Or second. Or whatever number.
I don't do things in order. I like to play by my own rules.
Except I don't feel like I know the rules anymore.
But as I was saying: first things first. What's lipedema? The simplest answer, of course, would be: big, fat legs. But of course, that's the most simple answer, and it's not necessarily the most accurate. That's because some people have naturally big legs. Big legs are a normal variation and not always or even often a sign of a problem. They're just a different body type. Some people have long torsos, some people have long legs, some people have big legs, some people have big bellies, some people have long arms, some people have long necks ... these are all just differences that make us unique and beautiful.
Big, fat legs are just the most obvious feature of lipedema ... to other people. To those of us with lipedema, they are just one part of a series of symptoms that may have plagued us since our early years. We often have disproportionately small bodies with much-larger legs, hips and buttocks compared to our upper bodies (the lower abdomen and arms often get in on the fun in later stages). The fat can develop a bumpy or mattress-like appearance (like cellulite ... only much worse than any cellulite you've seen on the front page of the Enquirer). Our legs tend to swell and become quite heavy-feeling, particularly late in the day or after we've been on them all day.
Pain is a common feature. We may have pain upon light touch, or the pain may be constant, like a deep, throbbing or burning pain. We also frequently have bruising that seems to occur for no reason at all. If there is a reason to bruise -- maybe we've bumped against a table --, then expect the bruising to be far out of proportion to the injury. Inside your legs and arms, you may feel little marble- or pea-like bumps. They're hard, unlike the smooth tissue in the rest of your body. These bumps might feel like frozen peas in a bag or styrofoam balls in a beanbag chair. They can even be as big as marbles or even larger. Palpate your leg gently or just run your fingers over the fat to feel them.
The most annoying part? Our legs may tend to get fat even when there is no change to our diet and exercise. In fact, maybe we're dieting and exercising and losing weight everywhere else ... and yet, suddenly our legs are starting to look fatter. This. Really. Happens. Silly lipedema. Someone never told it about calories-in/calories-out. (Lipedema should talk to some of my previous doctors!)
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? You're not crazy. But you may have lipedema. Only an experienced doctor can tell you for sure, so your first task is to find one. Unfortunately, that can be a big job. Not all doctors are familiar with lipedema (yet!). So do your homework. Find a doctor who does know and recognize lipedema, and go to him or her. Yes, even if that doctor lives halfway across the country because an accurate diagnosis may just be your most important first step.
But remember, not all people with larger-than-normal legs have lipedema. You may just have a normal variation. And that's good news. Really, it is! Because lipedema is a chronic, progressive disease, and it can have some pretty serious complications associated with it. We don't take care of things we don't love, so try to make peace with your body even if there are parts you don't totally appreciate (like big fat legs!). And take good care of yourself. You only get one body and one life. Cherish them both.
I don't do things in order. I like to play by my own rules.
Except I don't feel like I know the rules anymore.
But as I was saying: first things first. What's lipedema? The simplest answer, of course, would be: big, fat legs. But of course, that's the most simple answer, and it's not necessarily the most accurate. That's because some people have naturally big legs. Big legs are a normal variation and not always or even often a sign of a problem. They're just a different body type. Some people have long torsos, some people have long legs, some people have big legs, some people have big bellies, some people have long arms, some people have long necks ... these are all just differences that make us unique and beautiful.
Big, fat legs are just the most obvious feature of lipedema ... to other people. To those of us with lipedema, they are just one part of a series of symptoms that may have plagued us since our early years. We often have disproportionately small bodies with much-larger legs, hips and buttocks compared to our upper bodies (the lower abdomen and arms often get in on the fun in later stages). The fat can develop a bumpy or mattress-like appearance (like cellulite ... only much worse than any cellulite you've seen on the front page of the Enquirer). Our legs tend to swell and become quite heavy-feeling, particularly late in the day or after we've been on them all day.
Pain is a common feature. We may have pain upon light touch, or the pain may be constant, like a deep, throbbing or burning pain. We also frequently have bruising that seems to occur for no reason at all. If there is a reason to bruise -- maybe we've bumped against a table --, then expect the bruising to be far out of proportion to the injury. Inside your legs and arms, you may feel little marble- or pea-like bumps. They're hard, unlike the smooth tissue in the rest of your body. These bumps might feel like frozen peas in a bag or styrofoam balls in a beanbag chair. They can even be as big as marbles or even larger. Palpate your leg gently or just run your fingers over the fat to feel them.
The most annoying part? Our legs may tend to get fat even when there is no change to our diet and exercise. In fact, maybe we're dieting and exercising and losing weight everywhere else ... and yet, suddenly our legs are starting to look fatter. This. Really. Happens. Silly lipedema. Someone never told it about calories-in/calories-out. (Lipedema should talk to some of my previous doctors!)
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? You're not crazy. But you may have lipedema. Only an experienced doctor can tell you for sure, so your first task is to find one. Unfortunately, that can be a big job. Not all doctors are familiar with lipedema (yet!). So do your homework. Find a doctor who does know and recognize lipedema, and go to him or her. Yes, even if that doctor lives halfway across the country because an accurate diagnosis may just be your most important first step.
But remember, not all people with larger-than-normal legs have lipedema. You may just have a normal variation. And that's good news. Really, it is! Because lipedema is a chronic, progressive disease, and it can have some pretty serious complications associated with it. We don't take care of things we don't love, so try to make peace with your body even if there are parts you don't totally appreciate (like big fat legs!). And take good care of yourself. You only get one body and one life. Cherish them both.
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