HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

impulse control problem?

Support Forums
>
Parkinson's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/12/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone reading this has experienced impulse control problems like compulsive gambling or shopping or eating, etc. I've read that dopamine therapy can lead to this.

anyone?
Posted 11/13/2009 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I cannot say I had impulse control problems but when I was taking Mirapex and then, later, Requip, I had an incredible creative spurt. I wrote the better part of a book (something I have always wanted to do but never gotten around to) and wrote several songs (occasionally I write a song but I wrote 7 in a short time which I have not done in a while).  

At the time I thought it was finding out I was dx'd with PD thats motivated me to do what I've always wanted to, and that may have been a factor, but when I heard later that those drugs cause impulsiveness, it dawned on me that they may have contributed to my spurt, especially since the spurt ended around the time I switched to Sinemet. BTW the book is not finished. I jokingly say I need to go back on Requip to finish but it made me tired and nauseous a lot.

Luckily I don't gamble!

I'll be interested to hear other responses.

Posted 11/13/2009 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, my brother has Parkinson's and just last summer, after crashing his car and destroying it decided one morning that he wanted a new car.

So he got up, got dressed, didnt tell anyone where he was going, took a bus to a car dealership and bought a car on his line of credit.

So when the car was ready for delivery, they called his house to advise that his car was ready for pick up, and talked to my nephew....who kinda freaked..  you see after his car crash, which unfortunately was his fault - he no longer possess a drivers licence.

To make a long story short, my nephew was able to reverse the purchase and the new car was left at the dealership.....so I think my brother might be a tad on the compulsive side!!!

Gary

Posted 11/13/2009 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
wow Gary, it sure does! Has he done anything else impulsive? I think it's so interesting that changing chemistry in the brain can change how we act and stuff we will do.

I read about a woman who started shopping like crazy, and on PDF.org there's an article on how some people can start gambling like crazy. It said that sometimes a person can suddenly go nuts over something they have a normal interest in. I guess your brother is interested in cars! :o)

How did he react to not actually getting the car? How is he doing?

Nancy
Posted 11/13/2009 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Geetar, thanks for your post! It does certainly sound like the Mirapex led to your creative surge. Too bad for the nausea and fatigue - who knows how many songs and books you could have written!! Still, it's great that you know you have that gift.

Take it one day at a time.

cheers,
Nancy
Posted 11/13/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
OTstudent,Would you take a moment to let the forum members know your connection to pd.Anyone may post here as long as they observe forum rules,and you are not required to introduce yourself.If you are looking for answers to questions it would be nice to do so.Wish you the best.Ed
Posted 11/15/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Certainly, Ed. As my screen name says, I'm an OT student. I'm in the process of getting a master's degree in occupational therapy and am doing research on the psychological effects of Parkinson's disease. My neighbor and dear friend lives with PD. I assure you that I am genuinely interested in your posts as I strive to find ways to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's Disease.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply