Paliperidone for Schizoaffective Disorder User Reviews

• Phyc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2020

Invega (paliperidone) "If you are looking for the worst time of your life, this is the medication for you! Do you want to gain 100 lbs? Lose all your friends and be turned into a vegetable? If so, Invega will do the job. Don’t take this, it's terrible. You will gain weight, everything nice will be gone from your life, you will feel sick and foggy all the time, and your life will basically be over. It reduces you to a fraction of the person you should be, and it's messy and unpleasant. No one should take this."

• Grant
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "My son started Invega, and the drug made his symptoms worse. He couldn't sleep and became very agitated. He had hospital admissions after hospital admissions. I am sorry to say he killed himself about three months after starting this drug. Please don't let anyone you love start this drug; it is a very bad drug."

• Anya
• February 1, 2020

Invega (paliperidone) "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."

• SadCa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2021

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I was prescribed Invega Sustenna on my 5th hospital stay for bipolar and schizoaffective episodes. I wasn’t responding to the oral medications, and I have compliance issues with taking oral meds anyway. Like most people who have already commented, my experience with this drug has been horrible. Yes, it stopped the hallucinations, but it has robbed me of my emotions. I feel flat all the time, I gained weight, my hair fell out, I lost my sex drive and my ability to orgasm. I have anhedonia and avolition, I cannot socialize anymore, I can barely contribute to a conversation, I’m barely caring for myself (not cooking, not cleaning)... I am like a child. This medication is terrible in my opinion, I would not recommend it. I’d rather live with the occasional hallucination than all of the side effects Invega has caused."

• Jesus
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

Invega (paliperidone) "I'm so depressed on Invega that I cry multiple times a day, can't maintain any friendships, too tired and demotivated to work out or play my guitar like I used to. I lay in my bed every day, no motivation for anything."

• Nseyet
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "I was forced to take invega after a spiritual emergence was diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorder. I had the initial dose of 256mg I believe, then 150mg for four months. My last shot was in aug 2018. By the second shot my thoughts had stopped. I could no longer think. It shut off my consciousness. My memory and retaining information has been effected. I developed anhedonia. I can no longer feel any emotion. I have no libido or menstrual cycles. I haven't had an appetite in 4 months. I have no desire to eat or get pleasure from it. I have insomnia. I believe this medicine has caused brain damage. Other drugs have reduced or no effectiveness such as cannabis, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and sleep medication. This drug has a half life of 25-49 days. So its gonna take at least a year before it is completely out of my system."

• Unicorn
• April 13, 2021

Invega (paliperidone) "I've been on invega for 3 years. The beginning was bad. I had so much energy I couldn't sit still or get comfortable. I gained weight but it got better. I started to see the benefits for example less tension and edginess, better decision making, sleep improvements, and feeling less scared and paranoid. Then I got diagnosed with high levels of prolactin. It has been over a year and they still can't get it in control which means I'm always itchy and fat. Now I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes because of meds. I was told to eat right and exercise everyday for the rest of my life. And then he laughed!! It has been about a month since pre-diabetes diagnosis and I have only lost 1kg. That's with healthy eating and exercise. My dr thinks the benefits still outweigh the risk so there constantly pushing the drug on me but I'm itchy, pre-diabetic, and fat."

• Kano
• May 14, 2019

Invega (paliperidone) "It's been 3 years since I took Invega but I still think about it often because I have never been as depressed as I was on Invega. I would literally cry upon waking because I couldn't bear being conscious. I was sleeping ~13 hours a day for a few months. It made me catatonic a few times as well. I was so depressed there were times I couldn't lift my head or stand up or even talk. It was an actual nightmare and my psych insisted it was just initial adjustment side effects, but I have never been on a medication that harmed me as much as Invega. I would have taken the psychosis over the Invega any day. I stopped taking it without permission and I kid you not--the next day, I felt normal. I physically couldn't get out of bed and my limbs felt like lead; it was ridiculous. I was in such a dark dark place and started giving away my belongings, but stopped almost immediately once I stopped the medication."

