AN elderly woman took an overdose after reaching “the point of desperation” after years of suffering from arthritis, an inquest heard.
Margaret Hermon was discovered in the kitchen of her Tylers Green home by her son Sean Hermon on January 8.
He called for paramedics who discovered empty blister packs of drugs prescribed to her to help ease the effects of arthritis, in the bin.
The 72-year-old died two days later in hospital, the inquest at Wycombe Magistrates Court was told.
Mr Hermon found a letter written by his mother on a chair.
In it, she complained about her health and “not being able to go on any longer”.
He said: “She was a tough old lady but she was in considerable pain. She had a high tolerance level of pain and went through a lot.”
Recording a verdict of suicide, the Buckinghamshire Coroner Richard Hulett said: “That pain she had wore her down. It doesn’t surprise me as it would test the strongest.
“There is no doubt this was a deliberate attempt...She had taken the lion's share [of the tablets].”
