Just quickly (about to go camping - eek) but wanted to reply to the thread before I completely forget.
Inflammation - YES - that has been part of the magic of this drug for me. I don't have lipedema but I was around 22 stone and struggling with mobility. I had pain walking more than 6-8 minutes and googled parking everywhere/ benches etc. I used to get painful hips/lower back/legs and needed to sit. Within a couple of months i was truly walking. That isn't just weight loss. My life 6 months on is so unbelievably different. I spent a day walking round a theme park yesterday and can walk for pleasure again. I do wonder if I will need it long term for inflammation purposes. I don't really understand if I will have inflammation when normal weight. Its such a viscious cycle being morbidly obese - its like your whole body conspires against you to keep you fat.
Mobility scooter - yes 4 years ago now I used a mobility scooter at ALton Towers too! I had managed the first day with lots of stops and clever planning of the route and just could not do a second. We'd already paid for premier parking, had queue jumps (not that I did rides...) and it was too much. It made the day manageable but I came home thinking this was my future - we'd need a bigger car and we can't afford it. And my work worries grew. Its just so scary isn't it. I then booked one intentionally next time we went.
I think the 3 years after I was incredibly depressed with this as much of my source feeling my body would never improve -I went to counselling - the dr etc and work has been badly paid and a source of stress.
I need to remember when I have low moments (which I have recently) just how far I've come. One of the biggest things I've had since being on mj has been Hope. Hope things will actually improve. I did Tier 2 and she didn't like that I wasnt overly optimistic - but I knew the studies - I knew my history- and of course it didn't work long term. It just felt like id tried everything. I was asking for surgery but painfully aware it wasnt really the answer.
My life is beyond different. Work is still tricky. Finances tricky. Fatigue is a big issue but there is hope things can improve now.
I'm camping the next few days and really anxious about seeing the people I camp with - i see them just once a year and theyre lovely people but on the whole dont "get" why ive got so big and they all used to go on long walks and just leave me . I dont want to buy into the narrative that ive "finally" sorted myself out (i worked so hard each of the previous years it just wasnt working) by saying im "eating less and exercising more" but also not sure i want to get drawn into discussion of wli. I think I might just deflect but its hard isn't it. I hope I can walk more this time. I struggle walking in direct sun (migraines) which they used to put down to me refusing to walk so also if I walk this time they'll think I could all along...
BUt it will be nice to be away from home and on the whole with nice people and time to rest and have fresh air and not work!
oops that was long!