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drug causes compulsive gambling

NOTE: the discussion on this site has been moved to the forums at Dopamine Agonist Help Center, please go there for continuing conversation.

Mirapex, a drug given to Parkinson's disease patients has been shown to cause compulsive gambling.

An unusually large number of patients taking Mirapex gambled themselves into debt, while patients taking other drugs did not, the team at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona reported.

Link (thanks, Neil and Jules!)

Of 529 Mirapex patients studied, 9 developed compulsive gambling habits. None of them had any history of compulsive gambling. No patients studied who were not taking Mirapex became compulsive gamblers.

If they're able to trace the root cause of what caused the compulsive gambling, it could lead to some possible treatments for extreme problem gamblers, or at least a better understanding about chemical origins of behaviors like this. On the other hand, it could also lead to the overprescription of drugs for anyone who loses more than $100 in one sitting.

August 13 2003 | permalink(551 players) | 0 pointers

comments

Mirapex DOES cause compulsive behavior in some folks. I have a very good friend who dropped $265,000 in two months! It ruined lives. Beware!

Posted by: Knows from Experience on August 17, 2003 04:41 PM

Mirapex can cause pathological gambling in people with Parkinson's disease. I am living proof. At the age of 51 I developed a pathological gambling disorder that has devastated me financially. At the time my gambling problem started I was taking a prescribed dose of Mirapex three times daily. My losses are in excess of 750,000.00. I was eventually taken off of Mirapex due to several close calls while driving and suddeningly falling asleep. Permax (peroglide) was used to replace Mirapex and I remain on it at the present. Gambling is the only addiction I've ever experienced in my entire life and it started while I was on Mirapex. I have been through the complete treatment for compulsive gambling at CORE in Shreveport, LA and still struggle daily with the problem. I hope to stop Permax therapy in the near future with thoughts that it's abscence might improve my ability to avoid gambling.

Posted by: dan leach on August 24, 2003 10:00 AM

My gambling addiction started after two years of Mirapex. I lost around $150,000 or so. After I stopped Mirapex totally, all desre to gamble went away in a few days. I had to put myself back on Mirapex, at half the dose I was taking earlier (1.5mg 3x) so I could still move around. There is a class action suit being prepared in San Bernardino County, California, by a lawyer named Soheila Azizi. Her number is (909) 484-9992. Give her a call if you like.

Posted by: angelo d'angelo on September 13, 2003 10:38 PM

I AM LOOKING INTO THE CONNECTION OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLING AND PARKINSONS AND OR MEDICATIONS CONNECTION WITH GAMBLING BEHAVIOR WITH A VA DOCTOR AND THE EMAIL I AM GETTING ALONG WITH THE SAD STORIES AND ITS AMAZING ---IF U CAN HELP OR COMMENT IT WILL BE APPRECIATED TY

Posted by: blake on September 15, 2003 10:01 AM

I have gambled sporadically since I was a teenager, but never had "heavy" losses and it was not a problem. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1988 and I have been taking Permax for about 10 years. When the lottery came to Georgia, I bought scratch offs a little at a time and then more and more. Then I started playing video machines and still buying scratch offs. I went through about $150,000 and still have $90,000 in credit card debts. I recently heard about the study linking Parkinson's drugs to compulsive gambling and got an appointment with my neurologist (head of major university neurology dept.) to discuss it. we had not discussed my gambling problem before and he feels certain that my taking Permax definitely could have caused me to gamble out of control. He said Permax or pergolide affects the portion of the brain that controls your inhibitions. He thinks I was unable to not make reasonable decisions and also take greater risks. I am looking for legal counsel and am going to see what happens.

Posted by: Jim Shaw on October 14, 2003 10:38 AM

I'm a 57 yr old female who has been taking Mirapex since about 1999 or 2000 & in the past year or so had developed a terrible gambling addiction. I've lost tons including our house. It was as though the devil was taking over & I could not stop. I wrote bad checks, lied to family & friends, borrowed from family. I was taking Mirapex for Restless Leg Syndrome. All I thought about was gambling - it was awful. I even ban myself fom the riverboats - but then I went nuts with scratch offs. Anything I won was never enough. I was about ready to check myself in to some hospital or something, when my sister-in-law heard on the news about the link of Mirapex to Gambling. I researched & found info on WebMD & so I quit it in August, 2003, and now I feel normal & don't seem to have a gambling addiction. I'm convinced the Mirapex was causing the addiction. I had always enjoyed gambling - but with the addiction, I didn't really enjoy it - but I just had to do it anyway. It was the most awful experience I have ever gone through.

Posted by: Sue on November 21, 2003 12:08 AM

I'm writing this about my dad's experience. As a family, we just found out about the correlation between mirapex and gambling recently. Meanwhile, my dad has been on the drug for 5 or 6 years and in the past 2-3 years has lost over $800,000 in our estimation. We can't get him to stop and he doesn't believe its the medication, but we haven't shown him the online articles yet. I'm about to do that, and hopefully that will help.

Posted by: L.S. on March 24, 2004 02:35 PM

I am still in disbelief. My father, who had always been the most logical thinking person that I have ever known was diagnosed with Parkinson's the day before Thanksgiving in 2002. In January of 2003 his neurologist perscribed Mirapex. In February of 2004 I halped my mom pick up the pieces of their life when she found out that they had two weeks to vacate their home that was lost to foreclosure and had no money in the bank. It was all such a surprise, she worked, he was retired and took care of paying bills...he actually took care of buying every scratch off ticket and lottery ticket he could get his hands on. Just yesterday he went to his neurologist and when the doctor pressed about why he was depressed my dad told him about the gambling. The doctor smiled. Then took him off of Mirapex immediately...he had just recently read about the relation between the drug and gambling. While the shock has not worn off yet it is such a relief to know that this may be the reason that my dad became such a stranger to his family.

Posted by: Tanya on March 26, 2004 08:15 AM

These comments make my blood boil. I lost a pile of money thanks to Mirapex. I never gambled at all to speak of until that drug utterly ruined me financially. What is worse, it will take years to resolve this matter with thte drug companies. What are we to do in the meantime? Eat dog food????? I hope the officers and shareholders in these companies are proud of themselves.

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 26, 2004 08:57 AM

My husband almost left me!!!! I could not stop gambling and was so ashamed of what I was doing I could not bring myself to tell my PD specialist. The worst part about it was 6 months before I actually did tell him, I was seeing a therapist because I thought it was me. Because I went from not gambling to all out gambling, I asked the therapist if it could be the medication. The next session, he said it was NOT due to the medication, so I went another six months gambling away and making my husband so depressed, he had to go on antidepressants. Not to mention my own depression and the "loss of me" my children and grandchildren were feeling. I have no idea how much I lost, a lot. I also stayed up late working on art projects and spent a fortune on beads for jewelry, linens on the inernet and whatever I could get my hands on when I wasn't gambling, to keep me going. I always had to have something to do, with almost no sleep. Oh, and I work full time and was demoted from my job as a supervisor. I have held the same job for 24 years and was so embarrased to have lost my respectability at work. I went off of Mirapex last June and felt the relief immediately. The anger and the tears come much too often when I think of where my head was at when I was on that stuff which I call the medication from hell. I want answers and I don't know where to go to get them. Why is it still not listed as a side affect? I want that company to pay and to stop making people who are already suffering, now having to live with with yet another devastation, this one financial. I am still suffering from a type of post trauma that I can barely describe and only those that have gone through this would understand.
And now what do we trust, when our lives which we are to have control of and the decisions we make are our responsibilty and the consequences therof? Having taken something that is supposed to help our physical condition, but affects our brains drastically that we no longer have control of our own decision making. We are so vulnerable!!!!
Mary

Posted by: Mary on April 10, 2004 02:32 PM

I know your pain, go to www.azizilaw.com, a class action suit is gaining momentum

Posted by: Alan on April 15, 2004 02:01 PM

There have been several comments made by no less than the Medical Director of the National Parkinson's Foundation, firmly linking the use of dopamine agonists (like Mirapex) to obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCB) such as gambling. The failure of FDA to at least warn patients of the dangers connected with these drugs is absolutely appalling. Meanwhile the profits roll in, and the poor, drug-addled Parkinson's suffers, who have enough trouble already, gamble away their retirements and their childrens' college tuition. The drug companies prosper, as do the casinos. Only in America.

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 26, 2004 12:34 PM

My mother was diagnosed with parkinsons about 2 years ago and has been taking Mirapex for a while.We noticed her buying alot of lotto scratch off and playing slots on the computer.We didn't realize how bad until we realized she has got over 90,000 in credit card debt .We called the doctor and he decreased the mirapex and started seraquil.She was also not sleeping at night and falling asleep in the day and at the wheel of the car.We are going to seek council for this. Especially after seeing this web site.Please if you have any info on lawsuits e-mail me.

Posted by: Cindi on April 28, 2004 11:47 PM

Mirapex has ruined my life. I have never had a gambling problem until I started taking Mirapex. Please e-mail me with any information you might have on litigation.

Posted by: Mel on May 4, 2004 03:11 PM

I have Restless Leg Syndrome and was on Mirapex for 5 yrs. About 2 yrs ago I started gambling online casinos. It got to be so bad I would drive home at lunch just to get a few rounds of the slots in. I don't know exactly how much money I have spent I'm guessing around $50,000. I almost lost my house & my live in b/f of 5 yrs. I maxed out all my credit cards and am now filing bancrupcy. I had been off Mirapex for about 6 months then returned and low and behold the gambling returned too, after already about losing the house once. I didn't even have a job and was gambling away. I read the link between Mirapex and gambling and immediatly stopped the Mirapex and the urge to gamble completely went away in about a day or two. There is a class action law suit pending and everyone who reads this needs to go to this site. www.azizilaw.com We need to take action!

