I started to become I'll in the early 90's, the term yuppie flu was still banded about like a joke, for high fliers who burnt out - hardly describes me of course of many who became chronically ill. ME is not easily accepted as a ' proper ' illness by some I know that. I was handed a box of prozac which I refused to take as I knew although I was in a difficult mental state due to the fatigue it was in no way the cause, I felt fobbed off. I knew I felt depressed as a symptom, it I took the AD the drs would not listen beyond that.
And Like you, and like difficult menopause, there were blank faces when trying to get people to understand, so you give in and feel more isolated. I trust a few around me.
My family couldn't help even though they cared and could see how bad it was. Some days I just didn't have the strength to walk across a room. I met my now husband whilst I was ill, he has never doubted me, and even with his own health problems we prop each other up. We are strong. It's hard that your husband tried hard but the effect ME can have on surrounding lives is a big price.
Keep going Jules, head above water. X