I have fibro, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and some hypermobility too. Big hugs to you.

I'll give you some ideas based on my experience, maybe something will help.

Once I got the diagnosis for fibro - and you definitely have that diagnosis too - I wasn't willing to debate it with any other doctor. If a doctor doesn't "believe in it" then they aren't the doc for me. Because I'm on medicaid I may at times need to work with a doctor on other stuff who doesn't believe, but I do have a primary doc who knows it exists and that I am diagnosed with it.

In this way I don't feel like I have to constantly reinvent the wheel. Going to doctors is hard enough for me, dealing with disbelief and rudeness is horrible, I've had more than my fair share.

I do a lot to educate myself. Sometimes a decent book on the subject and talking to another fibro person helps much more than a busy doctor. I keep tabs on what new books are out and available through my public library. I take everything I read with a large grain of salt - what works for one person might not work for me.

The self help info through this group has been a life saver for me, I've been part of their internet support groups, so helpful. I also use their book a lot:
http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/index.htm

The web site is kept updated with new articles, lots of good stuff there.

Candika you don't need to shut up and it is fine to vent, express, share how you are feeling. The merry go round of doctors can be utterly demoralizing and exhausting. Plus you are dealing with health symptoms already.

Your fogginess might very well be stress plus fibro fog. That fogginess is a common symptom for many of us with fibro.

With you being told that you might have lupus - that is a rough one, but probably the best you can do is take good care of yourself anyway - if you develop further symptoms you can take care of that at the time. For me when I can it works best to deal with what is known and in front of me and to try not to worry too much about the unknown.

Of course that is easier said than done.

I think some of what we disabled folks go through is because our modern day culture tends to not be that understanding of disability - different abilities. Lots and lots of us have health challenges but our world acts like we are all supposed to be perky and energetic. And that we are somehow bad if we are human and imperfect.

I've had to simplify my life quite a bit, that has helped some. Distraction helps a lot too. Relaxing in bed with a good book is my favorite. Do you have some healthy distractions you can turn to?

We can't always put on a brave face and maybe we should not have to.