08-09-2010, 08:07
Anyone having trouble with rib pain??
March 3 2008 at 12:28 PM livinonaprayer (no login)
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I've just started my 15th week and would like to keep going another 4 - 8 weeks but have just started having trouble with two areas. The skin itself is not irritated but on the right side where the domes rest in the cleveage area near the sternum, my rib has a hard bump. It is painful when the domes are on (especially when I'm on my back sleeping). When the domes are off, it doesn't hurt but it does stick up. Also, I've just noticed on the left side, under my breast on the rib I have a small movable painful lump right on the rib. That area is painful whenever I touch it. Has anyone had this and does it go away? I'm thinking of taking a few days off but I don't want to have to make up a lot of time and I don't want that hard lump near the cleveage area to be some type of permanent bony thing sticking out. Has anyone had this trouble??? These two spots are where the domes rest. One is hard like bone and only hurts when the domes are on and the other is movable and puffy and seems to be painful to touch all the time. Thanks!
Author Reply
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 3 2008, 6:44 PM
I airlocked really tight to try to avoid fart noises while out shopping in Hong Kong - didn't care if I looked fat because I'll never see those people again! After a few days of this I got a bony lump on the right cleavage side, about the size and shape of an almond but half the thickness. It was never so large as to be visible but it really hurt - almost took my breath away when I released the suction. I just ignored it and after a few weeks it went away on it's own. I've poked and poked and it's definitely there now. Lexy had some bony lumps, not sure if they were completely permanent. I was also worried as I used to get a lot of swelling on my sternum when I did a long session with hard suction but don't think that did anything either in the long run.
I would say maybe do a week of just enough suction to keep them on and only 11 hours daily, sadly what you really need are new domes that the silicone pads haven't got squashed. I ended up with a few sore patches as I got to about week 28 but didn't want to buy new domes at that late stage so I just ignored it and got sore! Almost gone now, definitely look ok although I still do have a slight 'dome footprint' down my cleavage area that looks a bit tanned.
Try hard to go past 20 weeks - you won't be sorry! You're doing great, can't believe it's been 15 weeks already, keep it up x
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Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 4 2008, 7:35 PM
Just remembered another thing!
On hols I was wearing the sportsbra to push them on tight and stop fart noises - it's the sports bra that hurts your sternum!! If you suck the domes on tight without the bra the pressure is evenly distributed around the whole breast but the bra makes the dome point forwards when naturally they point slightly outwards (or East and West as someone else put it!). Pushing them in means that nearly all the pressure is in the middle which is why the sternum gets sore. Just ditch the bra and you should feel a lot better. If you really feel you need some support then either a tight t-shirt or a very small zip-up sweatshirt is great (zip-up to just beneath the domes). After my hols I'd learnt my lesson and only bothered with the bra if I was working out.
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Livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 7 2008, 3:38 PM
Thank you Louise! I really appreciate all of your advise. Unfortunately, I have not worn my Brava since Monday. I just couldn't tolerate the pain when the domes were pressing on those two areas. I was OK standing up, but lying on my back hurt too much. It wasn't even my sternum that hurt - it was just those two bumps on my ribs. I only used the sportbox and not the airlock so I don't think they were on too hard and I used the Brava XL bra and left it completely unzipped - it's actually pretty loose on the domes. I think my body just had enough. I examined my domes and although they are not as stiff as brand new, the silonce is in good shape and the plastic wasn't pressing on me at all. In fact when the domes are on, the silicone even seems to inflate somewhat and puff out more - almost like an intertube. I called the Brava coach and she suggested I stop, take an anti-inflammatory and use hot and cold packs. It was disappointed to stop before I was ready since week 12 began looking promising, but I guess it was time. I am also a little disappointed that I didn't gain more over those 14 weeks. Even though the swelling on the second cycle was great and I retained a lot of it until about hour 10 - 12, having them off completely now, my breasts are almost back to where I was after the first cycle. I expected more the second time around and I keep wondering what I did wrong. I've really looked closely and I think I may have gained a little more filling out on the top portion. During the first cycle I think I filled out from the nipple down and this second cycle, it may be more above the nipple. Only time will tell. I think these gains must take a lot of time and since I have almost no upper body fat, maybe I needed more time. Anyway, I'm still glad I did the first cycle for sure, I am still wondering about the second cycle. Maybe the best way would be to try to have the first cycle be longer. Who knows. At least I had some improvement. Good luck to all of you. If you are persistent, you can get results.
