Invega Sustenna and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2023

"I have bipolar disorder and Invega Sustenna ruined my life. I was given the injection 2 years ago, and I am still not back to being who I was before completely. Don’t lose hope that it can happen, but it is a long journey. I was told it was more effective and more convenient than taking pills, but it left me feeling like a zombie, a vegetable. I felt a restlessness in my whole body, I couldn’t be still, but moving didn’t seem to relieve it either. It stopped my period, and I do not know if I am still fertile. My mind was blocked, I couldn’t think of words or make conversation or laugh. All I wanted to do was sleep and eat, and I gained 50 lbs. I lost all joy in my life and was in the worst depression I’ve ever experienced. I spent almost two years on my mother’s couch. I couldn’t cry, and I couldn’t write anymore. I didn’t want to be around my friends or my family. It does wear off eventually, but it was a huge mistake that I was told was a miracle drug. Do not take this drug."

• ano...
• June 7, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "A lot of issues with this medication: extreme bloating, weight gain, and hunger. Pain in abdomen, gurgling sounds in abdomen area, burping and belching after every single meal, which normally never occurred with me. Dizziness almost all the time, extreme headaches, EXTREME muscle stiffness, and much difficulty walking and doing daily activities. Sweating for no apparent reason. Insomnia."

• Sea...
• February 10, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have paranoia, panic disorder, and bipolar 1 with psychotic features. I zoned out and daydreamed living nightmares. It shattered my self-esteem. I heard people say my thoughts, and I heard their thoughts. It did not clear my mind, it made it race with the paranoia condition I have. I gained 100 pounds in one year. My labs showed I would have cirrhosis of the liver in 2-5 years due to obesity. I saw a nutritionist but lacked all motivation. I was constantly terrified. I rarely spoke. When I switched to another antipsychotic, my hallucinations stopped. Five years later, I have no idealizations about people reading my mind. I am grateful I was too scared to talk about how I felt because my diagnosis could have changed. I lost my whole sense of who I was by getting injected with 150 mg each month for four years. I blame myself little for sleeping the pain away. I would never recommend this medication to anyone."

• Bob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I don't feel much on this medication. It takes away the pleasure of enjoying things like video games, sadly. I've lost my sense of smell while on this drug. I've gained the most weight I have compared to other antipsychotics. I tried coming off it for a month with no success, it's really strong on preventing delusions and hearing voices. I can't ejaculate or feel much sexual pleasure while on this medication."

• kod...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 30, 2018

For Schizophrenia "Gained over 30 lbs on this medication, even though I'm eating less and I've cut out sugar from my diet. What's even more depressing is that even though I'm heavier, I'm actually weaker than I've been when I was skinny and off meds. Also, when I skip my injection for a week, I'm hitting threes and long twos like it's nothing on the basketball court, while on the medication, there's no point in going to the court. Also, the results of treatment are suboptimal: I don't have friends, during 6 years of treatment, I've never been on a date (which probably also has something to do with poor sexual functioning while on the medication). I stay at home all the time, am unemployed, and gained the status of a disabled person. However, when on the medication, I don't have positive symptoms like thought broadcasting. I'm seriously considering switching the medication, I'm depressed, desperate, feel awful all the time, and can't do it anymore."

• Phl...
• October 18, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Well, I have been on this medication for some time now. It has helped me with the voices, but to be honest, you do sleep a lot, and that's the only constant this medication has. It makes you eat a lot, and as far as sex drive goes, lol, I won't talk about it. I think that it depends on who you are around to make you feel depressed. You have to keep in mind that it's a serious disease, but with medication, it can be manageable. And if you are getting too fat, exercise. You will get the weight off. Keep positive people around you and remember the struggle is never done. We may always have a stigma put on us or a label put on us, but prove the enemy wrong. Be the best you can be and shine bright like a diamond. And remember, God loves you."

