Hi,

I was diagnosed with a lifelong autoimmune illness in May last year. I was immediately put on medication for it and things were a little better although not 100%.

Well, I have been under pressure from family members asking me about returning to work and why I haven't looked for jobs etc. The reason is simple: I do not feel well enough to work and my doctors have certified me sick for it. But this isn't evidence enough for my family and despite me offering them information on my illness they refuse to research it as they had done so with my mum's MS.

Long story short, I have had to cope with getting myself well again, which started to work. I was taking supplements and improving my diet etc but the symptoms crept back in again - I felt better when not taking the medication and my previous doctor said that if that was the case then they would end my medication script. This was even when I assertively stated there was another medication out there that may benefit me and reiterated this point 2 or 3 times at the appointment. No joy. Was told they would end my prescription and my medical exemption. So I got the medication privately - overseas - but something is better than nothing and I am fully aware of how much a dose is too much as this particular medication is meant to be a lot better than what I take at the moment.

Came from the appointment at my new doctor surgery today...doctor wants to see me on a more regular basis. Now that has me worried. Am I now seen as a hypochondriac? The doctor is fully aware of the lifelong illness I have and she understands how my symptoms would make me feel as rough as they do, but she says all her other patients with the same illness as me work and she can't understand why I am unable to. Now I am so worried about the next appointment, I don't know what I am going to say...I feel as though I am imagining things.