In a bind cause I can't bind

[CaptainAFAB]

I can't be the only transman with arthritis. Keep trying to bind but ... oh, jesus, no. My spine feels like a shipwreck and sometimes I can barely walk the day after when I try.

Do I wear appropriately sized and manufactured binders? I do. I have read Hudson's guide. I watched youtube tutorials.

I'm 37 but I inherited early arthritis, and even with physical therapy it's too painful.

What do, men? Suck it up and layer?

[AndrewB]

God, I'm so sorry Cap'n, I know that must suck. I have a pinched nerve in my back from binding, but I can't imagine having to deal with an actual spinal injury/condition while binding. Aside from layers, maybe you could look into athletic compression shirts? The compression isn't as great as with a binder, for sure, but it might be a more supportive solution and/or design, and might distribute the physical toll of binding more evenly across your body.

Also, patterned shirts are your friend, typically. Depends on the pattern, but they can help, if you get the right one.

[CursedFireDean]

My best friend has arthritis and he has vented to me several times about how tough binding is. He was blessed with a small chest and can generally get away with sports bras, however on his bad days he has to go free. I think he has tried binders a size too large before but he sticks with sports bras most of the time. He's reached the point now where he's decided to get top surgery as soon as he possibly can, because his arthritis just acts up so badly now and he has to pick between his mental health or physical when he is getting dressed. So he ultimately is just saving up every extra penny he can because he really does NEED top surgery. I believe he is also working with his insurance company, he's got a wonderfully inclusive insurance.

[The_Gentleboy]

Sorry for your pain!
I dont have arthritis but I recently have realised I have spondy-something-something-something. Which means I cant stand up for too long without my lower back hurting, this is made far worse in a binder. And it keeps getting worse as Britain decides to have a hot summer :/

In the End of sept- early summer/may -  I wore a body warmer, Im quite a big guy so it doesnt look major and the weather is apt for it. You could try a fishing body-warmer thing for summer - Id look like a ponce in one so I havent tried it. If you are a DIY person it might be better to get some elastic and a sewing machine and make a custom one. It may be a little looser and not bind as tight but you can wear a button down shirt with it and you should look okay.

I wish you all the best

Gentleboy

[CaptainAFAB]

Thanks you guys.

[palexander]

hey man. sorry to hear that your back is hurting.  i use zip up (mid length) binders and i do not feel pain on my back at all.

[Muscle Matt]

Sorry to hear your situation.
While I've never experienced arthritis, I do have pretty bad scoliosis, and I thought I would never be able to bind. Instead, I've always worn tank tops underneath my t-shirts (usually women's tanks, since they're tighter and help hide my unfortunately puffy nipples). In some shirts I can get away with it, but most of the time you can end up seeing the shape of my chest. :/

I actually finally ended up buying my first binder a few weeks ago for my Otakon cosplays. I bought a GC2B half binder, and bought a medium when I actually measured for a small. I feel like a small would definitely give me a more natural looking shape, but even the medium is tough to wear through an entire day (and I certainly don't wear it every day), so a small would be out of the question. I'm kind of curious if a large would be more comfortable for me, but I also don't wanna be out extra shipping if it doesn't bind enough and I have to return it.

I'm not sure how much you're trying to hide, so I'm not really sure what might be your best option, but I have heard of some guys taping their chest down everyday in lieu of binders. You'd have to look up the best techniques for that; I'm not sure how people do it every day without damaging their skin or nipples. Other than that, tight tanks really do help. I work in a very humid kitchen every day and sweat the moment I walk in the door, so I've never tried wearing multiple tanks before. Maybe you could try it and see how it works out.

Good luck, I know it's difficult being forced to not bind. Hopefully you can find something that works for you.

[ridleysw]

I had to recently stop binding, and it's frustrating - I am sorry you are going through it!

I managed to find an industrial-strength sports bra through Title Nine that has been working well.  Funny enough, the name of the bra is "Booby Trap".  They also started making the frog bra again, which trans guys used to swear by before it was discontinued.  I would highly recommend checking them out.  I think this one will get me through the last six months of binding before I have top surgery.  I am a 40 DDD, so I have lots to smoosh!

[Muscle Matt]

Update: I got too eager and wore my binder 4 or 5 days this week. Today I didn't bind but halfway through my shift, my back started feeling terrible. I was walking around holding my back half the night. I guess I unfortunately can't wear it that often. :/

[FriendsCallMeChris]

Feeling for you-- and you are not alone.  I've got a bad shoulder and binding aggravates it.  On top of that, I can't bind tight enough to make a difference.  Dense as well as large, they just don't squash enough to be unnoticeable. I've tried all the major brands and styles.  So, I've decided the pain isn't worth looking smaller, but still visible. 

It will be at least a year until I build enough time to take off  from work for top surgery.  Until them, I'm not presenting as male, so I guess it doesn't really matter as long as I don't think about it.  And after a lifetime of not thinking about what I look like, I only get a glimmer every now and then of what it must be like to match inside to outside.  I'm just working on staying strong.  Wishing you strength,as well! 

[Kuritzk]

If you can manage it, a sports bra is a good alternative. If your chest is small, there might not even be that much of a difference between binding and wearing a sports bra. They're certainly more comfortable than binders, and easier to get on, in my experience.

[Muscle Matt]

If you can manage it, a sports bra is a good alternative. If your chest is small, there might not even be that much of a difference between binding and wearing a sports bra. They're certainly more comfortable than binders, and easier to get on, in my experience.

Maybe sports bras would work better for me if I could fit my correct size (my shoulders are too big), but from my experience, sports bras (especially tighter ones) are just as bad if not worse on my back than my binder. Definitely wouldn't recommend it to someone with back pain (even my Large sports bra that barely flattens my nips tortures me after just a few hours).