((Ellie)) Bless your heart. I too think you need to cross off those toxic people in your life, not the least of which is your brother. I have no sympathy where he or they are concerned at all.

And yes it sounds like you have a couple of wonderful people in your life though I don't know details. I don't think you should be hiding how you are feeling from your significant other. Although...I understand it from the perspective of...you think other people are going to get really, reallyyyyyy tired of hearing the same old thing day in and day out.."I feel like crap." "I feel like crap." "I feel like crap." But I don't think your fella would want you to be hurting.

I think you're the first person in here that has agreed with what I've said so many times before...that old saying that money can't buy happiness. Pooh! What happens when you don't have it??? Depression and so much more. Not askin for billions here, just to get by! I think we all understand how cruel life can seem when you can't make it, you're in pain (both pysically and emotionally), and don't know what way to turn. I'm glad Curious is finding you links about meds.

One of my cousins has been a hopeless drunk, a smarty pants, committed umteen drunken driving offenses, lazy good for..NOTHING! And yet, my aunt and uncle think he's god's gift. They pay for his rent, pay his utilities. Well let me say it another way, there isn't anything that they don't pay for - and for god sake he's 39!. Now they are all just feeling so bad that he got caught drunk when he went to see his probation officer and that was the last straw...he's now in prison for awhile. I'm betting one thing...unless he sees the problem, acknowledges it, and gets therapy, he'll go right back to it and on day one.

Toxic relations are just that...toxic, and the best thing you can do is cut them off.

Say...I would be glad to give you my address if you'd like to add me to your Christmas card wishes and include me as family. Watch out, you may just have a landslide of Christmas cards next Christmas.