Making family believe you really are sick
Does anyone else have their own family believe that there is nothing wrong with them and it's all in your head. This has caused a huge lump on my shoulder as am an Rn and saw the symptoms prior to DX. It still doesn't matter how many specialists told them of the other diseases I had that accompanies lupus. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, alopecia aoereata, complex regional pain syndrome severe brain fog, social anxiety, panic disorder, severe anxiety, severe depression, Raynaud's syndrome; that's alot of stuff accompanying my disease. I am at my wits end and would love to hear how other members deal with this issue. Please feel free to respond to my discussion, I can use all the help I can get. 
, First, I want to say I am so sorry you have not gotten the support that you deserve from your family and loved ones. It is unfair that anyone has to deal with the physical pain from the many conditions you are living with. Let alone, the emotional pain of feeling like you are shouldering this by yourself. Secondly, I want to make sure you know you are not alone 💜 There are so many others in our community that can relate to not being taken seriously by their family and even the doctors that are supposed to be helping them. Just because lupus isn't always visible in the way other conditions are, doesn't make the pain, fatigue, or other symptoms any less real. Another community member wrote a story describing a similar situation that I am going to share a link to, in case you are interested in reading more https://lupus.net/stories/life-change. Also, one of our advocates wrote an article of a "letter" she wrote to her family and friends about the support she needs from them on her journey. If you think your family would be open to reading this please feel free to share with them (but no pressure if you do not think they would be receptive!) https://lupus.net/living/letter-friends-family. Please know that we are here to listen and support you on your journey, no matter what. Sending hugs
Gabby (team member)
