Research Brief
Newly published research shows that fibromyalgia does not cause premature death. However, the illness does raise the risk of suicide and accidental death.
Researchers followed a group of nearly 8,200 fibromyalgia patients and more than 10,000 osteoarthritis patients for 35 years. They say the death rate was nearly the same between these two groups.
Earlier research has also shown the higher rate of suicide. Given the high rate of depression, strain on marriage and other relationships, and the difficulties of treating fibromyalgia, that's sadly to be expected.
The higher rate of accidental death may seem odd, but it does make sense in light of certain fibromyalgia symptoms. We tend to be clumsy, and our cognitive dysfunction (fibro fog) may make it dangerous for us to drive. Also, accidental overdose can happen due to forgetfulness, desperation or both.
The take-aways from this study include:
- We don't need to worry about early death as a result of fibromyalgia (at least, not directly);
- We do need to find help for depression and suicidal thoughts;
- We need to be careful and pay attention to our physical and mental capabilities at that moment so we don't put ourselves in danger.
If you start to think about suicide, help is available. Call this number:
- 1-800-273-8255
It's a VA hotline, but anyone is welcome to call. The staffing and training there are better than at many local agencies, so you'll talk to someone who can really help you.
If you think you may be depressed, it's important to talk to your doctor about potential treatments. Here's an article that can help you identify depression and learn what treatments are available:
Have you had accidents and injuries as a result of fibromyalgia? Have you stopped driving or doing other things that you feel have become too dangerous? What has helped you deal with depression? Leave your comments below!
Learn more or join the conversation!
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“We don’t need to worry about early death as a result of fibromyalgia”:
Adrienne that is incorrect, U can only say that when comparing with healthy individuals which was NOT the case.
This is just one study.. we all know that studies have said one thing and then been disproved by another.
Fibromyalgia may not be directly linked to premature death, but it’s possible that other conditions that overlap with FMS do.
I think you’re both missing the point of this posting. Adrienne is simply pointing out that it does not appear that FMS as a disease directly causes death more so than a similarly affected population. Yes, everybody has to worry about death, but it is good to know how we stack up compared to a degenerative disease like OA. I would like to know how we compare to healthy patients and patients with other non-arthritic pain syndromes.
And it’s not just another study, it’s a peer reviewed published study of a population of 8000+ patients. I read through studies every day and none have sample sizes even close to that range.
I suggest you take these postings for what their worth, summaries of studies and discussion starters.
Oh and I thought I would also share something from the actual study:
“The standardized mortality odds ratio (OR) compared with the US general population was increased for suicide (OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.15–5.11) and for accidental deaths (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02– 2.06), but not for malignancy.”
This means that the authors of this study did not only compare their results with patients with OA, but also with standard numbers of suicides and accidental deaths of the general US population.
John, Do you think this applies to CFIDS sufferers? I think it should. I did what you said and took it at face value but when you get down to thinking about the nitty-gritty of the subject, one’s immune system is compromised when suffering from both these horrendous diseases, leaving the patient open to all kinds of unwanted bugs and virus’s. One day, one bug may be the one that kills us!
Has there ever been specific findings in autopsy of individuals suffering with Fibromyalgia?
It seems to me the study is saying that people in chronic pain are more depressed than people who are not in pain. The depression due to chronic pain, in jeopardy for an early death.
In other words the study is stating the obvious.
I have an important suggestion— get a pen and print the name of the medication on each bottle…large and clear !!! I make it large enough so that I can read it without my reading glasses…Then read the name on the bottle before you open the bottle to take the pill. When you get a new refill, use the pen again and print the med’s name…large and clear!!
Good suggestion but good for all Rxs for all diseases. It’s not “special” for FMS-CFS patients.
I think that we are probably at higher risk of diseases that would stem from are inability to be active and limitation on diet and nutrients-ex: diabetes, stroke, kidney failure,liver failure etc.
I have stopped driving because I don’t feel that my reflexes are as good as they need to be especially on a hwy. I continue to research and find ways to independant by shopping online-REALLY!!!!!! miss shopping-even for groceries which I can’t do because like everything else it sends my pain through the roof.
