Scot blames Parkinson’s drug side-effect for sparking costly gambling addiction

A firefighter has claimed he racked up gambling debts of £10,000 in a month because of an addictive side-effect of a Parkinson’s drug.

Scott Wilson, 53, was diagnosed with the condition after experiencing a slight tremor in his left hand and leg, and the loss of his sense of smell.

As it progressed, he developed night spasms, cramps and jerking which disturbed his sleep and his partner’s.

It got so bad that he slept in the living room and was prescribed a drug usually prescribed for restless leg syndrome.

Dad-of-two Scott, of Biggar, ­Lanarkshire, claims it had ­psychological side effects.

He said: “It gave me an online gambling addiction. I gambled £10,000 in a month – credit cards, debit cards, you name it.

“I didn’t realise I was gambling as much. Fifty pounds was like a fiver. I was getting such a buzz – euphoria.

“One month into it, I got my bank statement and my business statement through, and there it was in black and white – the money was gone.

“I phoned up my nurse and she told me to stop taking it right there and then. I had to go ­bankrupt. I had doctors, GPs and consultants write letters to the bank to see if they would write off the debt because my gambling addiction had been caused by a prescribed drug.

“But nobody was interested. I sold my business and went bankrupt. Two years into my diagnosis, I ended up splitting up with my partner of 17 years.”

Scott’s medication has since been changed to Sinemet, which he is still taking. He is no longer a bankrupt or in debt.

He said of his gambling addiction: “There could be other folk out there struggling too.

“I want to let them know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Parkinson’s UK Scotland Director, Annie Macleod said: “We want to say thank you to Scott for being so open about his experiences.

“Sadly, we know that there are many people with similar stories across Scotland.

“Impulsive and compulsive behaviour – which can include uncontrollable gambling, compulsive shopping and hypersexuality – is a known side effect of some Parkinson’s medications.

“It can have a devastating effect on some people with Parkinson’s and those around them.

“Often, those affected have no prior history of problems with their behaviour, which makes it even more distressing.

“The latest research suggests that as many as one in three people taking dopamine agonist medication for Parkinson’s may develop impulsive or compulsive behaviours, so it’s important for people to be alert to the possibility and inform their consultant or nurse if they notice any warning signs.

“But the medications that cause these side effects are also very effective for many people with Parkinson’s – so it’s important that people aren’t scared of taking them.

“And it’s really important not to stop taking any of your Parkinson’s medication without discussing it with your healthcare team first.

“The good news is that help is available from people who understand.

“We’d encourage people to come to us to find out more. You can call our confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303 or visit www.parkinsons.org.uk to get more information and support. “