Pramipexole and compulsive disorder

[Lynda231]

Hi, have just been prescribed Premipexole. I'm concerned because it says it's not suitable if you've have compulsive behaviour problems and I used to have an online gambling problem. Will it matter if I take a low dose? I'd rather have RLS than chance getting back to gambling. HS anyone else had any problems with this drug?

[Hidden]

My advice would be not to take it, even a low dose could have an affect on you, if you are inclined to want to gamble. Talk this over with your doctor, and see if he can prescribe something else.

[Hidden]

Hi Lynda,Oh this is a difficult choice for you .I have severe restless legs but also have experience of an ex who had a compulsive gambling problem (he still has actually).I would contact your GP and explain the situation. All of the dopamime drugs which the most common ones are Mirapex, Requip and Neupro patch carry the same warning.Knowing the devastation a gambling addiction can bring I would first try a different class of drug such as painkillers -many do well on Tramadol or anti convulsants such as Gabapentin or Pregablin as these dont carry the same problem of compulsive behaviours.By the way congratulations on beating the gambling problem its a very difficult thing to do.Hope one of the other meds help you ..pipps

[Lynda231 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying, I won't take them , I am still struggling with not gambling. I suggested tramadol but my doctor says that won't help and you know doctors don't like being told what to prescribe. I will get back to him though..Lynda

[Pete-1]

I've been taking Pramipexole for about 6 years. Now take the prolonged release version. Before that I took 4.24mg per day. I believe this is about as high a dose as is allowed. I take Pramipexole to treat Parkinson's disease which usually means taking a larger dose than for RLS. I don't have any new compulsive behaviours.

The worst thing about Pramipexole is stopping taking it. Very unpleasant withdrawal. Search the RLS-UK and the Parkinson's Movement communities for DAWS. Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome.

[arjay]

I've been taking it for some time now. I'm constantly aware of this side effect as I used to go to the casino (very rarely) but I enjoyed it. No I'm frightened I might get hooked so I don't gamble. I've also asked my wife to tell me if she sees any change that I haven't noticed. Be very careful and aware of these side effects. Take care and good luck.

[BBGuess45]

I've been taking Pramepexole(Mirapex) since december '04. It

s stopped being very effective. Instead of taking a regulated TID or QID doseage I wait for the onset of symptoms, giant powerful muscle twitches that hurl my knee into me or the underside of my desk. The Symptom onset method works eventually. Back on a semi-soap box, Cannabis oils, butters stop RLS symptoms for awhile I think the technique of rubbing oils of the correct strains of Weed could be improved by using DMSO which might be a good vehicle to get meds directly to the affected muscles. DMSO is OTC, ask a chemist or knowledgeable Pharmacist about using it. Its from tree sap, has a juniper berry taste, from my evil past life, I know the some intoxicants medicines are carried threw the skin, You buy it at a complete pharmacy, a hardware store or a lumberyard. & Read about it I'm some guy on the Net,

Try Magnesium Citrate 400 mg twice daily. It does help. Upgrading your nutrition never hurts, eat healthy exercise etc Study up Read.

I'm going to consult an Oriental Medicine Doctor soon to get his/her diagnosis. See if there's an effective affordable herbal treatment. Never Covered By Insurance, but give acupuncture a try. I'm going to start back up next . It can do a lot of wonders to imbalances like curse us. But miracles are expensive.

My life is controlled by Caregivers and my RLS, the annoying neurological imperfect gym that exercises itself for hours, until exhaustion wins.

Y'know a Hot Buttered Rum , 400 mg Magnesium Citrate, might be the best recomendation

[healthylass]

I would say discuss this with your GP. I have been taken pramipexole for about 4 years and before taking this pill had no problems with gambling infact had not even gambled but take this pill and I am different person. The only way for me to stop this is to install anti gambling software on computer. So be very cautious about taking this pill. I did not no that tramadol can help restless leg I take slow releasing tramadol so will try that. All the best.

