Hey guys,

I've gotten a cold a few days ago, and I'm just noticing that my back hurts faster (usually it only starts hurting by the end of the day or most often not at all) and my chest feels constricted, although since I started binding I never felt like I had trouble with breathing at all. I wonder whether this has something to do with my cold, or maybe my body just doesn't want me to bind anymore all of a sudden. Maybe I should bind less until I get better? It's just a cold so I'm not worried too much, but I don't wanna hurt my body or hinder my recovery, not really a fan of the runny nose.

Yeah bind less and if possible not at all and just sleep.

Not a good idea to bind when sick as the risk of developing pneumonia is too great. That is why rib fractures are no longer wrapped until healed. Decreasing lung volume when your system is compromised is even worse.

Ah crap.. I bind like 14+ hours a day. Guess I'll just go back to my room instead of chilling at the cafe. Guess a cold isn't all that benign then?

you could bind, but it probably wouldn't be the best idea. listen to your body! if you think it's hindering your recovery or if it's causing any sort of pain, it's not a good idea to bind. but honestly, regardless of whether it hurts or not, the best choice is still just to avoid any sort of chest compression/restriction altogether until you're feeling better.

be safe, okay?

Noticing a lot of phlegm, which is not all that out of the ordinary for me but that could be increased because of binding, yeah?

Quote from: darkblade on January 22, 2015, 11:32:11 AM
Noticing a lot of phlegm, which is not all that out of the ordinary for me but that could be increased because of binding, yeah?

Oh yeah.

If you're binding for several hours during the day anyway, you should make sure you're stretching and coughing to relax your chest as often as possible anyway even when you aren't sick.

Be careful! Dysphoria sucks but pneumonia and rib issues are no fun at all, especially when they could be avoided.

Oh yeah, definitely bind less for now! You DO NOT want to be coughing with a binder on, it really increases the risk of rib damage.
Or maybe if you have a binder that's a little looser, and doesn't constrict your breathing at all, but still helps maybe switch out to that one for when you have to bind while sick. I have a binder that's slightly too big to be effective at complete compression, but it still helps compared to nothing, and is great for when I need to loosen everything up and give my chest a break.

If you spend a good week or so with minimal binding, and lots of rest you should start to feel better I'd wager. Only thing is remember not to just hop the gun at the first sign of a clear nose, and start binding like you were before you got sick. You wont want to make yourself feel worse again, and you said you bind for like 14 hours a day. That's some rough stuff on your torso.

Take it easy man, and I hope you feel better soon!

Didn't know there was serious risk.. Something to think about. Not binding for a few days and hopefully I'll be fully recovered in a couple of days. Haven't gotten sick since I started binding.

Thanks everyone

First time sick for me since I started binding too. Just a really annoying cough so I've had to leave the binder at home and try to cover myself up with layers. Seems to be going today so hopefully back to the binding on Monday.

Hope it isn't too long until you're feeling better.


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Yeah, it sucks, but it's better to minimize binding until you recover.  I just had bronchitis over the holidays, and I was staying with my partner's parents so I had to bind pretty much the entire time we were there.  I ended up sick for three weeks.  My breathing and the inflammation in my lungs are JUST NOW starting to get back to normal.  :/

Feel better soon!