Obesity, although considered a disease itself, is often the cause or even the result of other diseases. I am quite lucky. This time last year I weighed over 650lbs, (300kgs) and I think that is a conservative estimate, because I feel I was close to 700lbs (320kgs) at times. Despite my girth, I was in generally good health. I had an umbilical hernia, which was utter torture, but I managed. I had a plethora of skin issues (considering how much and fast it stretched-200lbs (90kgs) in 2 years, there is no doubt that I would have skin issues.) And I developed swelling in my left leg. In 2004, I dropped from 525lbs (240kgs) to 430lbs (195kgs) and the swelling went away. Over the next year, I gained it back and then some. The swelling got worse and moved to my thighs and lower stomach, at time affecting my pubic region. But I just thought of it as “congealed fat.” My doctor tried to explain that I had fluid in my leg making the exterior fat “cold” and thus hardening. Sounded reasonable, and she was the doctor. Other than that, my cholesterol was in the 120’s, blood pressure was 110/80, my A1Cs were in the 5.7 range and my EKGs showed no signs of problems.

She had also diagnosed my hernia as stomach issues (ulcer, etc.). She never looked at the bulge coming out of my navel that eventually, when corrected, was the size of a grapefruit. I wound up going to the ER and they told me it was a hernia, then went back to my doctor and she was “oh, yes, that is a hernia.” After 2 year of stomach problems, she finally looked. When she wouldn’t support my request for FMLA, I left and found a new doctor.

When I went to my new doctor, he gave my leg the once over and told me I had lymphoedema. He explained that my lymph system in my legs was damaged (probably crushed due to my weight) and that the lymphatic fluid was trapped in my legs and we would have to treat (for now) with a course of Furosemide, which will only give minor relief if at all. My main need was to drop some weight to ease the stress on the system.

And that brings me to today’s subject. Lymphoedema or Lymphedema is lymphatic fluid stored in the tissues of the body (muscle etc.) that can’t escape. Why is this bad? Well the lymphatic system is like a second circulatory system, and it helps process toxins and waste from the body, so if this is stored, it either is storing the fluid with waist or the fluid is blocked from washing the waste out at all.

Lymphoedema manifests itself in the form of hardened skin and extreme swelling. In my case, my left leg is as hard a tortoise shell and has very little feeling when touched. It is also very bumpy and is susceptible to boils and acne like bumps. This is caused by a Candidiasis, essentially jock itch on the leg. So I have to take fluconazole. One of my main problems is that every few months it gets infected internally with an inflammation of my cells called cellulitis. It causes me to get fever like symptoms for the first few days and then my entire left leg turns beet red. I have been hospitalized twice for it, but mostly, I try to fight with a course of antibiotics. One of the drawbacks of losing weight is that as I lose weight, some of the trapped fluid (waste and all) gets released, thus causing more infections.

Lymphoedema is common in heavy people, although there is very little information out there on it other than wrapping and a few treatment techniques that may or may not work. I have been told that a “boot” should be worn to fix the issue for me, since my legs are too big to wrap, my concern is that (and is a documented possible side effect) is that the lymphoedema can travel to the genitalia, and you can imagine, that is not a place I’d like to have it.
It can be very frustrating. Having it on my inner thighs can feel like walking with two bowling balls between my legs. It also makes it hard to wear pants, as I need very roomy ones, shorts are almost impossible to wear, although a few below the knee ones sometimes work. I have not worn socks in almost a decade.

But I have noticed it retreating as I lose weight. I am told that I will have to have a “debulking” surgery eventually to “fix” the issue (it more than likely will only be temporary). As many of you know the skin will take various shapes and forms when adding weight, as is the case with lymphoedema. So it can cause irritation based on what I wear or where or how I sit.

But it is manageable. I just have to be diligent. I find seats that don’t irritate the swelling, I try to prop my legs up as much as possible. I find that wearing jeans as opposed to sweatpants (which I have been wearing for a while), have also helped. But I know people are suffering from this and it’s really hard to find any information. I welcome anyone with links or other information on Lymphoedema in the lower extremities (no, Wikipedia is not a valid source, and spam will be deleted) to email me at fourthcircleenterprises@gmail.com and I will be happy to check it out and list any valid sources.