[Photomkr]

I have been on Premipexole for a number of years for severe RLS and couldn't live without it. I too have issues with gambling and have for most of my life but don't find this medication increases my desire to gamble. I still gamble when i shouldn't but that is due to my addiction and my inability to control the desire not the medication. I am also an alcoholic and I have been drink free for over 19 years even while being on pramipexole.

[ELLSBELLS]

Hello Linda , I tried both mirapexin and ropinarole and found I compulsively overate and became addicted to television shopping channels and on-line shopping (I have mobility problems so do not visit shopping centres) and these behaviour patterns ceased when I stopped taking dopamine agonists due to augmentation. It seemed to me that if you are prone to compulsive behaviour it may be best to avoid these drugs. I do have normal levels of self-control and willpower but this type of medication seemed to switch something on in my brain and I found it impossible to control these impulses, it was not a pleasant experience to be so out of control plus I gained a lot of weight and overused my credit cards for the first time ever.

[Lynda231 in reply to ELLSBELLS]

Thanks for your advice, as much as I hate the RLS I would rather have that than go back to gambling, it's not worth the risk.

[ELLSBELLS]

Dear Lynda, do not give up as I am sure you will find a drug that suits your metabolism and help you live with this awful syndrome. I fought for six years to get my GP to refer me to a neurologist as I knew early on that dihydrcodeine was the drug that resolved my RLS. While i was being treated with approved medicine my RLS went from disappearing at 8.am to lasting 24/7 and now I also suffer with RLS in my lower arms whereas before dopamine agonists it was only in my lower legs. I do not suffer with pain just that awful internal itching but painkillers are the answer for me as I had tramadol prescribed when I was hopitalised with pancreatitis and they also worked well for me. I am lucky that as an insomniac I never get the sleepy side effects but it's fine not to sleep if my legs are at rest. I wish you luck in finding your medicinal answer soon and always remember you are not alone but a member of a very supportive and knowledgeable community.

[Windwalker]

If you have any tendency toward compulsive behavior it will surface, but you can control it. I had the exact same problem when I first took Maripex and was disgusted with my behavior. As soon as they admitted it causes compulsive gambling, that was enough for me to restrain myself. I talked to my Neurologist and haven't gambled in several years, but still have the urge. i do from time to time buy a lottery ticket and when checking the numbers feel that rush, but it is a small amount of money and it amuses me that I haven't lost that urge or the rush from even that small wager.

[Hopeless100]

Please I beg you, abandon on-line-gambling, it is a dirty, dirty con, they are off-country, and do not have to give much back, it is cruel to the punters. they talk big of the winners, some are false, leave it alone I beg you, it will destroy your life.

Get a pack of cards and play with yourself (cards that is), dice, on your own or with a partner, far, far, far better than those criminals on the net, they rake in BILLIONS, you always loose they have the exotic life , you pay for it. it is a con, con, con.

Just re-read your blog: you are a wonderful person getting away from those criminals, if they gave gold stars here you should have ten. my hero.

[Hopeless100]

Yes, yes, no on-line gambling, it is not gambling, it is giving your money away. Get some dice or playing cards, do-it-yourself and no money lost , anything but on-line criminals UGH. I have taken Premipexole for a year or so, and no compulsiveness, so I am lucky, Before I knew gambling is rubbish anyway.

[BBGuess45]

Am I not understanding RLS? It is a physiological, not psychological, Compulsive Disorder; brain chemistry gone awry . The warning on Pramipexole seems odd to me, Is it a warning that it might Stop or Start Compulsive Behavior. Wouldn't it be Stop it?

I've been taking Pramipexole since December 2004. I don't gamble, other than coping with the daily risks in life like all of us do.

The only compulsive behavior I recognize are the Do's and Don't's of using a computer correctly which I follow so tightly that Freud would be proud of me.

[Phogan]

In Australia that drug is marketed under the name of Sifrol and yes the side-effects are very nasty. However I have learnt how to control the side effects but there is no way on God's green Earth that I would ever be able to control the symptoms of my RLS.