Good. You are being taken seriously.
I've long struggled with fatigue, which got worse after childbirth and again with the onset of the menopause. Sadly, when I ventured to the doctors, they would send me for a blood test, which would be fine for whatever they tested for and my symptoms brushed aside. One doctor just told me I was trying to be too perfect at work and being a mother and wife! Not helpful when I was struggling to do the basics. It's hard when you have no explanation for why you feel as you do. In the last few years, I opted to start HRT, despite it being late, and it has helped, though not the full answer. CFS was suggested before I tried HRT.
How have I coped? I had to go part time at work, then retired early when I could access my small pension. (I needed 2 days to recover from a days work by this time.) I was only able to do this as my DH was able to cover our outgoings and was incredibly supportive, but financially it made a huge impact. I don't know would have happened if I had tried to carry on. I suspect I would have become ill and would have been unable to fulfill the requirements of my job. Is working less a possibility for you?
The other way of coping was acceptance. This is the way it is at the moment. I have stopped comparing myself to others. I can't do as much as some of my friends, but that's ok. My job is to be me, to be kind to me and others. I rest when I can if necessary, but do try to do things. Sometimes that helps, sometimes not. If I'm not up to doing things, then I don't. No one cares if the house is spick and span, in fact I've been told by friends that they feel comfortable here! I delegate and accept DH doesn't share my standards. When the children were young, we couldn't afford a lot. It hasn't done them any harm. They have both followed careers that do not pay well, but give them satisfaction and enjoyment. Money is not high on their agenda. And yes, I talked to them about how it was and is. I say NO to doing things that I don't want to do or feel I couldn't be committed to if I don't feel up to it. I do things for myself, like taking singing lessons.
