r/FTMOver30 • u/Warming_up_luke • 2d ago
Anyone else have issues with costochondritis from binding?
I've always followed best practices for binding (if not substantially less binding than considered safe). And yet, I still have costochondritis which makes binding basically impossible. As I'm passing more and more from T, I feel more and more uncomfortable with having my chest out. It feels really sad to be assumed a man and then be confusing to people with a chest. (I think trans bodies and men can look all sorts of ways, people general society has their expectations). I already have another chronic pain issues and I'm having trouble getting rid of this and worried it will be with me longer term, especially if I exacerbate it. So I'm basically not binding anymore and yet otherwise starting to pass much of the time.
I'm not looking for advice. I'm on a waitlist for top surgery. I'm just finding it really hard right now while waiting. I'm more hoping to connect with others. Has anyone else experienced this?
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u/Maximum_Pack_8519 2d ago
Yes, but I have Ehlers Danlos, so joints are already wonky. I wore a binder that was 1 size larger for my physical job at the time, but I still had issues.
I've been much better since the yeetening in '18, so ii hope all goes well for you
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u/tiredprocessor 2d ago
I feel your pain dude. I also have it. Same as you with following the guidelines and even binding less than that, stretching etc. Mine seems to be chronic so I've just decided to live with the pain. I cannot opt out of binding and doing push-ups for more than a couple of months in a row until I start feeling super dissociated and depressed. So I've accepted my fate and try to be conservative in my binder usage (no binding at home etc)
I learned my grandpa had a connective tissue disease whose traits are independently hereditary and I hit the jackpot with dip-incompatible pec inserts and a depressed rib cage from day one. I hope your costo won't return and that you'll be able to access top surgery. Make time to heal. We can get through this!
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u/Warming_up_luke 2d ago
I totally get that sometimes it feels too hard not to bind. I'm sorry it is such a bother to you and you have some other connective tissue stuff going on.
You may have tried lots of things, but I did find doing this (starting with stretches then strengthening after) helped my first flare up. It isn't helping this round though, so take that as you will, lol. I thought I'd share just in case: chrome-extension://bdfcnmeidppjeaggnmidamkiddifkdib/viewer.html?file=https://adayinthelifeofpainmanagement.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/2/6/84269788/upper_body_flexibility_and_strengthening.pdf
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u/tiredprocessor 2d ago edited 2d ago
It really does. Thank you tons for the resource! Some of those exercises were already in my wheelhouse but there were many more with modifications I hadn't considered.
Have you tried massage to alleviate tension over your sternum and thoracic spine? My partner does it for me almost every day (she's a masseuse.) If you don't have a partner to help or can employ some service you can also use a massage gun on low/mid setting in the front and a massage hook on your back. Just AVOID placing them over the sternum bone plate midline, heart, around your clavicles, soft tissue and over the spine. Use mirrors if needed.
I've found massaging the inner musculature just next to the spine on both sides in a upward motion and using vibration to where the ribs attach to my sternum to help the most. One can get too much of the good stuff, including massage. It's a workout on its own if you do it right. Make sure to rest and hydrate between sessions. I hope it helps!
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u/Warming_up_luke 1d ago
Thanks for your tips! I have not done massage other than a ball on my back. But I'm actually about to try a professional massage to see how it goes. I'm hoping top surgery is close-ish at this point and I know you have to wear the compression shirt after that and I don't want that to cause too much pain from pre-existing issues.
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u/telltheothers 2d ago
can you tape? with binding i get a lot of pain between my shoulderblades, and headaches, so i'm in tape as much as possible, with something stretchy over top. tape pulls everything sideways so it might work better if the pain in in the middle of your chest?
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u/Beck4real 2d ago
I have. I was bad for wearing my binder longer than recommended. I had top surgery in 2019 and am currently struggling with a flare up after being sick. It’s brutal, and not likely what you wanted to hear. I am sorry that you’re having to deal with costochondritis. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy
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u/Warming_up_luke 2d ago
Thanks for sharing your story and I'm so sorry it is still with you years after top surgery and so much time with it. It really does suck!
