So, I've been binding for pretty much most of the past 10 years.  I've thankfully moved on from wrapping myself up in ace bandages to wearing a pretty decent Underworks binder, but the same problem as I had with the ace bandages still exists - I have terrible asthma, and binding really does not help that at all.  It's not as simple as "Uhh..Just don't bind."  Though with a big enough hoodie I can almost get away with it.  Does anyone else here have the same problem?  If so, any solutions, aside from surgery I can't afford..?   I get sick really often, and when I do, it goes straight to my lungs and I feel like I'm suffocating without the binder, let alone with it.

i find I can breathe rather well. Usually if you have that much trouble breathing, your binder is too small.

Quote from: iFindMeHere on November 20, 2008, 09:24:25 AM
i find I can breathe rather well. Usually if you have that much trouble breathing, your binder is too small.

What he said.

How many hours a day are you binding?

Tape, I know it sounds wrong but hear me out. Your chest when it is wrapped completely around can't expand. If you buy the right product and only compress the front, making sure to only apply the tape to the front your chest can still expand. So this is my recommendation... Purchase 6" or 8" wide tape, I like medipore cloth tape because it adheres very well, is easy to remove and doesn't cause me any irritation.Take a piece of cloth and cover each breast separately. Take a long strip of tape and pat one side along your ribs no further back then the rear boundary of your arm pit and wrap across the front stopping at the other arm pit. Make sure to not cover the diaphragm and at least cover your nipples with cloth cause it hurts to pull tape off nipples. This was the only way I could bind during bouts of pneumonia. You also need really strong tape and adhesive to do this. If you can't afford medipore tape regularly other tapes can be removed with more ease using alcohol. If you need more compression and you can push the rear boundary of the tape to 2-3 inches along your back but the further back the more difficulty expanding your chest.

You should also look into the breathing exercises used for people with cystic fibrosis and COPD.

->-bleeped-<-boy

I've had a history of asthma, I can't even imagine binding during an attack. Messed with me for days, sometimes into the emergency room. I would definately look into the exersising AND maybe talk to a doctor about it, get a good inhaler possibly??

Quote from: Mister on November 20, 2008, 12:52:59 PM

Quote from: iFindMeHere on November 20, 2008, 09:24:25 AM
i find I can breathe rather well. Usually if you have that much trouble breathing, your binder is too small.

What he said.

How many hours a day are you binding?

Well, if my binder was just one size up, it'd be too big.  As for how many hours a day I bind, it varies.  If I don't leave the house, I don't bind.  If I go out, it's anywhere from 2-8 hours.  I have gone longer on occasion, but I really try not to.

Posted on: November 20, 2008, 08:05:53 pm

---

Quote from: ->-bleeped-<-boy link=topic=49590.msg307143#msg307143 date=1227212515
Tape, I know it sounds wrong but hear me out. Your chest when it is wrapped completely around can't expand. If you buy the right product and only compress the front, making sure to only apply the tape to the front your chest can still expand. So this is my recommendation... Purchase 6" or 8" wide tape, I like medipore cloth tape because it adheres very well, is easy to remove and doesn't cause me any irritation.Take a piece of cloth and cover each breast separately. Take a long strip of tape and pat one side along your ribs no further back then the rear boundary of your arm pit and wrap across the front stopping at the other arm pit. Make sure to not cover the diaphragm and at least cover your nipples with cloth cause it hurts to pull tape off nipples. This was the only way I could bind during bouts of pneumonia. You also need really strong tape and adhesive to do this. If you can't afford medipore tape regularly other tapes can be removed with more ease using alcohol. If you need more compression and you can push the rear boundary of the tape to 2-3 inches along your back but the further back the more difficulty expanding your chest.

You should also look into the breathing exercises used for people with cystic fibrosis and COPD.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Hey, I really should look into that.  It sure beats bad memories of me being 12 years old and wrapping duct tape around myself..Ouch.  Where would be a good place I can find this medipore tape stuff?    And you're right about the breathing exercises.  I've been told to do those since I was diagnosed with asthma.  I'm just kinda lazy about it.  It wouldn't hurt to start, though.

I have severe asthma. I've been binding for about a year using an underworks tri-top binder, and I have had no problems breathing at all.  I wear it all day, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. I even wear it when I work out.  I have a pretty small chest though, somewhere between an A and a small B I would guess....lol, not real sure.  I wear XS tri-top.  Maybe the size of you chest could make a difference.  I could see where it would mess with you asthma if your binder was to small.  I hope you figure something out. Goodluck man

The tape is made by 3M and is called Medipore Surgical Cloth Tape. There is two types regular and "H". The "H" is especially strong. I am not allowed to link but you can type it into google and find the best price. You can also have your pharmacy order it in for you but that might not be the cheapest route. I just have my pharmacist order it.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Posted on: November 20, 2008, 11:10:43 pm

---

Oh and do your breathing training, if you clear your lungs before and after you bind it might resolve your issues all together. Pick up one of those big work out balls, it makes it easier to reach some of the harder positions. Remember it is a cupped hand not a slap.

->-bleeped-<-boy