Ropinrole ruined my millionaire life to being homeless.

[Mustang22]

I worked at a gambling establishment for 25 years and was smart with my money buying up real estate and becoming a millionaire. I had a 820 credit score to. I got on ropinrole and gambled it all away and have been homeless for ten years now because of it. I lost all my friends and family as well because they say God gives us free will and iam just using this drug as an excuse for bad behavior. I told them this drug took my free will away and show them articles on the side effects of this medicine but t h ey don't believe it

[Madlegs1]

If true ----SUE.

[Pippins2]

So sorry to hear this ,which country are you in ? You may be able to take Court action against the makers of Ropinerole there have been many successful cases .Joolsg

[SueJohnson]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

That is absolutely horrible! Unfortunately ropinirole is known to cause ICD - impulse control disorder.

You have a strong case to sue your doctor who should have warned you about this. If you live in the US you could probably get a lawyer to take it on pro bono or on a contingent basis. If in the UK there is a group that helps with this and I am sure Joolsg will be along to tell you their name.

What are you taking for your RLS now?

Do you have a good doctor who is knowledgeable about RLS? If not where do you live and I may be able to provide you with a name.

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? This is the first thing your doctor should have done. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin that has iron in it 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute

[ChrisColumbus]

The fact that impulse control disorders (ICD) (most commonly compulsive shopping, pathologic gambling, hypersexuality etc) can be triggered by ropinirole and pramipexole has been known for *at least* 10 years, although it has taken some time for this information to filter through.

Whether you can sue or not will depend on where you are, what medical advice you had and how long ago this all happened.

[Joolsg]

I'm so sorry this has happened.Have you consulted lawyers? Please do so. Impulse control Disorder is a VERY common side effect. It's NOT rare!

In the USA there have been several class actions. Here in the UK there have been several large legal cases AND hundreds of cases settled out of court.

[SueJohnson in reply to Joolsg]

Since she might be in the UK, can you give her the name of the group that was mentioned earlier that helps in cases like this.

[Joolsg in reply to SueJohnson]

I will if she returns to the forum. So far, no response to our replies.

[ziggypiggy]

Saw it happen in real time with my mom. I believe you.

[Merny5]

I’m so very sorry that this has happened! It is real, no doubt. It happened to me. I agree with the others, take legal action.