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Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 7 2008, 8:00 PM
Did you take pics? I think it's easy to forget what you looked like before when you're used to the swelling. I definitely lost some between days 2-4 post-Brava but looking at the pics of how little there was to start and baring in mind that the last time I lost so much weight I was A cup at best. I'm not sure why you had this reaction.
Are you sore bits gone now?
Have you got any bras / tops that you haven't worn for ages, you might be pleasantly surprised at how tight they are.
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livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 10 2008, 2:46 PM
Louise,
I took pictures before Brava and 3 weeks post first cycle. It has been one week since I stopped so I think in two more weeks I'll take 3 weeks post 2nd cycle and compare. I think you're right, you get used to the swelling and forget what you were like. I did take out my before pictures and can definitely tell a difference from that. The sore area on my rib under my left breast is gone but the small hard bump is still on the right side next to my sternum and that's the one that hurts the most when domes are on. Last year the coach told me that once you've gone past 10 weeks you are sort of in "overtime" and that you can take a few days off without set backs but you cannot go more than 6 days or it is like starting a new cycle. She suggested I keep the system because she says many women wait several months or a year after they've sold everything and wish they still had it. Right now, I can't imagine starting over with a 3rd cycle - but I've been known to change my mind! If I do though, it will be next November again. Starting right after Thanksgiving and shooting for the end of March-April was a perfect time for me instead of summer months like I did first cycle. Fortunately, I had no skin issues and the "footprint" from the domes was gone the day after I stopped wearing. I do wish I would have done a better job losing all my weight before I stopped. I assumed I could go on as long as I wanted. I tried on my bras I wore before Brava that were loose before I started. After first cycle they were filled out and after second cycle they seem a little more filled out (I'll have to check again in a few weeks). I must have a bit more because my nipples are higher up in the bra and show through the lace at top whereas before they were lower down and I couldn't see them. Do you think Brava stretches out the nipples because whenever I would take off the domes, the areola was very puffed out and lumpy. Even though it always went down within an hour or so it looks a little stretched to me now when they are relaxed. Did you notice the same? I guess is it a SLOW, GRADUAL PROCESS. One benefit is my husband loves not seeing the domes on me and can't keep his hands off me. He is actually glad I finished. He says although he liked the swelling, he loves the access to everything more.
Good luck with your next cycle - you've done wonderful - just like Seri while still losing weight!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 10 2008, 8:50 PM
Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised with the pics. Have you thought about giving BB a go? Again like Brava I bought it pretty much to prove to myself it wouldn't work but it seems to be doing something although it's really to early to tell. The good thing is that the swelling lasts much longer than the red marks and there's no silicone or stickyness to give irritation you just get a welt where it presses. This will fit a lot easier round your lifestyle.
I'm pretty sure my nipples have grown, probably not doubled in size like my boobs and annoyingly not evenly, the right is at least 1.25x if not 1.5x as big as the left even though the right boob is smaller. Don't think it's that noticeable and the overall effect is definitely an improvement!
Will let you know how I get on with BB and whether it's worth buying. Have you thought about Noogleberry? The idea is that you use a hand pump to get swelling and with regular use you can maintain the swelling by pumping less and less to the point where after a few months people are maintaining 1-2 cup increase by pumping 30-60 mins 1-2x weekly. This is what I may be doing if I can't get enough from Brava and BB.
