What kind of discomfort from a binder is normal?

[ilanthefirst]

I don't bind consistently.  Most of the time, I just wear an undershirt or a Frog Bra.  I bound for >6 hours for the first time yesterday with a very effective binder, the 988 in size XS.  I felt fine immediately after I took it off, although I noticed my boobs felt considerably less lumpy than they normally do.  Today, they still feel like that but are also extremely sore, enough that I've had to take ibuprofen for the pain.  Even though I have a history of lung problems, I haven't noticed any change in my ability to breathe or the amount of phlegm I produce or anything like that; the discomfort is all in the boobs.  Has this happened to anyone else?  If so, what did you do about it?  Should I see a doctor?  Thanks in advance.

[kyril]

Some soreness after removing your binder is normal, especially the first few times you bind - you're restricting blood flow and deforming the tissue for an extended period. Next-day soreness could be normal. Pain at a level that requires ibuprofen...well, for me that would be somewhat alarming, but your level of pain tolerance might be different.

It never hurts to talk to your doctor, but s/he'll likely just tell you that binding is bad for you. If you don't have bruising, swelling, discoloration, or other evidence of actual injury, then there's likely nothing physically wrong, except maybe some breast tissue inflammation that the ibuprofen will take care of.

[ilanthefirst]

Thanks for your help!  I have a high pain tolerance and generally take approximately two ibuprofen per month, just for cramps, so this is pretty worrisome for me.  There's some swelling and pain still, but they seem to have gone back to their ol' lumpy selves, so hopefully it'll all be gone by tomorrow.

[Robert Scott]

You also have to take in consideration if your about to or on your period.  I know binding doesn't bother me except during that time and my nipples are highly sensitive during that time and so they are sore after I bind.  I have started wearing a sports bra under the binder during that time and it helps alot.

[ilanthefirst]

That's a good point.  I'm usually pretty good at keeping track of that and am not due to have any breast tenderness for another week.  Then again, I also seem to be getting my period 2 weeks early, so I guess all bets are off this time.