OBSESSIVENESS

[Phogan]

Obsessiveness is one of the weird side effects that one experiences from Sifrol. (In your part of the world it is called Mirapex).

From the very first day that I started my dosage of Sifrol, the obscene obsessiveness struck. Only I had no idea. First it was with the gardening (a task I had never before in my life even contemplated undertaking), but now, all of a sudden, I could not get enough. I gardened continually from Sun-up till Sun-down. Once the sun went down and I was forced inside, I suddenly became a DIY builder. I would build anything that I felt I required, even a full floor to ceiling wall unit.

And then I went off Sifrol and the obsessiveness stopped immediately, as quickly as it had started. Then about 4 years later, I was once again prescribed the drug as was assured (by four sleep clinicians), of the significant advances that had been made to the medication.

Again, from the very first dosage, the relentless obsessiveness struck again. This time I was aware that it was not usual for me to act like this. However, that was as far as my thoughts took me.

Absolutely everything I did, I did to the unstoppable extreme. Quick examples:

Painting:

I painted my entire apartment ... 3 times to be exact. Then I took to canvas painting .... it was not unusual for me to paint continually for 8-9 hours.

Housecleaning:

To the extent of being on hands and knees scrubbing an already clean floor for 3-4 hours.

I was aware that I was being obsessive but did not link it to the use of the medication, until my psychiatrist pointed it out to me one day. He asked me if I was aware of the weird side effects and of course I answered no, although my thinking of side effects were of the usual suspects of nausea, headache, vomiting, weight gain etc. He listed 3 and they were,

1. Increased sex drive ...

that was easy, as I live alone my answer was no.

Until .... approx 12 months later the answer would've been changed.

2. Gambling ... once again, that was an easy no. I have since come to realise that money is not the only currency that one can use to gamble with. I gambled with my children's love and I lost one and am hanging in there by a thread with the other. And then he said that magic word,

OBSESSIVENESS ...... I almost jumped out of my seat.

YES YES YES to the enth degree. That explained everything. Oh it got worse, I tried to go off it as I realised that it was ruining my life. But I could not. I cannot control the symptoms of RLS but I do try to control my obsessiveness, it is still a daily battle. A battle that I'm afraid I don't always win.

But, on the flip side .... my sex drive is 100% under control and I gamble with nothing.

Not real sure why I felt the need to share all that. Maybe someone will read it and it will help them.

[Hidden]

Hi Paddy! I like the way in which you tell your obsessive story! If you ever want to talk, I’m all ears😀

[Phogan in reply to Hidden]

😘

[Phogan in reply to Hidden]

Jess .... have just sent you a pm

[involuntarydancer]

Internet shopping - and regular shopping - is another manifestation of this problem with sifrol.

[Phogan in reply to involuntarydancer]

Yeah forgot about them

[LotteM]

Paddy, I like the way you write. And, yes, it is very informative as it holds an important message: all out drugs are of the ‘heavy’ kind and have side effects. The usual ones get listed, but you very clearly point out the leas obvious ones. Not to us when reading your story, but to yourself when you were/are experiencing them.

I had a similar, although less hilarious experience with gabapentin. It changed my feelings and my demeanor. I became grumpy, somewhat depressed, restless, negative in a general sense. All even more than I was before because of the unrelenting tiredness associated with rls not well controlled by meds or behaviour or whatever people do to get their rls under control.

In sum, these meds may change your behaviour, including your ability to observe yourself. Thus, thanks for posting!!!

[Phogan in reply to LotteM]

I found no adverse reactions from taking Gabba, altho I also received no help from it.

[Madlegs1]

Can we have full disclosure- for the sake of people who are checking out Pramipexole for their own potential use.

What other medications are you on and what dose of Prami were you on , to get these awful side effects?

I was on 0.2 and had no side effects whatsoever. I was able to stop -slowly- without any withdrawals.

I suffered a huge amount rls needlessly because of the wild claims of bad side effects - mainly due to too high dosing, and the effects from Parkinsons patients. An utter irrelevance for rls sufferers.

So- for longterm posters here- please lets be aware of the needs of newbies and let us be balanced in our information.

Thank you.

[Phogan in reply to Madlegs1]

I'm on the highest dose possible ... 1mg. But the side effects kicked in immediately I started taking it, and I assume that I would have begun on the lowest dose.

I take Madopar for the RLS pain (and it works), and the Sifrol controls the symptoms. Those are the only two medications that I take for my RLS. I have since been able to decrease my intake of Madopar by two thirds, without suffering any noticeable or substantial difficulties.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Phogan]

Not full disclosure-- I understand that you also take Seroquel for Bipolar?

Surely there might be interactions possible?

Nobody knows all the interactions medications have .

That is why FULL disclosure is important -- it is exactly what we ask of all the first time posters.

Cheers.

[Ruthless]

I started on Sifrol a little over a month ago and can really relate. Am 76 and a slow starter but lately have commenced a full spring clean of the house, never bothered much with shopping but have amazed myself with online buys and shopping trips. Have changed from being a night owl to a lark, waking at 5 a.m. every morn. Don't know yet whether I like it or not. Will really have to watch the budget. I do get very weary in the afternoon which is the only thing that slows me down, thank goodness. However, the best thing is that I'm on a low dosage and the R.L. are completely still and I'm sleeping like a babe.

[Phogan]

Yes it's good that you are aware. So glad it's working for you

[crazzyleggs]

Thank you Obsessive. I was thinking of asking doctors to take me off Requip and put me in Mirapex. Don’t think I want to do that either

[mantel]

Phogan I agree with Madlegs 1 it is good to get some perspective as it can frighten people from taking a drug that may help them . When I first started taking Lyrica I was almost put off by the frequently reported side effect of excessive weight gain. It has not made me gain any weight.

When we are taking several types of medications it is hard to know what causes what or if 2 meds taken together cause a side effect that would not be there if they were taken individually. It is good to recognise what is going on and if it is a real problem stop or cut down on the medication to see if things change , sometimes they will and sometimes they wont. I would say that since going on my new meds 16 months ago I have noticed my sex drive has decreased quite a bit but during this time I have also entered and almost finished the menopause, so, it is hard to know if this decrease in sex drive is down to the meds or natural causes . Nothing is ever clear, everything is a balancing act.