March 3 2008 at 12:28 PM livinonaprayer (no login)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've just started my 15th week and would like to keep going another 4 - 8 weeks but have just started having trouble with two areas. The skin itself is not irritated but on the right side where the domes rest in the cleveage area near the sternum, my rib has a hard bump. It is painful when the domes are on (especially when I'm on my back sleeping). When the domes are off, it doesn't hurt but it does stick up. Also, I've just noticed on the left side, under my breast on the rib I have a small movable painful lump right on the rib. That area is painful whenever I touch it. Has anyone had this and does it go away? I'm thinking of taking a few days off but I don't want to have to make up a lot of time and I don't want that hard lump near the cleveage area to be some type of permanent bony thing sticking out. Has anyone had this trouble??? These two spots are where the domes rest. One is hard like bone and only hurts when the domes are on and the other is movable and puffy and seems to be painful to touch all the time. Thanks!
Author Reply
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 3 2008, 6:44 PM
I airlocked really tight to try to avoid fart noises while out shopping in Hong Kong - didn't care if I looked fat because I'll never see those people again! After a few days of this I got a bony lump on the right cleavage side, about the size and shape of an almond but half the thickness. It was never so large as to be visible but it really hurt - almost took my breath away when I released the suction. I just ignored it and after a few weeks it went away on it's own. I've poked and poked and it's definitely there now. Lexy had some bony lumps, not sure if they were completely permanent. I was also worried as I used to get a lot of swelling on my sternum when I did a long session with hard suction but don't think that did anything either in the long run.
I would say maybe do a week of just enough suction to keep them on and only 11 hours daily, sadly what you really need are new domes that the silicone pads haven't got squashed. I ended up with a few sore patches as I got to about week 28 but didn't want to buy new domes at that late stage so I just ignored it and got sore! Almost gone now, definitely look ok although I still do have a slight 'dome footprint' down my cleavage area that looks a bit tanned.
Try hard to go past 20 weeks - you won't be sorry! You're doing great, can't believe it's been 15 weeks already, keep it up x
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 4 2008, 7:35 PM
Just remembered another thing!
On hols I was wearing the sportsbra to push them on tight and stop fart noises - it's the sports bra that hurts your sternum!! If you suck the domes on tight without the bra the pressure is evenly distributed around the whole breast but the bra makes the dome point forwards when naturally they point slightly outwards (or East and West as someone else put it!). Pushing them in means that nearly all the pressure is in the middle which is why the sternum gets sore. Just ditch the bra and you should feel a lot better. If you really feel you need some support then either a tight t-shirt or a very small zip-up sweatshirt is great (zip-up to just beneath the domes). After my hols I'd learnt my lesson and only bothered with the bra if I was working out.
Edit Message Delete Message
Livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 7 2008, 3:38 PM
Thank you Louise! I really appreciate all of your advise. Unfortunately, I have not worn my Brava since Monday. I just couldn't tolerate the pain when the domes were pressing on those two areas. I was OK standing up, but lying on my back hurt too much. It wasn't even my sternum that hurt - it was just those two bumps on my ribs. I only used the sportbox and not the airlock so I don't think they were on too hard and I used the Brava XL bra and left it completely unzipped - it's actually pretty loose on the domes. I think my body just had enough. I examined my domes and although they are not as stiff as brand new, the silonce is in good shape and the plastic wasn't pressing on me at all. In fact when the domes are on, the silicone even seems to inflate somewhat and puff out more - almost like an intertube. I called the Brava coach and she suggested I stop, take an anti-inflammatory and use hot and cold packs. It was disappointed to stop before I was ready since week 12 began looking promising, but I guess it was time. I am also a little disappointed that I didn't gain more over those 14 weeks. Even though the swelling on the second cycle was great and I retained a lot of it until about hour 10 - 12, having them off completely now, my breasts are almost back to where I was after the first cycle. I expected more the second time around and I keep wondering what I did wrong. I've really looked closely and I think I may have gained a little more filling out on the top portion. During the first cycle I think I filled out from the nipple down and this second cycle, it may be more above the nipple. Only time will tell. I think these gains must take a lot of time and since I have almost no upper body fat, maybe I needed more time. Anyway, I'm still glad I did the first cycle for sure, I am still wondering about the second cycle. Maybe the best way would be to try to have the first cycle be longer. Who knows. At least I had some improvement. Good luck to all of you. If you are persistent, you can get results.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 7 2008, 8:00 PM
Did you take pics? I think it's easy to forget what you looked like before when you're used to the swelling. I definitely lost some between days 2-4 post-Brava but looking at the pics of how little there was to start and baring in mind that the last time I lost so much weight I was A cup at best. I'm not sure why you had this reaction.
