From Germany, Yvonne is currently based in Gaborone, and in this blog, she shares how she spent 25 years not understanding what was going on with her body, dealing with misconceptions, misdiagnoses, as well as physical and mental health battles. A diagnosis finally gave her the chance to arm herself with knowledge, make some adjustments and reclaim her power against this misunderstood disease.
When I noticed one of your hashtags on Instagram, runningwithlipoedema, I must admit I was completely ignorant of this condition. The disease itself is not very well known. Lipoedema or Lipedema is a chronic disease that occurs mostly in females. It is a condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in the lower part of the body, most often in the buttocks, thighs and calves. The upper arms can be affected as well.
Most patients have a normal looking upper body and a not matching lower part of the body with protruding buttocks, massive thighs, bulky calves and small ankles. For example, it was not until that my aunt was diagnosed, after she had tried everything for years and visited countless doctors.
What are some of the common signs and symptoms? Thighs, legs and arms are sensitive to touch. Legs bruise easily. When climbing stairs, the legs are heavy and full of pain. The legs hurt at night. Standing for a long period makes the legs swollen. A lipoedema patient is often tired and limps in the evening. A major issue is that attempts to lose weight through dietary changes and sport have little or no positive effect on the affected areas.
A balanced diet and regular exercise do not prevent you from gaining weight. Complaints begin or increase during puberty, after pregnancy or during menopause. After being in cold conditions, the legs do not warm up quickly. What was your journey to getting a diagnosis? Since my childhood, I have always been active in sports. At the beginning of my school years, I did gymnastics and joined the swimming team. Later on, I played football. I grew up in the countryside and as both my parents worked, I used my bike a lot to see friends after school or to attend training.
