Paliperidone for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Don...
• 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 altogether."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 24, 2023

Paliperidone "I take 75 mg of the Invega Sustenna, and it has given me my life back. I’ve gained 40 lbs over the last 5 years on it. But I don’t mind as long as I have stability. No mania. No psychosis. I feel amazing. I had severe anxiety on the Invega Trinza, but went back to Sustenna, and that went away. I feel great!"

• Meg...
• 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 medication's fault, that gives me a little hope. Also, my sleep is messed up, wake up throughout the night, and barely dream."

• har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2022

"Switched to this medication from risperidone. I take 3 mg daily in pill form. This medication has helped my mood swings, anxiety, depression, and 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."

• Ien...
• March 10, 2016

"I have been on Invega 3 mg for almost 2 weeks. Immediately I felt great. I take it at night. But for the first few days, I felt drugged until about 11 a.m. I get up at 6 a.m. Take it around 7-8 p.m. But for the early part of the day, I felt awesome. Totally at peace. Never felt better. However, after a week, I feel that it's not helping. I don't go to sleep until like midnight now. And I am not stable anymore. I think I may need a higher dosage. I have made a couple of appointments this week, but they were canceled due to them closing for weather and an emergency. But my mania is out of control. I have bad outbursts. Do things I know I shouldn't. It's like I can't stop it. Do I need a stronger dose? I was supposed to come back in a week."

• tir...
• 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."

• Fin...
• 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 antipsychotics I've been on. I'm on the 156 mg every 28 days. I also take Topamax, Cogentin, and 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 and 7 pm. 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 antipsychotics, so I am super happy to find I don't have to go through that with Invega Sustenna! It did give me a big knot in my arm, so I get it in my butt now, and that's worked out better!"

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

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

• Che...
• 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 Asperger's. 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 akathisia 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!"

• Tom...
• September 19, 2020

"3 years on this paliperidone. No trips back to the 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 are my bipolar 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."

• BiP...
• 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, a 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."

• Cry...
• 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 months have been awful, just the simple fact of not being able to sense joy has been terrible. I used 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 costs!"

• Cst...
• 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 10 kgs in 4 years. I fought misdiagnosis for 3 years and finally got off it. Do not take this drug."

• unk...
• 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."

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

"Invega 78 mg is good. I had no cognitive problems, good energy, minimal weight gain. However, the prolactin is high, 150 ng/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."

• 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
• 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 156 mg 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 monitor 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."

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

"I was on the injections for two, it made me gain 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!"

• And...
• 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."

• Pat...
• 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 upbeat 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."

• ano...
• 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, etc., etc... 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."

• 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 sometimes in front of people, but all in all, I think it's OK."

• ASp...
• February 29, 2020

"So I had initially gone on Paliperidone around 2 years ago (April 2018), and I was on the 6mg pill for Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, along with 300mg Trileptal. I went from 236 lbs to 293 lbs 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."

• Dam...
• May 10, 2021

"Do not take this drug. It has caused permanent damage to my breast tissue from the lactation and impacted 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 living in a low-stress environment. You can spend your whole life making the wrong choices for yourself 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 body's 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 yourself and your historical rubbish than to 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."

• Fog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2022

"I have had a really bad experience with this drug. I was arbitrarily diagnosed with bipolar by a doctor and put on forced drugging, even though I've never been manic in my life, and the times I have been depressed have been contextual. Why would I want to continue taking a drug I'm forced to take for something I know for a fact I don't have? I'm hyperactive and obsessive-compulsive, not manic. The ethics of forced drugging are questionable. The drug has given me akathisia, which thankfully goes away. It has given me persistent sexual dysfunction problems (erectile dysfunction), and my sleep has been terrible. Before I was on this drug, I was sleeping great, I would wake up every morning at six and would feel fresh and ready for the day. The moment I was put on this drug, no matter how long I slept for, I would wake up feeling exhausted, drowsy, sedated, and hypoactive and could barely get myself out of bed before 11 every day. Thankfully, my hyperactivity (ADHD) returns in the afternoon."