Paliperidone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• LHH...
• August 3, 2013

Paliperidone 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."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "If you want your life back and want to finally quit hearing the voices, believing the delusions that persist in your head and just be able to live a “normal” life, then this medication is absolutely for you. You will overeat, gain a little weight, have restless nights, and sleep all afternoon, you will have restless leg syndrome where you just can’t sit still. It takes about a month and a half for side effects to diminish. I’m so thankful to finally be happy again and be able to hold down a job. Those dark voices are gone. I don’t read a news article and believe I spoke to the President of the United States personally anymore. Now I wake up every day with just a calm, happy persona both internally and externally. The best part is that it’s only a once-a-month injection. I’ll tell you that on the day of the shot I do still get a little dizzy and tired, so I usually request off the entire day so I can relax. But even my family has noticed the huge change in me."

• Fin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was in denial about my illness for about 8 years before I finally went to the hospital by police escort (with the help of my family). I had lost my marriage, couldn’t do my job, and I couldn’t figure out why all this was happening to me. The doctor at the hospital ordered the Invega Sustenna injection, and it completely turned my life around. 5 years later, I’m in a great relationship, and I’ve been able to go back to school, earning A’s in my classes. People like me again. I did try to go off of the medication last year with the help of my doctor to see if having children would be possible. We have to do more homework on our options because I was only able to stay off for 6 months after the taper. For me, I’m very thankful for this medication. Yes, I gained 20 pounds, but that isn’t terrible when I consider that I’m no longer hurting the people who care about me."

• Yus...
• December 22, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "Gained 40 lbs in two weeks right after taking it. Made me pale (I'm olive complexion). Made anxiety horrible for a few months (could not stop moving around). Messed up sleeping habits for a few months. Stopped my periods for three months in a row. Never had problems with any of these things before taking. Been off for ten months now, just now getting back to close to normal."

• Dar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 24, 2021

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "Miserable all the time on these Invega injections from several side effects. I'm mentally blank like poverty in thoughts. I'll sit around a lot staring at TV while mindless. I have no emotions except anxiety and akathisia, which is chronic restlessness. I take Inderal blood pressure medication to treat akathisia. Feel like an emotionless robot going through the motions and barely alive. Poor memory, focus, learning, and concentration. Feel physically numb. Gained 40 pounds. No sex drive and no libido. No interest and motivation to do anything."

• Dam...
• August 6, 2015

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "When I first started taking Invega, it took away the voices and delusional thoughts better than the other injection I was receiving. Weaning off of it was not hard, but I was also taking large doses of niacin and lithium at the time. I had a manic episode that lasted 3 months after withdrawing. After that, one injection brought me back to reality in less than a day. I have extreme weight gain on Invega, drowsiness (sleep 12 hours a day), and decreased sex drive. Though it is important for me to point out, like I said, no mania or hallucinating. I function well on the injection. It is the side effects that I have trouble dealing with."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2018

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "I feel like this medication has ruined my life completely because I ended up gaining weight, having prediabetes, and not having my period for 2 years. My biggest concern is am I gonna be able to have children when I get older. I decided that I rather stop taking this medication because it can ruin your future."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 4, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "Horrible drug, causes weight gain. I call it the '15 lbs shot', with every shot, I gained another 15 lbs. My hallucinations went into overdrive, I could not sleep, depressed, angry, overweight, psychotic, hated every day. I am now seeing a new psychiatrist, and I am getting my life back without the Invega Sustenna injection."

• Coq...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 24, 2021

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "I took Invega Sustenna for a year and a half. I was forced on it by my old mental hospital, and the family member I was living with told me I had to stay on Invega to live with this person. I got a 234 mg shot once a month for a year and a half. This drug completely ruined my life. It is absolute garbage for anyone's body. I went from 170 pounds to 300 pounds within this time frame (this is literally the most weight I had ever gained in my entire LIFE.) It turned me into a complete couch potato, made me so lazy and tired that I had to drink at least 3 cups of coffee a day to counter this problem. It completely destroyed my motivation for doing ANYTHING throughout my day. I sat around eating junk food, but also healthy food. Regardless of what I ate, I would gain 10 pounds every single month. I am really tired of the USA and its doctors promoting these awful 'medications' to sick people as if they are good options. There was zero benefit to using Invega, do NOT take this drug."

• Ros...
• May 2, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "I have been on Invega for 7 months. I have noticed many side effects like muscle stiffness, agitation, involuntary movements, horrific nightmares, headaches, and I have gained about 40 pounds in that time while continuing to exercise and eat healthily. I was on 9 mg for about 3 months and then was lowered to 3 mg. It did stop my severe psychosis when initially prescribed, so for that, I am very grateful. I am now weaning off the medication to hopefully improve my quality of life. Would not recommend unless absolutely necessary."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2022

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in June of 2020. Since then, I have been on numerous antipsychotics, and Invega is by far the worst. It caused brain damage, turned me into a vegetable, and I’ve put on 50 pounds. Everything nice in my life is gone. The anhedonia is the worst thing about it."

• Str...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2018

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "Invega Sustenna was a horrible experience for me. This medication caused me to gain 20-30 pounds. It stopped my monthly cycles. I was also not able to experience sexual pleasure. This medication ruins lives."

