chronic pain/chronic physical or mental health and suicide

[1964dodge]

if you suffer from chronic pain or illness or longterm mental health issues do you think about suicide as an escape and how do you keep yourself from harming yourself or ctb.

for me it's mostly my pain but when things get bad my other illnesses play a part. it's usually when i have a pain spike in the evening. i used to have severe anxiety attacks occasionally but we fixed that with meds.

now here is what i do. i convince myself that the pain spikes won't last long. of course i take pain meds and if i have to something for anxiety. i have trained myself to redirect my thoughts which works most of the time. when it doesn't work i talk with my very supportive wife and/or talk to my friends on SF. i also keep reminding myself why i can't go by suicide. so hopefully i'll make it until the reaper comes and be fairly happy.

mike

 

[GMody]

Mike you are lucky that you have a supportive wife. I am sure talking with her distracts you from pain...even a little. Yes, we all have bad days but they don't last forever. Thanks for having helped me. Now I don't have major anxiety or pain.

 

[1964dodge]

Mike you are lucky that you have a supportive wife. I am sure talking with her distracts you from pain...even a little. Yes, we all have bad days but they don't last forever. Thanks for having helped me. Now I don't have major anxiety or pain.

you're welcome. if it wasn't for my wife i wouldn't have made it. and remember it was all of your hard work that got you to a better place.

mike...

 

[GMody]

I agree but we all need whatever support we get. We do have to work hard. "If not me, then who?, If not now, then when?"

 

[1964dodge]

I agree but we all need whatever support we get. We do have to work hard. "If not me, then who?, If not now, then when?"

 

[Dinolaur]

Hey Mike.
I also suffer with chronic pain, I have fibromyalgia and although I’d say I’m still in the early stages of it, I can feel it getting worse with pain, pins and needles and the worst, the brain fog (forgetting things) it’s like I’m an 80y old woman. However I don’t tend to think pain = death. Currently I just get on with, take my pain relief and carry on, but maybe i don’t feel that way because currently I’m not in the position where I’m bed ridden or can’t walk etc, who knows. But I do hope the way you described up there is a helpful way for you and maybe it’ll encourage others to take your approach to stop them feeling suicidal for something they cannot change

hope you’re well lauren x

 

[1964dodge]

Hey Mike.
I also suffer with chronic pain, I have fibromyalgia and although I’d say I’m still in the early stages of it, I can feel it getting worse with pain, pins and needles and the worst, the brain fog (forgetting things) it’s like I’m an 80y old woman. However I don’t tend to think pain = death. Currently I just get on with, take my pain relief and carry on, but maybe i don’t feel that way because currently I’m not in the position where I’m bed ridden or can’t walk etc, who knows. But I do hope the way you described up there is a helpful way for you and maybe it’ll encourage others to take your approach to stop them feeling suicidal for something they cannot change

hope you’re well lauren x

thank you i'm actually am doing great right now. and i hope your battle with pain goes well. as things progress though you have to try to get more joy in your life. a little joy goes a long way when we are behind the 8ball. i'm proud of you for treating your pain so well.

mike...

 

[SillyOldBear]

I just try very hard to distract. And take meds when I really need it. Being alone all the time makes it worse. But books, SF, TV and, yes, my teddy bears, help. But I always keep suicide as an option. There may come a time when it is appropriate. I also remember something I read once. About how as long as there is one thing you enjoy there is hope. I have always have at least one thing I enjoy.

 

[Dinolaur]

thank you i'm actually am doing great right now. and i hope your battle with pain goes well. as things progress though you have to try to get more joy in your life. a little joy goes a long way when we are behind the 8ball. i'm proud of you for treating your pain so well.

mike...

I’m so glad you’re doing great right now

yeah I absolutely agree on the finding the simple things you find pleasure in, for me I have found that already, which is diamond painting I love it

 

[adamjam]

I too have a chronic pain condition I have learned various ways to cope with it, I dont take drugs usually physical therapy and a variety of streching among other things, I've had this my entire adult life and have found many things that work for me. When it gets too bad I bitch and moan a lot but know it'll eventually get better. As for the mental crap, that's been lifelong and while I used to try working through it using various skills, faith and a general positive outlook on life. Now, however I've pretty much given up. I sometimes sh, as for ctb while I want to it's the situation I'd leave my kids in that stops me.

 

[Jezah81]

Lately as my joint problems never seem to end i have been unable to train and my fitness and self esteem has nose dived . I'm drinking more and taking pills to numb my brain from thinking of suicide and just relax . Mentally I'm losing it the more I'm unable to do the things that gave my life meaning and joy.

 

[Nolunny]

I sympathise also....after a wonderful life of 63 years I suddenly contracted a horrible incurable eye problem that now makes everyday a real struggle and vision loss makes my once normal life not normal anymore....I cant see myself living with this discomfort for years to come...I just pray for a shortened life now...but I feel that I actually died the day this chronic medical condition....something died inside me...my zest for life died...I think once you have pain in your life you lose your quality of life death is a very welcome friend...

 

[GMody]

Sorry about your vision loss. That's tough. Death is an option when pain becomes unbearable. But we must find joy in simple things like hobbies or other distractions.

 

[Nolunny]

Sorry about your vision loss. That's tough. Death is an option when pain becomes unbearable. But we must find joy in simple things like hobbies or other distractions.

Unfortunately my once hobbies were all driving reliant so I have lost those.....my days are long even watching tv is uncomfortable...life is pretty shit TBH....

 

[Jezah81]

Unfortunately my once hobbies were all driving reliant so I have lost those.....my days are long even watching tv is uncomfortable...life is pretty shit TBH....

I totally understand the part about the physical conditions not allowing to do the things that give you joy and meaning. I'm in that boat and still don't know how to cope

 

[GMody]

Can't you take medicine or undergo surgery to retain your vision? There must be a way.🤔

 

[Nolunny]

Can't you take medicine or undergo surgery to retain your vision? There must be a way.🤔

Medication...I have to take eye drops for life now.....5 times a day..they are supposed to keep remaining vision...I had an eye stroke which is a debilitating and eye damaging problem...there is no operation for it...it also brings bad headaches...I also have to have a strict diet....no fast foods or alcohol...I'm just existing now not living !

 

[GMody]

Nolunny. Vision impaired of both eyes? Or one eye? Sorry about your eye stroke and eye damage. One of my friends has blepharitis. It's painful for the eyes. She too has dry eyes and poor vision.

 

[Nolunny]

Nolunny. Vision impaired of both eyes? Or one eye? Sorry about your eye stroke and eye damage. One of my friends has blepharitis. It's painful for the eyes. She too has dry eyes and poor vision.

left eye had the stroke now horrible vision problem vision full of grey blobs...constant pain now through nerve damage, right eye just useable but has Glaucoma....vision is getting darker and losing colour....

 

[GMody]

Oh...that's terrible. I feel for you. Isn't glaucoma treatable? So then at least you will have vision in right eye.