Are you sore bits gone now?
Have you got any bras / tops that you haven't worn for ages, you might be pleasantly surprised at how tight they are.
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 10 2008, 2:46 PM
Louise,
I took pictures before Brava and 3 weeks post first cycle. It has been one week since I stopped so I think in two more weeks I'll take 3 weeks post 2nd cycle and compare. I think you're right, you get used to the swelling and forget what you were like. I did take out my before pictures and can definitely tell a difference from that. The sore area on my rib under my left breast is gone but the small hard bump is still on the right side next to my sternum and that's the one that hurts the most when domes are on. Last year the coach told me that once you've gone past 10 weeks you are sort of in "overtime" and that you can take a few days off without set backs but you cannot go more than 6 days or it is like starting a new cycle. She suggested I keep the system because she says many women wait several months or a year after they've sold everything and wish they still had it. Right now, I can't imagine starting over with a 3rd cycle - but I've been known to change my mind! If I do though, it will be next November again. Starting right after Thanksgiving and shooting for the end of March-April was a perfect time for me instead of summer months like I did first cycle. Fortunately, I had no skin issues and the "footprint" from the domes was gone the day after I stopped wearing. I do wish I would have done a better job losing all my weight before I stopped. I assumed I could go on as long as I wanted. I tried on my bras I wore before Brava that were loose before I started. After first cycle they were filled out and after second cycle they seem a little more filled out (I'll have to check again in a few weeks). I must have a bit more because my nipples are higher up in the bra and show through the lace at top whereas before they were lower down and I couldn't see them. Do you think Brava stretches out the nipples because whenever I would take off the domes, the areola was very puffed out and lumpy. Even though it always went down within an hour or so it looks a little stretched to me now when they are relaxed. Did you notice the same? I guess is it a SLOW, GRADUAL PROCESS. One benefit is my husband loves not seeing the domes on me and can't keep his hands off me. He is actually glad I finished. He says although he liked the swelling, he loves the access to everything more.
Good luck with your next cycle - you've done wonderful - just like Seri while still losing weight!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Anyone having trouble with rib pain?? March 10 2008, 8:50 PM
Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised with the pics. Have you thought about giving BB a go? Again like Brava I bought it pretty much to prove to myself it wouldn't work but it seems to be doing something although it's really to early to tell. The good thing is that the swelling lasts much longer than the red marks and there's no silicone or stickyness to give irritation you just get a welt where it presses. This will fit a lot easier round your lifestyle.
I'm pretty sure my nipples have grown, probably not doubled in size like my boobs and annoyingly not evenly, the right is at least 1.25x if not 1.5x as big as the left even though the right boob is smaller. Don't think it's that noticeable and the overall effect is definitely an improvement!
Will let you know how I get on with BB and whether it's worth buying. Have you thought about Noogleberry? The idea is that you use a hand pump to get swelling and with regular use you can maintain the swelling by pumping less and less to the point where after a few months people are maintaining 1-2 cup increase by pumping 30-60 mins 1-2x weekly. This is what I may be doing if I can't get enough from Brava and BB.