Shopping and RLS: Online and In-Store Challenges

A couple of weeks ago, I read a post written by an extremely eloquent writer of restless legs syndrome (RLS) content. It contained information regarding the medication I was prescribed and have been taking every day since my diagnosis 5 years ago.

Pramipexole and impulse control

Pramipexole is commonly prescribed for RLS. It was primarily invented to help people with Parkinson's disease cope with their stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.¹

The surprising snippet of information imparted by my colleague is that pramipexole can affect impulse control. As soon as I read this, it was like a bolt of lightning struck my consciousness! Everything became clear!

My challenges with online shopping

In August 2019, I was declared bankrupt. Whilst I am deeply embarrassed about it, the last piece of information helped bring the reason why into focus. I thought about the multiple catalogues, credit cards – basically anything and everything I could buy on credit – anything as long as I could defer payment.

I was buying clothes, technology, kitchen gadgets – primarily at night. Feeling ashamed when the items arrived, I returned them, only to go and order more items the next day. My weight gain slowly crept up over the last 5 years, culminating in me becoming morbidly obese earlier this year.

Will I go off pramipexole?

I have to answer this pressing question: Will you stop taking pramipexole to regain control over your impulses?

I fear the answer is NO, as I have tried RLS with no medication, and it was hell. I would much rather have my husband control the money whilst keeping an eye open for my excess eating.

Shopping in stores: parking lot dread

Shopping with an invisible illness is fun! You can find yourself in some extremely awkward situations because of others' lack of knowledge. RLS, along with many of its comorbidities, are invisible.

Unfortunately, we all seem to have dealt with the ignorant "car park judge," the middle-aged person who takes it personally when we, justifiably, park in a disabled bay.

An unpleasant encounter at my local store

When my husband and I went to our local store the other day, my inbuilt "idiot" sensor couldn't have been activated properly, as we parked right in front of the gentleman who had taken it upon himself to check all cars were displaying blue badges. He casually strolled up to the windscreen of our car whilst we were checking we had everything we needed for the hike round the store. Glancing at the channel between the air vents and the windscreen putty, you could see the cogs whirring in his skull. My husband has a sadistic streak, letting him simmer for a few seconds, wallowing in the fact that he was getting more and more agitated.

Seeing but not believing?

To stop the guy climbing the walls, I placed my blue badge into the car, watching the poor man physically shrink as he had been psyching himself up for the confrontation right in front of our eyes. Apparently, seeing is not believing when it comes to owning a disabled parking badge, as he had to watch me hobble and limp away from my car just to ensure I wasn't pulling a fast one.

Do you enjoy shopping? Do you prefer online or in-person shopping? Can you relate to Nikki's struggle with impulse control? Can you relate to the struggle of living with an invisible illness that others may not understand in public settings? Share with us in the comments below.