Hi friends, I’m having a weird bunch of thoughts today that revolve around some of the new weight loss drugs that seem so promising to treat not only obesity but lipedema. For the first time ever, I’m thinking we might be onto something that is absolutely changing diet culture, killing programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and so on, and even shutting down gym chains. What if we were inadvertently really close to a cure for lipedema as well? Imagine with me for a second…
For many of us living with lipedema, the dream of a cure dances at the edge of our minds. While the reality of such a cure might still be distant, it’s fascinating to consider the ripple effects it would have on our lives, the world around us, and even the lipedema community itself.
Imagine a world where:
- The physical burden lifts: No more constant heaviness, chronic pain, or the struggle with daily activities. Imagine the freedom of movement, the joy of spontaneous walks, and the ability to wear clothes without self-consciousness.
- Patients like me, would suddenly get all of their ‘conservative therapy’ time back! No more vibration plates, rebounding, MLD, compression fighting, dry brushing, and so on. It’d actually be kind of odd, maybe a little bit of an identity shift.
- The mental and emotional weight eases: The constant battle with self-image, the frustration of feeling misunderstood, and the fear of future complications would melt away. Imagine a world where lipedema no longer defines you, where you can embrace your body with confidence.
- Healthcare priorities shift: Resources currently dedicated to managing lipedema could be redirected towards research for preventing or treating other chronic conditions. Imagine a future where lipedema becomes a footnote in medical history, a testament to scientific progress.
- Businesses that profit from lipedema would have to shift quickly or go under. Having lipedema is expensive. With women being desperate to find what solves the problem, we are grateful for businesses that provide us what we need for now. But these businesses would definitely be impacted: tradeshows, compression companies, supplement companies, therapists, surgeons, definitely ‘diet’ companies, and so on would be significantly impacted. It’s hard to wrap my head around. I guess it’s this way for any condition.
But what about the lipedema community? Would it even exist anymore?
This is a beautiful paradox. While the need for constant management and support might disappear, the connections forged in the trenches of this shared experience would likely remain. The camaraderie, the understanding, and the fierce spirit of advocacy built during the fight for recognition and treatment wouldn’t vanish overnight. Whether we are healthy or having chronic issues, we all need community. But if there were a cure, would we even have a community anymore without the common bond of the lipedema journey?
I guess, the community could evolve, transforming from a support network for managing a chronic condition to a force for broader change. Imagine a future where the lipedema community channels its collective voice and strength to:
- Advocate for better access to healthcare for all, and access to ‘the cure’ for people who cannot get it for insurance or other reasons.
- Support research into other chronic conditions.
- Promote body positivity and inclusivity.
The lipedema community, born from necessity, could become a beacon of hope and empowerment for others facing different challenges. Or would our community just dissolve? It’s a nutty thought, but I wanted to throw it out there to see if anyone could imagine with me.
While the journey towards a cure continues, it’s important to remember that we are not defined by our diagnosis. We are strong, resilient individuals who have built a powerful community based on shared experiences. Even in a world without lipedema, the spirit of this community, the lessons learned, and the fight for a better future for all would undoubtedly endure.
So what do you think? If there were a cure, would we still all have a reason to be together?
Whew that was heavy for 9 am, but let me know what you think!
Susan