I had to quit my job 4 yrs ago because I was taking more vicodin than I used to, to control my pain. I couldn’t recover from my pain after work even though I would fall asleep after supper. Sometimes I had to drive at night and I had terrible night vision. Since I quit my job, I hardly drive at all. My husband lost his job so he drives me where I need to go. I feel that is safer than me driving. I recently had back surgery and I kept falling asleep driving the shopping cart at Walmart. I kept stopping as I dosed off because I didn’t keep my hand on the power. I did it multiple times and it hurt me and was embarrassing. Luckily I didn’t hit people, just food displays. I take Lyrica and many medications that cause very blurry vision even with my new glasses. My husband won’t leave me at home alone because he is afraid that I will hurt myself. By the way, my back surgery was because I blew L4L5 disc just by making a bed. I shouldn’t be alone but I don’t like losing my independence. Since my DX of FMS in 2000 I have deteriorating terribly. I have also thought of ending my life more than once.
sorry to hear that you are doing so badly..the dr tryied me on lyrica, and i gained over 30 pounds in three weeks, and ended up in the hospitall…..please contact your dr to see if there is anything else they can give you, i now go to a pain clinic once a month, they manage my meds, so things are giong much better now…good luck to you…also, they don’t let me drive much either, but i am used to it..have been fighting this disease and so many others for the past 16 years..hang in there kiddo!
I always write down the time and date that I take my meds.especially my pain medicine. I keep a daily diary of how I’m feeling.
I was able to retire this last Dec.2010, or I wouldn’t of made it another year. Turned 55 in Nov.
Did work 30 years for small Pension. 20 years ago, I broke Coffee pots, cups, everything. It flares up bad that way every couple years. Well small ones more frequently. On my 1st real big one, ended up Dr’s. bad shape. Gave me pain shot quickly, script for a nerve/anxiety pill & had me wait around. hub was there waiting. There are so many days, I just can’t go. Messes up 3 out of 5 Holidays. I wore myself down day of or befores. then I’d feel bad if I ruined it. even if no one else thought it was bad or didn’t mind rescheduling. I’d of not made it to work thru this winter here in IL.
How is being more likely to die of suicide not a result of this disease? I never had thoughts like that before but I do a lot now, thanks to the disease and the crappy medical care for it.
I agree with Mary. The fact that there is a higher rate of suicide in this illness does mean that the illness causes premature death. I have thought about suicide a lot in the last few years as my illness has worsened. I don’t need psychiatric help – I just need some decent medical treatment for this disease.
I would like to add that being in pain and and having fibro -fog is enough to depress anyone. But add in the other life changing events that having fibro makes it hard to deal with and you up the chances for depression even more.
Life is quite difficult with any illness let alone one that others cannot see or understand and then add a divorce, death, break-up etc.. and it is just almost more than one can take. When we lose our emotional support on top of so many other things, it just makes you feel so much worse.
Your body hurts, your mind is foggy and your heart… well let me just say it is unbearable sometimes.
Trusting someone be it a significant other, family member, friend, doctor, or employer and having that trust betrayed hurts like hell. And we all know stress exacerbates our pain. Some days I just feel like giving up, but you know what keeps me going??? My kids and grandkids. Knowing that they need me as much as I need them is the most important thing in my life. And the only thing I can count on.
So, with that in mind, I always make it through the day when I think I cannot. They give me strength, even if it is only JUST enough.
Fibromyalgia won’t kill me… it just makes me wish I were dead sometimes! I am fortunate that I don’t have any depression as a result of this (I do however get pretty ticked about it some days!).
I definitely agree that there needs to be better treatment. I just read recently that the VA has finally recognized Gulf War Syndrome as a real condition – some of the conditions that are associated with GWS are chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and several bacterial conditions. May the VA will do some research that will benefit us all?!?!?!
I recently wrote on lids of my meds with a marker..It is so much easier I wonder why it took me since 1989 to think of it !!LOL I keep them in a bag with vitamins etc. and I look down on their lids when looking in the bag.
I suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts for years, especially if I was up in middle of night from pain. A couple times over the years, I was given a med – I forget the name- a med that you take some and then the dose is tapered off. It can’t be taken on regular basis tho. It made me feel so good I thought something was wrong, that I had a new symptom. It hit me that I felt normal and that was so unusual, I didn’t recognize it at first. I sure cried when it was over. I have begged a few docs over 35 years to give me something to get me out of pain for 24 or 48 hours… a vacation of sorts from the pain. No one ever would take me seriously. Why didn’t I go through with suicide? I have to give God the credit for causing me to take a plastic bag off my head. I was about 35 at the time.. Now at age 69, the things that bothered me then, I can laugh and say this too shall pass. My physical therapists taught me over the years to Pace Myself… a good motto. It works for me. Blessings to all.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , on the other hand, will shorten my life by twenty years, I’ve heard. It’ll be cancer, a heart event,and gone, just as with most people but two decades earlier.
