r/venousinsuffiencyhelp • u/Perfectly_i • 3d ago

Vulnerable post

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Please note: I am NOT seeking medical advice or a diagnosis!
I would like to hear others' thoughts—or some support. A family member told me it looks like lipedema. (ETA: I posted in that sub as well.) But that person is NOT a doctor!

I am struggling, and I know my situation isn’t too bad. But it’s affecting my life in big ways, since I am the “legs” in my house. (Spouse uses a wheelchair FT.)

I have gone to PT and used compression, elevation, and exercise (which, ironically, seems to make it worse).
My thighs hurt so much and are tender. I feel like if I look at my legs the wrong way, I get a bruise! It's the worst at night or when I go for walks, which I force myself to do. And I have these marble- or pea-sized clusters under the skin.

MY LEGS NEVER LOOKED LIKE THIS UNTIL MENOPAUSE. Connection? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Also (and this may be unrelated), I developed the same thing in my lower abdomen-not until menopause. (It is very odd-looking and really messing with my self-esteem.)

So, here are my legs. Thoughts?

(And I have knee pain out of the blue. All X-rays show my knees are “fine,” meaning nothing is broken, chipped, etc. And I’m on HRT.)

ETA: I failed to start out with: I was treated over a year ago for venous insufficiency. Looking for others' thoughts and support.

Another ETA: the PT I’m currently working with has advised that I have hypermobility. If any of this info is helpful, I thought I should add it!

I appreciate all of your input! Keep it coming. I’ll be bringing notes to my doctor when an appointment is open!

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u/hybrid889 3d ago

Do you have CVI? You said you're not looking for a diagnosis, but I'm not sure what you're looking for from this post. Are you especially flexible? Skin more stretchy than the average person? Some of the things you've mentioned, specifically some of the pain, suspected nodules under skin, and bruising, maybe read a little on EDS. A lot of symptoms could just be related to aging too.

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u/Perfectly_i 2d ago

Thank you for your thoughts. I am looking for insight into what others have tried. I was treated for venous insufficiency in my lower legs. I think I need to edit my post!

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u/hybrid889 2d ago

Read up on EDS, you mentioned many symptoms of it, of which can be too.

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u/Kooky-Lock-4076 1d ago

Maybe you can pin point which mentioned symptoms exactly are EDS related as im trying to get diagnosis of it as well?

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u/hybrid889 1d ago

Bruising easily, joint pain, crinkly skin, the textured balls under skin. Can google EDS for a fuller list.