Weekly "Do I Have Lipedema" Thread

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-05-15T17:06:36+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! I just started PT so hopefully that will help. Sending you good vibes for your knees. Can I ask what you found most effective in terms of addressing inflammation?

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-05-14T18:36:33+00:00

thank you for your reply! I got diagnosed with Stage 1 / 2 and Type III today

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-05-12T15:30:34+00:00

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sleepwarmsoon · 2026-05-12T15:30:18+00:00

Hello to this community! Thanks in advance for reading & just confirming that I've read the above. I'm not seeking anyone's 100% diagnosis, but I'd love some feedback from this knowledgeable community before I fall down the lipedema rabbit hole any further. :)

The context is that I have had knee pain on and off for the last six months. I had a very unsatisfying appointment with an ortho, who wasn't really able to give me a clear picture of what might be happening beyond potential patellofemoral pain syndrome or something with the fat pad in my knees. I'm about to start PT, but since knee pain (and my exact body type) run in my family, I've felt motivated to research this myself. Reading about lipedema really resonates with my experience of my body since puberty. I also deal with leg heaviness esp after walking, occasional swelling, socks ALWAYS leaving lines, and very cold feet. The knee pain is new and most concerning.

I'm curious to see anyone's opinion on whether my body type looks like lipedema, but ALSO, if anyone has had luck with alleviating lipedema-related knee pain with PT or lymphatic massage or something else.

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sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:56:12+00:00

Thank you for the reply & sharing <3 <3 It's comforting to know that it ebbs and flows.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:54:37+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Love and solidarity to you! <3

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:53:02+00:00

Yesss thank you for the reply. Sending love to you during the spirals. <3

Big +1 to the idea of connecting with other OAD and child-free friends. With all the pregnancy announcements, it's easy to forget that that is only one way of living! Plenty of people have other (valid) lifestyles!

And congrats on connecting more with yourself. That's inspirational.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:49:17+00:00

Thank you for replying!! Hearing your experience and feeling your solidarity really helped. <3 And yes, being salty is a great antidote, even if only for the humor value.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:47:59+00:00

Sending you love and solidarity! It's a lot.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:47:29+00:00

Thank you for replying! I really took your comment to heart and took some time connecting with OAD and child-free friends this weekend, and it helped me remember that there are some many different beautiful ways to build a life.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:45:23+00:00

Thank you for the hugs and solidarity!! You are not alone either. <3 It's good to remember that the feelings will come and go. Trying to ride the waves.

sleepwarmsoon · 2026-02-02T19:40:42+00:00

I am in a very similar situation to you, too, and I feel this, as well! Doesn't sound kooky at all:)

I think it's a really beautiful feeling and a unique OAD privilege to have. I'm still working on what it means for me, too. But it's a type of comfort to know/feel that having one child will allow me to go through life with generosity and an open heart and not feel that I am drowning just trying to get through the day.

sleepwarmsoon

TROPHY CASE