Hello everyone. I am new and glad to be here. my name is Ellen. I am 33 years old and was diagnosed with FMS and CFS amongst other things in 2002. There is alot I would like to say and ask advise about but the one thing I am thinking about right now that has me really bothered, is how do you deal with the unkindness in family members who don't understand why you have all these medical issues and have to take meds for them. It's as if they think I am a hypocondriac or drug addict or just stupid and take a bunch of meds for the fun of it. The thing is, is I am not even taking anything right now but a anti-depressant and two heart medications for a heart condition called long q t syndrome. I have to take it or I could die but they will still sit there and argue with me about how that simply isn't true and that I am sick BECAUSE of the meds I take not because I take the meds for a illness. You know what I mean? That kind of logic of theirs makes me crazy!! My brother was just telling me "now wonder you have headaches all the time because all those pills mess up your chemistry in your body and give you headaches". He knows that migraines run in our family and have attacked many people in my family who are not on anything and that his thinking has nothing to back it up. But there he sits all smug, talking his crap anyway. The thing is, is he sitting there like he knows something while he pounds down another beer. He is an alcoholic and after being up all night doing drugs with a friend in which he actaully thinks hes hiding it from me. He thinks I don't know and has the gall to say these things to me. I don't do drugs, am going to college and really trying to better my life and he clearly sees this but still will run his mouth. I know it's silly that it even bothers me but it just does. If you guys havn't guessed all ready I am living with my brother right now. I take it personal when ever a family member says things about your illness they know nothing about and that is something so personal that you have fought long and hard with and they sum it up to be all so simple as to just stop taking my meds, it upsets me. And it's not just my brother. Everyone in my family is like this. That is where he gets it from. I have never been supported by anyone yet always gave support. I have never given any of them a reason for not believing in me or for not supporting me. And none of them even care enough to go look up some information on my conditions so they could at least know what I am even talking about. They just talk shit and wouldn't read something even if I gave it to them to read.The least they can do is just leave me alone then and not go out of their way to try and make me feel bad. I am sorry, I'm sorry. I am totally venting right now. I guess it's been along time coming is all. So if any of you who were able to get through this post have any advise for me I would greatly appreciate it. Love to you all, Ellen