In the last year, it has become painfully obvious that I can not wear a bra. To do so soon manifests pain in my rib cage like my ribs are broken, and that even with a very loose bra. I've even been fitted with a so called Transgender bra and it does the same thing. I'm a 42 b. Now, I just wear a T shirt under whatever top I'm going to wear and that seems to conceal my nipples enough. Because of my very conservative Christian and Muslim background, I am accustomed to wearing clothes a size too large.
My own diagnosis is that I get an inflammation of the soft tissue between my ribs. Doctors just tell me not to wear a bra if it hurts. Gosh, what do we pay them for? Surely this must happen to other women?
I developed breasts around 2006, after coming out in 2004. They have developed to about a large B, or what appears to be average for many women.
Are any other full time T women having this issue?
Gwen
Comments
Mine sprouted around 89 and I
Mine sprouted around 89 and I have always just double shirted. I've always worn male clothes though. Had a gf size me in 97 and was a 34 b at 120. I am way bigger now but overweight so it doesn't look as bad. I did use ace wraps and duct tape years ago but that was a hassle and hurt like hell.
You should be fine. Just do a smaller soft cotton v neck undershirt and a 2 size larger outer one. It also prevents the outer shirt from sticking and making things obvious.
Pain ...
Dearest Gwen,
Assuming that the rib pain cause is physical, consider dividing the mechanics by using a halter style bra with a barely slack band. This removes band compression from the pain cause equation, leaving the horizontal weight component from the halter style support pressing against the ribs... which is probably less than 30% of breast weight.
A second aspect to analyze is the possibility that a bra causes some posture change. This will be more difficult to evaluate, but some profile photos / videos with and without a bra may give insight. Every difference in postures needs to be considered. Think about how you might mark reference points on your side to help analysis of the photos.
I am not confident in the initial assumption. Considering your conservative upbringing, there may be residual conflicts which contribute, directly or indirectly, to the pain.
Whatever the cause, I wish you success in conquering the problem, and offer you many hugs as you work through possible solutions.
Sara
Sara
Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.
Possible Hereditary Issue?
I wonder if the issue is genetic? My family has a deep southern history, and I've heard that inbreeding in the 19th century was common. Happily, Heart issues and such are almost unknown. My own mother had MS and I know if I have an injury it will likely not be a broken bone. But there seem to be just lots of connective tissue injuries.
Now that I am paying attention, I believe that just lots of women do not wear bras, but oddly, few of us talk about it. In my observations, many bras do unnatural and perhaps painful things to mammary tissue; pulling and squishing our breasts to get them to conform to the male ideal. They can just bugger off. Let them wear the bloody things.
I have tried to find a leisure bra that is comfortable, but again, the 42 band size is the issue. To those who can tolerate the damnable things, all power to you.
At my age of 71, it is unlikely that I will be running much, but I do ride my bike quite a bit. It has road tyres which I normally keep at 100 lbs. Lately I have discovered that 80 lbs. is adequate, and improves the ride.
Peace
Gwen
That sounds like ...
... another good solution, dear.
Perhaps having matured late in life, you will be spared the sag which most of us experience after fighting gravity for many years. You may stay "perky" well into your 80's. :)
Sara
Sara
Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.