Fibromyalgia Increases Risk of Suicide

According to a newly released research study (Mortality in fibromyalgia: An 8,186 Patient Study Over 35 Years ), having fibromyalgia increases the chance that someone will commit suicide. I don’t understand exactly how much the risk increases, since the study provides an odds ratio rather than relative risk, but the simple fact that suicide is more likely is frightening enough. (The risk of accidental death was also higher in the fibromyalgia patients, which I’m guessing is at least partially related to “fibro fog” issues like forgetting whether you’ve taken your meds and accidentally taking an overdose.)

I’d been wondering about this subject, since I’ve been dealing with some serious flare issues lately, and have caught myself thinking, “please just let me die and stop hurting,” quite a bit. It’s been bad enough a few times in the past that I actually did think about doing something to MAKE it stop, and I’m sure it will be that bad again at some point; so I guessed that there must have been at least SOME folks that had just not been able to take any more and had chosen to “check out.” (I usually manage by reminding myself that it’s been that bad before, and it’s always gotten better; by thinking about all the people who love me and count on me, and reminding myself how traumatic it would be for someone I care about to find my body. Even if the first two don’t do the trick, the last one always works.)

I’ve also had times when I forgot I’d already taken medication, and taken an extra dose, which is why I started using the daily pill boxes. With fibrofog, those little things can be a literal lifesaver, because if I can’t remember if I’ve taken something, all I have to do is look and see if it’s still in the container. If it isn’t, I already took it . . .

It can be pretty scary sometimes, and dealing with the pain and fatigue that goes along with the fibromyalgia can trigger depression for just about anyone. If you’re thinking about suicide, remember that fibro flares are temporary. If you can’t talk to your friends about how you feel, there are other options:

1-800-SUICIDE

1-800-273-TALK

1-800-667-5005 (Canada)

1-800-273-8255  (Canada and the USA)

Please, if you’re thinking about suicide, CALL someone. Talk to them, it really will help. Remember that you matter, there are people that care and will miss you if you’re gone, and there are always other options. I know – I’ve been there.

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• Fibromyalgia Comes With a Suicide Risk (nlm.nih.gov)