Mirapex and Compulsive Behavior

Sleuth · Post by **Sleuth** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:30 am

I've been reading up on the side effects of Mirapex. There are a number of articles about compulsive behavior, such as gambling, overeating, etc.

Can it increase any compulsive behavior. I have problems with being compulsive about a number of things that have nothing to do with anything mentioned. I'm basically a perfectionist, which makes my life very difficult. Would Mirapex increase that? I'm feeling it this morning, in particular, which is why I'm asking.

I am just about paralyzed with anxiety over doing simple things connected with my little business of selling online.

Dale

Post by **Polar Bear** » Mon May 18, 2009 3:39 pm

Hi Dale

Couldn't say for sure, but I am also pretty much of a perfectionist and can get wound up about things not done, to be done, get them off the 'list' so I can relax.... except there's always something else. !!

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:47 pm

I don't know the answer to that. The literature in the research journals only discusses gambling, and to a lesser extent weight. Oh, and some about sex.

Aiken · Post by **Aiken** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:23 pm

I personally would guess/assume that the side effect of mirapex is one of amping up an existing compulsion, and since gambling, eating, and sex are the most common compulsions even without meds, they show up the most in mirapex's side effect warnings. I'd swear I've actually read a description of the side effect in broader terms, e.g. something like, "may increase compulsive behaviors," but I'm not sure where I saw that.

So, in my humble opinion, if perfectionism was an existing compulsion, and if that compulsion increased at the same time that the drug was introduced, it might be reasonable to guess that it might not be a coincidence.

Still, I'm not a doctor, so if yours seems to have a clue on such matters, you should talk to him about it. (Increased) compulsions can be a real problem and should not be ignored.

Sleuth · Post by **Sleuth** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:16 am

Now that I've been taking the Mirapex for two weeks, I can say that my obsessive-compulsive behavior has become much worse. I am having other problems with this medicine, so am going to stop it for a few days to see if that behavior calms down.

Dale

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:56 am

Probably a good idea. If you find that you think this was causing the behavior but that it also did help the RLS, it is probably worth trying Requip. While they work in a similar fashion, people often respond to one differently than the other as far as side effects go.

gymper · Post by **gymper** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:00 am

For me it was just gambling.