Rubber Gloves

Rubber Gloves will become a necessity as important as food, water and shelter...and coffee.

When I was being fitted for my first pair of Juzo compression tights, I was already in a terrible mood and for some reason the suggestion that I needed a pair of rubber gloves to put on my tights just sent me into a mental tailspin. I was pissed, incensed that I would be buying a pair of $300 compression tights that I knew I would hate wearing, for a disease that I was devastated by and now I was told it was imperative to buy an extra $10 pair of "special" rubber gloves?! (insert exasperated eyeroll) I likened it to the Jiffy Lube attendant trying to sell me the "premium" windshield wipers. I couldn't understand this perceived 'upsell'.

But, I was wrong.

I know now that my rubber gloves are necessary, they're a lifeline to getting into my compression tights and for a midday "smooth out" of said tights. If I could offer any advice, don't get mad, these gloves will become your best friend, I promise.

Bioflect Leggings

Lipedema is notorious for causing pain, and it certainly has lived up to its reputation causing me a lot of pain in my legs, even when at rest. I can be lying in bed not moving a muscle and I will feel small cramps up and down my thighs, like mini 'charlie horses'. My calves have a different sensation, stinging. The stinging feels as if I just kicked a bees nest. It's unrelenting and there's virtually nothing I can do about it. It has made sleeping almost impossible. Some days, falling asleep is an absolute joke and even if I do finally nod off, the aggravating pains have actually woken me up out of a dead sleep.

It should be easy to conclude that sleeping is no longer restful at all.

Having said all of that, I did discover a pair of light compression pants that have been able to mitigate some of the pains and allow me to stay asleep through the night. They are marketed as "FAR infrared Therapy Micromassage Slimming Compression Leggings".  I can't testify to their slimming abilities but if you're anything like me, in pain, these leggings are very comfortable and the compression is enough to wander around the house in and light enough to sleep in.

I highly recommend these if you want a break from medical grade compression but also need to support your legs and minimize the unprovoked pains.

They can be purchased here: Bioflect Leggings

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

I was asked if I believe manual lymphatic drainage works or not for lipedema, and at the time I didn't have an answer. I mentioned this to my new mld therapist and she gave me a curious smile and decided to conduct her own quick study. 

At the beginning of this appointment my legs were measured from the top of the foot to the top of the thigh, in 10cm increments. My appointment lasted 45 minutes and after my session, my legs were remeasured. In a few places my leg circumference was 2cm reduced and at the other marks, there was at least 1cm reduction. For 45 minutes that's a huge success and reaffirms the importance of MLD. I left that appointment relieved, my legs felt lighter and I felt hopeful.