Weird new problem and a question.

[Lex]

For about 2 or 3 weeks now I've been getting dull and achy pains right where my binder stops and kinda bunches a bit. It feels like I'm hungry but nauseus at the same time. It's right where the sternum and the diaphragm meet. I've been binding for almost 2 years already and this is the first time I've felt anything like it. I don't wear it too long and I only wear one binder at a time. It only happens when I bind. Has anyone ever had this problem before?

On another note, I'm having a terrible time finding a roommate. I would really prefer if it was someone in the LGBTQA community so I'm weary of doing something like posting to craigslist or something like that. Have any of you gone through this before? Any suggestions?

[King Malachite]

Try transgender housing network to find a roomate

http://www.transhousingnetwork.com/

[spacerace]

I've always wondered if you post something on craigslist like "I'm transgender and looking for a transgender roommate," does this violate the 'no discriminatory preference' rule that is in place to make sure no one is denied housing based on race/gender/sexuality?

[Lex]

Try transgender housing network to find a roomate

http://www.transhousingnetwork.com/

Thanks! I didn't know that existed.

[Lex]

I've always wondered if you post something on craigslist like "I'm transgender and looking for a transgender roommate," does this violate the 'no discriminatory preference' rule that is in place to make sure no one is denied housing based on race/gender/sexuality?

I think that's more for landlords/owners, real estate agents, mortgaging banks, etc. Much like sexual prefference for a specific race or gender isn't really thought to be discrimination. IMO anyways.

I'm actually trying to stay away from craigslist because I don't want any harassment or ->-bleeped-<-s getting my info. But it's looking more and more like I might have to just do it.

[spacerace]

I'm actually trying to stay away from craigslist because I don't want any harassment or ->-bleeped-<-s getting my info. But it's looking more and more like I might have to just do it.

1. create new gmail account and do not fill out your real name in the name fields - just put something there, like the words in the email address you picked
2. use the anonymous email option craigslist gives you
3. exchange a few emails back and forth - not about personal information - ask them innocuous questions about their interests and hobbies to get a feel for their legitimacy
3. speak to them only by email until after you meet them
4. meet them in a very public place

[King Malachite]

Thanks! I didn't know that existed.

I didn't know it exisited either until a few weeks ago.  I think it's a nice little resource that I may just have to use in case things go bad here.  I hope it works out for you.

[Lex]

1. create new gmail account and do not fill out your real name in the name fields - just put something there, like the words in the email address you picked
2. use the anonymous email option craigslist gives you
3. exchange a few emails back and forth - not about personal information - ask them innocuous questions about their interests and hobbies to get a feel for their legitimacy
3. speak to them only by email until after you meet them
4. meet them in a very public place

Excellent plan!! Thank you  I think it would be a good idea to bring a friend to watch from afar and have some kind of symbol if things go south.

[Lex]

You know what, Joules just made something click in my head. The problem started about a month after I changed my schedule at work and started doing 10-12 hour shifts every other day and sometimes two or three days in a row. On my old schedule I was binding around 5 hours every day. I think I might just be binding too long and too consecutively. Any thoughts?

[Magnus]

My recommendation would be to stop using short or 'cut-down' binders from now on. Find a full-length that you like and which works for you. I would suggest either a 998 (that being the happy-medium between the extreme and the lesser constricting options) as a starting point else an appropriately sized 997 (although I'm personally not a fan of the 997; I hate them. I'm sure I'd hate the 983 even more for the same reasons but anyway lol).

Just as an FYI (and this does have a very relevant point), the sternum is utilized in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assessment because of how sensitive it is to discomfort and pain from stimuli (e.g. the sternum rub, where the knuckles are raked over it to determine levels of consciousness. It is so uncomfortable or painful that even a coma won't prevent the unconscious person to react involuntarily; unless its a deep coma or brain death). Just as (or perhaps more; for me its more) sensitive, there's the 'Xiphoid process' just below the main body of the sternum and it is precisely right in the junction between the sternum and the diaphragm. This is most likely what is causing you the discomfort and pain with your short or cut-down binder. So it is not going to stop unless you stop using those binder types.

Here's a decent depiction of what I'm talking about: http://www.crossfitsouthbay.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/diaphragm.jpg

My older 974 bunches up between the 'pubic floor' and the lower belly but it never causes me undue discomfort and never pain. If there's pain, its not alright and you need to nip it in the bud. And actually, those 974's before they altered (more accurately, ruined) them worked exceptionally well for me despite D/DD's and while passing (goes to show you don't need 997 or 983 to pass even with large size there). If I'd had a crystal ball, I'd have bought them out before they completely 'changed' them... its a real pity.

Yeah so, the goal with binding should always be a pectoral contour but NEVER to try and achieve 'flatness' or 'as flat as possible' because its not realistic beyond A-B, and the more constriction it takes the more potential for problems (and serious problems) there are. I would never, ever recommend using a short binder anyway given that all of them end right over the diaphragm. Problems, problems, problems. The full-lengths just do not cause as much discomfort because they have a larger distribution area for the pressure and don't put it all right over that diaphragm.

The decision is ultimately yours but that's my recommendation and exactly what I would do if I were in your position.

[Lex]

The problem with the hiatal hernia theory is that the usual direction of pressure that causes a problem is from the lower abdomen upward, binding is more like top down, but it will include the diaphragm region.  Another factor, either with a hiatal hernia, or all by itself, is GERD.  I have GERD, or at least have had n the past.  The whole hungry yet just ate thing sounds familiar from that time for me.  GERD can be nasty if left untreated, fortunately it's a simple fix with an antacid like Omeprazol.

Interresting point, I have been getting wicked cases of heartburn. I'm going to go ahead an see my primary, this whole thing is getting extremely uncomfortable.

[Lex]

My recommendation would be to stop using short or 'cut-down' binders from now on. Find a full-length that you like and which works for you. I would suggest either a 998 (that being the happy-medium between the extreme and the lesser constricting options) as a starting point else an appropriately sized 997 (although I'm personally not a fan of the 997; I hate them. I'm sure I'd hate the 983 even more for the same reasons but anyway lol)....

Oh wow! Thanks for all the info. As for the long binder, that was my first idea too. It's less discomfort but still not normal. And after almost 2 years bindding I really didn't think this kind of problem would come up... I think I'm just going to take the plunge and see my Doc. I just hope he doesn't tell my I have to stop binding.