swelling aka I can rival a hippo in my midsection

It has been awhile since I have been on here, I have searched on the internet about this but I would like to know from people that have and are dealing with this. The swelling and bloating.
For the past year I have been swelling up around my stomach and thighs, legs. The nurses, docs just tell me-oh, it's your age and to lay off the sweets, exercise more. My last doc visit, the lovely person in the lab coat told me the "swelling comes with the territory". Apparently, doctors do not get that yes this hurts and yes it does affect our mentality. I personally have exercised to the point where I put myself in a major flare.(doesn't take much for me, but really stupid move on my part) And, I know that something isn't right inside me. I did have that 24 hour urine test. Which I can personally say I have never thought about going to the bathroom so much in my life to the point where on that particular day, I was paranoid about it. diagnosis-proteinuria.
I know I need to be tested more about why I am swelling/bloating up at the drop of a hat. All that aside, I just would like to know if I really do look like a hippo butt, because I sure feel like one. How do all of you deal with it? I wear loose long shirts to hide the swelling, I cannot handle anything tight on my thighs, legs and stomach. the marks elastic leaves,ugh. I have come to wearing clothes a size bigger now to accommodate the pending swelling.
Last week I finally let my Mom help me dress and she saw how much the swelling was. She poked her finger in my side and it left an indentation. That really did bother me in so many levels. Mostly because I know I must look as hideous as I feel.
Thanks for letting me vent

Couchtater I hope you feel better. I am learning that propping my legs up after walking helps with that weird stinging pain for a bit. Now if I only could convince the VA specialist that my swelling complaint is actually real that'd be cool.

I know what you are talking about. It absolutely kills me when I do the shots in my thighs. Does your swelling ever really go away?

Man do I hate my swollen belly. I'm an apple shape from all the steroids I've taken since 2001. I've got this huge swollen belly, huge chest, hump on my back, and chicken legs. My family calls me chicken legs, as my legs are so thin as is my butt and hips.

I'm so bad that I have a very hard time keeping my pants up around my waist. I can't handle wearing regular jeans with button and a metal zippered fly. I can't stand wearing a belt at all either. I live in jeggings or leggings. I've had way to many surgeries in the belly area to be able to tolerate anything tight there.

Try not to be to discouraged by what your Doctors say nor what your Mom's poke of the finger made you feel. She really had no idea at first. I hope that you have a close enough relationship that you can tell her how it made you feel and ask her not to do it again to you.

Lupus varies so much from patient to patient and it usually leaves each patient in a different condition. Some are mild and do great. Others, like me, are severe and I seems to live at the hospital. I swear I should have my own room with my name on the door. LOL

You hang in there and try to remember that it's not what we look like on the outside but how we are on the inside. I know that's easier said than done, I hate my body big time and I hate my photo to be take even now. Between my moon face, hump and bright red cheeks I just hate seeing photos of me.

Come and vent any time you need to and do like Joy suggested just take the time to elevate your legs and rest.

Hugs,
Barbara