Paliperidone for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Tyyt
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2017

"For my bipolar 1 I have been on Invega 156mg since July now it's November and I have minimal side effect including prolactin high and some tremor once a day... Zero symptoms of mania and psychosis ... No weight gain which is why a its a ten...overall a good med sleep good .... No anxiety"

• Sam
• October 22, 2021

"This drug has turned me into something that wasn't even living, it has ruined my life. Can't the need to want to do anything anymore, no sex drive, lack of emotions, counting every hour and feeling the boredom. I still have another year to go with the injection. Was put in the hospital involuntarily. I hope this soon ends. Currently taking 75mg. Makes 0 difference whether you are taking 100mg or 75mg. The effect is still there."

• Finda...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 2, 2017

"Been on this for 11 months for my bipolar 1. Side effects have been very minimal compared to other anti-psychotic's I've been on. I'm on the 156mg every 28 days. I also take topamax, cogentin & melatonin. I feel slowed down compared to when I was living in a manic state, but I'm trying to get used to it. It's not a sleepiness but a lack of mania I feel. But I do feel sleepy between 5:30 & 7pm I'm guessing that's when the sustained part of the medication kicks in. I have had some moderate weight gain. I have had severe problems with muscle rigidity with other anti-psychotics, so I am super happy to find I don't have to go through that with invega sustaina! It did give me a big knot in my arm, so I get it in my butt now & that's worked out better!"

• DontS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2014

"I really loved Invega. It stabilized my mood completely and I felt constantly on cloud nine. After the second month on the medication I began experiencing a number of side effects such as headaches, breast swelling/discharge and blurred vision. The side effects continued to get worse and eventually I had to stop taking the medicine all together."

• harpy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2022

"Switched to this medication from risperidone. I take 3mg daily in pill form. This medication has helped my mood swings, anxiety, depression, insomnia. I can think more clearly and focus better. In general it makes me feel more like a functioning human. As for the pill form at a low dose I can say it is for me at least safe and effective. No weight gain, no crazy side effects other than vivid dreams."

• Megan
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 19, 2023

"I’m on paliperidone and lithium so unsure which drug is to blame for my side effects, but after reading other reviews I’m guessing it’s the paliperidone. I have the driest, roughest skin, have gained weight, about 2 stone, that’s the physical side. Emotionally I feel empty inside, had severe anhedonia, don’t want to do anything, feel anxious all the time. I would kill myself if it wasn’t for knowing it’s the medications fault, that gives me a little hope. Also my sleep is messed up, wake up throughout the night and barely dream."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2018

"The drug eliminated my psychotic symptoms which is good. The problem is taking the drug when those symptoms subside. I had rapid weight gain in only three doses of 156mg and gained over 40 lbs! I stopped taking it because of this. It is extremely frustrating as I haven’t lost any weight yet and have been off of it for a few months. BEWARE of this drug if you need it monitor your weight because I gained it overnight. I’m angry that my doctor didn’t warn me of this happening or monitored my weight. He doesn’t care he just wanted money. Don’t 100% trust your doctor or take medication all the time unless absolutely necessary."

• tired...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 20, 2017

"side effects experienced: diarrhea dyspepsia Asthenia, fatigue hypotension agitation  Insomnia  hyperactivity restlessness increased weight increased appetite Akathisia headache sedation muscle aches Back pain benefits of the medication: less mania reduced hyperactivity"

• Hem
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2018

"Invega 78mg is good. I had no cognitive problems, good energy, minimal weight gain. However the prolactin is high 150ng/ml and worrying me. I wish to stay on this medication but don’t have low bone density from lack of periods and high prolactin seems like a trade off. Invega causes me to stay happy and without worrying. I am worried if I leave this high prolactin for 20 more years what will be the ramifications."

• Tommy
• September 19, 2020

"3 years on this paliperidone. No trips back to hospital and no episodes. I’m off my CTO so technically it’s up to me now to continue my treatment. I’ve decided to stay on it. I feel pretty void of emotions - little interest in anything and I sleep all the time. The only pros I can think of is my bipolar is in remission. I miss little things like feeling fresh in the morning or being quick witted - I would say I have less personality. My sex drive is average at best. I just feel numb. I try to convince myself this is how people feel without a mental illness but as time moves on I believe in this less. I’m sure if I stopped it I’d feel amazing, but I don’t want to have an episode and lose everything. Kinda a double edged sword. Weight gain is a big deal with it’ I’m around 3 stone heavier- I eat very healthy now/ absolutely no junk or sweet food. Compared to other antipsychotics it’s somewhat mild in side effects-"

• unknown...
• May 1, 2014

"Invega made me gain at least 20 pounds. I'm sure it helped with something but I gradually lowered it from 6 to 3 and now recently stopped completely. hoping to lose the weight after.....still get depressed"

• Queen
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

"I was put on invega in May of 2019 in my hospitalization stay. A few days later I was throwing up constantly. Exactly one month later, I was rushed to the emergency room with low count white blood cell and was diagnosed with sepsis. I almost went into septic shock twice. Invega caused me to have sepsis. DO NOT EVEN TAKE THIS MEDICATION."

• BiPolar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2016

"While, in the beginning, there were some intense side effects, within two months all side effects faded and now I only benefit from taking Invega. In the beginning, I experienced extreme lethargy, bloody nose, and a constant stuffy nose, I almost quit the pill, until, I found some reviews telling me to wait it out- and I'm glad I did. So, if you're experiencing some bad side effects you just need to tough it up and wait it out until the symptoms begin to fade- you will be glad that you did, I know that I am."