• bud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2019

For Schizophrenia "This drug is driving me crazy! I don't like the weight gain, and it slows me down considerably. I can't eat whatever! Everything has sodium in it. My body has gone through the wringer (think using the potty), and people have to take things away to keep me from committing suicide. Things are done behind my back to keep me stable as well. The edge is gone (me saying the F word on a regular basis), but what about sleep? I am 43 years old, and I need my beauty sleep! I never want to feel the feeling of being awake for weeks on end! Guess it doesn't help that I discovered coffee... bring on the drugs that encourage you and not make you fat and bloated!"

• Tak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I've been on this med, Invega, for years. Without it, I was suicidal and often hurt myself. With this med, I'm happy again and have no desire to cause harm to myself. Only side effects are weight gain and long sleep."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2021

For Schizophrenia "When I was on the 75 mg injection, I wouldn’t stop gaining weight, my weight went from 104 lbs to 136 lbs and was increasing with crazy hunger. I had bad acne from this medication, no period, couldn’t work out, went to bed at 6:00 pm, lost my internal voice, couldn’t think at all. They dropped me down to 50 mg, and the weight persisted. They then spaced out my injection to five weeks apart, and I dropped some weight but not enough to be proud of. I’m around 120 lbs, still don’t have a period, have crazy hunger, no internal voice, can’t perform like I used to, have puffy eyelids, one drooping eyelid, can’t use my imagination, bad memory, can’t lose weight, don’t sleep at night, and the side effects keep piling up. It has taken away my voices during the day and my delusions."

• Iam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have MDD with psychotic features, and I've been on this med, Invega Sustenna, for 4 months. I've gained a lot of weight, feel numb, feel dumb, feel like my life is now one big act, like I'm a puppet that doesn't really have any emotions because I don't feel good or bad, and I just act and do what I feel should be the norm although I don't feel anything. Hope that makes sense... I don't always feel that way, sometimes I feel my normal positive self, but for the most part, that is the case. It has stopped hallucinations, visual/auditory and tactile. I don't know how to make an informed decision on this med :/ I'm 50/50."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Cleans the mind of weird thoughts, delusions, and hallucinations. Weight gain has been noted, as well as a general feeling of restlessness and drowsiness. I'm always on slow motion and need to think things twice or three times. Still better than having conversations with dead people or thinking my brain can see in the future... by the way, don't try quitting this drug cold turkey. It's a recipe for disaster."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Have been on Invega inj. for 2 months. Most hallucinations, auditory, visual, and mental gone. Has been a game changer for me as my life was completely unmanageable before. Still not leaving home much and have gained a few pounds, nothing too drastic, but it beats having conversations with people only I can see and not having a choice about it. Also, my insurance wouldn't cover it, it's about $2000 USD for 1 month inj. Thanks, hope this helps."

• Nim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I had to take Invega Sustenna after running away from being treated 5 times. It helps eliminate the delusions and voices. I love it as it does not make me believe that the king's son is in love with me, or Adam Sandler is talking to me through every thought with another person in my head and sharing tips for his movies while looking at an image. But I hate the fact that it has a weight gain effect that has muscle constraints. Feeling happy through space is barely not there... natural life is much better... and keeping all the craziness of schizophrenia is way more interesting than waking up."

• Nic...
• December 17, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on this medication over a year now, and it has done wonderful things for me. Before I was on it, I had my first episode and was in and out of the hospital 4 times in 5 months, trying different medications and being unstable. Now I'm going back to school, and I have no symptoms. Side effects are minimal: a little tired the day or two after the shot, and I've gained 15 pounds or so-not too bad. This medication gave me my life back. I just hope my new insurance will cover it."

• jod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2016

For Schizophrenia "This medication is the best antipsychotic I ever took. I'm getting the shot 244 mg, and the delusions and hallucinations are under control. This medicine is a lifesaver. The side effects I experience are anxiety and weight gain, but overall it's a great medicine."

• MiG...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Invega Sustenna will make it easier to take your medication, as it’s an every 4-week shot in the arm (or butt). However, the side effects are many. This drug, though stopped all hallucinations and mania, caused my skin to flake, my face to get puffy, my overall weight to increase by 40 lbs, incurred symptoms of depression and other personality changes, and lastly, caused me to sleep for hours on end. If you enjoy sleeping your life away, this is the drug for you. However, I myself miss living my full life!"

