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Not Heidi

(1,515 posts)
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:04 AM Saturday

My wife told me that she is suicidal.

She has chronic pain 24/7. There's little more to her desire to die. She has an rx for a powerful painkiller. I don't know if that factors into her wish to die. I wonder if she has looked up how many of those pills it would take to ease that pain permanently.

It's bad. It's very bad. We've been together 25 years, married for 15 of those, and while she's talked about other suicidal times in her life, she's never talked about it in the present tense.

She sent me a text a few days ago that spelled it out. For some stupid reason, I deleted it. Does anyone know how to recover a deleted text on an Android?

She has a therapist, whom she's seen once in four years. I went with her. I thought it was useless, but then I can't judge her therapy sessions by my own.

I suggested she call the hotline. She declined. She told me something that I thought was going to kill me: she said all she needs is me. I had a sick relationship in college, and her telling me that brought it all back. I felt like my hair was on fire, and I wanted to run screaming.

Thank you for listening and, just by doing so, offering your support.

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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My wife told me that she is suicidal. (Original Post) Not Heidi Saturday OP
call that hotline yourself and ask for advice Skittles Saturday #1
thank you, Skittles Not Heidi Saturday #3
mental anguish is very hard to deal with Skittles Saturday #9
Great advice Skit... hope it's taken!! InAbLuEsTaTe Saturday #17
I completely agree with what Skittles said. sheshe2 Saturday #2
thank you, sheshe2 Not Heidi Saturday #5
Take care of your wife... sheshe2 Saturday #10
I'm doing my best. Not Heidi Monday #19
Chronic Pain physically (and mentally) is powerful and can seem hopeless Pachamama Saturday #4
Thank you, Pachamama Not Heidi Saturday #8
Sorry you're both going through this Bayard Saturday #6
Opiods Clouds Passing Monday #22
... alwaysinasnit Saturday #7
Thank you, alwaysinasnit Not Heidi Monday #20
Maybe the text she sent is still in her phone? 3catwoman3 Saturday #11
Hey, Not Heidi - here's a hug. A BIG one!!! calimary Saturday #12
FWIW: I've had suicidal ideations for more than 50 years. fierywoman Saturday #13
I'm sorry you're going through this JoseBalow Saturday #14
prayers & hopres for you both irisblue Saturday #15
I'm not sure the cause or nature of her physical pain but I found relief MadameButterfly Saturday #16
Can you take her to a local emergency room. Duncanpup Saturday #18
There are several possible ways to recover a deleted text Danascot Monday #21
Healing and true comfort for you and your wife 💚💚 Clouds Passing Monday #23
I am so so sorry. I hope so much things will be okay. I feel helpless to give any advice. I think maybe therapy LiberalLoner Yesterday #24

Not Heidi

(1,515 posts)
3. thank you, Skittles
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:21 AM
Saturday

I don't know why that didn't occur to me - probably because I'm mired in this quicksand.

I appreciate you.

Skittles

(164,482 posts)
9. mental anguish is very hard to deal with
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:39 AM
Saturday

it is exhausting

hopefully the hotline folk can steer you in the right direction and help both you and your lady.......

sheshe2

(92,157 posts)
10. Take care of your wife...
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:39 AM
Saturday

However you sure as hell need to take care of yourself as well.

Stay safe, Not Heidi.

Pachamama

(17,259 posts)
4. Chronic Pain physically (and mentally) is powerful and can seem hopeless
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:21 AM
Saturday

I just read your post and I am no expert in mental health or suicide - but have had friends and family who have also dealt with both chronic pain and depression - including suicidal ideation. It’s horrible and real for the person suffering from it and also horrible and real for those that love them and have to deal with it.

Do you have any children or other family members that you both are close to? Friends? I ask because it’s important to have all hands on deck and support - for her - for you.

25 years of marriage - with both good and bad matters and means something. It’s the worse now in the for better or worse. She needs you and it’s a heavy demand but you can and will be there for her - and you need support too. Clearly the story you shared about your experience in college shows how it has triggered some difficult memories of when you have had someone in distress psychologically put pressure in you that you may or may not be equipped (nor should have to in an unhealthy situation) but this while difficult - is different. It’s your spouse. You made vows that matter.

I don’t know of any way to retrieve a deleted text - but you should not need to. It seems to me that right now you need to reach out to people and sources of support you have in family and friends. Maybe you can call a suicide help line and ask them for guidance.

There is one thing I know from my experiences with a very good friend and even a family member who attempted - and survived - a suicide attempt. They were genuinely in pain - one physically and the other mentally - was that in both cases they didn’t think there was any hope and they wanted to end the suffering. They couldn’t see that they mattered or were needed by others and there were many things worth living for. They both got help through having those of us who stepped up and made sure they got help - and reminded them they were loved and mattered.

Be strong. Love her and get support.

