Invega for Schizoaffective Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• cop...
• February 20, 2017

"This medicine wrecked me. I had a drug-induced psychosis, they had no business putting me on this. The only positive is that it did snap me back into reality, but some clean time would have done that. I have gained weight all in my stomach. I developed akathisia that lasted 2 months after discontinuing. Also, extreme anhedonia, which can persist for up to a year. I hope I return to normal way before that. Please only attempt this med if you don't know which way is up."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2020

"Put on Invega, and I started hearing voices, which is something that's never happened. Panic attacks, something that's never happened. Always felt cold. Would wake up in the middle of the night as though I've been possessed. Invega contains fluoride, highly recommend finding medication fluoride-free. Not to mention it costs $900/month for the pill and $1900/month for the injection! Was on the pill for 2 weeks, went off cold turkey, and it was hard, could only describe a really bad physical sensation. I'm trying Lurasidone next, seems to have much better reviews for schizoaffectives. Wish everyone the best."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2022

"I am currently on Invega Sustenna 78 mg, the monthly injection. The main side effect I experienced from Invega was sexual dysfunction. My sex drive dropped a lot, I became unable to get an erection, and when I did manage to masturbate (which was rare), I produced much less semen. Before I started taking this medication, I could sexually recharge in less than an hour if something was turning me on. After starting this medication, my dick became totally nonfunctional for days after ejaculation. I used to be able to get an erection just from looking without genital touching. Now the only way for me to get an erection is with genital touching, and only if it's been a while since I last ejaculated. Before, I was on a higher dose, and these sexual side effects were worse - at the higher dose, I produced almost zero semen and my dick was almost totally nonfunctional. I don't actually know if it helped with my schizoaffective disorder because my symptoms come and go unpredictably. I also gained 30 lbs."

• Mom...
• October 1, 2017

"I have had only my first 2 shots, my last shot being June 23rd, 2017, which was the day I was released from the psych ward. I decided that I wanted to see how I was going to do without the drugs and see how I am. My first shot was the week before. I didn't even tell them I was hearing voices because I was in awe that I was and wanted to keep that to myself. I believe I was only hearing them for about 4 weeks, but I can't really say. Even though I was experiencing many new things mentally, physically, and emotionally, even before the voices, I would have rather felt that and heard voices, which I don't hear anymore, than to feel how I am now... literally zero emotions, don't get pleasure from anything, don't feel anything, I mean anything."

• Hor...
• June 16, 2022

"While on Invega, I used to have tremors, shake every day, couldn't focus, was constipated for a month, my belly was swollen, my prolactin levels increased drastically, I didn't get my period for months, I was extremely slow, had no sex drive, and had horrible urinary incontinence. When I look at pictures from that time, it is clear that I was sedated, my face changed, I couldn't even open my eyes properly. Everybody thought that I was weird. I didn't know that urinary incontinence was caused by this drug, but now I see that it is a common side effect. It was so stressful being on this drug, DON'T TAKE THIS HORRIBLE INJECTION. Worst years of my life."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2016

"I think this is the only antipsychotic that has worked for me. I was on Risperdal previously, and it didn't work that well, except that I made good friends and was nice usually. But I was always really paranoid or psychotic when I'd do all-nighters for school and thought there was a serial killer outside the window. Invega is much better, though, and I don't get that paranoia anymore or the really scary type of paranoia anymore. Although I get scared sometimes, it doesn't stop me from doing things. I'm on 12 mg of Invega and 300 mg of Lamictal. I'm not doing the best because the Lamictal should be at 400 mg to be optimal. I wasn't able to tolerate too high of a dose of Invega at first because it made me really tired and sleep all day, but I can now."

• the...
• December 4, 2009

"My husband is currently hospitalized for the 3rd time in 15 months. Thanks to Invega, I had the first real conversation with him last night in over a year. He says he finally has a clear head, and he feels great! Hopefully, this is our answer. I am keeping my fingers crossed."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

"I've been taking Invega for almost two years. It does wonders for my concentration. I went from being unable to drive, cook, or take care of myself to being able to live a normal life. I work, function normally socially, drive, and pretty much do whatever I want. I didn't notice that the Invega helped much with the depression. I take Effexor for that, and it is great. I spend most of my time being content now, which is wonderful. My biggest complaint about the Invega is that it does nothing to stop the hallucinations. The only side effects I had were blurred vision and orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon standing). Both went away after 7-10 days. I have to say that the withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant (dizziness, seizures, jitteriness)."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2022