Posted by: Juli on May 17, 2004 08:29 PM

Help!! My husband has gambled us to almost bankruptcy. An Emory doctor knew of his obsessive compulsive behaviours and could not answer us straight. It's as if he didn't see me cry, see my humiliation, or hear my words. Even when we said the medicines are too expensive and to help us fill out pertinent info to acquire free medicine, he said he has no time for that. "Call the pharmacies to see who offers cheaper permax" he said. "His patients don't spend $700 a month on medicines" . He's out of touch with the reality of this disease. He had my husband on 6mg daily and then we found out thanks to a registered nurse that he should have been on only 3mg. Why bother to sue? I'll lose anyway. Now he's on requip and boy what a change. No more schizofrenic looks, no more online gambling (cross my fingers), no more scratch cards, even maniac depression looks as though has subsided. Only time will tell. Can anyone tell me if there's a lawyer that can help us? Where does a parkinsons patient get a job? How do I avoid bankruptcy? Where do almost destitute people go for help? I'm just a mother of three and could never make enough to support this stressed out family?

Posted by: M.A. on May 31, 2004 01:38 PM

GO TO THE WEBSITE azizilaw@azizilaw.com and sign up for the class action suit. It is the only hope. I talked to an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, who now produces Mirapex; he said that they are awaiting a decision from FDA as to whether a warning about obsessiuve behavior has to be included with future prescriptions. News about this is getting out, but IT WON"T WORK IF YOU DON"T SIGN UP FOR THE LAWSUIT.

Posted by: angelo21122 on June 2, 2004 08:38 PM

Posted by: angelo21122 on June 2, 2004 08:39 PM

My husband was on permax and unbeknownst to me, he ran up around $100,000 in gambling debts, mostly on the internet, that I cannot possibly repay. He died May 12, 2003. Probate is still pending.

Posted by: shirley fritzler on June 6, 2004 12:22 AM

my dad had parkinson's for 10 years... he took mirapex for 9 years. it made him crazy impulsive.... he did things like buy 2 boats in one week, he hallucintated and was hospitalized in march. he complained to his doctor that he felt crazy and they put him on antidepressants which made him worse. on june 24, 2004 he shot himself. the pain this has brought on me and my family is devastating. we loved him so much and now we have lost him due to mirapex. anyone know what i can do? someone should pay for the loss of my dad and to ensure this does not happen to another family. i miss him endlessly, he was too young to die.

Posted by: kim on July 12, 2004 04:19 AM

please email me. we need help.

Posted by: kim on July 12, 2004 04:27 AM

please email me. we need help.

Posted by: kim on July 12, 2004 04:27 AM

I am deeply sorry to hear of this tragedy. All I can suggest is contacting the only attorney I know of who is organizing a class action suit. Email her through her website at azizilaw.com.

Angelo

Posted by: angelo21122 on July 13, 2004 09:17 AM

I am deeply sorry to hear of this tragedy. All I can suggest is contacting the only attorney I know of who is organizing a class action suit. Email her through her website at azizilaw.com.

Angelo

Posted by: angelo21122 on July 13, 2004 09:17 AM

My husband was diagnosed with PD in 1991. In 1995 he was put on Mirapex, at that time he went from loving dad and husband to compulsive gambler losing around a milliom dollars. This man went from a converative spender to complusive gambler almost overnight.

Posted by: Kathy Gallo on July 13, 2004 04:05 PM

I am 53 years old and have been diagnosed with Parkinson's for 9 years. I was on Mirapex for four years, which caused a major compulsive gambling problem. When I stopped the Mirapex, the gambling also stopped. I was put on Tasmar, which made me irritable and the dose was cut back causing a lot of down time. The medications are currently being adjusted. Is there any feedback on the new injection drug, or replacement therapy for Mirapex. and suggestions on how to get comfortable during off time? Thank you.

Posted by: P on August 7, 2004 07:50 PM

I do not have Parkinson's disease but have been taking the drug Mirapex for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and RLS. I developed a sever gambling problem right away. I am retired and had my house paid off. Since I have developed a gambling problem, I have mortgaged my home for $70,000, borrowed $21,000 from my pension fund and maxed out all my credit cards. In short, I am ruined. I have ruined the quality of the rest of my life. I have also hired an attorney. He is researching now. He also found an attorney in California named Soheila Azizi who is putting together a class action suit regarding Mirapex and compulsive gambling. You can put in an application to join at www.azizilaw.com. Phizer, who makes Mirapex, is the same company that the Fed. Gov't is suing for prefabricating uses for the drug Neurontin. They even paid doctors to sign off on articles written by their staff.

I am at presently still researching here in Alabama to initiate my own lawsuit, but I may join that one. Good luck to you all! You may e-mail me at sbr35173zip@aol.com

Posted by: Sally on August 17, 2004 10:22 AM

I just stumbled across this website. It’s the first website I’ve found that addresses Parkinson’s and gambling on an individual level. My hope is that there might be someone out there who can relate to my situation and offer some insights on how to turn my life around.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's just over 10 years ago. I don't recall ever having been prescribed Mirapex, however I seem to recall having been prescribed Permax at one time but will need to do some research to be sure. I'm presently taking Amantadine, Requip and carbadopa/levadopa ER.
I never enjoyed gambling until about five years ago when I decided to go to local casino with my wife. I soon found myself going more often and more often. It wasn’t long before I was staying until I absolutely had nothing left to gamble with.
To make a long story short, we eventually sold our home in the city to move to a rural area and a less expensive home. Now, a year and a half later I’ve managed to waste away a lifetime of savings. I have no credit, I am behind with my bills and have even managed to get my self into debt with various family members. My self-esteem has never been lower.
I have a fairly good job at the moment however I know I need to get a grip on this while I still have the ability to work. I’m in my mid 50s and because of the Parkinson’s my ability to maintain a job is becoming more of a challenge all the time. While I have a good reporte with my neurologist, I haven't been able to bring myself to address this with him. I'm aware that I will eventually need to discuss it with him.
The thing I do know all too well is that I am totally responsible for this behavior and that it is my own doing that has gotten me into this situation. What I’m searching for is an answer to the nagging suspicion that just maybe there is a connection between this compulsion and Parkinson’s or the medications used to treat it. If so, just maybe I can begin to find a way to turn things around.

Any insights, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Marty
martycee@mchsi.com

Posted by: Marty on September 19, 2004 03:27 PM

And...yes, there was a landmark study done by Dr. Mark Stacy at the Mohammed Ali Parkinson's Clinic in Phoenix; it was released to the public in mid-August of 2003. It revealed an increased risk of gambling in those Parkinson's patients taking dopamine agonists. Use any major search engine--just query on the terms Mirapex and gambling. You'll find lots of press reporting.

Note in previous postings to this log that there is a class-action suit underway by people who developed obsessive disorder while on Mirapex. Go to www.azizilaw.com and click on the Mirapex button at the top of the page.

Posted by: angelo21122 on September 20, 2004 10:16 AM

Has anyone experienced problems with excessive gambling while taking requip?

Posted by: Nancy on September 21, 2004 08:28 AM

(Sorry if this is a multiple dupe)
Yes, regarding Requip and gambling see my post above. It caused me to gamble obsessively for the three months or so I was taking it. The gambling stopped when I stopped the Requip.

I strongly advise you only halt this or any other drug under the supervision of your doctor.

Posted by: angelo21122 on September 21, 2004 10:36 AM

Nancy,
In answer to your question, "Yes, I am presently taking "Requip" and struggling with gambling.
Marty

Posted by: Marty on September 21, 2004 06:32 PM

I just discovered in a UK medical journal, the East Anglia Medicines Information Service, dated August of 2002, the statement that dopamine agonists have been implicated in acting as a "trigger" for "pathological
gambling." The report cites the following source report: Prescrire International 2002; 11 (57): 16.
This was a full year before the release of the Stacy Study in Arizona. The failure of the drug companies to put a two-cent warning sticker on the container has cost PD sufferers literally millions, and, as of this date, there is still no obligatory advisory. The situation is appalling.

Posted by: angelo21122 on October 12, 2004 11:13 AM

My husband has experienced the obsessive gambling, while being on Requip. After finally being taken off this medication, on our request, the obsessive gambling and other obsessive behavior stopped. Is there any suit out there that names Requip as the problem? This has been very devastating for us.

Posted by: Linda on October 29, 2004 07:10 PM

Linda:

The only active lawsuits of which I am aware concern Mirapex, which is similar to Requip, but from a different company. You may have to break this ground yourself via your own lawyer. There does appear, as of late, to be a growing groundswell of similar complaints about Requip. I can only suggest you consult a local attorney.

Posted by: angelo21122 on October 30, 2004 08:18 AM

I devekoped a devastating gambling addiction among other unusual behaviors while taking Mirapex. It ruined my life. I lost a business, declared personal bankruptcy and left me with severe depression. My neurologist finally realized that the drug was responsible for my compulsive and troubling behavior and took me off Mirapex. Within a few weeks my gambling urges disappeared as well as the other irrational thinking that I had. There are too many PD patients on agonist drugs that have had similar experiences and whose lives are ruined. Why didn't the drug companies who knew about these potential problems advise doctors of this sooner than they did? And shouldn't they be held accountable? Alot of people suffered much longer than was necessary. I would like to know if anyone is going forward with litigation either personally or in a class action suit.

Posted by: phyllis on November 10, 2004 09:33 PM

Welcome to the club. I'm ditto with you on all counts. Check further back into this log to see about the lawsuit. The only attorney I know of who's going forward with action is Ms. Soheila Azizi in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Email her through her website at www.azizilaw.com. Good luck to you. It would help everyone, yourself included to go to www.fda.gov and file a report on this drug, it's up to you.

Posted by: angelo21122 on November 11, 2004 07:55 AM

Dr. Abraham Lieberman, the Medical Director of the U.S. National Parkinson's Foundation, recently attended a conference on PD in Austria. He posted the following on his foundation's website (emphasis mine):

"Yesterday I co-chaired a meeting on compulsive behavior in PD. This includes compulsive gambling. More than 150 leading neurologists from throughout the world were in attendance.
"I asked how many of the neurologists have encountered compulsive behavior, especially compulsive gambling in PD, and almost 75% of the neurologists in the room had encountered it. It is not an isolated problem. More than 50% regarded it as a big problem.

"Dr. Nir Giladi, my co-chairman from Israel, presented a paper on compulsive behavior in PD including compulsive gambling. The data he presented indicated it occurred in younger patients and MORE ON AGONISTS than on levodopa.

