After college I was a size 4 on top, and a 12 on bottom. It seemed like no matter what I did fitness-wise or diet-wise, my top half got smaller and my bottom half stayed the same, or got larger.
Not all pear shapes will have Lipedema, but it is an early indicator. Having an upper body that is multiple sizes smaller than your bottom half, is an indicator.
We want early diagnosis for all those with Lipedema.
Being diagnosed late stage has been super challenging, it is a chronic and progressive disease, an uphill battle, for the rest of my life.
My wish is for better education for the medical field (currently they get about 15 minutes on the lymphatic system). With better education they can know what to look for, so we can get an earlier diagnosis for all those with Lipedema.
Spreading awareness helps a lot!
We shouldn’t have to become our own best resource on Lipedema, I shouldn’t know more than my doctors do.
It’s been 15 years since a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) diagnosed me, and I still cannot find a doctor in my area that knows what it is.
And the last time I visited a CLT in my area, I was told they know a piece of the Lipedema pie, but with all my researching and advocacy, I know the rest of the pie.
So basically I’m doing everything possible to treat it on my own, and there is nothing they can do beyond what I’m already doing.
While that makes me proud to know I’m doing everything I can in their eyes, I’m still more curious on finding better treatments and answers.
Stay curious! Ask questions, dig deeper, keep sharing, spread awareness!
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