Come on guys. DIRECTLY fibro or CFS doesn’t cause death. You want to debate any disease in the world can INDIRECTLY lead to death. It’s stuff like this that people that doubt the illnesses, incorrectly of course, that leads them to think fibro patients are hypocondriacs which doesn’t help the cause. I’m certainly not belittling the illness, I suffer from both amongst other conditions that have even put me out of work. I’m in pain and full fague like all of us but it will not DIRECTLY kill us. Suicide from depression or accidental overdose could result a respiratory infection or ANY illness. Enough Already….
To Karen – you just ruined my day. I am diagnosed with CBS as well as fibro. I just found out I’m going to die twenty years early! Let’s see the fibro knock off another ten. The arthritis another ten, pious fifteen more, degenerate disc disease another ten. I have no right waking up tomorrow. Let’s get real here….
most patients die from cardiac arrest and cancers… yes there are suicides but not any different than other ‘chronic illnesses’…they always try to include ‘suicide’ in these studies to keep the illness in the ‘phyco’ box, meanwhile one thing about cfs patients they endure decades of abuse and total neglect and their will powers are far greater than the whiners out there…also some people commit suicide from toothaches…this is just another useless study that has no merits… for all the money wasted on stupidness, why do they not put this money into cause(s) and stop with their circus charades…we need money for cause(s) and cures…sincerely aidan walsh southampton, u.k.
To Marthalyn:
Sounds like it would have been Prednisone. I was put on Prednisone for a bad bout of Polymyalgia Rheumatica, on top of my usual fibro, & arthritis. The Prednisone was absolutely WONDERFUL ! I was “feeling no pain” – but literally ! Then I was weaned off it again, because your immune response is really not there then. It took care of my polymyalgia, & it hasn’t returned in six years. I CAN identify, tho’.
I was dx with FM in 1995 but after much research, I know I have had it as far back as I can remember, just got too bad to ignor in ’95. The medical community has their hands tied when it comes to treating most patients with FM. The research on it is just not being done! The drug manufactors have done just enough research to make up a new pill for us and call it a breaktho. I am fortunate to have found a doctor that will dx Fentynal pain patches for me to help deal with the pain. This a controled substance so one has to meet certain requirments in order to be given this type of medication but it is the ONLY med that has given me refief from the pain. The down side is that it IS very dangerouse and the potential for many side effects is great. I don’t drive anymore because if I were to have an accident and anyone found out I had a pain patch on. I would get a ticket for DUI ! I have boxesof other meds and other things for the pain but this is the only one for me!
I have had fibro. for 2yrs. and i also have chronic back pain nearly 24/7. the dr. community must think that i must have “drug addict” writen on me head. all i get is the pass the buck dr. game. the E.R’s are the same too. they treat me like i have the pleage of some thing. i was’nt even treated like an E.R. patient should be. my PCP says that the clinic i go to isn’t taking any more chronic patients. but where do i go?they say “we need to do some thing about your misery”. they do not let a horse live in misery. whats up with this situation here. i wish that just one of my dr.s would walk in my shoes for a day. then they WILL do some thing. yes i brlieve that suicide will be the end of this pain if these dr.s don’t get on the stick. and NOT push me to some one else. how many more tears must i leave on the dr.s exam rooms floor? how many more bullets must i have to bite????
I have to tell you that I look forward to the Fibro reports.
I have noone for physical or emotional support! I don’t read it and then, say I have these symptms,
I read it and realize comments and info is what I do experience. I take comfort in those who share their experiences. It now makes me aware that………I could overdose when I have flare ups and need to be aware when I am on pain meds. which is often.
I realize now why I am divorced, alone and depressed. I look at myself and I have really aged in the last few years. There seems to be a new diagnosis every month. There are times when I would like to end my life but I know I could never do that.
Thank you all for your input and to Adrieanne for this site.
Thank you so much, Adrienne, for this site. The only people that understand are those of us who go through the pain and fatigue and it is very helpful to reach out to us and know you and others listen and support us. I will keep praying for answers and wellness.
