Woman Claims Medication Fueled Gambling Addiction

CBS2CHICAGO ^ | July 19, 2006 | Mary Ann Childers

[Erasmus]

(J. Ragovoy/M. Shuman)

Said, look at Granny run, run
Grandpa runnin' close behind.
Look at Granny run, run, ah...
there's something on Grand-daddy's mind.
Because he went to the doctor, got a brand new pill.
The doctor said, Son, you ain't over the hill.
He can't sit still.
Great, gosh, almighty, won't you...
Look at Granny run, run,
faster than a Greyhound bus.
[Granny, you better run]

Look at Granny run, run,
now Grandpa is gettin' serious. [Somebody's calling you]
Well, he woke up in the middle of the night.
Said, Look-a here baby, everything's alright.
It was such a sight
Great, gosh, almighty, won't ya...

Well, look at Granny run, run
Grandpa runnin' closer now.
No matter how she run, run, he gonna catch her anyhow.
Well, he jumped up and he began to shout
Granny come a-running with the mouth poked out
Said, Look here, pretty Mama, stop your carrying on
All I want's a little loving just before I'm gone
Ain't nothing wrong
Hear my Lord, singing
Great, gosh, almighty
[You better run]
[Somebody's calling you]

Look at Granny run, run.
Well, I feel like my time ain't [long], time ain't [long]
time ain't[long]

-----------------------
Sung by Ry Cooder. The song has such an odd meter that no printed lyrics could do it justice, unfortunately.

[jocon307]

"Clearly, once she realized she had a problem, she should have taken steps to deal with it.:

Yeah, about the time the ticker hit $250,000 or so

[Barbara Hermansen]

I am the person who is the subject of the story about which you all have commented. How interesting to read your posts, which range from disgust and ridicule to criticism and compassion. I might have had some of the same disparaging thoughts just a few years ago, but the experience I have been through has taught be to be cautious about making a judgment about anyone else, no matter how outrageous the "facts" seem to be. Indeed, as often happens in a news clip, the more sensational aspects are highlighted and the full story cannot be told, so left out of this story were many of the facts that might have addressed your comments or concerns. I don't know if any of your have ever suffered, or known anyone who suffered, from any addiction. I really didn't, and was unprepared for the complete and utter change it brought to my personality. Very humbling, to look back, and realize that a drug could alter my brain in such a significant way, given that honesty and ethical behavior had been hallmarks of life before the drug. And the comments about how I should have "known" I had a problem sort of beg the question. Obviously, I knew I had a problem with compulsive gambling...that's why I spent years with therapists who tried to help me figure out what deep conflict was causing me to act out. Years I spent thinking I was just a bad person, the scum of the earth. Going to Gamblers Anonymous meetings and wondering why "working the steps" wasn't working for me. Would you have made the connection to a drug? My whole purpose in telling my story is to get the word out about this bizarre side effect, so other families (who knows, including maybe yours) won't have to go through what my family did. And my lawsuit against Eli Lilly was brought reluctantly, after 8 months of corresponding with the company, trying to get someone to respond to the need for a warning label. This drug is great for the vast majority of people with PD or RLS; there is no way I want it off the market. But a two word disclosure about "compulsive behavior" or "compulsive gambling" ..in the long list of potential side effects..... would have made a huge difference in my life.
Be well.

[Laura456]

Barbara,

My heart goes out to you. I can honestly believe that drugs played a role in your addiction. I am a compulsive gambler and know how my own mind works. I have been on many anti-depressants some of which fueled my addiction. I to have lost virtually everything. I only pray for a miracle. I gambled on line, off line, and self banned my self from casinos, bought gamblock, and still worked my way back into this addiction. I don't know how my brain works. I only prayed for help, tried virtually everything. Now, I started taking chantix to quit smoking and it triggered my gambling again after 3 months of being clean. I am tired of trying and sometimes just wish I was dead. I lost it all and am so ashamed of myself. I only wish for a miracle to be able to survive. I have no family and being a single 52 year old wonder where I will wind up.