I thought I’d never write a blog post about underwear, but then I got diagnosed with Lipedema and started Complete Decongestive Therapy. According to Lipedema.net, CDT is made up of four parts: Massage, Compression, Exercise and Skincare. Our ‘massage’ is really Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and it helps reduce swelling and even pain. I go to an occupational therapist, who consults and trains with me while she’s helping me with MLD.
So, one day after surgery, I was visiting my OT for MLD treatment on my legs. The process she uses starts with opening up the lymph flow in my armpits and neck, and the groin area so the fluid can flow freely. When she came to open up the flow to the leg, she mentioned to me that my underwear, which were a basic traditional panty with kind of tight leg holes, were not helping the situation. She told me it was time to get some granny panties or boy shorts so that the leg holes of my undies aren’t digging in and putting pressure on the key lymph nodes in the groin area, immediately, like on the way home. She said that my underwear was literally preventing the lymphatic fluid from flowing out of my legs!
Here’s why. A major lymph node network, called the Inguinal lymph nodes are right in that groin area. If your undies are pushing down on them all the time, they might be constricting flow! (Photo copyright The Cleveland Clinic)
So my regular old underwear got replaced that day with a few kinds that I tried. I tried boy shorts, and a no-seam underwear that the legs were just non-hemmed material. I like both kinds so I thought I’d share. And the result was significant. At the next OT meeting, my measurements in every are of the leg were down. I know I was recovering from surgery, so swelling was going down too, but the undie changes sure didn’t hurt. And now wearing better leg-fitting undies is part of my lipedema management system. So there you go!
Options like thongs, boy shorts, or longer leg undies that don’t have a band around the top of the leg where the lymph nodes are might be good choices for you.
I get asked DAILY something like, “I just got diagnosed with lipedema, what do I do now?” I have standard answers that point to a directory of lipedema caregivers, links to sites and Facebook groups, and recommendations to get some over the counter compression immediately. Now I”m adding to my list, “get rid of your underwear with tight leg holes, now!”
So to wrap it up, my mom was right when she said, “change your underwear!”
OMG, I’m sorry.
Susan
