Hi,

I am a PD person who knows from both personal experience; other patient stories; the Internet; and now a documented and named adverse effect of the Mirapex drug families (dopmine agonists). The agonists stimulate your dopamine receptors making more of this neurotransmitter available. The problem is that dopamine also plays a huge role in our reward and addiction center of the brain.

First, it has been documented for years now that dopamine agonists like Mirapex cause onset of addictive behaviors and usually they sneak on someone who has never even expressed that sort of behavior. It can cause compulsive gambling and shopping; hypersexuality, etc.

The best solution is to call your doctor right away but do not stop taking the drug cold turkey as that can cause serious withdrawal symptoms-- there is even a new withdrawal effect called "Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome" DAWS.

There is another dopamine agonist called Requip. Oddly, even though the same drug family as Mirapex; people respond differently (I switched from Mirapex without a problem). Please make an appointment for as soon as you can; lives have bee destroyed by use of this drug.

HTH,

Laura

P.S. Brain fog is from the drug; it will lift once entirely out of your system.