(Newser Summary) – Drugs for Parkinson's disease can be enormously beneficial, relieving patients' tremors and rigid muscles. But some patients are now complaining of an unusual side effect—extreme compulsive behavior. One woman began taking Mirapex to combat symptoms and suddenly found herself with a $200-a-day scratch-off lottery ticket habit, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Neurologists have discovered that 13% of Parkinson's patients taking a class of drugs that provide dopamine to the brain have experienced at least one of four serious behavioral addictions including sexual activity, gambling, and shopping. "I was manic to the point where there was another person inside of me," said one sufferer. Source: Chicago Tribune
