Hello everyone,

The past week or so my chest has been really achy and it's causing me a good deal of discomfort.   I realize that is to be expected with hormones (I'm a little past 2 months from my hrt start date), but it is very annoying.  The pains have caused me to wakeup in the middle of sleep and it's frustrating me.  It's like a constant sharp pain (which is very prominent around the center of my breasts).  Again, I understand developing breasts will not be the most comfortable sensation, but does anyone have suggestions on how to reduce the the pain or swelling (if that's the right term)?  I have a low tolerance for pain in general, so it's been very irritating. 

Maybe some protection would help aka a very slightly padded bra? The ones at target are only like $15 or something.

It will be harder to hide your developing breasts, though, because a padded bra will only accentuate them.

Well since it's internal there is not much you can do. What I do is cuddle up to a pillow and position my boobs between the corner of  it. I also pretend it's my BF lol

I have a similar problem in that my boobs bounce like crazy and it's starting to hurt or feel awkward when I walk so I am going to have to start wearing a bra. The problem with that around the house is my mom has come around a lot lately but I don't want to shove it in her face either. When I wear a bra my boobs look gimongous.

You really can't wear a bra when you're sleeping. Well you could but I think it would feel weird. What I wear is a bandeau cami bra when I'm sleeping. I have two of them from Bollovo in pink and baby blue. A bandeau bra won't accentuate your boobs too much either. It's not like a bra as it just cotton (and a teeny bit of spandex). It's kinda like a sports bra but not as constricting. If I wore a padded bra like the VS Miracle Bra I would be like 34 DD lol

Have you seen a doctor.  Chest pains should not be ignored.  There are a myriad of reasons, rule out the bad ones.

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on August 17, 2013, 08:09:12 PM
Have you seen a doctor.  Chest pains should not be ignored.  There are a myriad of reasons, rule out the bad ones.

Yeah, I have gone to my endo quite frequently.  However, it is really nipple pain more than anything (very embarrassed).  I have done enough blood work and gone to enough check ups to rule out anything else.  I've never had any heart problems and it's unlikely to occur at 24.  It's likely the hormones causing the pains. 

Quote from: Joanna Dark on August 17, 2013, 07:58:25 PM
Well since it's internal there is not much you can do. What I do is cuddle up to a pillow and position my boobs between the corner of  it. I also pretend it's my BF lol

That's sort of what I'm thinking.  I can't really stop my chest and nipple region (again embarrassed) from developing.  But seriously the nipple pain is annoying. 

Quote from: Jennygirl on August 17, 2013, 07:56:36 PM
Maybe some protection would help aka a very slightly padded bra? The ones at target are only like $15 or something.

It will be harder to hide your developing breasts, though, because a padded bra will only accentuate them.

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about showing anything off at the moment,lol.  I sort of have to hide it because of family and employment reasons.  My family knows, of course, but it is still very tense and would prefer not adding to it. 

sports bra <3

Wear a bra with padding, it helps a bit

I started wearing a bra, as soon as my nipples started feeling sensitive

I ran after a softball today and had to stop from the pain. I was in the ocean recently and the cold water caused such pain it was excruciating. Usually I would rate the nipples and buds as discomfort, unless bumped. 

Maybe the pain is a good thing, like a sign of all that is to come?   That's what I'm trying to tell myself at least. 

I suppose wearing a bra may make things better temporarily. 

Quote from: learningtolive on August 18, 2013, 11:50:59 AM
...a sign of all that is to come?

Get used to it.  Our boobs experience pains, especially when in a growing phase, and that is something good.

When you are large enough to pass the old pencil test, see about getting fitted for a bra.  A well fitted bra makes a lot of difference, in my opinion.

As far as I know a bra might make it worse. I mean, if it's sensitive to pressure, why compress it all the time with a bra? It might provide some protection against contact, but... Just avoid putting pressure on them as much as possible, and do your best not to sleep on your belly. Oh, and uhm, if you feel that even your shirt is being a problem, like it was for me for a while soon after I started HRT and it was super tingly, it may feel really weird or wrong, but it might bring you great relief to just remove it for a while, if you're alone. And if it gets tingly, don't be shy on putting tons of moisturizer in the area.

But honestly, I don't think there's much to do.

Yes, nipple pain is just part of the deal, and yes it generally is a sign of growth    It does get better and mellow out some over time but it will always come and go, particularly during growth spurts as your breasts develop    Try to not bump them on things and be especially careful when opening and closing doors 

Hugs 

Quote from: learningtolive on August 17, 2013, 07:42:22 PM
Hello everyone,

The past week or so my chest has been really achy and it's causing me a good deal of discomfort.   I realize that is to be expected with hormones (I'm a little past 2 months from my hrt start date), but it is very annoying.  The pains have caused me to wakeup in the middle of sleep and it's frustrating me.  It's like a constant sharp pain (which is very prominent around the center of my breasts).  Again, I understand developing breasts will not be the most comfortable sensation, but does anyone have suggestions on how to reduce the the pain or swelling (if that's the right term)?  I have a low tolerance for pain in general, so it's been very irritating.

