Does anyone know why that restless leg pill "Mirapex" can cause increased

[Maraya1969]

sexual, gambling or other urges? :shrug:

[MissMillie]

1. it has to do w/ OCD

something in the medication makes it harder for people to fight off compulsion.

I talked to my doc about it when I saw her for my RLS/PLMD. I was worried because I'm a compulsive eater... and I also exhibit other obsessive/compulsive behavior.

My doc put me on Requip, which is helping.

[redqueen]

2. I wonder if I have RLS.

I can't sit comfortably for longer than around 15 minutes or so... then I have to shift my position.

Maybe I'm just an uncomfortable person.

[MissMillie]

9. mine was diagnosed through a sleep study

I'm not a doctor... so I won't make a diagnosis, but let me say that when my RLS is in high gear, it's not just that I'm uncomfortable. My legs CRAWL.... the sensation is most disturbing and it keeps me from doing just about everything (except walking/jogging).

[commander bunnypants]

33. I am sticking with my sinemet

works jes fine


CB

[unpossibles]

3. wait... it does?

sweet! I want to try it for recreational uses. :)

[MnFats]

5. my thought exactly! sign me up!

is this another syndrome created by pharmaceutical companies to sell billions in a drug....

sorry if you're one who actually suffers but I'd never heard of this condition until I saw it in a huge ad campaign...

[Connonym]

7. it's very real

involuntary twitching and jerking of the legs which can result in very poor sleep. Mostly a quality of life issue but chronic lack of sleep can lead to more serious problems.

[Kali]

17. chronic sleep deprivation is a HUGE problem.

VERY serious medical consequences - kidneys and heart especially. Not to mention accidents caused by sleepy drivers/operators of other equipment.

[unpossibles]

18. I know the disease is real

trust me. I know personally. I meant the side-effects of the drug.

[Connonym]

24. sorry, I was reference a different poster about it being a disease made up by pharmaceutical co's

I hear people joking about it all the time like it's not real and it pisses me off because my dad had it and it was very real.

[mvccd1000]

27. Nope, it's real.

My girlfriend used to suffer from it horribly, to the point where she couldn't sleep. I'll admit that I never heard a NAME for it until the ad campaigns came out, but she was miserable.

[DS1]

4. Because it's made from the ground bones of condemned souls

Hence, it makes you evil.

[Westegg]

6. If they knew why...

...presumably they'd tell you. Then again, maybe they wouldn't. Fact is, they (and by "they" I mean the professionals who prescribe this stuff) don't know. I think they base these warning purely on anecdotal evidence.

I took Mirapex, and switched to Requip. It works better for RLS, in my experience.

Frankly, I often wonder if RLS is not an entirely manufactured problem. Do I have it? Yeah. My wife will tell you about my leg-twitching at night, which disturbs her sleep. Did I have it before I started taking SSRI's for anxiety and depression? No. One of the side-effects of SSRI's is limb-twitching. So basically, I think I'm paying an extra $50 a month co-pay for a drug to combat the side-effects of yet ANOTHER drug I'm taking.

My ultimate goal is to be drug-free. Yoga, meditation, clean living and exercise are my tools. But it takes time.

To answer your original question: I never felt an unusual urge to gamble with Mirapex, and I think my sexual urges are normal and healthy.

[Lance_Boyle]

8. 'my sexual urges are normal and healthy'

Keep telling yourself that, Senator Vitter... :P

[Westegg]

13. Not sure why my need of "escorts"...

...is an issue here. I tend to socialize often. It's part of my job description. No man wants to show up at an event "empty handed," so to speak, and thus I have on occasion asked for and received an escort, a "companion," if you will, at tax-payer expense. I see nothing wrong with this and I'll add that these were some of the finest, most firm-bodied women Washington, D.C. has to offer.

I resent your implication, sir or madame. Ah, "Madame"... That puts me in mind of... Wait, nevermind. We're going off-script here.

[MissMillie]

12. Before being prescribed requip

I had been drug free for 3 years.

My RLS/PLMD reached an unbearable state before I finally caved and went to the doctor about it.

[Taverner]

10. Did you know Cannabis Sativa is a perfect cure for RLS?

The numbers are there

[Westegg]

14. Whoaaa, dude! He said "numbers." (NT)

[Deja Q]

11. Dang. Calm a leg, excite an urge... lovely trade-off... Oh dear, I said "off"... kinky.

*cough*

[Eurobabe]

15. Probably works on dopamine receptors

that would be my guess. And I would add, anyone considering this drug therapy -- try magnesium first, nature's natural muscle relaxant. I get so mad at the pharma companies and their pill pushing ways -- jeez!!

[Westegg]

16. I'm going to try that!

I agree that pill-pushing is a problem. But it's not just the pharma co's. It's doctor who you otherwise feel good about. I've got a PCP I like a lot. But to say he's not influenced by Big Business on some level is to be naive. This is sad.

The answer, as you suggest, is to become proactive about one's health outside of the strictures of organized medicine.

Easier said than done but, as I'm learning, well worth the effort. Thanks.