"The proceedings will be published in a book that will come out early next year, and this will serve to bring the problem to the attention of the public, most of which is unaware of the problem."

Posted by: angelo21122 on November 12, 2004 03:49 PM

I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPULSIVE GAMBLING ON REQUIP.
I TOOK MYSELF OFF REQUIP AND 1.5 WEEKS LATER I STOPPED GAMBKING.
MY DOCTOR PUT ME BACK ON REQUIP AND THE GAMBILING STARTED AGAIN.
I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A LAWSUIT ONLY AN ALTERNATIVE TO REQUIP.

Posted by: MICKEY on November 15, 2004 08:29 PM

The only other dopamine agonist I know of on the market is Mirapex, which seems to cause an even higher rate of compulsive behavior than Requip. There was one called Permax, but I think it may have been recalled (I'm not sure.) When I quit Requip, after having used Mirapex for two years (with heavy gambling), my doctor just kept me on Sinemet and Comtan.

Posted by: angelo21122 on November 16, 2004 08:26 AM

Looking for Canadians with this problem- addictive gambling possibly linked to this class of drugs for possible future news stories.

Please email me at afavaro@ctv.ca.

Posted by: a favaro on December 2, 2004 02:28 PM

The following story was broadcast on Canadian television today:

Anti-Parkinson's drugs may play role in gambling
Avis Favaro, CTV Medical Reporter

Some Canadian doctors and patients suspect that a new class of anti-Parkinson's drugs may play a role in an unusual side effect -- the uncontrollable urge to gamble.

"The public should be aware this is a potential problem. Physicians should be aware this is a potential problem," says Dr. Mark Guttman.

Guttman is the Director of the Centre for Movement Disorders in Markham, Ont., and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

He believes that about 30 of his more than 1,200 Parkinson's patients have this impulse control problem. Some have lost their homes and their businesses, not to mention hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Guttman wonders whether a class of drugs called dopamine agonists are involved, and he's trying to start a study to look into the drugs' effects.

Jill Pritchard of Canada's Parkinson Society says she suspects any unusual dopamine agonist side effects are underreported.

"It's embarrassing," she says. "Who's going to go to the doctor and say 'I've gambled away my house?'"

That's what happened to a man we'll call Jim (he doesn't want to be identified). Jim has Parkinson's disease, but the tremors and rigidity he normally experiences are well controlled by his medications.

Jim was always a gambler. But over the last four years, while he was taking dopamine agonists, the gambling became obsessive.

"It got to the point where I would borrow money from anyone. I would lie. I would take money from my wife," Jim said. "I knew I was doing wrong, but I couldn't stop myself."

Most days, Jim would end up at a casino in Toronto where he says he ended up gambling away about $180,000 in a year.

"We don't know for sure if it's the drugs," Guttman says. "But we do know that in many of the people who have come forward, if we cut back the dose or eliminate the drug, that urge to gamble goes away."

Another Parkinson's patient who ended up with a gambling problem while on dopamine agonists is Michael. He'd sneak away to the casino whenever he could. Sometimes, he'd make three or four trips each day to go gambling.

Michael gambled away $30,000 in a matter of months. But when doctors changed the dose Michael was taking, the problem disappeared.

"We cut the medication in half and the cloud began lifting," Michael said. "I could see clearly from that point. Now that I've been off it for two to three weeks, I feel like myself again."

Besides starting up a study, some patients also say there should be a warning about possible side effects on the drug's label.

Before any link is proven, anyone taking this class of drugs is urged to consult their doctor before altering their treatment.

Posted by: angelo21122 on December 6, 2004 08:26 AM

Another story aired on CBS station KGAN in Iowa on nov. 30. It also discussed a man that had a drug induced gambling addiction caused by Mirapex. I am Jim Sweet, the man from Calif. that lost $500,000 and is suing Boehringer and Pfizer. The drug companies need to wake up!

Posted by: Jim on December 7, 2004 01:42 PM

I started on mirapex in 1996-7. Iwas on the drug about 3 or 4 months. It did not heip my PD. Durin that time I did not pay much attention to its side effects. I was switched to requip ayear or two later. I've always gambled a little on occasional business trips, but not like after starting requip. Since starting this drug Ihave gambled like there is no tomorrow. I'm trying ti titrate down and quit requip but I'm losing the help that the drug gives to my PD. I've had to give my daughter control of my checkbook so I will not buy scratch offs, something I've never done before.

Does anyone know of a lawyer that is handling requip claims?

Posted by: george carpenter on December 7, 2004 02:03 PM

I only know of one lawyer doing anything at all regarding dopamine agonists, and she is concentrating on Mirapex. Her website is www.azizilaw.com and she is in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

You may have to scout around for a local attorney. As this effort generates more publicity and awareness, it may be easier to find someone who will take your case.

Posted by: angelo21122 on December 7, 2004 03:42 PM

I would like to know how many of these folks that have turned into Pathalogical gamblers became that way after playing video poker machines? Have you found that your gambling became so addicitive AFTER you started playing video poker?

Posted by: D Sofich on December 10, 2004 12:13 PM

Canadian TV has done yet another news report on Mirapex and gambling. Go to www.ctv.ca to see it. This thing is snowballing (No pun intended!)

Angelo

Posted by: angelo21122 on December 13, 2004 08:57 AM

My husband started taking Mirapex in 1998. After a month or so, his behavior changed drasticallyu. He had always been a cautious person,quietr and reserved. He started to gamble at the riverboat, shopping at Walmart while I slept everynight, and eventually got arrested for trying to get into a neighbors house because he thought she was sending him telepathic messges that she was interested. He ended up in a physiachatric hospital for 3 weeks. I had to take 2 months off from my job, and we ended up taking bankruptcy. The embarrassmet has been terriblr. I heard about the link to Mirapex and compulsive behavior on the news. I called his neurologist for two weeks about his actions, but she told me not to take him off the medication. After he was arrested, she told her nurse to tell me to stop the Mirapex immediatelyu. I wonder how many doctors have known about the side effects and di not inform their patients and fam,ilies?

Posted by: Patricia Elder on December 23, 2004 03:03 PM

I started gambling while on a cruise a year and a half ago. I then moved on to the internet. I was taking mirapex at the time but soon was changed to reqip . I had no idea it was related to my meds. So far we have refinanced our home, took out a second mortgage , and I still can't stop. On a whim I decided to see if there was anything on the internet about it. That is how I found your site. Frankly I am shocked! I take large doses of requip and the time it did cross my mind that it may be related to my meds my husband said I was making excuses. Our marriage of over 34 years is almost over and he blames me for everything. I guess he is right. I don't understand why no one warns you if this is a wide spread problem as it seems to be. I had gone on cruises and never walked into a casino before and my husband knew this. Still he rejected the idea of it being related to my parkinsons or the medication. To make it worse he is a Minister and I have lost all faith in him because he has not supported me I feel emotionally. He took my name off everything and I was always the one who paid the bills, etc. Now I can't even know about a checking account. Is there help? I have creditors calling and I am about to be on the streets so to speak since he has said he is tired of my gambling and he wants a better life. So do I! Help! Pat

Posted by: pat on December 24, 2004 03:19 PM

I am now into my 13th year with parkinsons and find myself inprisioned due to gambling addicition. Mirapex is the common drug that I take ............my life is a living hell..........confined to quarters............unable to be trusted with a credit card or any money . i have recently signed over power of attorney to my wife who has had enough of my "addiction"
I am currently in "treatment " counseling ..to be honest is not working ...........other than the therapist agreeing with my wife that i cannot be t r usted with any money.
My only outlet is golfing and i am alloted a dollar to tip the cart man.............embarassed and ashamed..............depressed and disgusted..........
alone and no future................what can i do..........no gamblers help in this area...considering contacting alcahol ann.......
Not the MAN I use to be............someone please
help !!

Posted by: james newton on December 24, 2004 06:34 PM

please forgive typo's don't know how to fix...ty

Posted by: james newton on December 24, 2004 06:35 PM

James, I understand , believe me. I always took care of everything, now my husband opened up a bank account and didn't tell me. I found out by accident and he still denied it. When after much discussion he finally admitted to opening the account, he said the reason he didn't want me to know was so I couldn't get my hands on it. Talk about humiliation. I try so hard but I feel I have no support. I also know it is me that put myself in the position I am in. Ididn't know until today that it was drug induced by mirapex/requip. I have shared my findings with family who said good now you know what the cause is you can do something about it. I don't think it is going to be that easy , since I have all the financial burdens of the past year and a half. Plus my family has told me repeatedly of how I have changed. I sleep little, stay up late doing artwork, gambling when I can. I am told I have become a recluse not going out much or do things I use to with the kids and grands. How do you heal all that. I am left out now a lot because they have given up on me. It hurts when you feel there is nobody that cares or understands. From what I have read mirapex/requip has ruined my life. I am not sure if there is any way I can get my life back since I don't have one anymore. I am a step away from a divorce since my husband has had enough. How do you mend a marriage? I am disillusioned with him because although it takes money to live....I felt that I should have meant more to him than money. Maybe I am wrong. He does not want to start over at this point in his life financially. I really can't say I blame him in a way because once you are use to buying whatever you want within reason and then have your credit card turned down at the gas station I am sure the embarrassment is great. If anyone has an answer please let me know. Suicide has crossed my mind more than once. I guess I am a coward and can't take that step. Not yet anyway. Pat

Posted by: pat on December 24, 2004 08:09 PM

To those devastated by this drug--there is hope. Tell everyone you know about the connection. It is very real. Print out the webpages carrying the news, and the weblogs. Contact a local attorney and show him or her the pages, and the fact that CTV and ABC have carried national stories on this problem. Get even! And Pat, PLEASE put the suicide nonsense aside. That's no way out for anyone. Tell your husband to contact me at angelo21122@yahoo.com.