You are going to first have pain directly beneath the nipples.  It is the same thing the natal females feel when they begin developing breasts as they enter puberty.  It is most likely coming from the the onset of development of additional glandular tissue (lobules and milk ducts).  You will also begin to deposit adipose tissue (fat) tissue in a female pattern, on obvious spot is in the breasts.  Women going puberty also develop some more fat cells.  Men don't.

Fit it starts feeling like its coming from below your breasts or the center of your chest seek help.  I found out the other day at the hospital  due to all my intense panic and anxiety attacks. I've suffered multiple mild heart attacks I never knew about.

Oh no!  Do they have your on some heart meds now?  You are too young, babe.

Quote from: Jamie D on August 18, 2013, 11:16:47 PM
Oh no!  Do they have your on some heart meds now?  You are too young, babe.

they think they all happened before transitioning, so for now they are hoping the spiro keeps my BP down to keep parts of my heart from erupting again and they make me chew asprine when I get fussy.         Aside from that I got no insurence to cover anything else they suggested putting me on.

I have to agree with those who are encouraging you not to ignore this pain and assume it is growth pains.
As a Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care RN I would wish you would rather consider other possibilities.

1-You stated that the pain felt internal and was located in central,sternal area.(as well as the nipple region).
Most common indication of a possible heart condition where the blood supply to the hearts muscle is reduced or blocked completely due to a clot....ie. a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction).
2-Female hormones are a common cause of blood clots.Most commonly in the legs-which can release smaller clots into your circulation and then circulate to the coronary arteries.
That is one of the main reason that self medicating with female hormones,without medical oversight,is unwise.
3-You stated you have been seeing your Doctor but is that recent and during this time that you've had these pains.

Honestly I hope you are able to rule out these pains as "only" growth pains.But please be very careful before you poo-poo the other possibilities.Medical advice would be wise.Many in transition have had serious life threatening (and life ending) results by ignoring their bodies.

I send you all my sincerest best wishes.
Collette.

Quote from: collettemichelle on August 19, 2013, 12:33:59 PM
I have to agree with those who are encouraging you not to ignore this pain and assume it is growth pains.
As a Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care RN I would wish you would rather consider other possibilities.

1-You stated that the pain felt internal and was located in central,sternal area.(as well as the nipple region).
Most common indication of a possible heart condition where the blood supply to the hearts muscle is reduced or blocked completely due to a clot....ie. a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction).
2-Female hormones are a common cause of blood clots.Most commonly in the legs-which can release smaller clots into your circulation and then circulate to the coronary arteries.
That is one of the main reason that self medicating with female hormones,without medical oversight,is unwise.
3-You stated you have been seeing your Doctor but is that recent and during this time that you've had these pains.

Honestly I hope you are able to rule out these pains as "only" growth pains.But please be very careful before you poo-poo the other possibilities.Medical advice would be wise.Many in transition have had serious life threatening (and life ending) results by ignoring their bodies.

I send you all my sincerest best wishes.
Collette.

Quote from: Teela Renee on August 18, 2013, 11:03:01 PM
Fit it starts feeling like its coming from below your breasts or the center of your chest seek help.  I found out the other day at the hospital  due to all my intense panic and anxiety attacks. I've suffered multiple mild heart attacks I never knew about.

I think I explained it poorly.  It's pretty much nipple pain including the surrounding area, but I was trying to avoid saying nipple.  It embarrasses me to talk about my private areas for whatever reason.  I guess being raised in a hardcore catholic family will make one embarrassed about their body,lol. 

I can assure you that I'm fine.  I'm 24 years old, have been following up with my endocrinologist, and have numerous family members with medical backgrounds.   It's really just growing pains that are uncomfortable and annoying.  It's nothing terrible, but I wish I could find a way to reduce the aches. 

P.S.  Sorry to hear about that Teela.  I hope you are doing well. 

Just last night the girls were giving me fits.  I used an ice pack (actually a bag).  It's a bit of a yikes moment when first applied, but it will calm things down rather quickly and reduce swelling.

Sometimes you need to put the girls to sleep for a little while!

Randi

Quote from: learningtolive on August 17, 2013, 07:42:22 PM
  Again, I understand developing breasts will not be the most comfortable sensation, but does anyone have suggestions on how to reduce the the pain or swelling (if that's the right term)?