• darren
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2022

Invega (paliperidone) "It's called xeplion here in the UK. I had a bad 4 months on 100mg for Psychosis. I had Akathisia and felt severely depressed so I went onto 75mg and the difference 4 months down the line has been phenomenal. It was an instant difference when I got my fourth month jab. It has made my head feel lighter and improved my ability to think. Akathisia has been and gone and I no longer have any movement side effects. It has eliminated my psychosis, eased my anxiety and overall improved the quality of my life. I'm extremely thankful to be on this medication."

• RamiJ...
• November 17, 2015

Invega (paliperidone) "I am living a productive, symptom-free life because of Invega shot 4 years, 6 mg pill for 1. Now a college grad, off disability, full-time job (40k) at an investment bank all made possible by Invega. I was severely sick and now I haven't been for 5 years. It took a couple of hospitalizations, several lost jobs, and even jail (which was a turning point) to find Invega. I did 3 full-time years in college and got a 3.9 in finance. The only side effects I've had are slightly high cholesterol and weight gain, which for me is somewhat manageable with diet although for what I eat I'd be 20 pounds less. I am now crystal clear and have zero symptoms. Life changer."

• Salty
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2023

Invega (paliperidone) "Such a horrible horrible evil drug made me depressed, caused erectile dysfunction, made me puke, made my eyesight worse, made my brain feel foggy, and causes me to itch and sweat profusely. Mucks around with my whole nervous system it needs to be taken off the market! This company and its supporters should be sued immediately."

• Ellie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I have felt very tired and just lethargic and lost interest in the Bible which I once loved with a great passion. No one will take me at my word and have tried to get off this medication but the doctor and my family won't let me even after I told them how much I don't like it. I have no periods have high prolactin and hand tremors in my right hand. Feel like sleeping all the time and would do anything to stop taking this medication. It is poison and should be taken off the market and never given to anyone. I'd rather hear voices than feel like I do on this medication. "

• Nikki...
• December 28, 2015

Invega (paliperidone) "I have been suffering major depression for over 10 years and Zoloft took the edge off but I was still extremely depressed. I had mood swings and disorganized thinking, speech problems by being unable to articulate what I mean, paranoia and so forth. I was originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder but the diagnoses didn't fit. I also was diagnosed with Aspergers. I took a personality and general mental health test by a professional psychologist and the results were tallied by a computer. I have schizoaffective disorder. I showed my results to my psychiatrist and she's prescribed invega. My depression is gone, I laugh and tell jokes, I can think clearly now and my relationship with my husband has never been better. Thank you!"

• Janac
• August 31, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I honestly feel like I've been misdiagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, but I've been taking this medication for almost two years. Currently at 117mg every four weeks. I feel like I've become a completely different person than before I started Invega Sustenna. I have no passion for anything, no emotion, no ideas or input or anything to say to anyone, and my energy for life overall is just flat. So flat. I constantly feel like I only do things to appease people and appear like a normal person. Only the people closest to me, like my family, recognize that I'm no longer the person I used to be. I have hopes that I'll be able to stop this medication someday... and that when I stop, I'll be able to recollect whatever is left of who I used to be. I don't know if I'd recommend this medication. But if you ever find yourself on it, take note of your side effects earlier on so you have record of it to tell your psychiatrist. Then maybe stopping will be easier, if that's what you want to do."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "This drug has ruined my life. It caused me to lactate. Even 4 months later off the medicine, I am still lactating and my prolactin got even higher! I had an MRI and it didn't show a pituitary tumor, which this drug can cause. I am now being referred to a neurosurgeon because nobody knows what to do and nobody knows how my prolactin can still be so high. A few years ago, my pituitary gland was symmetrical, but ever since being on Invega, my pituitary gland is asymmetrical. One side is bigger than the other. This drug caused my pituitary to change its shape. On top of that, I lost my periods completely, so now I'm infertile. It also made me eat like a horse and gain weight. My life is ruined. Beware of this drug."