Posted by: angelo21122 on December 25, 2004 06:45 AM

For all that are suffering from these drug induced addiction caused agonists; mirapex, permax, requip, know that there is hope. The first thing is to get off the agonist with the help of a caring and informed doctor. Dr. Timothy Fong at UCLA is doing a study on the agonist-addiction connection. You can contact him at tfong@mednet.ucla.edu. If you have questions for me or need help, contact me at sweetviking1@msn.com. Take Care, Jim

Posted by: Jim on December 28, 2004 04:38 PM

Posted by: Jim on December 28, 2004 04:39 PM

I have had Parkinson's since 1998. In January 2004 I started on Mirapex. After 5 Months I had ramped up to 6 mg/day. I had a slow but noticiable personality change. My impulse to gamble at all costs was uncontrollable. I lied, sneeked money, stole(borrowed) from my kids, lied about were I was going, failed to pick up my kids, and more. I sought professional Counseling and was embarrassed to admit my "total" loses.
I had an incredible urge to win my money back. But, I only kept losing more and more. My total lose was close to $40,000. Emtionally I almost drove my "Family" crazy until we heard about the Mirapex link. After letting my nuerolgist know he admitted he had another patient with the same problem. After getting off the Mirapex the desire to gamble left and I could think clear. The only POSITIVE is that it has driven me to my knees and my FAITH in Jesus has been strengthened and is what is keeping me alive each day. My Family still has trouble trusting me and I know it will take some time. My bitterness toward DRUG companies feels useless and I really feel like I have been robbed. I hope the word about this "Psycho" behavior causing drug gets to people ASAP.

Posted by: SP on December 31, 2004 12:17 PM

I dipped into my son's lawnmowing money to keep gambling; this, after two years of Mirapex. When I quit the damned drug, I just didn't want to gamble any more. The connection is clear to you and me, but wait until a bunch of mega-buck lawyers working for the drug companies do their thing. I don't know how some people can sleep at night.

Turk

Posted by: Turk_5 on January 1, 2005 05:11 PM

Like many of you I have been affected by the use of Mirapex. Most of the people commenting on this site are obviously from the USA, I however am from the United Kingdom and I would therefore be grateful if there is anyone who could shed light on whether there are any sufferers here or if anyone in the USA knows of any lawsuits that might be pending in the UK.

I would be grateful for your comments

Many thanks
John Gravell

Posted by: John Gravell on January 2, 2005 09:39 AM

Mr. Gravell:
While I am aware of multiple lawsuits being developed in Canada, I am unaware of any in Britain. I have corresponded with one woman in the UK whose husband began gambling after using Requip, which is similar to Mirapex.
Having lived some years in Yorkshire, I believe your legal system may make it more difficult to bring an action for damages; you may be obligated to pay your solicitor even if you lose. Here, attorneys are allowed to work on a fee-contingent basis.

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 2, 2005 10:58 AM

Does anyone know of any attorneys other than Azizi who are organizing lawsuits regarding Mirapex?

Posted by: Turk_5 on January 6, 2005 09:33 PM

My god all these stories sound like what my life has been like over the past months. My husband is on the Mirapex & our lives have been in utter termoil since. Gambling away all our savings in just 3 months behind my back. Borrowing money from friends, the lies & decete has been unbearable to the point I have been talking to divorce lawyers. After 20 yrs together these have truely been the WORST of times & I really need it to stop NOW! My family who once loved my husband as much as I has now disowned him, which is also stressful. If this is truely a contributor to this horrible addiction then we will absolutely be checking into the class action suit immediately. This in one EVIL drug that should be taken off the market & the manufacturers should be held responsible for ruining so many peoples lives & not disclosing these "compulsive" side effect's! I am a very angry spouse that will not rest until this is resolved!

Posted by: Sue on January 7, 2005 04:32 PM

Word about this drug is getting out. Canadian TV (CTV) ran two reports in one week about it; also, Good Morning America did a segment on it on 23 Dec. More reports are in the works, especially on ABC. Those who live in Maryland can expect to see a report from WBAL Channel 11 sometime in February. I know this because I was interviewed on camera for it. This business has been the most horrible thing that has ever happened to me. I was an ordered, self-disciplined and thrifty person. This drug turned me into a dissolute bum--until I stopped taking it. NONE OF US MUST TAKE THIS LYING DOWN! STAY MAD AND GET EVEN.

Angelo

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 7, 2005 08:35 PM

I am hurt, angry and feel very much violated. So many stories, and mine is a mirror image of them. I too am on Mirapex, but am in the process of getting off of it. I was diagnosed with PD in 1993, even though I remember having symptoms as far back as 1988. A young onset, I was first prescribed eldepryl, which I used until October, 1997, at which time I was switched to Mirapex. within months of beginning use, i fell victim to a severe compulsion to gambling. I lost a wife and family, a really good job, several friends, my whole 401 k savings plan, I owe back taxes to the IRS, have been through Chapter 7 bankruptcy and still have an overwhelming compulsion. I estimate I have lost between $160,000 and 200,000. since January, 1999. Before that , it was a sexual compulsion coupled with shopping, which according my ex-wife and a review of my financial records.......began several months after taking Mirapex.

I am in the process of trying to find a new medicine that will work for me and not continue this compulsion. If I had only known! Over the course of time since 1999 I have been told by my two doctors and my former therapist (for gambling and depression) that it was NOT the drug which was causing the problem. I have heretofore accepted the blame for my actions and have been ashamed enough to have even contemplated suicide on two occasions.

I cried my heart out when my ex-wife (of all people) told me about the Good Morning America program of 12/23 and I was able to look at some things on the internet. This is incredible! Shocked, PO'd and so many other different emotions! Before taking Mirapex I had been person without any compulsion to gambling, sex, shopping or otherwise. I want my life righted, I want to be whole again and financially back on my feet, and I want the word spread to others who are contemplating the use of, or are using Mirapex.

...ESPECIALLY my Doctor, in Katy Texas, who just yesterday 1/10/05 told his nurse to tell me that I could NOT get an appt until March 11 and that he suggested I NOT change away from Mirapex, because (according to him)......there was NO link between Mirapex and any compulsion to gambling. I am currently trying to get an appt and a new RX

The makers or Mirapex, the Doctors who prescribe it, and current and future candidates for Mirapex need a WAKE UP Call!!

Please help spread the word!!

Posted by: wayne kanuch on January 11, 2005 02:54 PM

Assuming that you ever speak to that neurologist again, you can point out that the drug's maker, Boehringer Ingelheim, now includes a warning about compulsive gambling in the literature accompanying Mirapex. Further, the Medical Director of the National Parkinson's Foundation has stated on their website that he believes there is linkage between dopamine agonists (Mirapex, Requip) and compulsive behavior. Be warned about Requip as well! It can pack the same side-effects as Mirapex!

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 11, 2005 05:32 PM

I am stunned. My sister who lives in Iowa found out I was getting a divorce because I had a gambling problem sent me an article on Gambling and Mirapex. I started gambling on-line approximately the same time I started taking Mirapex. I am still taking it. I am afraid to stop because I don't want the stiffness to come back. Any suggestions. My behavior has been completely out of character.

Posted by: Earlene on January 12, 2005 01:25 AM

I, to, am a victim of Mirapex and gambling. Do you know who I can contact in Canada regarding a class action suit. I have contacted the U.S. firm but may be I should contact the Canadian group also.

Posted by: Irene on January 12, 2005 08:59 AM

I don't want it to seem like this is the "Angelo Board," but I want all out there to appreciate the value of raising Blue Hell on this issue. There is strength in numbers, so if you have a story about Mirapex to tell, please do so here, It helps everyone. Get mad and stay that way. Contact a local attorney and start the ball.

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 13, 2005 09:26 PM

Please don't worry guys. Every drug has a side effect. All the medical articles indicated that the risk of OCD is only about 1.5% for those who are taking this drug. Think about this for a moment. ONLY 1.5% of thousands and thousands and thousands (probably millions) of people around the world who take it. Think about those millions who suffer from PD and feel much better with this drug (as far as improvement in their movement and functions). There are far more benefits from this drug than harm. If it was like vioxx, which killed people, then it is a different story. I don't see any reason for all of you to freak out like this. There are million of other people on it who are thankful to it and can actually perform their daily functions properly because of it. Fact of the matter is: because we are sick, any chemical that enters out bodies are foreign substances. These chemicals will cause side effects no matter what. We need these chemicals because our bodies are not functioning properly anymore on their own. It is a matter of whether the side effects are way too dangerous or minimal (as in 1.5%).

Relax. Just lower the dose or take prozac. I can move properly because of this drug and I never suffered from any OCD because of it; and I am not the only one who did not have OCD from it. It happened in a very small %.

Posted by: PD patient on January 13, 2005 11:10 PM

People:

The general population (US population) has a 0.3% - 1.3% reported incidents of gambling. This means, amongt people who don't suffer from PD, 1.3% do gamble and may be excessive too. So, 1.5% in a PD patient is not a huge deal that you want to wage a war on the drug like this! PD patients are not normal anymore because the lack of dopamine cause so many other problems beside movement disorders (i.e. depression).

I think what you are doing here and being so freaked out like this is a form of OCD. If you compared the numbers from the general population gambling at 1.3% and the 8 people from the 529 PD patients on this drug in this study they did, it is not thaaaaaaaat huge of a risk as you think.

Do you move better on it or not? Are your motor functions better on it or worse? I am just wondering nothing more.

Posted by: I am shocked on January 13, 2005 11:27 PM

Most of us, the "small percentage" whose lives were utterly destroyed by this drug, who lost spouses, businesses, retirement savings, kids' college tuition, homes, etc., don't want to see the drug banned; rather we want compensation from the drug makers, who knew as far back as 6 years ago that OCD was a potential side effect of dopamine agonists. You are conveniently ignoring the fact that a two-cent warning label would have prevented untold suffering and financial devastation. As it happened, only recently was a warning added. A "small percentage"? It was not your ox that was horribly gored. Now that a warning is included, it can be left to the individual user to weigh the benefits; but that is scant relief to the thousands who lost millions.

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 14, 2005 12:28 AM

...Sounds like the drug companies are telling their shareholders to step up on this forum and some are doing so without a thought given to scope and relativity: (The shareholder value concerns of institutional investors and mostly affluent others vs. the right to knowledge of side affects of a drug which can alter the lives of unsuspecting people) We already suffer from the various pains of PD and have placed a very large portion of our safety, comfort, well being and trust in the hands of pharmaceutical companies and our doctors who are responsible for educating themselves about the drug products before prescribing them.

