Joe,
I am sorry this is such a difficult time for you. I understand the difficulties.
I have to tell you that I feel a great deal of hope for you though, because we know more about how to protect ourselves now, how to optimize our health, etc. Please don't take this to mean I am misunderstanding your current pain and suffering. I don't. I truly don't.
The onset of this kind of stuff is so confusing and with the employment issues and all that then comes up, it's just one heck of a horrible time!
So be kind to yourself!

ME/CFS/CFIDS? I understand. I had spent 15 years contributing to the research studies at Harvard with Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. (With all due respect to Dr. Komaroff and colleagues, whom I greatly respect and admire, these researchers were never able to help me, nor have they ever been able to help anyone else I've known from the studies. In fact, I remain, to this day, on Dr. Komaroff's waiting list of some of the first people he will call when he thinks he has something that may be helpful. True story.) In the meantime, doctors in other areas of the U.S. still think his diagnosis is wrong and that I have these other overlapping, complicated conditions (which they cannot fully explain, either). (The list of diagnoses is extensive and mind-boggling. Either way, nobody has been able to help me in any significant way yet. Most of the meds make me much worse, in every way.)

So no matter the diagnosis or diagnoses, it's vitally important we continue to learn and do all we can for our own well-being!

Joe, I am sorry you are going through such a tough time. I wish you did not have to endure this type of a challenge. (I had endured a great deal in research on CFS in hope that others would never have to do so!)

Yet, I am glad you are only 7 months into this (whatever this may be) and am also glad you have a great deal of intelligence and a sprit which will look out for your own well-being and will prevail!

I am not advocating for not listening to your doctors. I am saying listen to them, ask questions; yet know yourself and what's truly helpful to you. Do your research, always. Find groups like the group here to share info and ideas.

Chances are good, Joe, you are going to have a decent life inspite of your challenges. You are a great self-advocate!

With Hope for You,
DejaVu