• beck
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2020

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "I've been on this drug Invega Sustenna for the last 5 years. I've gained 65 lbs, I'm 5'4" tall. I'm restless, have liver problems, memory problems. I don't know which symptoms it is treating. I do not hallucinate. I originally got diagnosed with bipolar disorder 23 years ago, because I could not sleep at night. This drug is horrible and there are no benefits from it."

• falle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "A big warning about this drug...it completely stopped all functioning and thought . I was on it for Bipolar disorder which it isn't registered for. I felt destroyed by this drug and my life robbed from me over a misdiagnosis. I gained 30 kgs, have a prolactanoma, obesity ,pre diebetes, serious liver conditions just to name a few that have shortened my life and have left me without any quality of life. Horrible drug that cannot be made available to so many fickle and uncaring doctors. I still experience pain 24/7.e How this drug was ever passed is something to think about and it should only be prescribed to schizophrenics or people with schizoaffective disorder anyway!!!!"

• Franky
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2018

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "Do not take this medicine. So far I have lost all my ambition, energy, personality, and my emotions. I am tired all the time, and have random muscle spasms all through my body. It makes it really hard to feel things, I feel like I have to try to feel things it's really weird. I have been taking the injection for 6 months now and I'm a complete zombie, I have no social life, sex drive, and imagination. This medicine destroys the human body, it is poison and needs to be discontinued. I'd much rather hear voices and hallucinate then be on this medication."

• Stephen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2023

Invega (paliperidone) "At first, I was reluctant about starting this medication, but my doctor insisted and now, after being on it for 2-3 years, my life has greatly improved. I acknowledge that this drug may not work for everyone, but for me, it has been exactly what I needed. My eating habits have become healthier, replacing soda and iced tea with mostly water. I've reduced my smoking and increased my exercise. My job is going well, and I have more financial stability than ever before. Additionally, my sleep has improved, and my sex drive has remained relatively unchanged. I used to be heavily involved in hip-hop music and writing lyrics, but since starting the medication, I haven't pursued that passion. However, I wouldn't trade the positive changes I've experienced for anything. Although 2019 was a challenging year for me, four years later, I have found true inner peace."

• NKano
• November 18, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "At first it didn't seem that bad taking invega. I got the shot once a month. I was in the psych ward for paranoia and delusions. Hallucinations had subsided. They told me they would hold me at the V.A. for four months if I didn't take the shot. They used psychological manipulation to get me to "agree." Six months later I'm 60 lbs overweight, depressed, and tired beyond belief. All I want to do is lay down and close my eyes. Today I woke up about 11:00 am, got out of bed for an hour, went and laid back down till about 4 pm, then got up to make myself something to eat, then laid down till 6, got up for another hour then right back to bed. This is my daily routine on this nightmarish drug. I'm taking one class in school and can't afford to withdraw off of it right now, but in a month I will graduate and finally get off this terrible drug forever. It makes me want to do nothing in life nor could I work taking this medication. It has ruined a year of my life. I'd rather have symptoms."

• Juno
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "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 medications absolutely. You will over eat, gain a little weight, have restless night and sleep all afternoon, you will have restless leg syndrome where you just can’t sit still. It takes about a month and 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 littler 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."

• poopm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "This medication is the worst. Do not take it. You will have no feelings, no thoughts, no sex drive. Please do not take this drug in any circumstance. It does not help at all. It actually makes you worse. It makes you lose your mind on the daily. It makes you hallucinate daily. You don't want that. Do not take this medication in shot or pill form. 0 stars. Horrible drug. Way too expensive and does not work at all."

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

Invega Sustenna (paliperidone) "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."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

Invega (paliperidone) "Horrible drug. Made me antsy and severely depressed. I enjoy being off my meds and I love the high I get when I'm unmedicated. Please don't take meds if you wanna feel good. I'm better off my meds and plus I enjoy the high"

• Natron
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

Invega (paliperidone) "I've been on Invega now for 2 months, it has stop the hallucinations and delusions but has also increased my depression. I feel emotionally numb and am tired all the time. I also can't exercise like I used to, to tired to even walk. I'm still adjusting to this new med so Hopefully things will settle down."