Invega and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Any...
• February 1, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I’m currently writing with trembles in my hands and muscle stiffness. I had a nervous breakdown and classified bipolar NIGHTMARE BEGAN. I have extreme paranoia, lost my job because Invega destroyed my hand coordination, TD (I believe I have permanent brain damage), sexual dysfunction, muscle stiffness, tremors in my whole body, hands shaking, face twitching, curling fingers. I can’t hold down food, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal, antisocial, no emotions, removed from relationships, no periods, infertile at this point, no sleep in 3 months, pacing, blurry vision, absolute chemical lobotomy - fear of body deteriorating. 39 years old, hard to find the energy just to stay alive. Everything in my body is dry. I’m a nervous wreck. Detoxing: I was trying to restart my body - No change in 2 months. Instead, have early signs of Parkinson’s."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this medication for 3 months after I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and it has ruined my life. I now have trouble speaking, I'm always anxious, I can barely concentrate on anything, I'm depressed and sleeping a lot, and I no longer get erections and have trouble producing semen. I have been off of it for 2 months, and I'm still dealing with the side effects. This is the worst thing I have ever been on, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

• Dou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Suffering and miserable on this drug Invega. I take 117mg monthly injections. The frequent side effects I get are thoughtless, emotionless, akathisia, anxiety, a lot of difficulty with memory, focus and concentration like I can't learn much. Unmotivated, I sit around a lot feeling numb and mentally blank. Increased depression, dead sex drive or no interest in sex. Weight gain."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This drug ruined me. I was fine before after they forced me to take it. I've been unable to write music since, which was what I had a passion for. This drug has made me depressed and given me anxiety, which I was never experiencing before the drug. Beware of this drug, it helps some and can ruin others."

• LHH...
• August 3, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I had tried Abilify, Fanapt, lithium, Depakote, and Geodon for my bipolar disorder. Luckily, a doctor introduced me to Invega. It helped dramatically with my bipolar issues and alcohol abuse. I have absolutely no problem with my mood since being on this medicine. I'm always happy and am no longer irritable since being on this medicine. I don't have a problem with alcohol abuse anymore and I'm able to drink like a normal person. There are two problems I have with Invega though. The first is that I gained weight dramatically. In 5 months, I gained 50 lbs. Also, I would have random spurts of horrible anxiety. Great medication all in all though."

• har...
• July 18, 2013

For Schizophrenia "I was on Risperdal, and I was always sleeping, gained much weight, and craved sugar. When I switched to Invega, my weight went back to normal, suffered few side effects such as restlessness and sometimes anxiety, but it beats those other antipsychotics because of fewer side effects and no weight gain for me. I don't like any of these medicines, but I look like I'm not on any, so far, so good."

• Who...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I'd been smoking a very small amount of cannabis for a few months and isolated myself with video games. One evening, I was playing music very loud, and the police were called. I thought it would be clever to resist arrest, so I stood behind the door and shouted, threatening to burn the house down. They soon broke in and carted me to the mental hospital. After giving my story to the doctor, I was put on Invega shots and told I was schizo, I'd never felt it. After three months, I started having tremors, constant anxiety, a panic feeling of a heart attack, couldn't move, walk, and six months on still on edge 24 hours a day."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

For Schizoaffective Disorder "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)."

• eck...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 16, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I take the 150/234 needle of Invega. I also take 30 mg olanzapine, 45 mg mirtazapine, and a couple of .5 mg 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 4 mg pieces at once to get over my cravings. It's a good med. It has changed a lot while I have been taking it. I think I have 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. It's a good med, give it time and drink lots of coffee."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "On this medicine, I do notice my moods are a lot more stable, but I feel my anxiety and depression are a lot worse."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 3, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have a positive experience with Invega. It helped me get out of psychosis and lead a normal life, except it gave me agoraphobia. My weight is normal, and I feel emotions on it."