Another thread reminded me of something I've been wanting to ask. I've got an Underworks double-front compression shirt, size small, and I'm wondering if it's a bit too small for me. I can get it on, but I have a hard time breathing. I can't quite get a full lungful of air and any sort of physical exertion beyond walking is difficult. After I take it off (after only a few hours--I've never been able to take a full day), there's a strange 'rattling' in my lungs, like a bunch of phlegm or fluid. It goes away within an hour or two; faster, if I deliberately cough hard to clear my lungs. My measurements were right between the small & medium sizes, so I went for a small thinking that it would compress my chest better. It does a brilliant job at making the lumps go away, but it also appears to be compressing my ribcage.
I got a little bit scientific and took my chest measurement (just underneath the lumps) before putting on the binder. My chest measured 33.5" in a relaxed (not puffed up but not completely exhaled) state. I put on the binder & immediately took the same measurement: 33". About 0.5 to 1 hours later, breathing was becoming a bit more difficult & I took another measurement: 31". At this point, I took the binder off & took another measurement: 31". It took a few hours for my chest to return to its original 33.5" and during this time I continued to have some trouble breathing. I found it creepy that my ribcage would remain compressed even after I took the binder off.
Before anyone worries, I have worn the thing less than 10 hours since I got it a year ago. That was to try it out & see if it would stretch out a bit after use; when my lungs started really complaining, I discontinued use. But I have to ask: are my experiences typical of binder use? Or am I just being a wuss for not wearing it and not being able to tough out the breathing thing?
