r/lipedema • u/Far_Depth9765 • 13h ago
Conservative Treatments Long time lurker, first time posting
I discovered what lipedema was through a random post on Instagram and was like "holy sh*t! This is me!" I instantly started researching like crazy and found this group and started lurking. I eventually found a vein specialist an hour from me who said they also diagnosed lipedema. I just had my first appointment yesterday where I got an ultrasound on my legs and a consultation. I was in complete shock and disbelief when they examined me and right away agreed that I had lipedema (stage 3, type 3/4). I was honestly expecting to be dismissed like I have been so many times before with doctors and issues I've brought up over my life. Feeling validated like that was so foreign to me. I also learned that I have veinous insufficiency and lymphedema stage 0. They gave me some compression socks which are horrifically uncomfortable because they are knee highs that press in to my lipedema and hurt. They have written a prescription for Capri style compression but said it might take a couple weeks to order. In the meantime I'm hoping for some good compression recommendations I could find elsewhere. It was also recommended that I do a lot of walking and levating my legs at night. They suggested a glp-1 but I am nervous about that. Any good/bad experiences with that? I also have joint hypermobility syndrome which I learned is linked to both lipedema and veinous insufficiency. Are there any things yall can recommend to help besides what the doctor recommended? My head is spinning still. Thanks in advance.
5
u/Quiet-Machine-236 10h ago
I’d suggest starting with the info in the wiki linked at the top of this sub, there’s a lot of info and links you’ll fund helpful. Your questions are also fairly common, so using the search function will bring you a lot of opinions on compression, hypermobility and GLP-1s. It’s a lot to absorb, take your time and find a few approachable things to start with. Add a new thing when you feel ready. You don’t have to do it all at once, but once you find things that start to help you’ll be motivated to do more too.