• Ear...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Terrible experience. I have slurred speech, head tremors, loss of thought, memory loss, lower IQ, weight gain, and disconnected from reality. I have lost all my friends from not being able to communicate. I shuffle when I walk. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. My family thinks I am mentally impaired. It is hard for me to make eye contact with people as my vision has slowed. I have been off of the 150 mg injection for 2 months and have seen no improvement. If it takes 14 months like the other reviews mention, I don’t know how I’m going to make it."

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

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

• Din...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2023

For Schizoaffective Disorder "The worst medicine. I had a radical weight gain, 60 lbs gained in 3 months. I felt depressed while on it. I’ve been off for 2 and a half years and still haven’t gotten back to my normal weight, although I’ve lost 22 pounds."

• mol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 10, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I've been taking Invega Sustenna for a little over a year now, and for the majority of that year, I had absolutely no positive or negative symptoms. Recently, though, the paranoia and slight delusions have started to creep back into my mind. My psychiatrist upped my dose to 234 mg, and now I can't stop eating, and I'm hungry all the time. I already had a binge eating disorder, but now it's infinitely worse. Also, the newer symptoms are still there. We're currently trying metformin to help with my appetite, but so far it's doing absolutely nothing. I'm now thinking that I want to try switching to ziprasidone. It's supposed to be really good with weight management, but I'm worried it might not be as effective with my mental symptoms? I can't freak out because I'm working and going to school now. Back to Invega, though, I guess I can thank this medication for giving me my life back and making it so I can function in society. But I can't handle the weight gain..."

• Nub...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2019

"I have been on Invega Sustenna 125 mg for 2 years for bipolar. Previously, I was a zombie when on lithium treatment, I lost two jobs for not being able to show interest. I also suffered from depression, but that got fixed with an antidepressant that made things much better. On the Invega, I gained weight, around 30 lbs, but it did kill the hallucinations and symptoms of the illness. However, it had its side effects like any treatment. Things got better as I lowered to 75 mg and took the antidepressant Celexa."

• new...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Before I was on this injection, I was taking up to 7 pills a day, and lucky me, I had a good social worker and nurse who talked to my doctor to find something better too for me to take. I was having episodes and tripping out like I was in the spirit world. TVs were talking to me, and people were turning into demons. But after taking this medicine, it clears my mind and keeps me sane. I have quit my medication a couple of times, but the episodes come back. This medicine is really good. I did gain weight, but riding my bike to school helps. The longer you stay on this medicine, the better it works, I find. But I was always getting headaches. I thought it was the medication, but really, I just needed glasses. The medicine works, I get it in my arm."

• Loc...
• February 21, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on 156 mg injections for the past year. Yes, there is weight gain, and it's 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, it's the best anti-psychotic I've tried, though, and that includes Risperdal, Abilify, and Haloperidol (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."

• SKE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I got this in the mental hospital for the first time. Immediately, my mood became much more positive. After about 2 months, I really started to benefit from it. The noises/voices/paranoia disappeared, and I was able to start full-time employment after losing several jobs and applying for disability. I do notice that about a week before I’m due for my monthly injection, I start to get some symptoms again. I also notice that my memory is much worse than it was before, but I’ve been trying to keep my mind active by reading, playing games, and working. I don’t know if I have schizophrenia (I was diagnosed as bipolar at the hospital, but the doctor seriously sucked so bad), but I would guess I do, given the symptoms. Before this medication, I would hear things, see things, and would be extremely paranoid. Now, I’m happy and able to take charge of my life. I will say that I have gained a lot of weight (up to 300 lbs from 265 lbs before the hospital)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I changed to Invega Sustenna because other medications caused weight gain. I was taking 100 mg and 75 mg of Invega Sustenna, and it caused severe depression and made me suicidal. The doctor didn't recognize these to be side effects. I have decreased the dosage to 50 mg now, and I'm still very flat. I find it hard to think, to remember, to find any joy or interest in life. I still get suicidal and am depressed."