Won a legal case - advice: hi everyone... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Won a legal case - advice

Snoops112233 profile image
18 Replies

hi everyone, just wanted to let you know that after 2 and a half years with my case being handled by medical negligence solicitors, it has now settled in my favour, with my GP admitting negligence by prescribing BOTH pramipexole and ropinirole when they knew I already had a propensity to gamble (severely). I was on pramipexole solely to begin with and my impulse to gamble was out of control but my rls was still worsening, but the docs continued to prescribe plus added ropinirole. It almost destroyed my life.

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Snoops112233
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18 Replies
SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

I am so sorry for your problems with your doctor prescribing DAs when you told them you had a propensity to gamble but that is great news that you won the lawsuit!

What are you doing or taking now for your RLS? Is it under control?

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

Great news that you got acknowledgement at last.

Hopefully it will be publicised among the medical fraternity and they will take notice.

Unfortunately,this is probably the only way to get change in how RLS is treated.

I echo Sue's sentiments.

Good luck.

That's a great outcome. Good on you for your persistence in pursuing the matter. Hopefully it serves to strengthen the message around the risks associated with dopamine agonists.

Snoops112233 profile image
Snoops112233

hi thank you for your kind comments. I hadn't had bloods done since 2014 (also part of negligence), so when all bloods finally done I was deficient in many levels. Don't get me wrong I still have horrendous evenings with my rls, but they are few and far between. Without a doubt there needs to be more precaution in prescribing DA's. Unless you know rls, people just do not understand its debilitating results, and that sense of desperation.

RLSLearner profile image
RLSLearner

Yes, great that it is settled, hopefully a lot. Not that it gets back everything, especially the time, you lost. A story in a newspaper would be great 😉

Snoops112233 profile image
Snoops112233 in reply toRLSLearner

Thank you for your kind words. I have been asked about publishing a story, but really don't want to, but I'd love to help anyone else that has been or is in my situation

Jumpey profile image
Jumpey

I'm really pleased you have justice at last and sorry you have had to go through all that stress.I hope you are really well now and your RLS is controlled.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

I am so pleased you have received justice.I notice you say 'settled' so presumably it never went to court?

There have been quite a few legal cases in the UK for this.

I really do hope you consider talking about this. There are thousands of other people suffering Impulse Control Disorder and UK doctors refuse to believe them and they're still prescribing these dangerous drugs. They refuse to listen to the suffering.

I hope you now have your RLS under control.

Sleep well.

DicCarlson profile image
DicCarlson

Excellent news! I'm reading Dopamine Nation, an eyeopener on the power of dopamine. Good luck on your RLS journey. Excessive gambling as a side effect of DAs has been reported even in patients who never gambled before. From Wikipedia, Ropinirole...

"In November 2012, GlaxoSmithKline was ordered by a Rennes appeals court to pay Frenchman Didier Jambart 197,000 euros ($255,824); Jambart had taken ropinirole from 2003 to 2010 and exhibited risky hypersexual behavior and gambled excessively until stopping the medication."

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply toDicCarlson

I have heard of one poor man who is in prison in the USA as a result of Impulse Control Disorder on these awful drugs. I really hope his defence team are good and appeal.

WideBody profile image
WideBody

I am so sorry you had to go through this. I had a similar horrible experience. I glad you were able to get some relief!

You are my hero today!

Merny5 profile image
Merny5

Congrats! I’m so happy for you. Unfortunately no money can make up for the pain you have suffered. I hope that you reconsider making your story public. We need all the help we can get to bring serious attention to this horrible disease.

Snoops112233 profile image
Snoops112233

Hi everyone, thank you again for your kind words and support, it has been a truly turbulent time. Yes we settled out of court, the GP held their hands up and said that they shouldn’t have prescribed two different DA when they knew I was gambling. I can fully understand how it takes over people’s lives, in many different forms of Impulse Control Disorder and without doubt, this medication should be a last ditch attempt, after bloods, holistic methods etc, lots of pre-testing should be explored for any deficiencies, and the minute there is any sign at all of Impulse Control Disorder, they should be professionally stopped, because once you are ‘in it’ - it’s very hard to get out of it, because it is a compulsion, and a compulsion that nothing or nobody can change with wise words or support. I would publicise it in the medical fraternity, if it will help others.

RLSdaily profile image
RLSdaily

It should feel good to have the GP admit wrong doing. Sad You can not go back only forward. Justice should feel good. I always say, it isn't about being right, it about doing what hat is right. I wish you well. Prescribers have such power and not enough of them believe how well we as patients know ourselves.

Snoops112233 profile image
Snoops112233 in reply toRLSdaily

❤️👍🏻

Smitty39 profile image
Smitty39

Wat solicitors did u go through .I have the same and how much was the settlement if u don't mind me asking 🤔

Snoops112233 profile image
Snoops112233

hi it was what was Pryers, the first offer was £25K, didn't settle on that, in the end we got £75K, I got £51K of it. How about you?

Carlo5 profile image
Carlo5

Hi, can you please advise. Was put on pramiprexole for rls. Several months later it was increased. In that time. I started gamblingand other severe impulse behaviour leading to it being uncontrollably bad to the point my adult children couldn't take anymore. I never got any advice from doctors never checked me or asked me about it over two years. Someone e has to be accountable for this. Thank you

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