Peculiar side effect (for ladies)

My navane is causing me to lactate. My period was just 3 days of spotting because of this. My pdoc wants me to stay on it because she is afraid that stopping it will destabilize me. It is very strange.

Risperdal did this to me so my Pdoc took me off.

Increased levels of prolactin is a fairly common side effects of some anti psychotics...and not just in women but men as well! But I think women are probably more prone to these side effects as high levels of prolactin can trick your body into thinking it is pregnant or nursing.

^^^ This. Prolactin increase for either gender can cause the same potential problems/symptoms. In addition to lactation, breast enlargement can also occur. This one, of course, is a bit more awkward if men develop it.

I have the same issue on invega. I've had one period in the last nine months. My prolactin is 103 whereas it should be around 25. The worst part is it has caused me to gain almost 70 pounds. I can deal with the missing period and occasional lasctation but the extreme weight gain is really getting me down. Unless I stick to a strict 1500 calories a day diet, I gain weight. And I don't lose any weight ever. I've gone off diet for most of December and I'm sure I've packed on another 20 pounds.

My pdoc is insisting that I go to an endocrinologist but I'm absolutely terrified of getting an MRI so I don't want to. I'm considering coming off invega even though it's been the best drug for me for mania/mixed states. It sucks when you have to choose between your physical and mental health. Can't have both.

Many years ago, Risperdal caused me to lactate. It was very frightening to me. I think I stopped taking it and switched to another med. I have also had certain meds cause my periods to be quite late.

I have a very good diet (minus this holiday season) so I have not gained as a result of this lactation but I feel your pain. I gained 80 lbs from meds and have only lost 30 lbs of that (probably gained 5 back during the holiday season). It is SO discouraging and a total challenge to weigh the weight vs mental health. I just want to explain to everyone (I don't) that I am only overweight because of my meds, especially those who have seen me at a healthy weight my entire life and have no idea about my bipolar. I hate it! I hope this gets better for you soon and that you are able to find peace in the midst.

It scares me too. My pdoc didn't want to risk destabilizing me when I have just become stable (or so I thought) so we opted to continue the med. Knowing it has minimal effect on my hormones in general and that it can't hurt me makes me feel better.

When I was on 6 mgs of invega I stopped having my period. I didn't lactate but did stop having my period. Now on 3 mgs I'm having it again.

I too gained weight on meds. I gained on Seroquel then on a high dose of zyprexa. I've lost about 50 lbs. But I think I've gained some back in the last couple of months. I'm thinking about doing slim fast. I get so hungry at night tho when I take the zyprexa. It sucks...

Yes! I just want to tell everyone that I KNOW I've gained a massive amount of weight and it's not my fault! Not entirely anyway.

My pdoc wants me to switch to invega... just no, especially now.

cash - If a med was making me lactate I'd be off it fast.