Requip turn me into a compulsive gambler. Has anyone experienced this side effect as well?

[Matilde]

[compucure]

It is a known side effect for some people using this drug. Tonyxx

[Beachdog]

I am avoiding the agonists as they are known to contribute to compulsive behavior ...gambling, spending, sexual...in 20% of the users. I know I would be in that group

[Matilde]

Thanks for your response! I wish I had been more informed about this medication. I was taking 5 mil a day, on top of 300 mil of Topiramate to counteract the compulsive behavior. What a mess! Now, I am off Topiramate (Topamax) and down to 2 mil a day, combined with Sinemet 50/200 4 times a day. I feel back to myself, no compulsions. Some tremor present, but I rather deal with it than being overmedicated again.

[Carrigan]

Hi yes a shame you were not given enough information, we met a young lad once at a PD forum he nearly ended up in prison because of this he was only 26 very sad and a lovely lad, came of it and left with very poor mobililty he made me cry, but had such a great sense of humour too and got on very well with my hubby (the one with PD) sorry we lost touch some how. But an inspiring story he had to tell. You take care and demand proper information ot the drugs you are prescribed.

[olpilot]

I have been on requip 3mg 3 times a day for about 8 months, with once a day azilect, and the only compulsion I have developed is the strong earge to nap. No other "sins" anyway.

[PatV]

Not specifically gambling, but shopping, eating, sexual compulsions and playing computer games. Plus nausea and permanent marks around my ankles. And it didn't always relieve my PD symptoms. So glad to get off it.

[Matilde]

I also experienced all of the above you mentioned, but the gambling was the one that caused me so much grief. Taking 2 mil a day seems okay for now. Thanks to all of you for sharing.

[mathsman]

Hi

I was on 16mg of Requip until just before Easter. My Pd Specialist nurse was always checking that I wasn't gambling! I did have occasional very vivid dreams which often ended with my poor wife getting kicked, although on one occasion I kicked the wall. I too got very drowsy.

I was already geekily obsessive about spreadsheets and PowerPoint and some games and I think I have got worse.

Am now on 12 mg of Requip and 4 sinemet and I feel a lot better.

[lmbanni in reply to mathsman]

Mathsman,

could you please share with me and my husband how often you took take the requip and the sinemet. Also how many mg of Sinemet. We ask because his doctor keeps telling him he is on too much medicine now and wants him to have the DBS. He is only on 3mg of requipt 4 times a day and the Sinemet is 25/100 mg and he takes two of those pills 4 times a day too. Thank you and God Bless!

Mary

[Matilde in reply to lmbanni]

Sure, right now I am only taking Sinemet 50/200 4 times a day, and Requip 1mg twice a day. A month ago, I was taking same amount of Sinemet, but 1mg of Requip five times a day, along with 300 mg of Topamax to counteract the compulsive behavior. It was not working for me. I became manic depressive. I was hospitalized for severe depression at a VA facility under my consent. The team of psychiatrists suggested ECT to alleviate my depression. I had been taking Lexapro for over 8 years, and was no longer working. I agree to ECT, and received two treatments. It worked miraculously on me. My depression went away right away, at the same time while hospitalized Doctors tampered my meds into 2 mg of Requip instead of 5. got me off completely of Topamax. Compulsions went away. I feel that I need more medication to help with tremor, and stiffness, but I am afraid of experiencing side effects again. It is a tough decision to make because while being on more meds never felt or looked as if I had Parkinsons'. I was on top of the world. Had so much energy, and developed a genius mind. Too much brain stimulation, but also started gambling, and acting reckless. Now I can see how all this was product of the medication, Psychiatry blamed Requip for all this. I'll try to hang on to the actual dosage of meds, but I also want to be more active, and not look and feel as an old person. I am 49, and want to start a new life. My behavior caused me to loose my husband. I guess it was more than that, but I feel that I am entitled to a new life. It might sound as if I am vain, but I am a very attractive woman, and would like to find someone to share my life with. Thank you for your response and your good wishes Mary. God Bless you and your husband. Matilde

[mathsman in reply to lmbanni]

Hi Mary

Hope you and your Husband are well.

I take the RequipXL all in one dose of 12mg (1x8mg and 1x4mg) at breakfast time accompanied by 1 Azilect (1mg) and 1 Sinemet (25/100mg) - with toast or cereal and orange juice. The other 3 SInemet are taken at about 11am (break time) 4pm (end of school) and 8pm.

Before this i was on the Requip patches - i looked like a patchwork quilt of varying shades of redness and was getting irritation so i switched to the prolonged release tablets.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[Sassynailart]

It turned me into a compulsive eater.

[ErnieJ]

No

[Koko]

NOt yet! However I have a friend with PD who left home and took all of the money they had in savings and investments and gambled it all away. He almost lost his wife and family over this. so we must all beware. Take care .