Impulse Control Disorder in the News. Plea for more stories for a film by Mr Bates V Post Office Producer.

[Joolsg]

Many of you will have seen the BBC news stories today about Impulse Control Disorder caused by Dopamine agonists.The BBC have published a news article and a radio interview and will be showing a television interview with RLS trustees tonight at 6.30pm on BBC South news.

If anyone else has been affected by Impulse Control disorder on Ropinirole, Pramipexole or Neupro and is happy to talk further- the producer of Mr Bates versus the Post Office is currently working on a podcast, documentary and film.

She would like to hear from anyone who has suffered gambling, impulse spending or hypersexuality.

You can contact her at

[e-mail]

This would help to raise awareness of the large number of patients affected by this common, serious side effect and will hopefully improve knowledge and treatment of RLS amongst doctors.

[Huntingleroy]

I have emailed her

[Joolsg in reply to Huntingleroy]

Thank you. 😊

[Elisse3]

I will definitely be watching tonight. 😊

[Joolsg in reply to Elisse3]

I will have to search BBC iplayer as we don't get BBC South in London.

[Elisse3 in reply to Joolsg]

Hope you can watch it on iplayer

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Elisse3]

You can watch on iplayer. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m... Starts at 01.20

[Joolsg in reply to Kaarina]

You are a star Kaarina. Well done for adding the link.

[Elisse3 in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks Kaarina now all members can see it.

[50568789]

Thank goodness there are some doctors who are in the know and are proactive. I attended an overnight Sleep Clinic a couple of years ago at Royal Papworth Hospital. I was diagnosed with mild apnoea and Restless Legs. The doctor from the clinic followed up with a phone call about treatment, and prescribed ropinirole. However, he made sure I was aware of possible impulse disorder side effects and asked several times if I was prepared to risk that. When I received the prescription, I took time to read the information paper which clearly covered impulse disorder. I don't recall hearing or reading about augmentation, but that's not to say it wasn't covered and I just didn't pay attention to it. As it transpired, I didn't get on with the medication, I only took it for a few weeks and then stopped altogether. Since then I have used other non-medication coping strategies for RLS with reasonable success. I have no complaints about my treatment or medical advice , but every sympathy with those affected by impulse disorders from taking medication which could have been avoided at the onset.

[Joolsg]

If you saw a doctor a couple of years ago and were prescribed Ropinirole that is shocking.The research and evidence about these drugs has been known for decades. The Mayo Clinic Algorithm was released in 2021 and advised against dopamine agonists.

You had a lucky escape. Augmentation is horrendous.

[50568789]

My decision to stop might have been influenced by my wife who read about the possible impulse disorders and said "you must be joking".