u/Livid_Vanilla7715

I recently posted my results for my legs. I mentioned I was getting treated for May Thurners.

But wanted to share a crazy update.

I had >95% compression of my left iliac vein. In the photo you can see transparent area on the left side and black (blood flow on the right).

The veins and flow at the bottom show my collateral veins. In other words …. MY BODY MADE THOSE VEINS TO DELIVER BLOOD FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT. My right iliac vein delivered all the blood to my heart. I didn’t have clots. Just swelling in my legs from the lymphatic system.

I got stented this morning. We will see how my body heals.

But I just want to thank this subreddit so much because one day a long time ago a women asked people on this sub to check for vascular issues and specially named May Thurners.

Here I am carrying the torch and doing the same!

I don’t know if my legs will ever be sexy like Pamela Anderson! But I know this subreddit saved my life by getting me to ask questions about my legs !

My legs we’re symmetrical at the beginning of this journey but after compression therapies, the right was larger because of the left to right blood flow.

Take care and enjoy life 💕

I’ve come a long way! Swipe over for before pictures. Changes didn’t happen until compression, cycling and swimming and going low carb. No GLP use. I’ve done everything on a daily basis. I recently started using the flexitouch. And that has helped more. I would say it’s about maybe 20% or so of the improvement. But mainly it was compression and swimming. Last night after using my flexitouch pump one leg looked like it had more marks like it had more fluid. Today I tried on boots and that leg that had marks last night was more snug than the other…significantly. My dr said I had lipedema with mild lymphatic issues but now I don’t know if I believe it. Anyone have similar issues ? Or should I suspect lymphadema ?

EDIT: wow I did not think this would get so much traction.

Here is my daily regimen - in order of what I think is most helpful

COMPRESSION - #1 !!!!!!!
From breakfast time to dinner time (at least 8 hours a day) knee high or waist length compression. Waist length if I go to work or something like a theme park or long drive. I use svigaris and wellow. Just started some JOBST biker shorts compression with thigh highs. With layer and take off shorts for hot summer months.

EXERCISE - 2
Cycling or swimming only! Weights for over all health. At least 2x a week. 30 mins. I have two toddlers… to do anything more is impossible. I do walk and play with them outside everyday.
I used to do stair master frequently before this i was very THICK. I had more muscle tone but my edema was also bad. I didn’t know I had this condition. My lymphatic dr said to just focus on these two type of exercises only to reduce.

FLEXITOUCH- 3
45-1 hour each night before bed

DIET - 4 probably more important but I’ve always been pretty easy on food. I came from a family where we didn’t snack much and my grandma and mom were in the kitchen all day.

I’m non dairy

Breakfast
COFFEE with almond milk creamer ( I will never give up) I go to sprouts and asked for the beans to be grinded for my drip machine (less preservatives) I drink it with
Fruit
3 hard boiled eggs

Lunch and dinner (I’m Mexican) typical meals
-sopita
-breaded fish
-bean burrito
-chicken tacó
-asada taco
-lots of broccoli and cauliflower
-tilapia
-sprouts
-shredded beef tostadas
-ceviche
(I don’t eat much rice or pasta. But I average about 2-4 corn tortillas a day…. 😬)

I don’t eat fast food. Maybe 1 or 2 times a month.
No snacks. No chips. No sugar drinks. Water only. 3 meals a day. That’s it. I eat salsa and avocado with almost every meal.
If you like salsa and Mexican food but don’t have much rice. I think the trade off is okay.

Overall …

Compression is so annoying. I had moments where I burst into tears just trying to get them on. I feel so sad when I have leg pain and my kids just want to play and have me keep up. I’m doing this for them. But please. Don’t neglect your compression.
The other day I went on a long drive and wore a blue denim dress with black nylons on a 80 degree day. It sucked to be at a party and feel awkward and out of place. But now that I’ve done this and have seen the benefits… I would trade it for anything else. Just to be healthy.

Our condition comes with a lot of issue possibility like vein issues.

Start one day at a time. Get to know your body. If you can’t do it everyday… just make little goals. Wear it in hours increments on and off. Depending on what you have going on.

This subreddit means so much to me. I somehow found it and would have never found out my issues without it.

I have May Thurners and Pelvic congestion syndrome. I am trying to work with vascular to see if I should get a stent.

Knowing I’m not alone is very meaningful to me. And I wish you all the best on your journey to health! Don’t forget to enjoy life 💕

He got confident after finishing the niche and asked me to pick an accent a little late but I’m proud of him. can’t afford to hire anyone. So he learned. Might not be perfect but I’m a happy wife.