Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2022

Invega (paliperidone) "I took the injection of 156mg and have felt suicidal, out of it mentally and don’t know if I can take anymore. I just wait day after day for the drug to clear from my system and it’s been 6 weeks since the injection."

• Nietz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "first I was on zyprexa depot because of manic psychosis in 2016. The I switched to invega tabs 12 mg and I felt a lot better, less zombie feelings and less weight gain. Now I'm decreasing to 9 mg to see how this will work."

• Lochn...
• February 21, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I have been on 156mg injections for the past year. Yes, there is weight gain, and its from over-eating because the drug makes you very hungry even shortly after eating. That was the only bad for me. Otherwise it gives me a calm reflective mind, and no symptoms from my illness. I am hoping to get my appetite under control through discipline. If you exercise and eat intelligently I am sure there would be no weight gain, but do be warned: you will be much more hungry than usual. Overall its the best anti-psychotic I've tried though, and that includes Risperdal, Abilify and Haliperidol (the worst one by far.) Compared to Risperdal, it is just as effective but with fewer side effects. I feel like less of a zombie."

• eckies
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2020

Invega (paliperidone) "I take the 150/234 needle of Invega. I also take 30mg olanzapine. 45mg mirtazapine and a couple .5mg ativans a day. and sometimes take cogentin. I need coffee to function on this med. I drink like 5 coffees a day. The coffee stops the anxiety I get from this med. I also get a lot of body pain. I take acetaminophen. I feel better on this med if I don't smoke cigarettes. I tried smoking weed but it wasn't good. I'm trying to quit smoking by using nicotine gum. I have to chew 2 4mg pieces at once to get over my cravings. Its a good med. I has changed a lot while I have been taking it. I think I have got adapted to it now. It has been over a year. Sometimes I think I need a lower dose so I could feel more of my good emotions. It didn't stop my psychosis though. I still need olanzapine. my psychosis consists of very rapid thoughts and I always feel terrified. things look different and I feel different. Its a good med give it time and drink lots of coffee."

• Electro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "Invega really helped me a lot at first. It was like a miracle happened. But after about 3 months passed some of my symptoms came back, don't get me wrong, I am glad that I am on Invega, it just not a miracle drug like I first thought it was."

• Juno
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "Update: it’s been almost a week since my first shot of Invega. Here is my assessment. After a day or two very sore arm where injection happened. Been very sleepy and lethargic but body couldn’t sit still. Very vivid dreams. Also I haven’t had much let up in my delusions, voices, or mania. It’s just right now I don’t have the energy to do much about them. Due for next shot in 3 days. I’m finally starting to not feel as tired and arm is starting to not be as sore, but not 100% yet. Hoping this next shot will help with the above mentioned things (mania, paranoia etc). I’ll keep you updated."

• Joe
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 14, 2021

Invega (paliperidone) "I have been a user, since 2008, with a break of one year in the beginning related to my opinion that I am ok now, but unfortunately the disease was still there. After this break, it's been 11years that I am normal, I don't hear voices, I have a stable job, with no tension to feel conspiracies towards me. I may gained some weight in the beginning, then I was too thin, but now I am normal in kilos according to my age of 42. I would propose it to someone who wants to live a normal life. Of course,according to my doctor, it suits me perfect. May not to other people."

• Santi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2017

Invega (paliperidone) "This medicine helps in curing the voices and delusional thoughts that sometimes come with schizoaffective disorders.But the worst side of this medication is complete weight gain. I went from size 2 to 14. It also makes your boobs grow bigger and stops the menstrual periods.The drug stays in the system for a long period of time. I stopped it in May and it’s been 5 months but I keep on gaining weight and boobs keep getting bigger and bigger. Worst medication ever! I have to deal with the weight gain and this causes a lot of insecurities especially for a lady! But the doctor told me that it gradually comes out of the system with time. So still hoping that my life will get back to normal with time."

• ROMAN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

Invega (paliperidone) "I have been on invega sustena twice. Once a few years Jan 2018 to March 2018 and recently one shot in May 2022. Both times for schizoaffective disorder diagnosed based on drug abuse. First time indeed gained weight and felt hopeless throughout the whole process. This last time I made a change that has been beneficial. This far I have 8 weeks since my shot and have lost weight. Especially liver fat. This has been accomplished by doing a ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting. Also I added a blended lemon with ACV (apple cider vinegar) and cayenne pepper blended with a glass of water twice daily. 11 am and 2:30pm. It is true... you are not in the mood to do anything at all times. All movies are boring all activities feel like an overwhelming need for energy which one does not posses. However... losing weight throughout the process this time around has been a tremendous help to boost non-dopamine morale, just cognitive comprehension of self, with no brain reward."

