Swollen ankles and calves

[SWnewstart]

Late teens my DD developed what she referred to as "cankles" where her ankles lost definition and calves swelled up a lot, making it difficult to wear normal size zip up long boots for example. She's tall and wasn't overweight. Over the years (now 32) she developed a more womanly shape, i.e. curvy bum and fuller breasts but the swollen ankles and calves grew too and she is very self-conscious. Her legs feel very heavy and solid.

About 10 years ago she also developed cystic acne and has prescription medication. During GP appointments she's mentioned the swollen limbs and it's been put down to water retention, but she is increasingly worried and uncomfortable (GP not very sympathetic). We know Dr Google isn't a good idea but lymphatic odema comes up and DD is wondering if specific lymphatic drainage massage would help. Does anyone have any experience of this or advice please.

Has anyone suggested Lipoedema?
https://lipoedema.co.uk/about-lipoedema/

If you can get a diagnosis sooner rather than later do.

Thank you for that information, it's interesting reading and DD will pursue.

Ive got this and my GP isnt interested. Each time he just prods my legs and asks if there is a history of lymphodemia (or whatever its called) in the family and when I say no, he just says 'ok'.

Oh yes someone has posted what I think the GP is asking me. He doesnt seem bothered, no referral to anything.

My trousers get caught on my leg they swell up so big and I cant wear nice shoes in the summer or anything that shows my ankles, they're really ugly

Ive realised I dont think I do have this because my legs and ankles go up and down and are better in colder weather. But I do have a fatty ankle cuff

Soupyspoon - "fatty ankle cuff" is actually a good description of the "cankles" DD has but maybe you don't have fullblown lymphodema.

Wonder if the doctor may be going on holiday soon and a locum standing in for him may give you better advice?

It is possible to have Lipoedema affecting different people to greater or lesser extents in different areas of the body. Eg some slim people have it, which to some may not look very affected, at least in their younger years. How it progresses is often influenced by hormonal shifts, puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

Lymphoedema and Lipoedema can cohabit together but can also be separate. There is also a disease called Dercums. There is alot of very recent information on youtube from conferences if you are interested in current research and treatment, both surgical and conservative management. Dr Karen Herbst is a leading practitioner in this area.

Sadly not alot of medical practitioners know anything about lipoedema, and as per usual with 'woman problems' it gets overlooked as inconsequential despite it having profound physical and psychological impacts on women affecting 10% of women globally. Thankfully things are changing slowly with more research.

Could you say a bit more about this, I didnt know those two words are different things, I thought I was just saying them wrong, whats the difference between them?

Ive only had this, more or less, since losing a vast amount of weight. Im not overweight and my legs are like sticks compared to the rest of me, but below my knee they often look like they dont belong to me.

On the other hand at other times they look completely normal, if a little puffy, but still with some definition.

Right now, they are ugly, although they've been worse. Worse in my left leg (where coincidentially I have a knee injury which might have impacted on circulation, not sure)

I have cankles and my feet swell dreadfully. It's often when it's hot, but also if I've been standing too long, done a lot of walking, drunk lots of alcohol... My weight doesn't tend to have a correlation to the swelling, it happens all the time.
The protruding knobbly bone that lots of people have on the outside of their ankles is almost flat on mine. Even when I'm thin, the bone does not protrude, which makes my ankles look weird regardless of swelling.

I haven't been diagnosed but I am 99% sure I have this.
My understanding...
Lipoedema is a fat disorder which has the potential to develop into Lymphoedema.The fat is resistant to diet and exercise.
Lipo is usually bilateral and Lymph can affect one side but it can affect bilaterally people also. (Lymphoedema may be more familiar to those affected by post lymph removal after breast cancer surgery.)
My own symptoms
Disproportionate larger legs to torso. Poor muscle definition. It can also affect arms which since menopause has started to.be the case.) More liable for legs to swell toward the end of the day, in the heat and flights or when less mobile.
Leg weight resistant to exercise. Progressive condition and lifelong.
If treated with liposuction preferably a WAL liposuction or Vaser dependent on surgeon, personal preference and outcomes. Research it well. Lots of people going to Spanish surgeon based in Madrid for WAL procedure. I have watched a girl called Gabrielle on tictok and youtube who has talked about her journey through the surgery, but there are others, of all.shapes and sizes.

If nothing else educate yourself. Sadly nhs is undereducated and therefore diagnosis and treatment including conservative management and surgery is few and far between. So if you are seeking diagnosis go prepared to your GP with information and ask to be referred for diagnosis and treatment. Conservative treatments may include manual lymphatic drainage, compression , and 'lymphopress' device to aid lymphatic drainage as well as some dietary advice etc. It isnt curative but management.

It's all quite detailed but thankfully now there is alot more available information on the Internet, compared to my youth where I just thought I was fat/misshapen and odd. Im 60 BTW. I will try and post some links.

I am not diagnosing you as such but from what I recall the outer ankle fat /swelling is something that suggests it may well be lipoedema.

Forgot to mention bruising easily as a symptom.

Also Americans spelling Lipedema...UK Lipoedema

I have this too. I’ve only realised recently that it’s a medical issue. Sometimes I can feel the water sloshing about in my swollen feet, and recently odd areas of very soft fat are appearing. What you say about exercise resistant fat is exactly right. I do fairly extreme exercise to manage it, but it feels like holding back the tide. The information here is really useful, thank you.

I'm pleased to have "opened the can" for want of better words on this subject - DD and I will research more now we know what we're looking for specifically!