"This drug robbed me of my entire life, and now, four years later, I still have not recovered. My doctor, who had been working with me for well over a year, changed my diagnosis after a hospitalization. My caseworker assured me that that was the very best medication for this disorder, as others also did. Immediately, I have to say its effect was somewhat 'calming.' Sounds were muffled in my ears, life appeared a bit 'dreamy.' After a couple of months, though, I noticed a drastic drop in my desire to do pretty much anything. And it got that bad that, within six months, I was doing nothing but sitting on the couch in front of a TV all day until I realized it was time to go to bed. My doctor told me to just push through that and I’d be fine. I tried, and it got worse. Lost my entire sex drive and interest in everything I once enjoyed: church, being a father, mission trips, camping, canoeing on the rivers in the spring and fall, bonfires, beers, babes, ball games, work. It robbed me of my whole life."

• ken...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2023

"Invega has had negative effects on my appetite and sleep patterns. I strongly dislike this medication. When I was actively searching for a job, I found myself constantly falling asleep. This injection is the worst medication I have ever taken. It has caused excessive eating and significant weight gain. Considering my experience, I would not recommend this medication to anyone."

• dan...
• May 29, 2010

"I have been on Invega for over two years now and am doing great. I live on my own and am able to do what everyone else does. I don't work, I'm not ready for that, but caring for myself and two dogs is going great."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2010

"I've been hearing voices for 2.5 years. Initially, I had severe emotional swings and delusions created by the voices and my interaction with them. I began taking Invega 18 months ago - this was very successful in moderating the emotions and generally calming my mental state. In terms of side effects: I am really struggling to lose any weight even with a good diet and exercise, I have very high prolactin levels - this contributes to me not getting periods, having occasional breast discharge, and I believe is responsible for 'anorgasmia' - where I have very low sexual desire and arousal, and feelings of orgasm are very subdued. These side effects have become more apparent over time."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 5, 2016

"This medication is weird. You can be doing really well and be normal, and then all of a sudden you get a manic episode or psychotic episode out of nowhere when you were normal like 2 days ago. It doesn't help you sleep, although it's good because it didn't stop me from waking up in the morning. I was able to go to my morning class as I was waking up at 5:30 am. Although I couldn't concentrate in class, and I never cooked. From what I remember, I was doing better on Risperdal, although I was more out of it and way more paranoid, and it was really scary. But I had good friends and never got manic and never had to go to the hospital for almost 10 years, and also did well in school. I think Invega is too inconsistent and can't take the mood stabilizer I want to."

• Phy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 23, 2017

"I knew within 48 hours that this drug was a game changer. I had been in a 5-year-long depression, sleeping 18-20 hours a day, obese, no writing, no reading. Invega gave me a life. Granted, there is that yucky weight gain-but with Invega, I actually have the energy to go to the gym 4.5 hours a week, so it's (s-l-o-w-l-y) coming off. I can read and write, manage a routine, etc. Granted, there are some times when I get a little muddled, but it's now in the range of 'take a deep breath and start again' as opposed to catastrophic. There might be another drug out there with less severe weight gain, but I wouldn't trade how I mentally feel now for anything. I'll always be fluffy, but I'm happy. That's a fair trade any day!"

• Sme...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 14, 2022

"Invega has been a long journey for me. I started with the pill and the injection, while I finished my bachelor's degree (Woohoo Sociology!). I used only the injection and continued the injection for quite some years. I had several doctors encourage my thoughts about wanting to detox off the meds and convince me I was safe to do so. This always resulted in a terrible relapse of symptoms of psychosis and schizoaffective disorder. I finally came to the conclusion (hospitalization number lost count) I would not try to escape from my medication, as every time I take it the way I am supposed to, my day goes by fairly smoothly and successfully. I definitely encourage people to experiment with different atypicals prescribed by their doctor or NP to figure out what helps them best. For now, I have found Invega, and it has helped me so much in life. I have been able to find a full-time job with benefits and unlimited PTO! Moved to my dream location near the mountains and go rock climbing."

