Coming June 10, 2017: Lippy Legs & All – My Life with Lipedema

Scheduled for June 10, 2017 release.
You can pre-order your copy from the publisher here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/710509

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For years, I watched as my calves legs grew larger, bruised easily, and became more painful. Even bumping against a chair or the corner of a wall would send shockwaves of pain through my calves and leave me with huge bluish-purple bruises.

I knew something was wrong, but what could it be? I thought it was a simple case of edema or general swelling, but keeping my legs elevated and taking diuretic pills had no effect. In fact, they only became worse.

In 2014, after several attempts to locate a physician who would help me figure out what was wrong, I was lucky enough to get a diagnosis. I had Lipedema, a genetic disease I'd never heard of before. It's a mystery disease with no known cure thus far.

Not widely discussed, Lipedema is rare and only affects about 11% of women. Few doctors are able to recognize the symptoms, nor have they been exposed to information about the condition and how it relates to the all-important lymphatic system.

LIPPY LEGS & ALL is the story of my life (thus far) with Lipedema. I'll discuss, in detail, what I've learned about the disease, how it's permanently changed me both physically and mentally, and why I'm determined to bring awareness to this condition so women who may suffer from Lipedema can get the essential diagnosis and treatment they deserve.

Without proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, a Lipedema sufferer can face a bleak future of wheelchair-bound immobility or, worse yet, amputation of their limbs. No woman deserves either of those things; if I can cast a wider spotlight on Lipedema through the publication of this book, I will.

Looking back on nearly a year since my Lipedema & Lymphedema diagnoses

Almost a year ago, I was diagnosed with Lipedema and Lymphedema. There are no medicines to take, no cures to be had. You do not have to be overweight to have this, and they aren't sure what causes it (sometimes even children have it, sadly). That's why it's labeled 'unclear etiology' by the medical journal article linked below, which was published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM). 

"Approach to Leg Edema of Unclear Etiology"

http://www.jabfm.org/content/19/2/148.full.pdf+html

The U.S. is far behind Europe in diagnosing and treating these conditions, but raising awareness can help those who may have it and not know it. I'm doing my part. Lipedema often runs in families and is thought to have a possible genetic connection. Hormones are also involved, since only a handful of males have EVER been diagnosed with it.

In severe cases, you lose mobility or, sometimes, have your leg(s) amputated. Thankfully, I was diagnosed and began MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) therapy and started wearing compression stockings. My legs, below the knees, are affected. But sometimes it spreads. I'm at Stage Two, and DO NOT want to end up at Stages 3 or 4. 

So far I'm doing okay with managing it. If you saw me out in public, you'd never know I have this condition, but I do. There has been marked improvement, but I can never NOT keep up the maintenance. It will not go away. It can only be managed. Some day I hope researchers and doctors pinpoint the cause(s) and find a cure. Most people haven't heard of Lipedema OR Lymphedema. I sure hadn't prior to 2014.

Ladies, it doesn't matter how young or old you are, and it doesn't matter if you're a size 2 or a size 20+ -- you should become familiar with these diseases. The quality of your life depends on it. 

"You mean it's not my fault?" Educating the masses.

This is for all of you who've said or been told, "Oh, you're just overweight. Eat less, exercise...it's just too much fat and you can get rid of it easily." Obesity or being overweight is one thing, lipedema is a genetic disorder and NO amount of dieting, exercise, or diuretics will cure it. Women who are anorexic get it. Women of all sizes get it. It's genetic, and if a female ancestor of yours had it, you have a greater chance of getting it, too.

There are no medications you can take for lipedema, which may also be one reason why the U.S. medical community isn't interested in doing much about it. They can't make a ton of money on this through drugs, for one reason.

Even if you have the tumescent liposuction in Europe, this disorder can take over again. And, worse yet, it can take over your ENTIRE body...you could literally starve yourself and it would STILL take over. Lipomas will form, the lymphatic system is compromised, you will bruise easily because the vascular system is also compromised, and if you are lucky, you might be able to hold at stages 1 or 2 (I am currently at stage 2).

Usually it's not caught early because women are just advised to 'diet and exercise.' Well, if you're traditionally overweight, that's fine. But this is NOT the same thing. This is a GENETIC DISORDER, WITH UNKNOWN CAUSES (BUT THOUGHT TO BE HORMONAL IN NATURE).

So, before you judge women, you should know what you're talking about. Only a few men have gotten this disorder, but roughly 11% of the population of U.S. women have lipedema. Most go undiagnosed, because they're told, "Oh, you're just overweight!" No...this is NOT the same thing, folks. That's like telling a diabetic to just regulate their sugar by using mind control.

Please watch enlightening video. Update what you THINK you know about some people -- me included. Because while there are many horses out there (people who are simply overweight), there's a group of zebras, like me, who have a genetic disorder that causes pain, swelling, bruising, mobility issues, and other uncomfortable things.

Increasing lipedema and lymphedema awareness is important so that, someday, women who may have it can get diagnosed before they're well onto their way to the latter stages of the disease.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncvw-SwWk5Q