Not Heidi

(1,515 posts)
8. Thank you, Pachamama
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:32 AM
Saturday

I'll reply later. Right now, while she's watching something on her tablet, I'm going to call the suicide hotline.

Thank you for your kind words.

Bayard

(25,263 posts)
6. Sorry you're both going through this
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:26 AM
Saturday

Is her painkiller an opioid? They can really mess with your mental health themselves, on top of dealing with the pain, and being highly addictive. Can you talk to her doctor?

As for therapists, some are very good and some are worthless. Sounds like she needs a new referral.

Hang in there. Maybe you could also use some couples counseling?

3catwoman3

(26,735 posts)
11. Maybe the text she sent is still in her phone?
Sat May 24, 2025, 12:49 AM
Saturday

Sending vibes of strength and courage to you.

calimary

(86,458 posts)
12. Hey, Not Heidi - here's a hug. A BIG one!!!
Sat May 24, 2025, 01:01 AM
Saturday

(((((((*)))))))

I’m so sorry you both are going through this.

AND, more importantly, I really feel for YOU. I’m guessing you feel a big burden of duty because you love her and care about her, and I’m certain you know she needs you.

But YOU ALSO need hugs, and people you trust and care about, who’ll be there when YOU need it.

I still remember something I read here quite awhile ago, I think from Skittles, reminding about something WE ALL need to keep in mind during difficult times: “someone’s always here.”

I think about that a lot. Just knowing it is comforting. And there’s a lot of wisdom, sympathy, empathy, and experience gained the hard way - here. Take as much advantage of all that as you can and/or want to.

There’ll always be SOMEONE here, no matter the time or time zone. I hope you can keep that, mentally, in your back pocket - for when you feel extra needy. And you can say ANYTHING. Nobody will mind, but everyone will know, understand, and care.

(((((((( * ))))))))

fierywoman

(8,325 posts)
13. FWIW: I've had suicidal ideations for more than 50 years.
Sat May 24, 2025, 01:16 AM
Saturday

OBVIOUSLY, I'm still here.
The story that touched me the most was that of someone (I think a guy) who decided to commit suicide by jumping off a San Francisco bridge -- and who realized after his jump that he really didn't want to die. Somehow, he survived.

The suicide hot line people are f-ing brilliant. They KNOW. I consulted them when a dearly loved cousin attempted suicide but then called for help at the last minute.

Is it possible to find a drug that will relieve your dear wife of her pain?

I wish you and her every positive outcome. much love --

JoseBalow

(7,578 posts)
14. I'm sorry you're going through this
Sat May 24, 2025, 02:09 AM
Saturday

You may be able to obtain your text SMS records from your cellphone provider.

I hope things get better for both of you.

MadameButterfly

(2,996 posts)
16. I'm not sure the cause or nature of her physical pain but I found relief
Sat May 24, 2025, 03:32 AM
Saturday

from severe chronic pain that I had for some years.
I found my solution in a book called "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno. It addresses more than just back pain and he has several books, all worth taking a look at.
I had tried EVERYTHING. Since my experience, I've recommended the books to people I know who have pain. Some won't even consider it--the approach is just outside of their paradigm. Some think about it for a long time, maybe a year. But those who eventually come around and read it and have an open mind tend to get results.

Don't wait a year like my 2 friends who got relief after an unnecessary extra year of suffering. And for your wife it's an emergency.
Again, I don't know the nature of her pain and whether this applies, but I'm hoping it will turn things around for her too.

I saw Dr. Sarno while he ws alive, but I believe there are doctors carrying out his work at least at NYU Medical Center and elsewhere.

You could supplement with some holistic healing modalities. Many can help both pain and depression. Like Body Code, Quantum Touch, Reiki, Jin Shin Jitsu....I have experienced or witnessed both temporary and permanent relief, depending on the person and the issue. Any relief from pain without the side affects of drugs could give her hope and keep her going while exploring Dr. Sarno's work.

She could also take a look at Joe Dispenza, who claims miraculous results (I witnessed several at a retreat I went to--a guy with MS who got out of his wheelchair and walked, a woman with a rare incurable disease that caused intense pain in her face who became pain-free).



Danascot

(5,026 posts)
21. There are several possible ways to recover a deleted text
Mon May 26, 2025, 04:01 PM
Monday

Google "how to recover a deleted text on an Android" and it will bring up several suggestions of things to try that are not excessively technical.

LiberalLoner

(11,207 posts)
24. I am so so sorry. I hope so much things will be okay. I feel helpless to give any advice. I think maybe therapy
Wed May 28, 2025, 04:54 PM
Yesterday

Might be a good thing. But I am also a believer in assisted suicide for those who are of sound mind, but suffering and have no hope of ever getting better or having the pain managed. Like cancer patients dying, that sort of thing. So I’ll just wish for the best for both of you.

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