• Bra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2021

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "I was prescribed Invega because my mother takes the injection, and it has helped her. I take the tablets. I'm so incredibly boring now. I don't find joy in anything, really. I don't have motivation to shower. I'm emotionless. I've gained a lot of weight. This medication should definitely be a last resort."

• Han...
• May 20, 2017

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "This medication is an absolute waste of time. I have been on Invega for a little less than 2 years now, and I can with absolute confidence ascertain that it has done nothing for me. Aside from the decrease in sexual appetite and libido, difficulty having and maintaining erections, little to no ejaculatory fluid (which is really frustrating, by the way), the muscle tremors I am experiencing, and the 30 pounds I have gained since starting this medication, it is with no doubt an absolute and total waste of money. I definitely would not recommend this medication to anyone. Save yourselves the time and money and do not take this medication."

• ask...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2017

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "Although it helped with my delusional thoughts, it completely destroyed my life. I have anhedonia, loss of sex drive, fatigue, can't play football or any sports, my mind is blank, 40 kg weight gain, always hungry, can't get drunk. Feeling down sometimes. Robbed every joy from me."

• cop...
• February 20, 2017

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "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."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2019

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was placed on Invega Sustenna after having a violent psychotic episode. I attempted suicide in a very violent manner and went back to the psych ward after surgery. They placed me on a 156 mg injection once a month. Since being on the injection, I’ve experienced slight weight gain, loss of euphoria I used to get from using drugs like alcohol, weed, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and also the inability to “trip” from using psychedelics. Also, loss of sex drive. Most importantly, though... I no longer have the constant thoughts of wanting to end my life or hurt others. All things said, though, I have decided to remain on Invega injections, sacrificing all the wonderful highs I used to get from dope because I’m afraid that if I stop taking Invega, I might have another psychotic break and that the BEAST inside me could drive me to commit violence on myself or others. If Invega makes me non-violent, non-sexual, docile, and stable, then I say it is a good drug."

• Jel...
• February 15, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Had 5 shots of this paliperidone after I had a manic episode. Since going off of it, I never feel tired, but get 12 hours of sleep a night. Can’t zone out, get high, or drunk. I get a lot of headaches, have no sex drive, and feel numb. So I forget about sex, very low motivation. So it’s hard to get motivated to shower or do laundry, it used to be really easy. I used to clean the house all the time, but now no dopamine reward. Weight gain, lower intellect. It's hard to have conversations now because I can’t think as fast. Thoughts of what to say don’t seem to come to me anymore. Long-term and short-term memory is screwed. Always forget things. Don't enjoy my hobbies and interests. E.g., I watch a movie, and my face and soul are just blank/numb. Couldn’t cry for 5 months, now I finally can. Sadness, happiness, love, anger, fear, jealousy have come back a little bit. Hardly any food tastes nice anymore. Miss calling my friends and chatting, but get scared because I hardly talk anymore."

• DoN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2022

Paliperidone "First off, your psychiatrist only gives this drug to you if he doesn’t like you. Threatened to sue my psychiatrist and argued with him while hospitalized before injected. After just one injection of this drug, you will no longer get morning wood, you won’t feel anything in your nether region, and you will barely get hard with erection pills. You will also gain 50+ pounds, and every woman will leave you when they realize you have the sexual function of a toddler. Your brain won’t know what “horny” feels like, you will lose all your friends, and you will be unable to laugh or cry anymore. You will just stop caring about anything anymore. This drug doesn’t care how in shape or sexual you are. It will destroy your sexual function as a male for good and turn you into a slug with no purpose. Your dick and balls will go from being a grape into a raisin. Taking this drug is basically a life sentence that ends with you dying alone while everyone tells you it’s all in your head."

• Out...
• September 22, 2009

Paliperidone for Bipolar Disorder "I've been terrified about staying on any anti-psychotic medication, the side effects are horrible. This drug has very few side effects, no weight gain is a plus! Not to mention, it stabilizes my moods and stops psychosis. Another added bonus is the drug company provided me with a free lifetime user card. Thank you for giving me my life back."

• Mr ...
• April 26, 2017

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "Total scam. I've been on this drug for 3 years. Since being on it, it caused acute arm paralysis, dystonia, difficulty speaking, delirium which lasted for a month, and it caused weight gain and man boobs. When I first received the shot, it felt like my brain was about to explode. I had extremely high blood pressure on this medicine- 178/105. After I stopped it, my blood pressure is 110/78. I experienced temporal lobe damage from this medicine, and a CT scan showed atrophy of my brain after I stopped taking it. Be careful- many psychiatrists receive grants and stipends from big pharma and receive extra insurance money to peddle more drugs to as many patients as possible. This is because of our fee-for-service healthcare system."

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

Paliperidone "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."

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

Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder "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."

• ano...
• June 7, 2015

Paliperidone 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."

• kou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2014

Paliperidone for Schizophrenia "I'm a young single mom. In my experience, Invega gives me a fuller lifestyle. My condition is stable and controlled with Invega, so I can live with a balanced, happier mind. The only downside is the weight gain and some minor side effects, like milk production in my breasts. However, the benefits to my mind are greater than some minor and trivial side effects."