My husband has had PD for 18 yrs and progression has been reasonably slow. For the past 4/5 years he has had a gambling obsession and we had to take steps to ban him from all online gambling sites and even take away his laptop as he was finding ways of getting around our attempts to stop him. He has also had an obsessive interest in DIY and because he sleeps for most of the day, he is awake after I go to bed and that’s when he gets up to all sorts. He regularly spills pots of paint over the carpets, tries to paint the house and it ends up paint everywhere/carpets. Also he cuts himself because he loves stanley knives etc., so basically a danger to himself. I’m close to tipping point after the last 5 years but I do love him and don’t want to abandon him.
Hello @noname, welcome to the forum. We hope you find being part of our community helpful to read people’s posts, ask questions, and talk to people who understand. You won’t be alone in finding this difficult.
Thank you for sharing about your husband. We understand it must be difficult for your husband to have a gambling obsession and an obsessive interest in DIY and not know what to do to help or how to support him with this. Impulsive and compulsive behaviours are a possible side effect of some Parkinson’s drugs. We’ve got information on our website about these and how to get help for them too, which you might find useful: Impulsive and compulsive behaviours in Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK
Often, people who experience impulsive and compulsive behaviours may not realise they have a problem. We understand that you have noticed these changes and they are worrying you. You don’t have to navigate this alone. We understand it can be upsetting when someone you love is experiencing this, but these behaviours can be managed with the right support. Please talk to your husband about it and get support from his specialist or Parkinson’s nurse.
Importantly, as a supporter for someone with Parkinson’s, it’s crucial that you also look after yourself too. It’s clear that you care lots about your husband, and it’s understandable that you’re finding it hard. We have a range of support on our website for supporting someone with Parkinson’s, which you might find helpful: Caring for someone with Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK
Take care 
Hello,
I think its worth speaking to the neurologist at next appointment. If your husband takes Requip, that drug is known to cause gambling issues. Neurologist might also precribe something like melatonin to improve sleep. Would you consider putting down mats with a sensor around the house? Obviously this would wake you up but it might help break the habit. Do you have a garden shed? Could all the paint go out there and be locked with a key that only you have? Or just get rid of the paint somehow. Would your husband try jigsaws or puzzles instead?
I would strongly advise you to contact your gp/parkinsons nurse/and or neurologist if you have one, to have all your husbands medications reviewed. These behaviours are often related to the parkinsons medications. Some may need stopped or reduced and others may need to be added. You and your husband are at risk if his behaviours continue like this, you won’t know what he is up to during the night if he wanders off. Yes, sensor pads can be placed on floors etc, but you will be up all night yourself which increases the strain on yourself. I went through all this last year. It ended with my hwp in a mental health unit for nearly 5 months….all the while it was parkinsons meds the main cause, and a probably early stage dementia added in. Your husband won’t recognise his own issues, that’s why family have to be vigilant and report adverse behaviour. On a positive note, my hwp is now home again, new meds, support from social services for me( respite). We are trying to re-establish a manageable home life as this condition takes it toll. I understand you don’t want to abandon him, the best you can do is get him assistance.
Hello as others have said speak urgently to his neurological /parkinsons team. Dopamine Agonist medications are understood to cause obsessive behaviours in some people. Seems likely He needs his medication changing. Good luck, best Wishes Jane
Your husband behaviour sounds like heprobably on agonists. pamerpexole caused me to have impulse control disorder. See specialist nurse, gp or neuro together he needs a medication changed
This subject is very much in the news right now. I saw my Neurologist yesterday and we discussed this. Fortunately, she has warned me about these potential behaviours from day 1. Take a look…
note that undesired impulsive/compulsive behaviors can also happen with levodopa treatment. it’s not just a worry for dopamine agonists, although these problems are less common with levodopa than with dopamine agonists.
I really am not sure what causes the OB/CO behaviour, however from what I have noted about the BBC News, I firmly believe that they are incapable of stating anything that is factually based.
They seem to enjoy making asinine statements, then a few hours or days later saying something like “Oh we were given the wrong information, that is not up to our usual standards”. Basically it most certainly is.
Sky seems to actually check their facts a little bit more.
Sorry, but that’s my personal opinion. As you have gathered I am not a fan of BBC News.
However a lot of the other BBC programs are great.
Perhaps because the director and head of news have been fired it will improve, but I am not holding my breath.
That being said as far as I am concerned, anything the mainstream media puts out is probably wrong.
I treat them like I treat Facebook. It is all an illusion until it can be proved otherwise.
OK, I’ve had my say. I feel so much better now.