I appreciate Adrienne’s work on the site as well. However if you are referring to those who don’t agree with this article you are wrong to label those who do, “the only people who understand are those who go through the pain and fatigue.” I go through it 24/7 – 7 days/wk but again DIRECTLY it will not kill you. The rheumatologist I was seeing for years lost 4 patients and had his licence taken from him. They died of overdoses on very liberal prescription writing for narcotics. I am not supporting the argument what I am saying is the same thing could have happened to patients from any specialist treating any disease if either the Rx is too excessive or incorrect or abused. FMS/CFS are HORRIBLE diseases I know first hand for over a decade but directly they will not kill you. Make your life miserable… I’ll buy that!
No,
but dealing with the idiots in the medical field WILL make you depressed and want to take your life.
TRUTH:
anyone with an on going or long term illness IS going to get depressed from time to time.
If NOT there IS something wrong with you,like you are being pumped full of the happy pills Dr.’s get kick backs from prescribing(or they own a LOT of stock in the company).
Anyone can be a Dr. now all you do is give people drugs.
The difference being they have a license.
Pushers on the street don’t
If YOU(I say AGAIN YOU)feel you have been depressed for too long see a Dr.
If you are just wallowing in your misery YOU are the only one who CAN stop it.
If you are in a cycle It’s tough but it’s YOUR brain.Your mind.
Control it NOT the other way around.
And if you want to criticize me:
I’ve been living with this crap for OVER 30 years.
It’s not always fun and it get’s crappy(not the fish)(LOL see I do have a sense of humor).And I went through it BEFORE this was as accepted as it IS now.
This is your life,like it or not.
But it is not the end of the world and by far:NO REASON TO END IT.
I have seen so much progress,which I didn’t think i would ever live to see.
So don’t give up.
If you have to take a little “vacation”,some time off,get help from the people around you to DO just that.
Just keep doing it!!!(sorry nike)
Well, I make sure to take my fish oil and vitamins that help with cognition and physical discomfort. I also keep up myself challenged but in a good way! If you have places you want to visit, or some activity you want to do, find out how to make this happen… when you are making the most out of this disease or lesson or even vehicle you will have less negativity to harbor.
I moved from Fl. to NC. Thank GOD on Friday I found a caring & understanding physician. I was being looked at as a ‘drug seeker’.
Early death from Fibro? Not directly. Suicide out of desperation? Yes, I believe that.
It is always easy to criticise what someone else has to say. I have Fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, + loads of other things and am now facing either heart failure or lung fibrosis. I’m to have a short synacthen test in a couple of weeks time—- that scares the hell out of me because I’m super sensiitive to a lot of medications and this one involves the injection of a steroid. I’ve only ever had topical steroids in the past . The problem is that this injection can cause anaphlactic shock which might kill me. So, I’m not a happy bunny. Have I had suicidal thoughts ?? Yes quite a few times. Do I suffer lots of pain ?? yes because I don’t tolerate high level painkillers. I can now only take paracetamol ( Tylenol in the USA ) and for me it’s useless, so I live in constant pain + frequent breathing difficulties so life isn’t that wonderful. Think before you criticise others . They are expressing what they feel, they are entitled to their own “say so ” how someone else feels will frequently if not always be different to how you express your self.
I didn’t see anyone hear criticizing anyone. We are just stating the obvious. FMS-CFS can lead to depression which in turn can lead to an overdose or another suidcide attempt. However most chronic diseases can have that same effect. Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue cause horrible pain and fatigue and can, for all intensive purposes, ruin your life as you know it. However it can not DIRECTLY kill you. As far as you lose 20 years off your life if you have Chronic Fatigue is ludicrous. We have all had suicidal thoughts but if they persist you need to seek assistance immediately.
I was bedridden before I saw a sleep specialist who prescribes Xyrem (sodium oxybate) to me. Now that I can get the deep, restorative stage 3 and 4 sleep, I can drive my car, get out and about, get exercise, take college classes at the community college, and generally have a little life.
Without decent sleep this was impossible for me. I also have adequate pain relief from my pain Dr. and see a therapist for the psychological problems of chronic illness.
If you could get the deep sleep of childhood again, you’d feel much better, too.
I am happy to hear the Xyrem is working for some. But please be careful with that drug. Over the years I have been prescribed tons of different medication and narcotics including, oxy, morphine, methadone etc. The only drug that I experienced any effects from was Xyrem, horrible experiences. I will say this about it…. it does put you to sleep where others fail!
I’m truly sorry for those who put so much stock into these studies.
Having done much research in my college days, I know, as well as those who have done the same, that statistics and study results can be tweaked to say exactly what the researcherwants them to say.