Is it OK to accept that 1.5 out of every 100 people on a drug will face a compulsive disorder so strong that a previously organized, outgoing, financially secure, loving, controlled individual with no prior history of problems will be an unwitting victim?.....with no warning?.......that the negative changes taking place in the brain of this individual will be unrecognizable until it is too late and trying to identify the catalyst for the changes next to impossible? IT IS NOT OK TO ACCEPT THAT 1.5 OUT OF EVERY 100 PD PATIENTS TAKING A DOPAMINE AGONIST (MIRAPEX) WILL BECOME FINANCIALLY DEVASTATED AND HURT COUNTLESS OTHERS IN THE PROCESS!

As to scope and relativity........we are talking about the human life here and the right to HEALTH and QUALITY of life. Think about a bigger picture and a not altogether ridiculous distant analogy........no one would accept that it would be ok for 1.5 out of every 100 airline flights in the world to crash every day. For 1.5 out of every 100 PD patients to crash financially is not acceptable either!

Posted by: wayne kanuch on January 14, 2005 06:35 PM

I have a feeling when all is said and done, that the percentage will be more than 1.5%. I believe this problem is being under reported, as many have not figured out that Mirapex is the cause of their behaviour. In the CTV broadcast, one doctor mentioned 30 patients out of his 1200 patients had been affected. That would make it close to 3%. The figures aren't all in yet.

Posted by: OLEANDER on January 14, 2005 07:45 PM

To begin with, it is not 1.5% that are affected by this drug induced addiction caused by dopamine agonists. It is at least double that and I believe much more than that. You tell us to relax! How dare you! Mirapex cost me 3 1/2 years of my life. Only by the grace of God and a loving family did I survive this. Some have not survived this horror. Many have lost their jobs, homes, spouses, and some have lost their lives. I have been fighting to get this information out to the public for over 2 years now. For people to under play this and tell us to relax is inexcusable. People are losing their lives or being destroyed by these drug induced addictions! WAKE UP! The smoke you smell is not from breakfast being cooked. The house is on fire! If you are pawns for Pfizer or BI, I don't know how you can sleep at night. If you are just ignorant, well you just received a lesson in remedial ethics. It is reality check time. This is real. Dopamine agonists cause these addictions in thousands of people, and I will keep fighting for them until every last person understands this fact. All of us that have suffered through this or are still going through this nightmare have one thing to say, "WE ARE AS MAD AS HELL, AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE!" We may shake, but we are not afraid. God and the truth are our allies. If you need help, contact me at sweetviking1@msn.com. There is hope. Take Care, Jim

Posted by: Jim on January 14, 2005 09:00 PM

If there are any Canadians that have been affected with OCD as a result of Mirapex please email me at bluedahlia70@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Posted by: OLEANDER on January 14, 2005 10:42 PM

I just found out about this side effect this week and it wasn't from a "professional". I tried to talk to my "soon to be ex-husband" regarding my behavior being driven by my meds and he had a hardtime understanding. He beleives everyone makes their own choices. If my life is being destroyed by this I should of had the chance to way the options prior. How dare someone make the consequences statistical. It reminds me of someone saying it only cost me half. Half is relative and very important to the half on the losing end. I went to a casino yesterday and casually asked some of my acquantences if they were taking any medications and a lot have had recent heart bypass surgery. This might be bigger than we think. One thing is for sure. If your statistics are based on the "victim" coming forward an admitting they have this problem the statistics are to low. The average person is not going to tell their doctor or family they are gambling. That is the entire point. We are not making rational decisions because of an outside enfluence. Just as a note. Even knowing it might be my meds I STILL GAMBLED YESTERDAY.

Posted by: Earlene on January 15, 2005 10:53 AM

Even knowing it's the meds will not let you stop, Earlene. Dopamine agonists are good at stimulating the appropriate receptors in the brain; trouble is, in some of us it stimulates the WRONG receptors as well. I'm convinced it's as bad as a cocaine addiction. I could not stop until I stopped the meds, so help me. Even as ashamed as I was, pilfering my son's lawnmowing money and sneaking into "Payday Loan" offices to pay outrageous rates of interest so I could keep gambling, I could not stop. And before the meds I was a tightwad and very careful with my money. I had never bounced a check or come anywhere NEAR max'ing out a credit card in my entire life. Boy did THAT change. Anyone who says it's not the meds taking over our lives should have THEIR head examined. We should have been warned so we could have stopped the meds when this behavior started. The extra mobility from Mirapex was nowhere NEAR worth what this drug has put me through. Financially, I will never recover. Psychologically, no way on earth.

Posted by: turk_5 on January 15, 2005 11:24 AM

I agree with Earlene. Most of us are too ashamed of our gambling to admit there is a problem. My doctor said she didn't think there was a problem since non of her patients had mentioned such. I reminded her that I hadn't mentioned it either until I was desperate. When she started asking her patients about gambling she found there were more then me with the OCD. I don't know any of the details of course.
My doctor has slowly taken me off Mirapex now and I have no desire to gamble anymore. The only problem is the PD symptoms have worstened and I feel like hell. I may try Requip but i've heard it is the same as Mirapex.

Posted by: Irene on January 15, 2005 12:54 PM

Yes!!! Mirapex is a dangerous drug. Nothing could take the place of my two darling grandsons - but Mirapex did. Nothing else mattered except gambling and where I was going to get the money to go to the casino. I have always been a very frugal person but gambling has turned me into a monster.
I asked my doctor about it last November and she didn't think there was a problem because none of her patients had mentioned it, She doesn't realize that we are all too ashamed to tell anyone. She is now asking her patients about gambling and has found there are more like me. I don't know any of the details, of course but this is a difficult thing to get an accurate count of.
My doctor has slowly taken me off Mirapex and the desire to gamble is totally gone. There is no longer that over powering need to go to the
casino. It is amazing that a drug can have such a devastating effect.
I am MAD AS HELL that I wasn't warned about this when it became evident there was a connection. Since discontinuing the Mirapex my PD symptoms have worstend but I will live with that where as I cannot live with further losses, physically, mentally or financially.

Posted by: Irene on January 15, 2005 01:54 PM

It helps to know I am not alone and at the same time it angers me beyond words. I went through all my Mirapex paperwork this afternoon and nothing indicates even close to a warning of behavior issues. The closest it comes is hallucinations. I'd rather see bugs on the wall than be where I am now. I have contacted my doctor and am seeking legal counsel on Tuesday. I am lery of sending to much information to an attorney from the web. If the doctor doesn't respond quickly I am curious what other meds others are taking and how long did it take to get off of Mirapex. Besides Mirapex I am also taking Selegiline, Amantadine, Trihexyphenidyl and recently started Carbidopa.

Posted by: Earlene on January 15, 2005 08:19 PM

I think you have both touched on a key factor--namely that this situation is extremely under-reported. Also, I have corresponded with one person who was in one of the early Mirapex trials; he told me he was NOT asked about OCD at all. This may be way B&I can claim with an "honest" face that their trials showed no OCD--BECAUSE THEY NEVER ASKED!!!

Whatever you do, follow your doctor's orders about scaling back the Mirapex. After two years of the max dose I stopped it cold turkey, without consulting my neurologist. BROTHER! It was as close to insanity as I ever wanted to get. Take it down slowly!

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 15, 2005 08:45 PM

I talked to my Doctor and pharmacist and both said they are not aware of any compulsive behaviors with use of Mirapex. The pharmacist did say she has only ten people that use it. The doctor is working with me to lower my dosage and if I want get off of it completely, but it will take awhile. He also did not put any value into what I told him. He said all medications have side effects. He said it sounded like I needed to deal with my gambling by stopping. If it is harmful, just stop. People are to quick to blame corporations. He asked me what I wanted to take? Like I am a good judge of that? He did call me back and asked me to bring my research material to my next appointment in February. He wanted to see it. He apologized for making light of my research. I started the lower dosage today. I will see how it goes, I already feel stiffer. Hope I'm just tired. I am also seeking legal advice from a local attorney. I am uncomfortable using an attorney from a WEB site. (nothing personal) I had responded to one attorney from this site and a completely different law firm sent me an e-mail. That made me be concerned on who will be using my information. I guess I am paranoid at this point. Who knows where the exploitation of Parkinsons victims might end. I don't know whether I am concerned that the pharmacist and doctor haven't heard of this or whether they might be lying to cover their own butts. Both are not favorable. I apologize for taking up this site with my personal issues, just needed to tell someone who might understand. My family thinks it is just an excuse so I can avoid being responsible for my actions and the professionals do not want to talk about it. So much for my support system. Oh Well, you can't win them all! No pun intended.

Posted by: Earlene on January 18, 2005 10:30 PM

Posted by: Earlene on January 18, 2005 10:32 PM

Today I met with a new (for me) psychiatrist who specializes in treating PD patients. When I mentioned the gambling situation relative to Mirapex, she immediately advised me that she had "several" PD patients who started gambling after starting the drug. She further stated that although the doctors at the major medical centers are increasingly aware of the problem, the doctors in small and private practices are behind the curve. Word IS gettting out.

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 18, 2005 10:52 PM

My father suffers from parkinsons and he never gambled in his life until he went on mirapex. It was then that he would gamble all the time

Posted by: debbie on January 21, 2005 12:42 PM

I spoke to my doctor yesterday and since I last saw her in Nov., 2004 she has found 3 more of her patients caught in the Mirapex trap. People just won't tell their doctors unless they are specifically asked about it. How do we reach these people and get more accurate data? I also feel that the doctors should be warning people immediately and not waiting until their next scheduled appointment. In the mean time thousands of dollars more are lost.
I have been off Mirapex for two months now and what a difference. I no longer have any desire to gamble. That horrible craving is gone but so has my quality of life. Without Mirapex I am stiff, have constant freezing. I shuffle when I walk. I have a stooped posture, ache all over and am severely depressed. What is the answer?

Posted by: irene on January 25, 2005 05:09 AM

The following information was added recently by the current maker of Mirapex to the literature accompanying the drug. Also, the maker has approached the Canadian government to add the same warning to Mirapex sold in that country. But of course, Boehringer still claims the drug is safe. Hogwash.

