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Restless Legs Syndrome

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sandykk profile image
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Has anyone had a real problem with gambling on Ropinirole or Pramipaxole?

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sandykk profile image
sandykk
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Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator

Hi sandy

I am sure you will get replies soon, but in the meantime you may wish to take a look at this past HU RLS posting which may be of some help to you.

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

Kaarina

sandykk profile image
sandykk in reply to Kaarina

Thanks for response Kaarina - will follow up.

nightdancer profile image
nightdancer

I have not, because I cannot take the dopamine drugs, BUT I know PLENTY of people who have developed severe compulsive behavior disorders from being on those meds. The Federal Drug Administration has a string warning about that in the US. I now people who have lost their houses, and everything they hold dear, so it can get BAD. You can also google "Mirapex/pramipexole and lawsuits" (skip the lawyer ads. fda.gov is where t go to read about this and also do search in this group, there have been several discussions here about that. Even the Mirapex web site has to have the warning on it, If have ever had compulsive/impulsive issues, I would strongly suggest this is not the class of meds for you. :( Are you in the UK or the US?

sandykk profile image
sandykk in reply to nightdancer

Thanks for response. Am in NZ & I absolutely can't live without some meds for RLS. Am addicted to slots & am feeling the need more to go online for this by the day - so am wondering how to cope with this. Also weight is now another issue with the scales going up practically daily.

beady3 profile image
beady3

hi Sandykk When I was on Ropinarol I used to buy skirts I know what they say about gambling but since I came of them I have been ok I never told anyone because who would think a tablet could make you do things like that ,now on Tramodol and quite happy

Rubylane25 profile image
Rubylane25

I had a terrible. Problem. Lost a ton of money. I was involved in a lawsuit, class action and we won. I am currently also involved in a requip one that has yet to be settled. At that time they knew it caused it but didn't warn us. I also noticed that other activities I did I did compulsively. Prior to the drugs aI was a casual runner. After I ran ten miles a day and worked. Out for at least two hours. I was totally obsess with it. Also had a five year compulsion of hitting the bars and lots of drinking and partying which is also very common. It can really catch you off guard. Kep a close eye on your behaviour. All dopamine drugs do this but now they have to warn you.

sandykk profile image
sandykk in reply to Rubylane25

I'm sure you're right with your comments. I know i need to really watch myself - but how to manage the RLS without the meds is the real problem.

Thankfully I haven't but a guy my GP treated nearly lost everything before they realised it was the dopamine drugs. THere are a number of nasty side-effects including compulsive gambling - very dangerous drugs.

Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2

The dopamine meds can definitely affect a persons impulse control.I had gone a long time without smoking,never bothered me but within a month of going onto the Neupro patch (which is slow release dopamine agonist through the skin) I started smoking againNever had a problem with gambling or over shopping but my willpower over smoking certainly went out of the window!

Rubylane25 profile image
Rubylane25

It is very dangerous. With my gambling addiction I opened up to my family after loosing about fifty thousand dollars. They knew something was going on but weren't quite sure what it was. I am not married so my son took over all my finances and also paid for me to go to a psychologist to help me deal with the guilt of what I had done. It truly was a tereible time and without a supportive family I am not sure I would have made it. The lawsuit nowhere covered what I had lost but at least it was confirmation for me that my behaviour was not my character but someone taken over by the affects of Mirapex. I wish anyone out there with the side affect of obsessive behaviour the best of luck and if you have good friends or a supportive family,open up to them. If they don't believe you show them the legal cases. You can google them by simly googling Mirapex class action lawsuits.