"My Legs Felt Like Tree Trunks"

Doctors told me my pain and swelling were caused only by my weight.

- BY CHERYL ROBINSON, ED.D.

They were wrong. Here's how I got the treatment I needed

I'VE ALWAYS struggled with my weight, but three years ago, I noticed something different: My legs started to expand noticeably. I went to a doctor, who was quick to wave away my concerns with a derogatory, “Well, it’s safe to say you don’t have a tapeworm,” commenting on my larger body. That was just the beginning of a string of dismissive gas-lighting conversations with medical professionals before I finally learned I had lipedema and could begin to explore treatment options.

At first, I thought my weight gain was stress-related. I'm a consultant, international speaker and writer and I was going through a lot at home. I was determined to control my weight, so I exercised and tried different diets but nothing worked. My legs kept expanding. Doctor after doctor told me I was “overeating” or just to “eat less and exercise more.”

Soon the weight on my knees became unbearable. Even walking felt like a struggle. Imagine trying to move with tree trunks strapped to your legs—that was my reality.

The heaviness in my legs, the weight gain and the discomfort was overwhelming. I tried antidepressants, hoping they'd help. But nothing made a difference.