Everyone has their own set of symptoms and problems – we all do. And we are all miserable much of the time. However, I wouldn’t put ANY undo credit toward these studies. They will always say whatever the researcher wants them to say.
Margaret is right and I wish her the best with her test). Everyone is different, and experiencing different levels of pain and suffering; there’s no one size fits all. I “got on with it” for many years, but am finding it increasingly hard to do so now.
Margaret is right. Everyone is experiencing different levels of pain and suffering. What might be bearable to one, can be unbearable to another. Human beings are resilient creatures, but eveyone eventually has a breaking point beyond which they can’t endure the pain and suffering any longer.
To Mog
Agreed! But that has nothing to do with false statements being put out that FMS can DIRECTLY kill you or that CFS will take 20 years off your life. Yes it can lead to suicide but so can hundreds of other chronic pain diseases INDIRECTLY. I am just so adament because I love the site and the info but just don’t want false information being sent out. Imagine someone diagnosed today with fibro – gets this post and reads that fibro can kill you. It could be devastating and lead this person into believing a lot of false information that’s out there. Let’s sum it up this way, if someone believes that ask their dr and come back and post.
For awhile, there was speculation that the retrovirus – XMRV – which might be the cause of ME/CFS could also be in FMS. However, newer peer evaluated research which can be seen from the CDC web site [http://suporior-surrogacy.com/eid/content/17/2/314.htm] shows that is not the case. The jury is still out on whether XMRV is the cause of ME/CFS or if it is a related retrovirus. However, in FMS, there is no link.
As for early death by FMS, I know there are days when the treatment and medication is not effective I wish it were fatal. Severe pain can raise blood pressure and I know mine has reached as high as 220/150 which is high enough to worry about a heart attack or stroke. That is a direct correlation of how FMS pain could possibly cause death, but you can’t say that for certain without a double-blind peer-related study to measure this effect on a wider sample.
Suicide and clumsiness is an indirect cause of death in FMS, so it seems on the surface. Looking at it from the point of view of a coroner, they may see it differently.
If someone were mentally impaired by, say, alcohol, they might be clumsy and suicidal. If they took their own life while under the influence of alcohol, the cause of death would be ruled the method of suicide, not the alcohol.
That being said, I think FMS over a long period of time can bring about an early death; from not being on top of it.
If you are in constant pain, you stop exercising and stay indoors in dark rooms. This leaves the homebound person isolated and depressed. They are likely to overeat or stop eating. They are likely to be more dehydrated because it is too much effort to get something to drink or the depression masks the thirst. Sitting still for the most part, they are likely to have joints lock in painful positions and might end up in bedrest; not moving.
Not moving is a direct cause of death whether by pulmonary embolism, stroke, infected bed sores, etc. Vitamin/mineral deficiencies can cause death. Diseases related to over/under-eating and dehydration can cause death…but it is also in the same light of suicide and accident; direct cause of death from something else which stems from being fibromyalgic.
Living with fibromyalgia is hell. I have been to numerous doctors over several years, and they say, “Well that’s all I can do for you.” Then I start all over. I have been going to a pain treatment center that has helped with the osteoarthritis in my lower spine. The doctor there has given me Radio Frequency Ablations when necessary. He was the one who diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. None of the previous doctors ever gave me the 18 points test. Depression can be really bad at times and now I’ve been diagnosed with a dementia disorder. I’m being tested by a neuropsychologist.
“We don’t need to worry about early death as a result of fibromyalgia (at least, not directly)”
While i see where you are coming from here, this is not correct. Even though there are no scientific studies to show that people die from the diagnosis of fibromyalgia this is not known. As a person Dx’d with this debilitating disease it has been had to fight back against the disease due to pain and fatigue. When your body feels like it is on fire 24 hours a day and you feel like you got knives running through your body you will do just about anything to relieve that pain. Until someone actually goes through it they do not know what its like. Suideality, heart attacks, other health problems can be the major cause of death for people with fibromyalgia which can increase the mortality rate.
Hmm.. I would think that it does since it affects many systems within the body and ultimately brings new symptoms and diagnoses.
I know a young lady who’s fibromyalgis is so bad, the doctors have said they dont think she’ll last too long. I also suffer from fibromyalgia and would like more research into premature death, from fibromyalgia.
Suicide risk is probably much higher where there exist comorbid conditions. Point: I have epilepsy, bipolar, fms, & bulimia. The only 1 that’ll prolly kill me directly is the last, & even with that suicide thoughts haunt me.