"Post-Marketing Experience: In addition to the adverse events reported during clinical
trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of
MIRAPEX Tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population
of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish
a causal relationship to drug exposure. Decisions to include these reactions in labeling
are typically based on one or more of the following factors: (1) seriousness of the
reaction, (2) frequency of reporting, or (3) strength of causal connection to MIRAPEX
Tablets. Similar types of events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized
categories using the MedDRA dictionary: accidents (including fall), compulsive
behaviors (including sexual and pathological gambling), fatigue, hallucinations (all kind),
headache, hypotension (including postural hypotension), libido disorders, syncope, and
blackouts."

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 28, 2005 10:28 AM

Interesting thread about drugs and gambling. If interested, please check out the website for our new book about the realities of gambling. Thank you!

New anti-gambling handbook helping teenagers and adults to stop gambling

Many recent articles have stated that gambling is one of the fastest growing problems in the United States. "Gambling Facts and Fictions: The Anti-Gambling Handbook to get yourself to stop gambling, quit gambling or never start gambling" is getting teenagers and adults to lose the desire for gambling when fully understanding its realities and consequences. After gaining the knowledge and following the guidance of the book, people should choose never to participate in gambling activities or be customers of any gambling business.

Please visit our website at http://www.gamblingfactsandfictions.com/ where you will find the table of contents, introduction and selected chapters. Thank you!

Posted by: Stephen Katz on January 29, 2005 10:53 PM

Would be interested in knowing how many of us who started gambling after Mirapex stopped Mirapex and then tried Requip--and did the same thing happen?

Posted by: turk_5 on January 30, 2005 03:36 PM

Thank you for the info regarding The Anti-Gambling Handbook but all I had to do was stop taking Mirapex, and my gambling problem was solved. It is now one year and three months since I stopped taking Mirapex and gambling has been the furthest thing on my mind. I am, however, very angry with the drug company for putting a drug on the market and not informing patients of these adverse side effects. I am reminded daily of my mirapex nightmare and how it changed my life for the worse.

Posted by: oleander on January 31, 2005 01:25 AM

It's been almost one year since I last gambled, the same time since I took my last dopamine agonist. Now, even if I just watch a TV commercial for a local casino, I get physically nauseous. Although I like to watch "CSI" on CBS, I get ill whenever the action shifts to inside a Las Vegas casino. That's how profound the change is since quitting that poison. Still, Boehringer and Pfizer will claim all is well.....

Posted by: angelo21122 on January 31, 2005 03:00 PM

I, too, have experienced the Mirapex nightmare. Dealing with PD is bad enough without having all your money stolen, your reputation ruined, and lives lost. Don't let the drug companies and the doctors who continue to prescribe this medicine without warning get away with it. Don't be ashamed of your actions. We have been the victims. I have had hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen from me, ruined relationships, countless misery bestowed on those I love. Excusable? Yes, it the drug company and my then physician had not known, But they did, and they chose not to utter a one sentence warning even of the POSSIILITY. That, my friends, is inexcuseable. Dealing with PD is bad enough. I have no choice with that, but I should have had a chance of making a choice with Mirapex. Send your experience with Mirapex to the FDA. Get mad as hell and don't take it anymore!!!

Posted by: daniel on February 1, 2005 10:00 AM

Just as a word of warning...requip is as bad or worse than mirapex. I know because I am one of the victims. I say victims because that is what I truly believe I along with others who are not told about this side effect are. My world and my families have been turned upside down. I have been off of requip 1 month and have no urge to gamble. As a matter of fact I took myself off of the drug after reading about it. I had been gambling and in debt for over a year. My family lost respect and all but gave up on me. Sorry but I do not sympathize with you who say the % is low so we should leave it out there. What if that same amount of people were dying because of these drugs? Would it be less acceptable? People who have never experienced what type of devastation this brings can pass judgement but until you have been there you don't know. By the way when I did get in touch with my doctor, he knew. The answer for not telling was,"they didn't want to put any subconscious suggestions". Yeah , right. Please wake up and see every day there are more people finding this site. Even you who say you don't have the gambling problem, why did you look it up on the internet? Pat

Posted by: pat on February 1, 2005 02:49 PM

Posted by: pat on February 1, 2005 02:50 PM

I found this letter on the NPF website to Dr. Lieberman particularly wrenching....... Lieberman's reply should also be noted. This is utter madness.....

Sun, 23 Jan 2005 04:16:46 EST

Author: "Ask The Doctor" askthedoctor@forum.parkinson.org

Subject: Gambling

Body: "Its 2:00am Phoenix time I feel so alone. The gambling must stop, Im losing
my family, I cant quit, could it be the mirapex? Im 46 and without resolve. I
feel like I am falling. Is God punishing me for past sins? Ive got to do
something about this.Im losing control. You trained an excllent Neurologist in Dr.
Walker at Barrows. Sorry to bother you"

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 2, 2005 10:10 AM

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 2, 2005 10:11 AM

Lieberman's response did not copy for me; but he advised the author of the above letter to stop the use of any dopamine agonists.....This is damning....

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 2, 2005 10:21 AM

I am glad I got through this with at least most of my mental marbles. I guess some are not as lucky. This is the most traumatic business I have ever experienced.

Turk

Posted by: turk_5 on February 5, 2005 11:29 PM

I was diagnosed with PD in July2002and prescribed pramipexole after 8 weeks being on 1.5 mgs tds.Sinemet was added in January 2003.Ifelt OK.Afew months later I was given a horseracing tip by a friend and went into a local betting office.The tip was good and over the next month or so I was given further tips.Some won Some didn't.It didn't matter it was a bit of harmless fun. I'd play machine roulette to pass the time.The time passed fast-15 months or so later Iwas over £100,000 in debt and had spent £120,000 cash an inheritence from both my parents who had died during this period.Oh and there was another couple of tens of thousands that I'd got from the cashed endowments(unknown to my wife) and her Premium Bonds.I played that machine FOR FUN almost all day,every day. Well I was bound to win it back wasn't I? After all I'd won £20,000 in a day TWICE and plenty of £3-£7000's.Correct that I hadn't actually taken the money out of the Betting Shop and in to my bank BUT I'd be more sensible NEXT TIME I WON IT.Needless to say I'm now already divorced(and I don't blame her)/ Lost my house,had to give up my job because of PD(and it got in the way of gambling).All I've got is a small pension which is nearly all taken by trying to pay off Banking Institutions.I'm making reparation to a number of people who I lied to and USED to get money,one of whom is my lovely ex wife who is a great help and support to me.It was she that found the connection between Pramipexole and gambling and took me by the scruff of the neck and rang the Parkinsons Nurse,the G.P. and the Specialist(I was too busy gambling to concern myself with this nonsence).But guess who was right.! Within a week or so of coming off the drug all desire to gamble stopped.It may sound like a fairy tale to some but to anyone who has experienced it,they will totally relate to it.Just like I can absolutely feel with and for the people who state their experiences on this site.I've been there with them.So what do I do now?Well I live rent free with my sister and her husband.I am pathetically trying to pay back the Institutions who really don't want to know my sob stories.I am still great friends with those people I owe money to.Can't get much help financially from anywhere because pension is just too much(isn't life grand).Thought I had a Solicitor to take on my battle but I earn just a little too much (PENSION AGAIN!!) to get legal aid.(This Pension has got to go an awful long way!)And anyway I can't get legal aid to take on a Drug Manufacturer unless it's a Class Action.So what do I do -Nothing?Like Hell.Can someone out there give me a word or perhapps a few pages of advice------Please. Thanks.JOHN G.

Posted by: John Gravell on February 7, 2005 01:45 PM

Mr. Gravell:
Welcome to our merry crew! I wish I had all the answers you crave but I don't. Sounds like you will have to be the rabble rouser to get this rolling on your side of the pond.

-- Write your local MP and demand government hearings into the matter. Quote all the findings that have been made in the US and Canada about Mirapex; don't forget that in the US a warning about obsessive gambling has been added to the literature accompanying the drug.

-- Write to the BBC and other networks, asking they do investigational reports on this matter; don't foget to tell them that US and Canadian TV have already done likewise, and more is coming.

-- Have your specialist report this matter to the government body as appropriate in such situations.

-- Approach Ms. Azizi at www.azizilaw.com and see whether she will take up your case in the US.

Good Luck

Angelo

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 7, 2005 02:52 PM

Those living in Maryland and Washington DC, as well as Northern Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania can see an interview with a person who became addicted to gambling while on Mirapex. It will be aired on the Channel 11, WBAL (Baltimore) nightly news sometime between 11:00-11:30 PM EST, tomorrow, 10 Feb. Word is getting out!

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 9, 2005 03:10 PM

Also, Canadian health authorities have been approached by Boehringer Ingelheim to have a warning included about gambling for the Mirapex sold in that country.

Posted by: turk_5 on February 9, 2005 03:46 PM

My husband is 45 years old and was diagnosed with PD 6 1/2 years ago. He was put on Permax immediately after his diagnosis, then was switched to Mirapex a couple of years later. Unbeknownst to me until a little over a year ago, he had developed a severe gambling addiction shortly after being diagnosed. He had kept this addiction a secret from me for over 5 years, and in that time, he managed to rack up nearly $100,000 in credit card debt, mortgaged our home to the hilt, which we inevitably had to foreclose on 6 months ago in addition to filing for bankruptcy. He has done just about everything possible to feed his habit...lying, cheating, borrowing, even stealing from my family. The hurt and betrayal over what he's done has been devestating, and our marriage is in serious trouble. We've lost everything of value, including his business. For the past year, he's been struggling with the feeling of being a total failure as a husband and father because of what his addiction has caused. He's never had an addiction in his life, and once he was put on Permax and Mirapex, he gambled his (our) life away. Then right before Christmas, a friend of ours called to inform us of the story that was aired on Good Morning America about the relationship of Mirapex and compulsive disorders (in particular...gambling.) We were shocked! The thought that his addiction might be chemically driven never occured to us! Since that time, we've done a lot of research and are finding out, just as all of you are, about the link between dopamine agonists and compulsive gambling. As I read all of your stories, I'm convinced that this is MUCH more than a sheer coincidence! We have spoken to his neurologist, about this and she confirmed there is increasing evidence supporting this theory. She cut his Mirapex dose in half to see if that would help his compulsion, however, his body cannot physically withstand being on half the dose, let alone cutting it out altogether. He's since gone back to his full dose so he'll physically feel better. He's currently in counseling and attends Gambler's Anonymous meeting every single day. He's been "clean" for 22 days now, but I keep waiting for the next shoe to drop when he feels out of control and gambles again. Unfortunately because the Mirapex is the one drug that seems to benefit him most physically, we're afraid that taking him off of it completely is not an option for us. Other than Permax and Requip, does anybody else have any suggestions for other meds that may help him in a similar fashion. WE'RE DESPERATE!! While we're somewhat relieved to know that his addiction is perhaps the product of medication he's taking, it's still very difficult to know that he's got this "demon" that has so much control over his life. If he doesn't stop gambling, I'm afraid our marriage will not survive.

Posted by: lisa on February 10, 2005 05:11 PM

Ilsa:
As you are aware, I've "been there, done that." I lied, cheated, stole, blew away a substantial chunk of our home's equity, ran all my credit cards up to the max, etc. DON'T BLAME YOUR HUSBAND! This chemically-induced obsession is too powerful for words. It's every bit as bad as heroin or cocaine. BLAME THE COMPANIES! Get and stay mad at THEM.
Find a local attorney, write to your local media. You and your family have been hurt and deserve restitution.

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 10, 2005 05:29 PM

You might want to try Requip. Some people who switched managed to stay off gambling, but then there were others who went back to it as heavily as ever. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Posted by: turk_5 on February 10, 2005 05:46 PM

I've had Parkinson's for ten years , was on Requip for five of them . I'd never been much of a gambler until
Requip had its way with my brain ! I became suddenly and totally addicted to slot machines in 2002 and proceeded to destroy my finances and my personal life . Only with the publication of Dr.Stacy's study of dopamine agonists and their ability to induce addicitive behavior did I see what was going on .
i stopped Requip cold and no longer had the casino urge ,
but now ..... the financial repercussions will last the rest of my life .

Posted by: kreide on February 10, 2005 07:26 PM

Requip was the ticket to an overwhelming gambling
problem I experienced in 2002-2003 . I'd never gambled
but a few bucks here and there ( there are 3 Indian casinos
within an hour's drive from my home) , but once I'd been
ramped up to high doses of Requip ..... well , guess what
happened ? I became a lying , irresponsible slot machine
addict .
To make a long and very sad story short , I'm now financially depleted and my wife is divorcing me
(she really doesn't believe meds could have done
THAT to someone !) . Oh ,I got off Requip immediately when dopamine agonists were first implicated in cases just like mine , but it was much too late .
Thank goodness the rest of my family didn't give up
on me , they've always been my strength and support .

Posted by: kreide on February 12, 2005 08:23 PM

I recently received some blather from the FDA after I raised hell with my local congresswoman about Mirapex. Basically what FDA told me is that "As there is no scientific evidence linking pramipexole (Mirapex) to compulsive behavior" there isn't diddle that FDA can do about the situation. They did send me an "adverse reaction" report to fill in and send back, but as I did one over a year ago I trashed it. This is the same line from Boehringer. It's great to see industry and the government working so well together, isn't it?

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 12, 2005 10:35 PM

To see how word is spreading, go to Yahoo News and search on Mirapex to see the various TV stations across the country that have reported on the situation.

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 13, 2005 10:32 AM

Angelo....the FDA and B.I. are drawing at straws. They want scientific proof?

B.S. is putting it mildly. Why put the warning on the writeup now.......because they are protecting themselves from FUTURE lawsuits. If their defense is "we didn't know"......my response is YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! Ever heard of the "thin skull theory"? Very interesting theory which sums up my response.

The way these agonists work is to put receptors in our brains at "full alert". The unfortunate things is that the pleasure/reward sensors are on high alert as well....and that's why some of us experienced the compulsions. I have a statement for the FDA. I want them to prove to ME why I DID NOT gamble compulsively before the Mirapex and STOPPED after the Mirapex.

If it looks like a duck and it walks like a duck......it must be a duck. I may be sick but logic still dictates (now that I am not under the influence of that mind altering drug and can actually apply good judgement).

I'll tell you one thing. I am now more resolved to pursue this as a result of that intelligence insulting statement.

Posted by: oleander on February 14, 2005 03:13 AM

I've raised hell with my congressional rep, both US senators, and with every TV network/show I can think of. I have written, emailed, called, and made a horrendous pain-in-the---ss out of myself with everyone who might possibly be able to help. I've appeared on television and bared my soul about the problems caused by this poison to the embarassment of my family and friends, though many did congratulate me for my "courage" (Hah! Try "desperation.") Nothing new or good is going to happen unless and until more people take up the cudgel and start doing the same. I'm tired.

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 18, 2005 10:17 AM

i was diagnosed with pd in 1999. i started having the restless legs syndrome in march 2001
this is when my dr. started me on mirapex.within
a couple of weeks these symtons went away. what a relief??? wrong this is when i started doing anything i could to gamble. started with local bar poker machines.losing probably $200.00 to $300.00 per day!then i started driving at the drop of a hat 75 miles to a casino in wheeling,w.va. where i proceeded to max. out 10 credit cards to the tune of $130,000.00 and ran up our home equity loan to $75,000.00 before i was caught by my wife . also for the last 9 to 10 months i took mirapex i had several fainting spells,unbelievable headaches and depression.
finally i told my dr. about my gambling problem thinking this was the cause for my symtons. she immediately informed of the website about mirapex and gambling. took me off mirapex . started me on requip which most of the time makes me very nauseous. but my gamling urges have just about completely went away.
meanwhile i joined the class action lawsuit stated in calif.lawfirm azzissi. i go to gamblers ann. once aweek but have never mentioned mirapex to them because they probably wouldn.t believe it caused the problem. my daughter is a pharmacist and is convinced this gambling problem was induced by
something other than a compulsive urge.
i sure hope they at least take the drug off the market so others don`t have their lives ruined because the drug lords need to get richer at our expense!! better days are ahead believe me i have been off mirapex for 6 months now and feel 100% better although i can`t move as good as i could before at least i have a dollar in my pocket. thank you

Posted by: alan k. on February 18, 2005 11:04 PM

I certainly hope all goes well for you--but please be careful with Requip. It can, in time, be as bad as Mirapex.

Posted by: turk_5 on February 18, 2005 11:20 PM

My story is so similar to many here....I'm 51, have always considered myself "responsible"..never even knew about gambling, much less was interested in it. Started permax in 1996, but it wasn't until 5 years later, taking 40 times the initial dose combined with a "fun" weekend meeting my sister in Las Vegas that my addiction started. Even though the casino was not a major part of our weekend (shows, people watching, eating, etc wre the highlights), when I got home I could not get the slot machines out of my head. Three and a half years of hell followed...lying, stealing, doing every thing I could to gamble. Many confessions to my husband, then relapeses. He couldn't believe I was doing these things (Icouldn't either). I emptied a retirement account, ran up credit cards to their max and got new ones, emptied a savings account, "borrowed" money from everyone I could think of....Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars poured down the drain; contemplated suicide several times, the last time with a serious plan and ended up admitting myself to the psych ward of the local hospital. I have been discovering bits and pieces of this dopamine agonist story over the last year and a half or so, alternating between feeling like I was copping out to "blame the drug" and thinking that there was no other explanation for my situation. Have never felt such despair as this has caused. I'm still struggling to find an alternataive to permax (which I take for restless legs syndrome. Have tried 3 so far, waiting for doctor ok to try fourth. In the meantime, I have reduced my dosage to a quarter of what I had been taking and just dealing with the discomfort and restlessness, but I have to sleep. Trying to find out what the drug companies know and when they knew it. After 4 letters to Eli Lilly, I finally got someone to respond to me and has promised to give me records they have; also have asked FDA for their information, via FOIA request. I have read on this site reference to a warning label being put on Mirapex, but the FDA says they know nothing about it, and am waiting to hear back from Health Canada, as there is a suggestion it might be Canada that is putting warning label on. Anyone know for sure? Anyone gotten any "hard" information from the FDA or drug companies? Anyone involved in California class action and where does that stand? I am in Chicago area. Would be eager to hear from others in similar situtation. Write me at my email address barbara@mail2mom.com or post here (though since I have gamblock on my computers I can't always access this page. ) Angelo, who are you? Sounds like you have been very involved in this issue. Barbara