• Natalie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2023

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia in the psych ward and was given two shots of Invega Sustenna on November 4th. It is now January 26th and I’ve been off this drug for two months but am still suffering from side effects. I have no pleasure during sex, no thoughts, and am super tired. This drug has ruined my life. I hope it doesn't take too much longer till I can feel like my old self."

• Happi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2023

"I experienced has things from this medication. My doctor recommended it for me and once he did I started it with the hope that it would make my mental health better but it didn't. The side effects that I experienced all came from the fact that I had a high prolactin level. They were: nipple discharge, psychosis, paranoia, worsened anxiety and depression, suicide attempt due to paranoia, loss of sex drive, hot flashes, and God knows what else. I'm glad that I'm alive here today because this entire experience with this medication along with latuda has caused so many issues. Now I'm on medication that helps and doesn't harm. I'm thankful I've become aware of this after seeing the endocrinologist specialist."

• Never...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2022

Invega (paliperidone) "Started this medication 10 years ago at initial diagnosis of schizophrenia as I had constant hospitalizations. Didn't gain weight just feel flat and couldn't pay attention to anything requiring attention span of a few minutes. I used to watch NetFlix, now I can't sustain more than 5-10 minutes into a movie before I find my mind wandering all over the place. Spoke with my prescriber and he just repeats that "Hey it's worked for others with your disability" . I dread my once each three month injections, as my psychosis seems to peak directly following my injections. Terrible medication and I feel that surely the prescriber's are pocketing something from handing this terrible medication out."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I've been on this drug since December of 2017 and now it's January 2019 so more than a year. I think it has good and bad effects to it. It helps me control myself better. I don't blurt out random nonsense anymore like I used to. I don't like the fact it causes sexual dysfunction and weight gain. I've been taking topiramate for awhile now and I barely eat anything but my psychiatrist blames my weight gain all on me even though weight gain clearly is one of the side effects of invega as well as other antipsychotics. I noticed I haven't ejaculated as much semen the last few times I came and I think the invega is to blame. If it wasn't for the sexual dysfunction and weight problems and also the decreased testosterone due to increased prolactin I'd say this medicine is not that bad but because I'm forced to take it I might as well just suck it up and live with it and accept what I have to live with."

• Drast...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2019

"I was prescribed injections with Invega Paliperidone after I was diagnosed for being 'a little weird car thing' or something like that while one dr. insisted it was a psychosis after telling I had heard confusing language. Besides lethargy and severe depression and feeling really awful all the time Paliperidone causes a constant jittery torturous agitation which made it impossible to sit still or work or do anything at all really besides chain-smoking and walking around like a zombie. Akathisia is a severe side effect of antipsychotics that can be mistakenly diagnosed as a mental illness. Invega made it impossible to experience pleasure from or care about anything at all. Side effects of antipsychotics are much worse then as they are described by doctors and on the internet and actually cause psychiatric symptoms. Giving antipsychotics through injections, sometimes lasting for months, is inhumane. Recent article: called ComingOffPsychDrugsHarmReductGuide"

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "Cons: Invega increased my "PROLACTIN hormone" 5 times more than the maximum level. Thus, I lost my menstrual cycle for more than one year, sexual dysfunction, depression, sleep disturbances, etc... This drug also lowered my metabolism. As a result, I experienced food coma (falling deep sleep) after eating food. It also increased my blood sugar. I gained 20 kg in 8 months. Tremor was another side effect of invega. I was on 100 mg injection. BUT, I had no delusion with it !"

• Turtle
• June 6, 2020

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I’ve been on the Invega Sustena for going on 7 years now and I have to say that a lot of what I’m seeing in the feedback is all similar to different experiences I’ve had with schizophrenia and while on the medication. Yes the side effects are terrible, you cycle from being overly manic to super lethargic (I held down a job for 3 years as a line cook on 256 mg dose) your appetite is uncontrollable at times and exercise is overly strenuous and difficult (I tried a regiment of weight lifting and killer ten mile runs daily to keep the weight off, your body can’t shed breast tissue when your a male) Since the circumstance of me taking this medication is mandatory in all aspects of my life for somebody in a similar situation to me 8 years ago (I’ll spare the details) I would recommend this medication for bi-polar Or schizophrenia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2017

Invega (paliperidone) "My son just got injected with invega. I pray this is going to work for him. I want him to have a normal life and desire life again. He is also taking lamictal this is also new for him. I hope this convo works for him. He is 26 years old and new with all this. Just got diagnosed with bipolar mania. :("