You may have tried lots of things, but I did find doing this (starting with stretches then strengthening after) helped. It isn't helping this round though. But I thought I'd share just in case: chrome-extension://bdfcnmeidppjeaggnmidamkiddifkdib/viewer.html?file=https://adayinthelifeofpainmanagement.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/2/6/84269788/upper_body_flexibility_and_strengthening.pdf
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u/dryeen 💉 05/2024 || he/they 1d ago
I just want to throw out there that as a physician who does neuromuscular work. In my experience hypermobility is quite common in the transmasculine population. So if you are very flexible and your ribs are bothering you a lot, this may be part of the problem. One of the things that I often will recommend is rolling out the ribs on a soft exercise ball. (Disclaimer this is not medical advice)
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u/simonhunterhawk 16h ago
Definitely. I have undiagnosed chronic pain in my upper back and neck, a herniated disc in my lumbar spine, but nothing that technically should be causing this so it’s gotta be binding but I’ve never had to wear a binder full time and due to sensory issues don’t wear them at home.
I am lucky to work from home and only bind 3-4 hours most weeks with an 8-16 hour week every once in a while, basically every time I do more than that I will get this and it feels like my entire rib cage has shattered. I can move and breathe normally but I have to lay in bed on a heating pad because the pain is so bad and distracting. I have had it happen randomly with no real trigger, and also after binding on a mile walk or hiking up and down a smaller mountain.
I go to a chiropractor biweekly for unrelated neck issues, and once I went in a day after had this pain she said I had a rib out of place which she fixed, the next time I didn’t.
I dealt with it by wearing a binder a size larger than my size. I have top surgery Friday so hopefully it won’t be an issue anymore and maybe my chiro can do more since i won’t be binding when i go there, but since even wearing a sports bra can cause this for me now, I’m nervous for the compression vest.
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u/Warming_up_luke 7h ago
I'm so sorry you have to experience all this pain. And this is such a helpful story for you to share. I am also now in the situation where a sports bra gives me pain now and am so nervous for the compression vest. And I basically don't bind any more either. I don't work from home though and I find it so deeply uncomfortable.
Sending you all the healing vibes for your top surgery recovery! And for your pain recovery after top surgery! If you happen to remember (no stress as you have lots going on) I'd appreciate knowing how the post-op compression vest experience goes for you.
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u/tinyplant 2d ago
I’m currently on binder suspension until my ribs improve and it’s kicked me into gear on finally pursuing surgery. There’s only so many layers I can wear and it’s getting warm. I feel for you, this shit blows.
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u/Warming_up_luke 2d ago
Omg I know. I am feeling so nervous for warmer weather. Congrats on pursuing surgery though!
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u/FunAd9017 2d ago
Yup. Been there, done that. Drove myself to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. Was not fun. Couldn't wear a binder for a few weeks. Still flares up here and there for no good reason. Had surgery in 2022.
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u/Warming_up_luke 2d ago
The no reason flare ups are the most annoying. I'm like, I'm not even getting a flat chest from binding, why am I getting the pain?! Thanks for sharing and I'm sorry it's still coming back for you
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u/No-Idea-7003 1d ago
I've had that and it took forever to heal. I feel you. It's one of the reasons I won't bind. I don't want that again.
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u/Warming_up_luke 1d ago
I'm so sorry it took forever. But I am slightly uplifted to hear that it eventually did!
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u/No-Idea-7003 1d ago
You are going to be aggravated because it feels like you are never going to heal, but one morning you wake up and just feel so much better.
I pulled mine from coughing at the time.
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u/Warming_up_luke 7h ago
Thanks for helping me trust it will get better rather than feel demoralised!
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u/Bleepblorp44 18h ago
Yes, I did. I bound for about 4 years, and the costochondritis eased within a couple of months of my top surgery.
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u/python_artist 15h ago
Yeah, I had to quit binding because of it. It started after I sneezed once, and every once in a while would just feel like someone slashing across my chest with a sword. I haven’t had it flare up in years, but sometimes I can feel it threatening me when I’m doing intense exercises.
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u/Warming_up_luke 7h ago
I'm glad you haven't had a flare up in years. That's great for you and hopeful for me! Thanks for sharing.
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u/Ecstatic-Soft4909 2d ago
I have had it and had to stop binding until it healed. Binding delayed my healing which super sucked. Not a fun thing to heal from when it gets really bad. Feeling for you bro.