I have had FMS since I was a child, but as I have aged it has gotten worse with ostheoarthritis (must be misspelled) so every day I wake up I wonder if it will be a day I can bear since I am trying to work and my boss isn’t that understanding. I asked my Pain Management Dr. if I could file for disability but she said that could take up to a year in CA and it is usually denied! So it is a catch 22, because to work I take twice as much meds just to get there and the fibro fog on somedays must make them think I am crazy. So if my life is shorten or not doesn’t really worry me it living everyday and not ending up on the street because then I do think my life will be shortened. It ruins relationships even if you don’t talk about it. Because you maybe able to go someplace, but then you may not and who wants to schedule something with you! I think how much easier my family would have it if I was not faced with FMS. So I went to see a counselor today to see if I can get past this feeling of “unworthiness” and find a plan or two that I can use if I can’t keep working because otherwise I am just a drain on society. My family says they love me but that look of disappointment because I don’t have the energy to go to Mass or sit still in a movie is so hard on me. I feel alone and sinking in to the abyss. I only have my husband and grown children living nearby and they are tired of FMS.
I always in pain when it’s a 10 I just cry myself to sleep. I try to go to sleep but I just toss and turn all night long. Do you believe I sleep on the floor cause it’s hurts more sleeping on a bed. I’ve been sleeping on the floor already four years now. When my flares act up I will sleep on the couch sitting up.I’ve had Fibromyalgia for over eleven years but was diagnosed a year and half ago by a FNP not a doctor. She has a beautiful caring heart and I’m blessed to have her as my nurse for a short time cause she is the only one that heard my cry. I hope and pray that they will find a cure for this terrible disease. Everyone have a Blessed Day! Love & Soft Hugs going your way.
Dianne: I am so sorry you are feeling this way. You know many of us can relate to your feelings of unworthiness. For me, my boyfriend and my family and especially my friends all seem quite tired of my fibro, too. I’m always tired or having too much pain or sever fatigue to do the things they’d like me to do. Some are very understanding, but what we really need to talk about here (with you) is how WE feel about being so unable to do the things we so very much want to do. I’ve begun to think that maybe we (or I) have a difficult time forgiving ourselves for our disability – especially if we were fortunate enough to have had a life before fibro, a life of working hard and playing hard and going and doing and living a normal life. Once it hits you, and especially once it begins to get really bad, all you have are memories of your former self. What I want to tell you, Dianne, is that you are still the same wonderful human you were before you were sick. Your family does love you, and there are many of us out here collectively sending knowing vibes through the universe to you and to each other, vibes of compassion and understanding – and hope. Please don’t give up, please be kind to yourself and know that you are worthy.
Hi
For all of those dissing Lyrica, it changed my life. It has not cured me, but has extended my capacities immensely, taken away the ‘must lie down’ constant feeling, reduced the pain medication I used to take by about 90%, and there has been no weight gain. I do forget if I have taken it or not quite frequently through, but I cope so much better with my life and job than I used to. I have gone from being a distressed, depressed car crash of a person to I’d guess about 70% improved function, and I sleep like a baby!
Ladybird
As a fibromyalgia sufferer who has, in the past, endured grossly undertreated pain – for literally years upon end – at the hands of health care “professionals” who either treated me as if, because *they* could not find what was wrong with me, so therefore it was all in my head because there is no such thing as fibromyalgia; or, pain management “professionals” who treated me with suspicion as if I were a drug seeker, and would only give me the bare minimum of pain treatment, as if i merely had a toothache or something! (and WTH??? why even be in pain management if you dont believe your patients when they say they are in pain)?!?!?
THIS is what made ME suicidal! A suicide hotline may be able to talk us out of it for the moment, but they cant solve the problem! and the problem *is* doctors who, for reasons ad nauseum, will not treat!
the rest of my response is published on my FB page.
Had control over my fibro anxiety and depresion.. With clonazepam till I decide to qwit smoking asked for the patch ,but this Idot at the VA gave me chantix In 07 there was different dosing back then,,Took It for 5 days and my clonazepam qwit working ..Lost all my self esteem, nerves went haywire ,Feel like Im in hell and everybody thinks Its becuse Im on pain meds..This drug Is my death It alters your brain so you cant or wont have any pleasure In Life!! Still smoke not becuse I want to just a wreak Dont take a chance with this drug to better yourself !! I wish I could drive off a cliff Thanks CHANTIX DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!