• Shack...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2021

Invega (paliperidone) "Started getting monthly injections when I was stuck on a psychiatric petition hold for mood disorder and depression. The MD would not let me finally leave unless I started this here stuff with my regimen. It seems to balance me out and don't need to have a hospital transport nearly as often as I used to. With that being said, 99% of the ambulance rides were forced upon me and they have added significant amounts of debt being taken against my will. But, yes I plan on continuing this Invega and happy the product was approved by the FDA in the medical unit. I do eat quite a bit and it has made me gain weight since I started, but that's ok I guess. Oh, and run away from them paramedics because they are bullies trying to bring you into more debt. -thanks for reading"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 19, 2022

Invega (paliperidone) "I was under clopixol for a short time coz I didn't see any change at all so the doc suggested I should start on invega at first the drug started with it's good deeds and I actually got tricked it into thinking it was working. Then I noticed the side effects I had bad nausea and I had change of taste and smell. I couldn't keep up with it coz the nausea was so so bad I couldn't eat at all. It also affected my ability to think I definitely felt had brain damage I couldn't concentrate and I starved for days to avoid the nausea. For anyone having my symptoms....you will get through this I can't lie coz it's been 2 years with the injection and my nausea is a living nightmare with me so yours might end earlier hold on and you'll be good"

• Doudo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I took 6 shots of Invega (for bipolar) so it is for 6 months now, talking about symptoms of mania and depression they have disappeared, I am not experiencing any of the symptoms. On the other hand this drug has played with my cognition, since I took my first injection my concentration went down I barely focus in my classes, my long and short term memory have been poor. I have tiredness and sleep for long hours. I have lack of thoughts and new ideas specially when talking to people, I can't find words to say. This drug has positive side and negative side there I will discuss with my psychiatrist to change the dose or change the medication."

• You...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2023

"I have been taking Paliperidone Invega for 3 years constantly and have gained 80kg over this time and now am basically an invalid! I can barely get around anymore, feel suicidal still every morning, and honestly, it couldn't get any worse for me. I have more than doubled my healthy weight...this drug makes you rapidly gain weight, not gradually, we are talking up to 6kg in a month! Stay away, run away, and don't let the doctors EVER fool you into thinking that the pros of the drug outweigh the cons. There are no pros in life if you can barely walk out your front door every morning! I've said enough."

• Crazy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I have been on Invega 234 injection for over 7 months. I do the injection every 3 weeks. It has helped with the auditory and visual hallucinations but unsure of the mood effects. Definitely more depressed and my anxiety has gotten much worse, but after I get the shot it seems to get better. I have been hospitalized every month with multiple, depressive problem after taking this medication and am now convinced that it is possible that this medication could be the cause. I am now going to try to figure out if this medication is worth being on or whether I should stay on it."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2011

"I have just been on the medication for 2 weeks and finally feel like a human being again. I am sleeping better, not overeating, feel happier, am more talkative and actually feel like living. I have not had a psychotic episode in the past 2 weeks but I know this might not be the reason since the medication is so new. I truly was a real burden on everyone because I was upset, angry, seeing or hearing things and crying all the time. Not many people understood just how bad I felt. I'm hoping to get feeling even better but if this is the best that it gets I will sure be okay with just feeling like this. No one knows how hopeless this disease can make you feel."

• DanaA...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 7, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I dont know why they started me on 156 mgs but I couldn't think straight on such a high of a dose and I was sleeping 16 hours a day. Zero libido, dizzy spells, acne, plus 50 pounds weight gain. I lowered my injection 3 times to now 39 mgs, the lowest dose. Less acne, still fat, still zero libido but, less dizzy. The benefit was that I have zero delusions."

• ceamonn
• April 17, 2020

"In early June of 2018, I finally received helped after suffering from a psychotic episode for the entirety of the spring. However, I was fully hospitalized for 9 days and on the 4th day, I was prescribed Paliperidone. It took me a while to realize that I also still had residual depression from my original episode that occurred a year prior. On March 14th, 2019, I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist as having schizoaffective disorder with a depressive subtype. The medication has been helping me significantly. I think after my next psychiatrist appointment, he will lower my dosage from 6mg to 3mg, then I'll eventually wean off of it. (I was originally on 12mg in 2018.) In addition to Paliperidone, I'm on Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Buproprion (Wellbutrin) for my depression. Things are going fairly well and I think by the end of 2020, I won't have to take any more medications. That will be the day!"