• Damage
• May 10, 2021

"Do not take this drug. It has caused permanent damage to my breast tissue from the lactation and impacting the lymph glands under my arms. Please consider learning meditation and addressing childhood traumas along with making lifestyle choices and changing your diet to plant-based, low sugar, no caffeine and live in a low stress environment. You can spend your whole life making the wrong choices for your self and then trying to take every medication to solve it which just causes more problems and puts you on a roller coaster of chemicals and medical appointments. Some aspects of mania are also the bodies response to get you out of a dangerous situation or subconsciously defend you from facing shame which is a very painful emotion. It is BETTER to face your self and your historical rubbish than get stuck with permanent disfigurement due to the weight gain of these drugs and the kind of breast issues I am experiencing after the lactation side effect"

• Chelle
• April 11, 2021

"I feel in some ways I have been made into a vegetable I feel my life is basically over. I was put on this for bipolar disorder and Aspergers. I used to have so much energy. It has reduced me to like a fraction of the person I used to be and it’s messy and unpleasant. Invega has ruined my life and I feel it has given me permanent brain damage. I have insomnia. I lay on the bed a lot and I sit down a lot. I shuffle a lot. I have akathesia and catatonia. My hands are crippled, my hair is ruined it is so thin and falls out. Please don’t let anyone you love start Invega if you are looking for the worst time of your life this is the medication for you!"

• Andrew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2014

"Long history of medications. Primary issues are addiction and ADHD (addiction to ADHD meds). Now I believe it is somewhat of a misdiagnosis. Regardless, unemployable, bad dreams, and unable to get out of bed. Must switch probably to Latuda (hopefully). Would not recommend."

• anon3...
• August 19, 2017

"this medication simply does not work! I have been on it for 7+ years and I have only gotten worse. my symptoms have gone from mild to severe. All they do is increase the dosage and now I'm on the maximum dose. I relapsed last week and I found myself wandering around aimlessly in a parking lot. I have become more paranoid and delusional. Not to mention the side effects- uncontrollable bowel movements, extreme tiredness, low energy, low libido, muscle pain, chest pain, ect, ect... It is almost impossible to get off this medication once you are on it for a while. I've talked to my doctor- sent him letters and he will not change the medication. And I've called other p-docs and no one can see me or even answer the phone. Time for a switch."

• Cstav
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2021

"This is the worst drug, it destroys your personality and makes you put on weight. Do not take this, look for other alternatives in natural therapy. I put on 10kgs in 4 years, I fought misdiagnosis for 3 years and finally got off it. Do not take this drug"

• Queen
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

"I was on the injections for two it made me gained a lot of weight and felt uglier, I felt terrible about myself they took me off in August 2019 and put me on the pills in 2020 I would not recommend this medication!!"

• Cryst...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2021

"Currently 8 months into taking the drug, got 10 more months to go. This past 8 month has been awful, just simple fact of not being able to sense joy has been terrible. I use to game 24/7, now I can't even game more than 10 minutes. Everything seems dull, and seems like there's nothing to do. Sex drive went missing as well, can't get hard or cum. Stay away from this drug at all cost!"

• kez
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2023

"I have gained a significant amount of weight - going from a size 16 to 20 - since starting this medication five or six months ago. Although I am not mentally or physically disabled, I find it difficult to engage in conversations and lack focus, motivation, and energy. I also have trouble expressing myself emotionally, and even my facial expressions are different. I hate the way the medication makes me feel. I am currently taking lithium and plan to stick with it for a while."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2022

"I actually don't mind this drug, it helps me calm my anxiety down a lot. I'm more chill now and I can go with the flow in social situations and I'm more grounded. I think I'm less angry. It's the weight gain I don't like and I do get stuck in a trance some times in front of people but all in all I think it's OK."

• ASpurr
• February 29, 2020

"So I had initially went on Paliperidone around 2 years ago (April 2018) and I was on the 6mg pill for Schizo-Affective disorder bipolar type along with 300mg Trileptal. I went from 236lbs to 293lbs as of present. During this time, I switched from the pill to the injection, at 234mg IM. So at one point, my doctor thought I may have just a case of bipolar disorder and so inpatient I went and got switched to Lithium. That seemed to better treat my mood, and the decrease started from 234mgs to 117mgs. The weight hasn’t come off yet, but I’m thinking more clearly and morning erections are coming back. I do tend to sleep lightly. Still, I don’t have much energy and much motivation to engage in hobbies, although I am going on vacation for a second time in 6 months so that’s a positive. I think I’ll be on the 78mg injection of Invega sometime after next week. I’m hoping to get my life back after 20 years of crappy antipsychotics. I seem to tolerate lithium well enough."

• Patie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2021

"I was given the paliperidone injection and I’m getting really bad side effects. I’ve got a bad case of insomnia which has improved slightly since my doctor prescribed me promethazine but I’m not dreaming which I find odd. My whole outlook on life has changed completely and I’m not enthusiastic about anything anymore. My thought process has diminished to the point that I feel as though I’ve got brain damage. Also, I can’t eat. I don’t even enjoy the taste of food anymore. I’ve lost so much of my up beat personality and have become quite boring. I’m so serious now. I can’t feel emotions anymore either. The most worrying thing is this and I’m embarrassed to say it, I’m growing hair in unusual places. I hope this isn’t permanent as I might have to get lasered. These depots are no good. I’ve had 3 in the past and all of them have messed me up. If I could I’d sue these scientists who are formulating poor methods of treating people with mental health problems."

• emma
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2022

"I was first given risperidone for a manic episode related to mainly hypersexuality. I have been switched to paliperidone because I started having problems with my liver. Since I'm on paliperidone (probably like 3 months now), I don't really see a difference personally. But my libido is starting to go up again which for me is one of my first sign that mania is coming. So I'm not sure is paliperidone is better for me than risperidone (beside the liver issue)"