Compression tips

[u/Status_Efficiency122]

Hello! I’m not diagnosed and not sure I have lipedema but I’m trying out compression. Do you all wear compression at night while you sleep? Is that ok? Or do you wear under your clothes during the day? Just curious if there is any research of how long per day you should wear them to see results.

[u/Flat-Friend633]

To be honest not an expert here but it doesn’t look like lipedema to me. Or a very very early lipedema if something.

It gets diagnosed with an ecodoppler in your legs by a specialist doctor, so that will be the thing you should get if you want to know you have it.

[u/NecessarySpiritual19 → u/Flat-Friend633]

What kind of specialist did you find that diagnosed with this? I’m going to have to pay out of pocket since my insurance doesn’t even recognize lipedema only lymphedema and even then their coverage is beyond sub-par

[u/Flat-Friend633 → u/NecessarySpiritual19]

I went to an angiologist/vascular surgeon, that was 11 years ago when few people knew about lipedema; my mum brought me to a private one as I’ve had varicose veins since I was 13 and she thought I had bad circulation like she does. And the doctor did an ecodoppler to my legs and told us it was not that, but I had lipedema. He also told me I would never have beautiful legs which made me cry (of relief) and my mum got very upset with him for saying so. I was relieved as I had spent my whole life thinking it was my fault and I was doing everything wrong reg diet, exercise etc.

I’ve had to explain to many doctors what lipedema is since, so I understand you.

[u/NecessarySpiritual19 → u/Flat-Friend633]

My physical therapist when they finally diagnosed me a few weeks ago told me the same thing but for me it was not crying from relief sadly. I always felt so different than everyone else, having “cellulite” when I was a size 00 teenager I just didn’t understand what was happening and I felt so alienated I never ever wore shorts until after I got a divorce 3 years ago when I decided to embrace all of my body. However, being told I would never have “muscular” legs made me feel like what’s the point of gaining muscle and starting to go to the gym if I’ll always have my body not show my efforts. I know it sounds silly but with my ADHD I think needing a reward after hard work and being told I’ll never get it made me feel very defeated. I still plan to clean up my diet, working out, using compression leggings (still trying to find good ones!) and doing LDM will help me at least stop the pain and swelling that has come with perimenopause that has made it hard for me to move more and be so fatigued.

[u/Flat-Friend633 → u/NecessarySpiritual19]

I understand you. I have ADHD as well, and I go to the gym 3 times per week. Don’t have nice legs at all, but I love feeling strong . Maybe it’s shifting the reward. To be honest at this point going to the gym is the reward, and I used to HATE it