<sub>Not sure whether or not this is completely relevant, but it's worth a shot.
So, I'm pre everything as of right now due to time, means and money constraints. I bind nearly every day, and I'll admit, it's usually in the excess of 12 or more hours, but I use a proper binder. It goes about mid-length of my ribs. I've noticed that recently, since I started binding more often, I have been stretching and yawning much more than I used to. Especially stretching.

As far as I've known and read, stretching and yawning are both symptoms of lack of oxygen in either the brain or muscles and are functions used to replenish the flow of oxygen-bearing blood. Is it a possibility that binding is maybe affecting my breathing so that I'm not getting enough oxygen?

Note that I do take days off of binding whenever I'm at home all day and sleep without a binder. I also had to be given steroids for lung growth as a premature baby, and I really don't always breathe at my full lung capacity. I don't know if that's normal or not. It's never been a concern, and so I'm thinking that's why I haven't noticed. I don't intend for this to sound urgent, because as far as I know it's not.

Edit: I've also been getting pains and issues with the muscles in my back.

If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share. Thanks!

Cornelius</sub>

It wouldn't hurt to re-measure yourself and see if your binder is still the proper size. Sometimes with binding, even with a properly sized one, I'd get a bit of shoulder pain (though it may be from my bad posture. . . ) and often would stretch a lot to help loosen up that muscle. No matter what, binding isn't exactly the best thing for your body, so there's always the potential for problems, even if things are sized properly. Try doing some breathing exercises in the morning and at night to help get some good air into your lungs.

(I don't really bind anymore because my boobs are so big that it doesn't really do anything )

<sub>thanks so much for the quick response! I may indeed need to re-measure myself, but for now I might try a different fastening on my binder, since it's one of the kind that closes with hooks. Not pleasant, but the best I could get at the time. It works so far except for the pain and stretching! So maybe a change should help. I sure hope so.

Again thanks!

Edit: also I will try some exercises.</sub>

If your binder is the right size, it may just be your muscles protesting.  Binders are forever uncomfortable.  We get used to them, yeah, but they're never something where you feel free!  While I hate not binding I don't do it at home.  It's horrible to have the feeling and reminder but at the same time, it's nice to be able to sit or lay around without that constricting feeling.

If it helps, I stretch a LOT at work.  I have a standup desk not so much to be healthy as it is just something to stretch me out while I keep working.  When I do this stand up straight thing after sitting for a while my legs shake and it's just a fantastic feeling.  I also yawn like mad but I work in a dark studio lol.  I wouldn't worry but, like everything, if you have medical concerns and associated prior health concerns that may be causing very real problems, see a doctor to be sure.

<sub>it could be so, because I did start to wear my binder looser this morning but it was too loose, and it doesn't seem to constrict my movement much if at all (except my back-shoulder area). It could just be me. I sometimes hope it's me going through a growth spurt, haha.
It is horrible going without it, but if I'm relaxed or distracted enough, it doesn't bother me around the house too bad. I agree, it is nice not to feel so constricted sometimes. but then sometimes not being constricted doesn't even feel right. Oh well, one day it will. In a better way.

I'm thinking I just need to pay attention to my breathing, because I do have days when I get short of breath here and there, though as far as I know I'm not in serious enough condition to go to a doctor.
thanks for the insight ^^</sub>