" well maybe you aren't bothered being called a woman/ lesbian but i am and i want my voice to be as deep as possible even if that means swallowing razor blades!

I will stop smoking on the day of my first injection, i stopped smoking before for ages but almost took a nervous breakdown because my voice went high and the amount of times i was called 'Sir/he/him' etc was like once a fortnight. It wasn't taking that shit.

Back to the point. Binding can cause infections because it contracts the lungs to the point there is folds inside which store bacteria which would normally be released from the lungs with coughing etc but because the binder squashed n it, it's embedding into the lung wall and causes infections which left untreated can cause something as major as what i had. That's because i'm a defiant idiot.

Anyway, yes, your question has been answered in my opinion.

[Kristopher]

I am glad someone else has been having these issues. It sucks because it is hard to find research about transguys in general.

[NiCo]

Haha thanks Kristopher, i'm glad it was me too and not anyone else, i wouldn't wish that shizzle on my worst enemy.

Nah, i'd wish Ebola on them instead ;)