Suicide is it right or wrong?

Question

i have a family member that has a digenitive muscle diease that has had constant pain for 6 years now and when i say constant i mean constant. sometimes not letting her get out of bed for an entire month. recently she has conveyed to me in not so many words that she has prayed for the pain to go away and if it doesnt she is going to take her life. i told her not to do it and how it would affect her family included me, and i really think she is serouis in doing it. but she told me that she was in so much pain she just cant handle it any more because this has been going on for 6 years and all the differnet meds they gave her are not really working. and she beged me not to say anything to anyone because it would just cause trouble i love her but i cant phathom the pain she is in either, im not sure what i should do this is the hardest thing i have ever had to deal with, any comments are GOOD answers are welcome.

Answer 1

It is a terrible burden for you to bear. I know you love her dearly and it is difficult to betray her trust, too.

But, can you really not tell anyone?

It is obvious she has loved ones who will die a little inside. It is her life, but she is putting you in a real bind by inviting you into the situation - her decision to commit suicide.

I want to say - don't break her trust - but I don't feel you should say nothing.

This is a toughie....

Answer 2

First and foremost, do not get yourself into the "debate" with her regarding living or suicide. If you do, you will feel responsible for A. Her being in pain if you say not to commit suicide, B. For her being dead if she does commit suicide. You are in between a rock and a hard place. I can not morally say that suicide is OK. From my religion and upbringing, I was taught that committing suicide is the one unforgivable sin. That it was like turning your back on God. However; I can see the patients point of view that the pain is too much to live with.

Answer 3

Wrong My FATHER OPP-just blew hishead off Depression pain was worse than death BUT instead more/different drugs would have been better. Has your sis watched 50 funny movies with you while in bed --even one chuckle makes that instant of life worth while. You my dear must phone many confidential crisis lines-this secret is -too much FOR YOU to hold -you're not qualified!!!! They are experts and they won't tell your sis you called. mAybe tomorrow they'llcome up with a digestive bypass. Please call one of the many CRISIS lines 911(from a pay phone) will give you them --go now contact me back if you can

Answer 4

May I suggest that you look to your hospitals. Ours have pain managment units. There is so much that can usually be done. My husband had pancreatic cancer and it spread and ate up his lower spine until it crumbled. They operated on him, went in through his chest and took out a rib and then put steel plates in his spine so that he would be able to walk again. He prayed to God not to let him suffer with pain. He had such good hospice workers that kept on top of his pain that he said he had very little.
Also they told him not to wait until he started hurting, but to keep taking the meds even when he wasn't in pain. They said it was easier to keep the pain gone than to get rid of it when he started hurting.

Answer 5

This is a very difficult ethical question. I generally would say that suicide is wrong but I can understand why someone with serious pain would want to end it all.
It is a heavy burden on you,and I really dont know what to say that you should do. If you are religious I would say pray about it.

Answer 6

There is no right or wrong answer. I can understand why she wants to die. I'm all for it with some exceptions. I would probably ask her to give everything one last try. Check on the Internet to see if there are any experimental treatments or studies that need people like her that might give her some hope. She has nothing to lose. if there's no hope then all can say is follow your heart.

Answer 7

In a situation like that, I believe that people should have the option to end their life. Either an overdose of narcotics or similar medication. IF they can swallow it. My father was in the hospital with cancer all through his body and in terrible pain (in 1970) and the nurse came in with morphine and put it in his IV. Not 10 minutes later, his doctor came in and gave him more morphine. He went to sleep and died. I am so grateful to that doctor for having the courage to put my father out of his pain.

Answer 8

You have been asked to carry a huge burden. Obviously you two are very close. I think you know "in your gut" what you need to do. Go with that, keeping the relationship you have with her as your main priority. WE'RE NOT TALKING HERE ABOUT FINDING A HOSPITAL, A DOCTOR, ETC. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT FINDING THE PROPER PAIN RELIEVER. WE'RE TALKING HUMAN SUFFERING AND UNIMAGINABLE PAIN. Remain her confidant.

Answer 9

Aw my heart goes out to you and yes I would do this as it would be a more dignified thing to do. god bless you and the family. Oh and tell your relative yes she will be fine in heaven as God does not like anyone to suffer. If you do not believe in god then that is fine but other relative will welcome with open minds and bless all of you. Have a party before she goes, a wake if you like and tell each other stories. You love for her and your admiration too. She is such a brave person.

love and hugs to you all Cindy xxxix

Answer 10

I don't think there really is a right or wrong answer. No one wants to see someone suffer but no one wants to have some one end there own life either. I don't believe people will go to hell if they commit suicide but I think if someone confides in you about taking their life you need to alert friends/family. But in the end if someone chooses to end his or her life it is ultimatley their choice.