Hi Titan

I didn't mean that the person had some control, I don't believe they do have any control. Maybe in the beginning when the dose is small - X did realise he had a problem when he was gambling (albeit after he lost thousands), and he did go to the hospital and did stop himself from gambling - but this was when he was on the lower dose, it's since being on the full dose that he is unable to realise he has a problem and doesn't have any control over what he's doing.

Most of the stories I've read where people realise they had problems and told the doctors were when they had started the medication, and they didn't get to the full dose. Even though X had gambled on the lower dose - which to my mind should have been a warning flag - they decided that as he had now got over the gambling that he would be ok in the future - which sadly isn't the case.

Amy

Hi Eck and Ray of Sunshine, you have both very eloquently expressed yourselves in your responses to Amy's questions. I too have been the victim of DA's and understand completely what you mean. While they are a Godsend to some people they also have the capability to ruin lives and should be prescribed and taken with warnings attached and close monitoring. I do get so angry when I think that my neuro probably has a comfortable life, nice holidays and a home. That was all taken away from me, probably forever. I worked long and hard for what I had and now I am unable to work due to this awful condition... but just to kick me while down.... I then get prescribed DA's, which took away all that I had worked for and I will never again have the opportunity to change that. Yes I am bitter and still very angry about it, although I don't let it rule my life it's certainly not easy to forget and I certainly cannot forgive.

Thanks again guys for being so honest about your feelings.

regards
Glenchass

Hi Glenglass

X also retired from a good job and has a very good pension, and should be reaping the rewards now - but because of gambling debts, and other debts - which I personally also put down to the medication - he is now in debt to over 250,000 - which he has no way of paying off - and is living from day to day. Obviously these are not isolated cases - how many more people are there out there - how much has this cost everyone in total. As you say I often think of his pd nurse etc. going home to their cosy homes and happy evening not caring about what happens outside the hospital walls and it shouldn't be allowed. It needs to be stopped. This is only coming out of the woodwork now - who's to say what the final story will be. As I say X isn't even a statistic yet - the doctors don't know about him because he hasn't admitted it to him - he's only admitted it to me!!!! How many more are there to be counted yet.

Amy

Case histories suggest that if you suffer from one compulsion this will increase to several, so don't get complacent.

My professor's legal report says:

"Sometimes these behavioural alterations may manifest singly, but it is more common to see them in association, although they may begin with one symptom to which others are progressively added."

Just to remind everyone the "others" include (at least) the following recorded and verified obsessions:

Hypersexuality
Cross dressing
Sexual reorientation
Bondage
Masochism
Sadism
Zoophilia
Prostitution use
Pornography
Child pornography
Paedophilia
Paraphilia
Obsessive masturbation
Exhibitionism
Visual hallucinations
Delusions
Massive artistic/poetic change
Violence
GBH
ABH
Murder
Disfigurement
Self harm
Suicide attempts
Obsessive risk taking
Shopping
Gambling
Singing
Eating
Punding
Reckless generosity

More are being added regularly.
.

Good evening everyone,
let gets down to the nitty gritty of this topic,this is my personal view and if i offend anybody i do apologise right now!!!!
over the few weeks since i came onto this forum i was naive and did,not know much about pd and there were questions i needed to know ,then has time passed on with my pd i needed to know about da,s has my pd nurse was going to put me on them.
the info i received and advice the forum was valuable,and has my mother did,not know too much about this condition ,i suggested to her to come on the forum and read to put her mind at rest ,read my posts and find comfort and knowledge in her own time to learn to or try accept a family member with pd.
she knew i was taking dopamine agonist and the potential side effects,but eh!! don,t get me wrong i am extremely sorry for experiences you all have had with da,s but this topic is straying of what from its about and getting very personal and raw to people,s lives.its getting very depressing and rough to say the least!!

i know you all may be saying well why read it if you cannot stand the heat?but im thinking of the new pwp who have just come onto the forum and read through and want comfort and not be frightened because i think your list of problems which true to some and not others are extemely upsetting.

now im waiting for ANGRY reply for what ive just said but remember its only a opinion and do not mean to offend anybody in any way shape or form.

Hello Janine, I don't think that we have talked before. I don't post much but felt that I had something to contribute to the DA thread about my personal experiences and I did. I am not angry with you in respect of your response but I am very disappointed. You were so right when you said 'if you don't like it don't read it. You knew what the thread was about so why open that particular thread up?

You disappoint me because you too have PD and should understand better than to criticize others for sharing their experiences. You are new to the site but some of us have been around a long time and we are used to airing our views and we are as entitled as you to do so.

I am sure you will have realised by now that PD is far more complex than you first thought, with thos complexities come sadness and pain. You may also recall that some of the posts were in answer to another person who was asking certain questions, I'm sure that when you ask questions on the site you expect people to answer and hopefully help you to understand the problems better.

I have had PD for ten years now and have been to hell and back because of it and quite frankly your remarks offend me and I am sure others on this site.

I apologies if the truth has upset you, I certainly would have likes somebody to warn me before i took the meds prescribed to me. It might be useful for you to remember the saying 'There but for the grace of god go I' before you upset many more people.

[post removed]

okay may be the posting was insensitive but i only put my feelings down .i will now say sorry to every one i have upset and incuding yourself but im only human and we all make mistakes ,sincerely i realize this was too far!!!! and you want me to leave the forum of having a voice maybe not in the right way ,in hindsight this should not of been said .

janine

i deeply regret what i have done and please dont hold this against me!!

Don't be daft, that's what good debate is all about.

Nuff said!

Ray

x