Diagnosed with lipoedema....by shop fitting room!

[NotSoLeggyBrunette]

Name changed to save the blushes!

I am size 10-12 but I have never been blessed with decent legs and have been bullied for fat between my thighs before. But unlike my mum who spent life hating her legs (being married to wrong man who cringed at her thighs and told her to do something about it), I didn't really pay attention - just felt that great clothes and having pleasant face more than compensated for it. Can get away with never wearing shorts/short skirts. And never go to beach.

But today of all days shop fitting room hit home - my thighs didn't look right. Very porridgey, so much cellulite.Worse than ever before. Having bulging varicose veins on top of doesn't exactly add to the looks either. They look like pics of legs when you google lipoedema.

I can post pic to show how bad my legs look if needed.
Is it actual lipoedema or just a bit of fat?

I don't believe google fitness articles, is there anyone with personal experience wo found that exercise can make legs look a bit more more normal?

What exercise do you already do? And what sorts of things do you y like to do or want to try?

I don't know anything about lipoedema and whether it's something you shouid get seen by a doctor.

My legs are in better shape than they have been for years since I started running. Cyclist usually have great legs

My sister is a size 6-8 and recently had liposuction on her legs (knee and calf area) to get rid of lipoedema. She hasn't a pick of fat on her anywhere else and no cellulite. Her gp referred her to a (private) cosmetic surgeon who did it for her. She was off her feet for a couple of days but is absolutely delighted with the results.

MrsMump

In the link Stage 1 looks pretty severe - looks more like stage 2
Here's what my legs look like minus bulging varicose veins - stage 1 in this pic:
weelunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lipedema-Stages-600x300.jpg

Normal calves but upper legs...like sack of potatoes.

Is having pain requirement for lipoedemia? I only have pain from varicose veins but not from leg fat.

Do you get regular exercise OP?

So random you put this OP I also think I have Lipidema including of the arms. I've only recently heard of it by my body shape makes sense now

@AuntieStella - no exercise whatsoever. Very exercise shy. Like walking. Probably will give Shred 30 a go.

It's nice to know that excecise has been good for your legs - it is not related to weight loss by any chance, isn't it?

@MirrorHope - yeah rather random, isn't it. I never heard of it and I thought I was well read on health matters! I heard of fluid retention in legs so google led to one another. Now I can't stop weirdly looking at normal women legs and tell them mentally how lucky they are!

My legs just bulge from the knee upwards and my arms are so lumpy and horrible. I am obese though but I have been working out for 2 years. I'm too embarrassed to post a pic of my legs. But I do have a lump of fat above my knees. And they are painful my legs. Hurts if my kids rest on them. I always wondered if it was because my muscles were sore

@MrsMump - glad it's making more sense for you and shame little is known in medical establishment about it. Nothing is ever because horrid and ghastly.

It’s called lymph oedema. The water settles in the lymph nodes in your lower half.
It is also a sign of Heart/ lung failure at its worst. DONT PANIC!
Please see your dr for a proper diagnosis and some diuretics. It can be genetics and as you have mentioned your mums legs, maybe it just your natural shape, with some swelling.
Put your feet up, literally, when you are seated, and make sure you move about .

I realised most non-obese women don't have legs looking like mine.

Tip: Not to look at pics when eating dinner or have phobia of varicose veins (it is a thing too apparently)

i67.tinypic.com/2i29zc8.jpg

i66.tinypic.com/xlgnwm.jpg

And I am 5'4!

I was diagnosed with lipoedema five yrs ago and have had two operations to try and stop the progression. I am a size 10/12 and extremely active. There are several Facebook groups where you can find some excellent support. Let me know if I can help further....

It’s not always in the lower half, my sil and mil have it on their arms as well as their legs. Tiny little waists so not weight related for them.

My legs look pretty similar to that (though no varicose veins currently), I thought it was just cellulite and pretty normal?!? How do you tell the difference?

FWIW OP I am similar. I am slim all over apart from massive upper thighs and arse. Parsnip legs, I call them. Slim calves, even the lower third of my thigh is OK, but then they just kind of explode outwards.

I didn’t realise how bad they can get

So, er, what are you supposed to do if it’s lipoedema?

There are two types Lymphedema and Lipedema.

Lipedema and Lymphedema are two separate things.
I have lipedema triggered by menopause and a rta which has progressed to slight lymphedema. I'm between stage 2 and 3.

Do you have the 'ankle cuff' and relatively normal feet?
The best exercise is swimming especially if you have osteoarthritis. I've got that too!
Treatment is bandaging then being measured for pressure garments. Also lymphatic drainage massage.
If you are in the early stages you can wear support stockings/tights knee highs.
I've also just started a keto eating plan which hopefully will reduce inflammation and reduce weight.

It's awful, I hate it and I'm wearing support hose and it's fucking hot. I'm so sorry if you have it

Sorry, no, exercise isn't closely related to weight loss. It tones you up brilliantly, might boost your metabolic rate once you are active(the out of breath level of active) for a couple of hours or more a week; otherwise it's usually only a hobnob or so difference. And of course it has a huge and positive effect on mental health which might improve your motivation for all sorts of things including changing you ur diet.

If you want to lose weight as well, I suggest you have a parallel thread in one of the weight loss topics.

Starting exercise from scratch means looking for something you will be reasonably happy to do, and fit in to your existing commitments.

Walking is good, and I suggest you start with that - deliberate, brisk walking for at least 30 mins if poss. Other things to consider: swimming cycling, a Pilates/yoga/resistance class (to build a bit of strength as well as cardio) or similar online/DVD to do at home (as long as you will really do it)

And after a few weeks of walking, turn 3 of those walks a week into C25K (or the training version if Zombies Run!)

Does any of that appeal to you, NotSoLeggy ?

Exercise is good for the circulation.

I had SPD in pregnancy which severely compromised my mobility. I ended up with odema and carpal tunnel syndrome First time, I ended up near housebound. I did manage to get swimming either by taxi or lifts and the movement and water pressure relieved the tingling and numbness in my hands for a few hours... getting my weight back on my feet at the end was hideous though!

Second time I kept mobile on crutches and didn't have the odema/ carpal tunnel sydrome. I stayed 1st lighter which my pelvis thanked me for. My post-baby weight was about the same, so I think keeping mobile did a lot for keeping the odema away because of boosting my circulation more regularly.