What information can I believe?

[Guest guest]

I am a newly diagnosed FM fighter. I say fighter because that

is what I want to do. I'm not sure what to believe, though. I've

read many articles and testimonies, but I'm still confused. I feel

lucky that I seem to be having an easier time with the disease than

some people I've read about, but that is the result of my other

illness. I know, it sounds pathetic. I was diagnosed four years ago

with depression. I have had it all my life and will have it till I

die (a time I hope is far off). When I was given this information I

felt a huge weight lifted. I wasn't completely nuts. I felt the

same way when I got the FM diagnosis. Unfortunately or fortunately,

I'm not sure which, my doctor said that the only drug available is

Ibuprofen (which does a number on my stomach). He said that the

things I am doing for my depression (meditation, yoga, and taking

prozac) were the only things that he could suggest I do besides

working on muscle tone. I've read about so many different things

that I am completely baffled. What do I believe? Also, how do I

help people understand that I'm not just being a whiner and a wimp?

I teach at the high school level with almost all male teachers. They

are accepting in some ways, but I feel that they don't believe me.

I'm also a perfectionist and this makes me try to work harder

to " show them I'm good enough " ? But I am so exhausted and I can't

sleep. My body hurts in the morning worse than in the evening. I

don't want my students to know, but my drive to be the perfect

teacher, full of energy is sapping every bit of life out of me? What

do I do? Any reliable information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading my long, long plea.