Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
I attended a session on mood and behavior issues in people with Parkinson's a couple of weeks ago. One of the topics the Psychiatric Doctor, discussed with us was Impulse Control behavior problems that can occur with the Agonist drugs. (Mirapex & Requip are the 2 most popular agonist used as Parkinson's treatments). These issues include impulse control behaviors such as compulsive behaviors and addictions (including gambling, shopping, or sexual). One lady in the discussion group said she experienced a compulsive behavior of picking her moles.
The Doctor said most people (85%) do not have any of these behavior issues with these drugs, but about 15% do. The problems are real and serious when they occur and can ruin peoples lives. He asked us to get this info out to anyone we know who has Parkinson's. So here it is:
The meds may start the problem, but going off the meds does not necessarily stop the problem. The earlier the symptoms are reported to the doctor, the better! Let me repeat that - THE EARLIER THE SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTED TO THE DOCTOR, THE BETTER!!!!
Many will not report the problem to their doctors because they are embarrassed, they don't recognize they have a problem, or they think they can control it. It is IMPORTANT that family members know about these possible side effects and watch for signs. The earlier it is caught the easier it is to stop. If it gets to the addiction stage, the person has to fight it like any normal person fights addiction - usually by enrolling in an addiction 12 step program. And like any addiction, they are hard to overcome - even after going off the meds that caused it. If the behaviors are caught early before the full blown addiction stage, they can often be treated by just changing the meds.
One interesting side note - the Doctor said for those patients whose Parkinson's symptoms are responding really well to the agonist drug, but are experiencing the impulse control issues, they can sometimes keep them on the agonist by adding a drug like Naltrexone. For some adding the Naltrexone will stop the compulsions and allow the person to still enjoy the Parkinson symptom control from the Agonist drug for awhile longer.
The Doctor said most people (85%) do not have any of these behavior issues with these drugs, but about 15% do. The problems are real and serious when they occur and can ruin peoples lives. He asked us to get this info out to anyone we know who has Parkinson's. So here it is:
The meds may start the problem, but going off the meds does not necessarily stop the problem. The earlier the symptoms are reported to the doctor, the better! Let me repeat that - THE EARLIER THE SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTED TO THE DOCTOR, THE BETTER!!!!
Many will not report the problem to their doctors because they are embarrassed, they don't recognize they have a problem, or they think they can control it. It is IMPORTANT that family members know about these possible side effects and watch for signs. The earlier it is caught the easier it is to stop. If it gets to the addiction stage, the person has to fight it like any normal person fights addiction - usually by enrolling in an addiction 12 step program. And like any addiction, they are hard to overcome - even after going off the meds that caused it. If the behaviors are caught early before the full blown addiction stage, they can often be treated by just changing the meds.
One interesting side note - the Doctor said for those patients whose Parkinson's symptoms are responding really well to the agonist drug, but are experiencing the impulse control issues, they can sometimes keep them on the agonist by adding a drug like Naltrexone. For some adding the Naltrexone will stop the compulsions and allow the person to still enjoy the Parkinson symptom control from the Agonist drug for awhile longer.
Now....Western Medicine(allopathic) is designed to keep u sick but alive enough to make $ off u. It treats symptoms only. The reason that most people dont understand about why we all get the different meds is this....Dr #1 gets paid $1000 extra by Merck for every 10 scripts he writes for say Lamotigrine, now Dr #2 gets his kickbacks from say Dupont (chemical company/pharaceutical and yes big oil) who currently holds production of Sinemet. Now.. the newer the drug the more the kickback because a single company holds production rights. Additionally your Dr wil write u scripts based on his $ alliances with Merck or Gentec or whatever. Now as a last resort #1...go into the ER for you rmeds and issues, tell them the name u Dr and that he refuses to help. After about 100000$ the hospital will likely get involved if he has privilidges. Now in case we have to pay that out of pocket due to the theft of my social security disabiity i am owed, as last last resort we get divorce on paper i leave house to her and i use ER for all my care then claim bankruptcy every 2-3 yrs and let the Tea Party pay for my care. Oh and goto Catholic Hospital as they cannot turn you away yet for the most part. Moral of this story is...Dr want u money and will get it no matter what and he will give u the pills that make him the most $ and have lots side effect so u get more pills. You may not likke it or believe it but think about it as u get sicker and sicker from their "guidence"......KEEP EM SICK AND KEEP EM COMMIN" (Cheif of Surgery Community Hospital 2004)
"Nothing will change until you change it" (Me)
Stay sick Westerners and I'll see you on the flip side.......oh and those from the USA...if you dont like this system quit voting for TEA.
bp
I have long had a thought, that why would anyone want to cure PD , or any disease , as this action would put pharmaceutical companies and others out of business.
Anyway back to the point here.
I admitted to my neuro that if their was an impulsive behavior available, or an addiction on offer, give me these sort of meds, and watch me fly with an addiction, as I know my personality well. I'm father impulsive, and if I like something, well I will do it to death.
I say be aware of the type of person you are first, and if you are indicative of this addictive or impulsive personality type already, you definitely need to steer well clear of these types of meds.
Because it is seeming rather obvious that these meds seem to grab pd people and you are unaware of the addiction or impulsive things happening to you, until you have done some inappropriate things, so why tempt fate.
My neuro did offer me Agonist drugs, and I chose to decline. He said my partner would be able to see these impulsive signs in me , and then inform me.
Well No no no Dr Neuro, gosh he does not know if I really want something I will get it at all costs! and probably be really sneaky about it, so throw that sort of med at me, and I will probably end up in jail.
I choose to pass
Dopamine is the addiction, so where does that leave folk with PD?
good luck :)
Also, do agonists really help with the "wiggling" and quirky movements?
You guys are a wealth of info, thanks!
Also, please keep in mind that only about 15% have any problems with these drugs. That means 85% don't have problems. Also the doctor said these drugs work very well especially for movement issues and a lot of people do very well on them. I don't know about the wiggly, quirky moments though.