[lawrencepa]

I never been a fan of taking medication and now even more so. As for the past 8 months I've been excessively gambling as a side effect of the meds and it even states it as a side effect in the leaflet. I've tried everything to stop and to begin with would quit for around a month before I ended up starting again now I can last about 10 days before I end up starting again and thats when I really try. I've tried everything from self excluding myself to paying more bills so I don't have enough money to gamble away. There's always more online gambling sites to join it seems. I'm thinking of giving my mum the money every month so she can handle it as well as the bills.
I don't want this becoming a huge burden on my life. If it's just a side effect will it stop when the meds stop do you think? I've told my doctor and all he done was reduce the meds a month before he said he would at this rate I will be on them for another year I just can't deal with having third as an addiction when I'm on minimum wage as it is. I enjoy it that's the scary part so I can see myself doing it occasionally but I want more control over it as at the moment 90% of my money is going on gambling while my mum pays off the debts for my gambling each month but she's not willing to face up to the fact it's because of the meds.
I was sectioned about a year ago which is why I'm on the meds by the way so it's not like I have much choice about taking them and I couldn't just stop as I need to come off gradually incase I get a relapse.
I've also become more of a social recluse recently and wondering if this happened because of the side effect as it took over my life pretty quickly and wasn't something I eased into as did my unsocialness hit new levels.

[kaliope]

if you are certain it is a side effect of the med, insist on a different med. there are tons of meds out there for your doc to choose from. he can choose something else to put you on. I refused to tolerate side effects. docs hated me because I was switching meds every two months. but I wanted something that worked that didn't have side effects that weren't benefitting me. I didn't want the shakes, I didn't want to talk funny, I didn't want memory loss, I didn't want to be itchy, I didn't want to twitch, so I made them change them. I eventually got meds that worked without side effects. you just have to be persistent. remember, the doctor works for you.

[ramirorico]

I remember you wrote about this before. I'm sorry it is still happening to you. Maybe your mum should hold your money, so you don't spend it all!

Have you tried gambling on websites where you don't have to actually use any of your own money? I know it's not the same, but try it out anyway. Maybe you will get the rush you crave without having to spend all your money.

You may have substitued the gambling for somethine else.