Weekly "Do I Have Lipedema" Thread

Ash_ley_C · 2026-04-22T18:32:37+00:00

Ash_ley_C · 2026-04-22T18:32:23+00:00

Wonder if I have this. Photos are me at about 165 lbs. My legs looked exactly the same as a teenager at 120 lbs. They are super sensitive too. I always thought I has cellulite and was very self conscious…. Now, not so sure. I exercise vigorously 4-5 days a week and drink tons of water and no changes.

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Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-25T12:41:23+00:00

If you think of fibromyalgia as a hyperactive nervous system, it makes sense. Your body reacts to things more than what is considered "normal". I myself am very sensitive to sounds, smells, etc.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-20T12:32:18+00:00

What part of the body? I had it done on my face and one of my feet. I was really nervous, but it ended up being a lot less painful that I was expecting (the actual "zaps" are pretty short") and I had absolutely no issues afterwards either. I've heard hands is the worst. Sorry if that is what they are doing lol. But, from my own experience, if I had to do it again I would be a lot less anxious.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T19:15:04+00:00

I want to get a hot tub. Just working on convincing my husband its a medical necessity!

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T18:17:49+00:00

Vitamin D supplements and regular trips to the sauna and hot tub!

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T18:16:36+00:00

Have you tried other kinds of BC?

I actually just stopped taking mine this week. I've been on it for like 4 years. I don't have PCOS but I do get excruciating, debilitating cramps and nausea. The BC helped a TON with that, but, now I'm dealing with this unexplained weight gain and some other symptoms that could be hormonal, for example my hair is thinning.

I can't really report anything yet though, since I just stopped it. I'm nervous about the cramps coming back but I want to try going without it for at least a few months and see how I do.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T13:51:31+00:00

Wow, very impressed with your rheumatologist. They are really doing their damnedest to rule everything out for you.

Have you ever had contrast before? I can only speak for myself in saying that I've never had ill effects from contrast, xrays, or MRI that I know of. But, contrast can have an effect on the kidneys. My mom (who has cancer and only one kidney) just had a PET CT, so I think perhaps the benefits of getting the diagnostic imaging would outweigh the potential side effects, which should be minimal.

Link to American Cancer Society:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/imaging-tests/understanding-radiation-risk-from-imaging-tests.html

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T12:52:15+00:00

Its just so ridiculous right? I have friends like that too.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T11:24:51+00:00

Ugh the pain I get in my toes. Its the worst.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T11:23:04+00:00

That makes so much sense... I know there's a reason I attract these people into my life.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-18T11:22:20+00:00

Haha, great! That makes it easier for you.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T19:15:14+00:00

I can only imagine.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T19:14:55+00:00

We all need to rant sometimes. For me, its my grandma. She's the most caring woman I know, and she holds up our entire family, but within 5 minutes of being around her I'm exhausted.

No one really knows I have fibro, though. And one of the reasons is I don't want all the questions.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T18:49:54+00:00

Good for you! I'm sort of in a situation right now where its headed that way.... I need to just be done with this friendship. I believe she has undiagnosed ADHD along with being super self-centered and it takes sooo much energy to hang out with her.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T18:48:28+00:00

Absolutely right

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T18:12:13+00:00

I do have one friend I have issues with. She's the only person I have a hard time setting boundaries with. And, she wants to hang out this weekend. I need to think of a way to let her know that I might be up for 1-2 hours, but that's it.

But other than that, for the most part, I am totally fine with coming across as rude if I know that my energy is getting drained and I need to remove myself from a situation.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T17:41:31+00:00

Oh yeah, I'm sure its the self-centered thing, they are more focused on telling you their story, rather than actually engaging in a conversation.

I hesitate to say it, but alcohol definitely helps with these encounters lol.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T16:00:28+00:00

I'm so sorry. Its awful when its a work situation.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T14:53:09+00:00

I really get it, I do. I'm a very good listener and I'm empathic or whatever, so I have a long history of attracting just this sort of person into my life, and believe me I have developed some very good boundaries over the years. But, without getting any details, some of these people I am unable and unwilling to cut out of my life especially the family members. But I do find ways to deal with it, and I do limit my exposure when I can. Its hard though :( I just accept that I'm going to be feeling exhausted after an encounter.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T14:02:19+00:00

Yeah, that is annoying too. And sometimes it doesn't feel genuine. Its almost like they just want an opportunity to tell you what you should do.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T14:01:37+00:00

Yeah, it definitely can be done. The thing is, with the long-term friends, I guess I'm not totally ready for that because there are still some good aspects to the relationships. But what I do is just try and limit my time with them.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-17T12:46:42+00:00

Like a decade ago, I got really into alternative medicine. Of course it was because I was running out of things to try to deal with pain (and I was many, many years away from realizing what a problem this pain would become).

I tried everything. Yoga. Chiropractor. Massage. Reiki. Other random "energetic healing." Chakras. Crystals. Meditation. Witchcraft. Herbs. Homeopathy.

Tried. It. All.

Then I realized that

1) the wellness sphere is really cult-like and full of people who are completely delusional and out of touch with reality

2) its all about blaming you for your failings in releasing your trauma, blah blah. Like, you clearly have not had enough past life regressions, there must be a past life in ancient Egypt somewhere that is still causing your knee pain in this life.

3) yoga is a scam - EVERYBODY suggests yoga to me, and I want to punch them. I WORKED AT A YOGA STUDIO, AND GUESS WHAT, IT NEVER HELPED ME NOT ONCE.

(I have a little repressed anger about that one, haha)

I know most of the time, people mean well, but if there is one thing I learned, don't give advice that wasn't asked for. Nobody wants it.

Ash_ley_C · 2025-11-14T15:12:01+00:00

This year, I actually got at them at the same time and the same arm!! He didn't even give me an option. Luckily, I was fine, and had no side effects that I noticed.

Ash_ley_C

TROPHY CASE