After 4 and 1/2 years of doctors telling me I was depressed, anxious, overtired, "it was all in my head," I finally got diagnosed with pots after a positive tilt table study. That being said, it has been a bitter sweet diagnosis, I am so relieved and happy to know why I have been fainting, feeling exhausted ALL THE TIME, cant handle hot weather, takes me hours to be able to get up from bed in the morning, my whole body hurts, I get the worst palpitations, migraines, this horrible tension and pain in my neck and shoulders plus a ton of other symptoms. So I am so happy to know it "was not all in my head" but at the same time I am sad and worried that at 27 I have this illness, that already keeps me from fully enjoying my kids and being able to have a normal life. It has been very tough 4+ years, and my body is just taking longer to react, fainting more often, have not been able to work for a year, have not driven in 4+ years, cant be outside for long, its been a lot. My husband has had to deal with a lot and had to take a lot of the load its the worst feeling to see him working 60+ hours a week and taking care of the kids when he is home and he is so tired he can hardly move. I also suffered a small stroke 2 years ago that left my left side paralyzed for 3 months, I can move my left side but it is very weak. TO add to this we have a 10 month old baby on a feeding tube!!!!!! I get up and take care of the kids as best as I can, it takes SOOOO much out of me to take each step, each step is a marathon for me, my house is a mess, I feel like soon even if I give it my all I wont be able to move it gets worse every day sorry I am rambling I am just overwhelmed. So questions: How do you handle not being able to work and providing for your family?? financially we are drained! Will I ever be able to drive? How can I support my husband through this? Emotionally??? How do I tell people that even though I "look" good I am feeling horrible? how do you take care of your kids? HOw do you get groceries done? what kind of help is out there? how do you emotionally cope with all this symptoms on a daily basis?? How do you manage living in constant pain 24/7? how do I talk to the doctor about disability? Will he think I am trying to just get a free ride?? thanks in advanced if you read any of this.