[Eurobabe]

26. Try supplementing a little magnesium

and make sure you are getting some calcium during the day. Magnesium is very effective for muscle cramps, twitching and migraines. Check with your doctor if you are on other meds to make sure they don't interact. (ie magnesium interacts with thyroid meds when taken together.)

Good luck!

[BuddhaGirl]

29. I agree about magnesium

that settled me down right away. I drink a calcium/magnesium supplement every night.

I would rather do that than take a pharmaceutical drug!

[Book Lover]

21. And yet here you are, pushing a pill

Since humans really can't effectively get higher-than-normal doses of magnesium from food sources, your advice to this person is to take a pill. Only this pill doesn't come from behind the pharmacy counter, so I guess it's OK?...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/magnesium-000313.htm

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use magnesium without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Antibiotics
The absorption of quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin and moxofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (including tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline), and nitrofurantoin is diminished when taken with magnesium supplements. Therefore, magnesium should be taken two to four hours before or after taking these medications to avoid interference with absorption.

Blood Pressure Medications, Calcium Channel Blockers
Magnesium may increase the likelihood of negative side effects (such as dizziness, nausea, and fluid retention) from calcium channel blockers (particularly nifedipine) in pregnant women. Other calcium channel blockers include amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, and verapamil.

Diabetic Medications
Magnesium hydroxide, commonly found in antacids, may increase the absorption of glipizide and glyburide, medications used to control blood sugar levels. Ultimately, this may prove to allow for reduction in the dosage of those medications.

Digoxin
It is important that normal levels of magnesium be maintained while taking digoxin because low blood levels of magnesium can increase adverse effects from this drug. In addition, digoxin can lead to increased loss of magnesium in the urine. A healthcare provider will follow magnesium levels closely to determine whether magnesium supplementation is necessary.

Diuretics
Two types of diuretics known as loop (such as furosemide) and thiazide (including hydrochlorothiazide) can deplete magnesium levels. For this reason, physicians who prescribe diuretics may consider recommending magnesium supplements as well.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopause
Magnesium levels tend to decrease during menopause. Studies suggest, however, that hormone replacement therapy may help prevent the loss of this mineral. Postmenopausal women or those taking hormone replacement therapy should talk with a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of magnesium supplementation.

Levothyroxine
There have been case reports of magnesium containing antacids reducing the effectiveness of levothyroxine, which is taken for an under active thyroid. This is important because many people take laxatives containing magnesium without letting their doctor know.

Penicillamine
Penicillamine, a medication used for the treatment of Wilson's disease (a condition characterized by high levels of copper in the body) and rheumatoid arthritis, can inactivate magnesium, particularly when high doses of the drug are used over a long period of time. Even with this relative inactivation, however, supplementation with magnesium and other nutrients by those taking penicillamine may reduce side effects associated with this medication. A healthcare practitioner can determine whether magnesium supplements are safe and appropriate if you are taking penicillamine.

Tiludronate and Alendronate
Magnesium may interfere with absorption of tiludronate, a medication similar to alendronate that is used for the treatment of osteoporosis. This interaction has not been reported with alendronate specifically. Magnesium supplements or magnesium-containing antacids should be taken at least two hours before or two hours after taking these medications to minimize potential interference with absorption.

Others
Aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as gentamicin and tobramycin), thiazide diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide), loop diuretics (such as furosemide and bumetanide), amphotericin B, corticosteroids, antacids, and insulin may lower magnesium levels. Please refer to the depletions monographs on some of these medications for more information.

[Eurobabe]

25. Magnesium is found in alot of foods, but yes

I drink bottled water with lots of magnesium and I also supplement. What is wrong with that? But hey, if you'd rather spend $200 for 90 tablets instead of try something NATURAL, be my guest! I just hate to see people suckered by these drugs that even the pharma companies have NO IDEA HOW THEY WORK. FYI Mirapex is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist.

:shrug:

Yes, I agree that people should not overdo it with any of the electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium) and if someone is taking any of the above meds they should consult a doctor first. But I'd love to see the list of contraindicated meds for Pramipexole. :hi:

[Book Lover]

28. What's wrong with it?

Well, when were you diagnosed with a magnesium deficiency?

[Eurobabe]

30. I have no clue why you want to pick a fight with

me over this? So I'll just say goodbye now. :hi:

[Book Lover]

31. No clue

pretty much does sum it up.

[Capn Sunshine]

19. I don't know, but that sounds pretty cool!

what a great excuse!
Honey, sorry I'm in Vegas with a floozy. It's the meds.

[SPKrazy]

20. It's made by the porn, gambling, and other urges industry

:shrug:

I'm sure it is brain chemistry related.

[guitar man]

22. I don't know but

I'm going to give my wife some, right after I hide the credit cards! :silly:

[rockymountaindem]

23. Maybe they just want you to take your pants off

either because of the "sexual urges" or because you lose them in a dice/card game. Perhaps that's the secret at work.

[Radio_Lady]

32. My husband takes the drug every night. No side effects... we just got back from Las Vegas.

I don't think those urges came up during our stay.

This seems to be a strange side effect they discovered during a legal case last year. I can't recall the details.