Posted by: Barbara on February 19, 2005 01:06 PM

My story is similar to so many here.. I am 51, and I have been taking permax for restless leg syndrome for almost 9 years. I had no knowledge of or interest in gambling of any sort. In fact, around the time I started taking permax, some friends invited my husband and me to a riverboat casino in Indiana for dinner…for a novel experience. We had dinner and then went into the casino….and I couldn’t wait to get out. The cigarette smoke, the noise and lights, the sad almost hypnotized looking people….terrible. After sticking it out for about half an hour, my husband and I went to the top of the boat to wait in the fresh air for our friends to finish. Couldn’t wait to get out of there, get home and shower. Fast forward about 5 years. Nothing related to gambling happened for those 5 years. Then my sister asked me to meet her for a “fun” girls only weekend in Las Vegas. I went and we had a blast. Even though the casino visiting was not the major part of our visit (shows, eating , people watching and shopping were much more fun), when I got home, I could not get the slot machines out of my head. And the difference? I was taking 40 times the initial dose of Permax at the time. And that was the start of a 3/-1/2 year descent into the hell of compulsive gambling. Of course, I didn’t realize the Permax connection at the time. I thought I was a terrible, weak,, immoral person. I lied, stole, sneaked around, manipulated people….everything I could to gamble. I cleaned out a retirement account, a savings account, ran up my credit cards to the limit and then got more and did the same thing, “borrowed” money from anyone I could think of, and lied and lied to my very loving husband. I confessed and swore I would never do this again (and believed it myself), then relapsed, over and over. I lost hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars, considered suicide several times, the last time had a serious plan to kill myself and ended up in the psychiatric ward of our local hospital for 9 days. I’ve been trying to put the pieces together about dopamine and addictions, and have been battling the feeling that I’m copping out to “blame the medicine” and believing that this is the only explanation that fits. But it sounds almost like science fiction. But based on all I’ve read, on postings like this and in the medical and scientific literature that is out there, I know this would never have happened to me if I had not been taking this drug.. I’m trying desperately to get off permax, and have tried 3 different drugs (not dopamine agonists) but none of them work for me. Am waiting for my doctors to ok a fourth medicine, which would be a narcotic, so they’re being very careful. In the meantime, I’ve reduced my dose to ¼ of what I had been taking, and just deal with the discomfort during the day. But I have to sleep, so I take the bare minimum at night. I’ve been trying to tell my story to the drug company, and to find out what they knew and when. After four letters to Eli Lilly, I finally got a response that said they would send me me whatever information they had….so I’m eager to see that. Also send a FOIA request to the FDA, waiting for that response. Did a Medwatch adverse events memo last fall. Went nowhere with that. I’m wondering if anyone else has any “hard” evidence or information from the drug companies or FDA? Anyone active in the California class action? What is happening with that? And I’ve seen references to a warning label to be put on Mirapex, but the FDA says it doesn’t know anything about it. Maybe it’s in Canada? I’ve asked Health Canada about it, but no reply yet. And what about this “proof” that Mirapex makers knew of the problem? What is that all about? Angelo, who are you and what is your story? You sound like you have become very involved in this issue. Have you made any progress? I’m in the Chicago area. Would be very eager to hear from others who have had this same problem. You can write me at Barbara@mail2mom.com or post here, although because I have gamblock on my computer I can’t always access this site. I encourage everyone to spread the word. Help others avoid the devastation and heartbreak we have suffered. Barbara

Posted by: Barbara on February 19, 2005 04:21 PM

Recently Boehringer added a warning about compulsive gambling to the insert accompanying Mirapex. They buried it way in the back under "After Market Adverse Effects". Go to www.mirapex.com and click on Product Information at the top. I assume this action was meant to cover their fat corporate tooshie against future actions. Don't expect anything from FDA except malfeasance and ineptitude.

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 19, 2005 07:53 PM

I just now checked www.mirapex.com and the Product Information tab at the top. For some reason "The Page Is Unavailable" at the moment. Hmmmmm. My attorneys found primarily European research from 4-5 years ago plainly linking dopamine agonists to compulsive behavior, especially gambling. I found British reporting (no longer on the Web--Hmmmm) from 2002 implicating dop-agonists the same way. There was ample evidence that this family of drugs could induce such behavior. And if there is no proof why did Boehringer feel compelled to add the After Market warning to the insert????

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 19, 2005 09:03 PM

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 19, 2005 09:04 PM

test entry

Posted by: test on February 19, 2005 09:06 PM

The Product Information page is back now. See if you can find the reference to gambling:

Post-Marketing Experience: In addition to the adverse events reported during clinical
trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of
MIRAPEX Tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population
of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish
a causal relationship to drug exposure. Decisions to include these reactions in labeling
are typically based on one or more of the following factors: (1) seriousness of the
reaction, (2) frequency of reporting, or (3) strength of causal connection to MIRAPEX
Tablets. Similar types of events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized
categories using the MedDRA dictionary: accidents (including fall), compulsive
behaviors (including sexual and pathological gambling), fatigue, hallucinations (all kind),
headache, hypotension (including postural hypotension), libido disorders, syncope, and
blackouts.

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 20, 2005 07:59 AM

Fascinating! Do you know why they put this "warning" on ? and when?

Posted by: Barbara on February 20, 2005 10:12 AM

I don't know why it appeared; I think it popped up about two months ago. Obviously, FDA is once again behind the curve. The notice may serve as a "line in the sand" to prevent future lawsuits, I really don't know....

Posted by: angelo21122 on February 20, 2005 10:38 AM

Cut and paste this link into your browser; there is an imbedded video link as well.

http://www.wftv.com/health/4189732/detail.html?rss=orlc&psp=health

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 3, 2005 01:51 PM

Cut and paste this link into your browser; there is an imbedded video link as well.

http://www.wftv.com/health/4189732/detail.html?rss=orlc&psp=health

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 3, 2005 01:52 PM

test

Posted by: test on March 3, 2005 03:16 PM

test

Posted by: test on March 4, 2005 09:42 AM

test

Posted by: test on March 4, 2005 09:43 AM

test

Posted by: test on March 4, 2005 03:13 PM

Well I think there's a Canadian Law Firm that is willing to start a Canadian Class Action. If any Canadians need any info, just email me and I will forward you the information.

Posted by: oleander on March 9, 2005 11:19 PM

Has any one heard of any sex side effects to Mirapex and is anyone doing any thing to help those individuals?

Posted by: Kay on March 10, 2005 10:05 PM

I have seen and heard numerous instances of Mirapex weakening inhibitions and causing a lot of drug-induced infidelity, I have not heard about this being used as a basis for legal action, probably as those afflicted don't want to inflict even more harm and embarassment upon spouses. I have heard of some divorces.

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 10, 2005 11:47 PM

I almost forgot--compulsive sexual activity was included recently in the "After Market" warning from Boehringer. See my posting above for 20 Feb. It's buried near the bottom.

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 11, 2005 10:10 AM

test

Posted by: test on March 12, 2005 11:20 PM

Are there people out there who have had the sexual behaviors proven as to the Mirapex being the cause or is gambling the only one proven?
Do those with sexual behaviors feel like they are the only ones etc. and it is very embarrassing to say anything about?

Posted by: Kay on March 14, 2005 08:04 AM

This neurologist is planning a study this summer on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mirapex, and Parkinson's. Those proceeding with legal action should make their attorneys aware of it:

Hubert H. Fernandez, MD
Co-Director, Movement Disorders Center
Director, Clinical Trials for Movement Disorders
Co-Director, Residency Training Program
Dept. of Neurology, Univ. of Florida
McKnight Brain Institute
100 S. Newell Drive, Rm L3-100
PO Box 100236
Gainesville, FL 32610-0236

Posted by: angelo21122 on March 21, 2005 04:12 PM

I would like to reach out to anyone who has a gambling problem, whether it be do to a certain drug used, or just emotional issues causing you or someone you know to continue gambling. It is an emotiona addictive illness/disease, and there is help out there to stop gambling and recover, no matter what your reasons are for gambling.. there is help. Please come check out our support group and join us.. if you want to stop gambling from ruining your life.. The link I have posted will bring you to the support group's homepage. We help each other thru our own experiences from gambling and thru what we have learn that works in our own recoveries.. Please take a minute, it could save your life.. Hugs, Audrey

Posted by: Audrey on April 2, 2005 11:31 PM

To locate the suppor group in the above message click on my name or this link provided:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CompulsiveGamblingCenterOnRecoveryEveryday/

Thank You

Posted by: Audrey on April 2, 2005 11:33 PM

If you feel like bringing back really bad memories, catch the "Intervention" series on the A&E channel. I watched the segment last night about a young guy with a "naturally occurring" heavy gambling addiction-- it brought tears to my eyes. All of it came back, the begging, thieving, lying, and unkept promises; all the behavior that made us the exact opposite of how we had planned to spend our lives. It all too well reminded me of why we are in this lawsuit--and made me mad as hell. Let's not forget....

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 6, 2005 11:10 AM

test

Posted by: test on April 7, 2005 11:06 PM

Does anyone know the name of the law firm that is looking into a class action suit against Mirapex in Canada. I had his name but misplaced it.
Thank you
Irene

Posted by: Irene on April 13, 2005 03:21 PM

Does anyone know the name of the law firm that is looking into a class action suit against Mirapex in Canada. I had his name but misplaced it.
Thank you
Irene

Posted by: Irene on April 13, 2005 03:21 PM

The law firm is Thomson-Rogers; it should be easy to get their address off the web.

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 13, 2005 05:34 PM

I see in the news that FDA has found the time and resources to warn Pfizer that their ads for erectile dysfunction medication are misleading. How wonderful. Such a shame that FDA cannot do likewise to address a drug that is responsible for untold personal ruin and despair. But I understand there are priorities.... That which affects the sex organs must take a back seat to that which affects the brain. It's the American way.

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 17, 2005 12:24 AM

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 17, 2005 12:25 AM

test

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 17, 2005 12:25 AM

My error; the Pfizer drug in question is for allergies, and not sexual mysfunction. Still, it's sad that FDA can find the resources to warn people about adverts for a drug addressing nasal congestion, but remains silent about another that has ruined many, many lives.

Posted by: angelo21122 on April 17, 2005 11:00 AM

test have gamblock

Posted by: robert on April 27, 2005 01:43 AM

test have gamblock

Posted by: robert on April 27, 2005 01:43 AM

test have gamblock

Posted by: robert on April 27, 2005 01:43 AM

I have gamblock which blocks any websites and words for this addiction.This had to be installed on both computers to stop me. It suddenly occured to me that I am out of control. A weekend trip to Canada and 4 days in the Casin--. I take 8 mg of requip. It started with excessive day trading and than I found the internet BJ 21 obsessed all day long. I even went to AC last week twice and it is a 2 1/2 hour drive. Tonight I was tryng to uninstall the gamblock software.. desperate despite losing 13K in 6 weeks! I lie to my spouse and this fasination with playing 21 is all consuming. WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO REPLACE REQUIP?I am to early for l dopa. very little symptoms after 5 years Im afraid of the symptoms returning if I stop the drug and I am in between a rock and a hard place. Gamblers Anonymous did not stop me. I exhausted every dime available to me this weekend 6K and bet in large wagers until the money was gone. Our friends were appalled at my behavior and lack of control I also want to get even. The drug has taken over and my neuro must be told asap. Anyone replace a dopamine agonist with another drugs other than sinemet. I repect your replys.
BTW Gambock works but it also block most websites for example once I submit this post it will shut down the comuter.

Posted by: robert on April 27, 2005 02:02 AM

Robert:

I am not aware of anything else to take (besides Sinemet) that will help without the gambling urges being restarted. I have been on both Mirapex and Requip, and they were both disastrous. I gambled ev