Invega and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Som...
• November 9, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Invega did treat my crazy and voices and strange behavior, but it left me feeling empty and unmotivated, and things just aren't the same. The depression gets me to suicidal thoughts, but I won't hurt myself. Hell, I hardly do anything, everything sucks now, and I don't know. I would only recommend this drug to people who are dangerously insane because it is very strong and its effects last long after discontinuing. But I will say I pity any person who has to ever take it because there are things worse than death."

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

For Schizoaffective Disorder "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."

• Ina...
• May 12, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I feel like this medication is making me feel extremely depressed in a way I haven't suffered before. Unfortunately, my doctor says this can't be the case, and it must be my condition (despite the fact I have never felt this way before)."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I have been on this medication on and off for about 5 months now, and it’s been rough. I can’t think of anything positive to say about it. I can’t sleep, I have to take medicine just to sleep. I have been feeling depressed and unmotivated, and I have gained so much weight. I used to weigh 165 lb, after getting back on this medication, I am now 187 lb after about a couple of weeks. I'd honestly rather have delusions and hear voices than to have life stripped away from me like this. I am not hearing voices, but my doctor still wants to keep me on it. No emotions or feelings on this med, currently on a 156 mg injection."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I got hospitalized and was put on this medication to cure the voices in my head and people in my imagination. I have not minded these symptoms. I liked living inside my head. So I have gotten two shots of Invega. I got little emotions, lack of imagination, bad sex drive, bad memory, bad understanding, lack of motivation. It has made me empty. It has made me feel bad in many ways. I wish to have the life I had before taking this medication. Now I have been waiting to turn back to how I was. I have been waiting for three months after the last injection."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2023

For Schizophrenia "It made me feel akathisia along with insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and anhedonia. It was useful for the positive symptoms like paranoia, delusions, and racing thoughts, but at huge costs. You are basically trading a huge portion of your own happiness and energy for controlling your symptoms and likely never becoming psychotic again. I am not saying it is totally bad, but it can work for some people. This is your decision to make, with Invega, you will suffer some serious side effects in return for never becoming psychotic again."

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Before I took Invega injections, I was motivated about life in general. Ever since, I've experienced erectile dysfunction, emotional numbness, blank mind, memory blankness on 150 dose and 75 dose. I wouldn't recommend this drug, maybe only to people who have drug addictions. The side effects outweigh the gains."

• Mar...
• May 13, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Was doing well on 4 mg risperidone but wanted to try an injectable long-acting med. Doctor suggested I start with Invega oral to be sure it would work. Tried 6 mg Invega for a month but never felt as good as with risperidone. Made me depressed, tired, insomnia, and even had some breakthrough delusions. So glad I didn't go straight to injections. Restarted risperidone and feel good again. It must work for some people but not for me. No data anywhere comparing Invega to risperidone, which is odd because the drugs are related. No evidence this is a better drug than risperidone."

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

For Schizoaffective Disorder "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."

• ER2...
• June 4, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I have been using Invega for less than a year. The reason I appealed to this medication was because it was the only extended-release medication on the market. What this means is that the medication slowly released into our body within 24 hours. Other medications, when you take them, hit our body straight away to the top and gradually decrease the medication in our body. I find that it is good as it gives less severe side effects, as the medication in our body is at a constant level. I don't have any major side effects from this medication other than depression and insomnia, but that is in general related to my unresolved personal life issues. My prolactin level is lower compared to when I was on Solian. Less lethargic and sleepy."

• Whi...
• December 13, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have struggled with horrible voices and delusions for four years, and Invega is like a miracle after I attempted suicide. It took away the voices and delusions. The only problem I have with this drug is the weight gain and sensitivity to cold and heat. I gained 60 pounds in 6 months...it's really hurt my self-esteem, and I'm going to stop taking it next month. Another thing, after the voices stopped, I had visuals and voices late at night and early morning that would wear off 3 months into taking it. My mood also seems a little more irritable but not too bad, and I think I'm starting to have anhedonia, which at first was a giant relief after being so charged and emotionally torn apart with voices, but now I'm starting to feel like it's not the best option. Though I will say, if the voices torture me again, I'll gladly take it again."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2022

For Schizophrenia "This drug ruined my life and took all of my joy from me, turning me into an emotionless, uninterested, depressed person. The side effects are deep depression, apathy, severe anhedonia, severe lack of motivation, restlessness, tooth decay, muscle spasms, random pains, heart pain, muscle tension, and there’s probably more that I’m forgetting. I used to be happy and have lots of interest, now I have no interest in anything and am depressed and suicidal."

• Inv...
• December 14, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Invega 6 mg for about 3 years now. I have gained about 70 extra pounds, and nothing I do seems to drop the weight. Also, it messed with my periods so much that I had to have a hysterectomy. But it does keep my moods stable for the most part. I think it's time for me to start a new medication, though. Because when I do have outbursts, they are really bad. And the depression is still here."

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

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on Invega Sustenna twice. Once a few years ago, from Jan 2018 to March 2018, and recently one shot in May 2022. Both times for schizoaffective disorder diagnosed based on drug abuse. The first time, I indeed gained weight and felt hopeless throughout the whole process. This last time, I made a change that has been beneficial. So far, I have had 8 weeks since my shot and have lost weight. Especially liver fat. This has been accomplished by doing a ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting. I also added a blended lemon with ACV (apple cider vinegar) and cayenne pepper blended with a glass of water twice daily, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. 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 possess. 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I am on the injection, not sure what mg, but I get it every 3 months. It's been almost a year, and I have gained 40 lbs. I have frequent heartburn, and my cholesterol is high. My feelings are flat, so I don't overreact to things as I used to. And no depression. Sometimes I have very vivid dreams and nightmares. Most days I have no motivation, but some days I have excess energy to get everything done that I need to. I haven't had a menstrual cycle since I started this medication. It has kept the mania and psychosis away, though. And other than all those side effects I listed, I am grateful for this medication. I was one who would miss doses or stop taking my medication altogether and have almost ruined my life several times. Even with all those side effects, I would rather be on Invega than not. It has saved my life."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This medicine is horrible. As soon as I started to take the injection, it caused severe depression. I've never been depressed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Weight gain, sleeping too much, no motivation, bad decisions, not wanting to shower, memory loss, brain damage, delusions."

• Ted...
• April 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Taken alone, Invega will make you depressed and stupid, but taken with a low dose antidepressant, it will make you feel good."

• Ted...
• April 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Taken alone, Invega will make you depressed and stupid, but taken with a low dose antidepressant, it will make you feel good."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This shot will turn you into a zombie. The only thing it helps with is delusions and paranoia, but you better be ready to be a couch potato with no pleasure, no motivation, and no sex drive."