• Shu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2017

"I am a victim of bad diagnosis, my brain scan has revealed a normal brain. I have suffered from concussion, which has led to irritable behavior, nothing else. My medical practitioner is not honest, I am 62 years old, and this drug is not indicated for my age. I have had differences with my family and disputes in property, which has led to unethical relations to force this treatment on me. It's voluntary to go to psychiatric institutions, but I have been forced into it. In the past, I was treated with clozapine, which led to tumors in my stomach and bone pain. I have also been treated with olanzapine, which caused insulin-resistant diabetes. I have treated side effects with citrus peels and high doses of vitamins for diabetes and Tibetan medicine for tumors."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2023

"I love this drug. It saved my life. The only bad side effect is I can't sleep and have no sex drive, but this drug took the voices away and no paranoia anymore. I love it, it made my life a million times better. I would probably be dead by now if I had stayed on the other meds I was on. I go out all the time, and I have totally learned to take care of myself. I don't feel like my brain is foggy like the other drugs I've been on. I was really depressed for years and tried killing myself four times on the other drugs I have been on. Invega has totally taken my depression away. I am happy for the longest period of my life. I had a mental illness for 29 years and was depressed for 25 of the years, but since I have been on the Invega, no depression at all. Invega is the best thing that has ever happened in my life."

• Syn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2022

"I have major depression with psychotic features. After the first day on Invega, I fell asleep through all my alarms for work. Stopped by a Starbucks to go to the bathroom, and I passed out inside Starbucks and again in the bathroom. My husband had to pick me up and drive me home. Strangely, I wasn't feeling like this until after I left for work. It literally hurt me out of nowhere."

• lip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2020

"I took it often when I was diagnosed with the condition. In the beginning of the treatment, I took Invega 3 mg, and after some time I took 6 mg. I felt most of the time sick and dehydrated. It seems to me that the absorption is hard, and not too much effective. Xeplion is another story, much more effective and without significant collateral effects."

• Ram...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2021

"Our adopted son was born with prenatal alcohol exposure and has permanent brain damage. He was diagnosed with FAE and various other disorders associated with it. He has suffered from sleep issues, explosive rages, and psychosis. He has been prescribed over 40 different drugs with some disturbing side effects. He just started Invega Sustenna in March, and there was an immediate change in his mood and overall behaviors and is stable. He has now moved up to Trinza and is doing very well."

• Mic...
• April 20, 2017

"After taking 6 mg Invega for 3 years, I asked my physician what was making me gain so much weight. He told me it was the Invega and suggested I stop taking it. So I stopped taking it the next day! That was horrible advice (to quit cold turkey), but I lost 40 pounds in 2 months. I kept the weight off until I developed psychosis/delusional thinking. After about 6 months and a suicide attempt, I am back on it but shots only. Within 2 months I gained the 40 pounds back and gained an additional 40 lbs, making it a total of 80 lbs gained. Time for something else! I am in pain from bad knees and can hardly walk now. Great mood helper but terrible on the body!"

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2018

"As soon as I took this drug, I was happy enough. The rushing thoughts began to subdue. I will say one thing - if you're going to take this, be careful, there are some sucky side effects like weight gain. I didn't get the weight gain, but I did get low libido, and it got a little better once I stopped taking it completely and went back on. I still have some high blood pressure, high white blood cell count, and high cholesterol, so watch that. So that's all my side effects. One more thing: don't let these punks mess you around - once you're on it, they might try making your life a drug-induced nightmare. It's your body, your choice, if it works, you will know. If you're really bad, stick to a low dose and test if it's the right drug for you. Then you're not going to get one: addicted and two: not aware of if it's the right drug for you. I'm on a 3 mg tablet now, and I hope to go cold turkey soon after 6 months. Wish me luck."

• Uni...
• March 9, 2021

"It started off OK. I had the feeling of the urge to talk all the time, but then I started to feel confined and restless. That went on for months but went away. It was going well until it raised my prolactin. I went on meds for that, and after a year, I'm back to normal. I have to get off because my glucose test is borderline, but I'm having diabetic symptoms. The pros were I get the tense edginess feeling in my body went away. I slept better. I didn't think everyone was out to get me. Social anxiety went down."

• Nev...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2022

"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-every-three-month injections, as my psychosis seems to peak directly following my injections. Terrible medication, and I feel that surely the prescribers are pocketing something from handing this terrible medication out."

• Who...
• March 2, 2017

"Exceedingly dry mouth causing broken sleep and frequent drinks, blood sugar ebbs and reduced stamina, encourages me to eat up to five times a day. Osteoarthritis worsens with the dryness, however, mentally stable. Wary of this drug being only a stopgap and apprehensive about what's next on the medication menu as all have unbearable side effects."