Gambling Addiction?
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barbara576
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:35 pm
Gambling Addiction?
I couldn't find anything on this site about compulsive gambling or gambling addictions connected to dopamine agonists like Permax, but the PD web sites are full of people who have developed this problem. I am a lifelong RLS sufferer, started taking Permax (pergolide) about 9 years ago, and for the first time in years I could sleep. Literally cried from the joy of it. Had no history of or experience in casinos, but after being on Permax several years, went for the first time to Las Vegas and when I came home couldn't get gambling out of my head. Went through the internet gambling, then casinos, have almost ruined my life as well as my families. I cannot tell you how foreign gambling is to my background and interest. Not saying the drug turned me into a zombie and took me under its control, but in the course of years of therapists, have been searching for the link. Turns out there are hundreds, perhaps thousands like me, mostly PD patients who, after taking Permax and other dopamine agonists became compulsive gamblers. Lots of research on this link, too, from Harvard and other places. Are there other RLS sufferers out there taking dopamine agonists who have become compulsive gamblers after taking the medication?
had to think about it.
Barbara,
Hell and welcome to the group. I'm sorry for a delayed reply, but I really wanted to think this one out. It's really a two part question.
1. Does the medication and change of the brain lead to addicition?
2. Do RLS suffers have a higher tendency to addicition?
OR even, do people with addiction problems tend to have or progress into RLS? Are our systems just that much more sensitive in many ways?
I come from a RlS family, both my mother and father, and so, and so.......
We have seen just about every kind of accidiction, both sides. Although, it equals out along the way. Most were socially accepted for there era's morals and ethics. If that makes any sense at all.
I.E. To have a nip for medicinal purposes was fine, you just might be sicker than others. It's Ok, now to gamble because it socially acceptable.
I noticed in reading and trading information with others here that the second seems most possible. The question of alcoholism and it's connection to or with RLS, was written about in the latest Nightwalkers issue. The Chairman of the RLS Foundation Robert Waterman asked if there was a link, realting to his own family.
I know that I have my own addicition issues over the years, but found new things to replace the bad stuff. Intense, intricate thought is soothing to me. My art is very time consuming. Detailed work, I could work for hours, all the while, moving around my chair...........but able to get into a zone where I don't hurt, I'm lost in a weightless moment. My mind is not aware of my legs, or shoulder, my arms.......It's a free space, where I use to live. It's the same feeling as a good high. That's the truth.
But it's in my family in different forms. Yes, many of us have RLS to some degree. I'm not sure what came first, I may really have been born this way. If I had childhood RLS and suffered pain as a child..........might I seek relief at some point? Somehow? Mention pain, and forget about it, let's not even talk about how we deal with stress. As an older adult I was lucky and replace the bad with gardening, art, family, and my loveable computer.
Maybe this part changes with us. We spread a good word and the next bunch won't hear the things we have. It does have a name and it is for real. It will just be like having something people recognized. Had knowledge about the disorder. Treated it accordingly, just like an allergy.
As for medication..........it's always a risk of side effects. I'm certain that changing one's brain chemically in anyway had side effects. It's all something I've thought of before, but I'm glad you brought it up. Thanks.
Rest peacefully.
Hell and welcome to the group. I'm sorry for a delayed reply, but I really wanted to think this one out. It's really a two part question.
1. Does the medication and change of the brain lead to addicition?
2. Do RLS suffers have a higher tendency to addicition?
OR even, do people with addiction problems tend to have or progress into RLS? Are our systems just that much more sensitive in many ways?
I come from a RlS family, both my mother and father, and so, and so.......
We have seen just about every kind of accidiction, both sides. Although, it equals out along the way. Most were socially accepted for there era's morals and ethics. If that makes any sense at all.
I.E. To have a nip for medicinal purposes was fine, you just might be sicker than others. It's Ok, now to gamble because it socially acceptable.
I noticed in reading and trading information with others here that the second seems most possible. The question of alcoholism and it's connection to or with RLS, was written about in the latest Nightwalkers issue. The Chairman of the RLS Foundation Robert Waterman asked if there was a link, realting to his own family.
I know that I have my own addicition issues over the years, but found new things to replace the bad stuff. Intense, intricate thought is soothing to me. My art is very time consuming. Detailed work, I could work for hours, all the while, moving around my chair...........but able to get into a zone where I don't hurt, I'm lost in a weightless moment. My mind is not aware of my legs, or shoulder, my arms.......It's a free space, where I use to live. It's the same feeling as a good high. That's the truth.
But it's in my family in different forms. Yes, many of us have RLS to some degree. I'm not sure what came first, I may really have been born this way. If I had childhood RLS and suffered pain as a child..........might I seek relief at some point? Somehow? Mention pain, and forget about it, let's not even talk about how we deal with stress. As an older adult I was lucky and replace the bad with gardening, art, family, and my loveable computer.
Maybe this part changes with us. We spread a good word and the next bunch won't hear the things we have. It does have a name and it is for real. It will just be like having something people recognized. Had knowledge about the disorder. Treated it accordingly, just like an allergy.
As for medication..........it's always a risk of side effects. I'm certain that changing one's brain chemically in anyway had side effects. It's all something I've thought of before, but I'm glad you brought it up. Thanks.
Rest peacefully.
Last edited by becat on Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Welcome, Barbara
You are right. There is nothing on this site on addiction as a side effect. Of course, PD patients are taking dopamine agonists and precursors at much higher doses than we do.
Thank you. I learned something new.
Becat, I looked at your words at the end of your post. Rest in Peace! My brain immediately translated that into latin: Requiescat in pace.
An often used phrase in funeral masses!
Loved your essay!
Thank you. I learned something new.
Becat, I looked at your words at the end of your post. Rest in Peace! My brain immediately translated that into latin: Requiescat in pace.
An often used phrase in funeral masses!
Loved your essay!Jumpy Owl