Have you taken Invega?

I'm on the Invega Sustenna injection, 117 mgs. I've gained 50 pounds since being on the medication. Did you gain weight on it? I want my doctor to put me back on Lithium but I'm getting ready to start school this summer and afraid of the psychotic symptoms coming back. I used to be thin and athletic, now I have a belly and back fat which is depressing. Any advice?

It was once suggested to me as a med that doesn't cause weight gain but my research indicates weight gain is common. Have you discussed this with your prescribing physician? I'm so sorry about the weight gain, especially if the med is working. I'm working on body acceptance right now as weight gain may just be a side effect I have to accept. It sucks but is what it is I guess. If you have other meds you can try, it might be worth it but I understand the dilemma or not wanting to fool with something that's working. (((Hugs)))

My doctor told me it doesn't cause weight gain but after doing research like you I've discovered it's notorious for it. I work out 4 days a week and eat healthy but can't lose weight. I see her next month and will print out some of the testimonials I've found about weight gain. I was on Lithium for 5 years and it worked like a charm except about 3 years ago I started having hallucinations and delusions.

I'm so sorry for the delusions and hallucinations. I get delusions too and it a whole mother animal and I'm deeply sorry you must go through this unreality too. I'm sorry lithium pooped out on you. I'm currently taking Saphris and so far it hasn't caused the bloating and weight gain that other AP's have caused me....I'm so scared it won't work out but hope it does cause I've had ZERO side effects so far which is just amazing. Good luck on your decision and keep us posted on your progress.

Have you gotten your prolactin levels checked? I didn't gain weight for the first 1.5 years I was on it but suddenly stopped having my period and gained 70 pounds. Turns out my prolactin is sky high and that's what caused the weight gain.

A few meds I took caused my period to stop and my breasts to become tender all the time.....sounds like it may have been this prolactin stuff so if it happens again I will ask to have that checked.

I was reading about Prolactin yesterday. My doctor hasn't checked those levels yet but I will request those labs. My period has also ceased which I'm concerned about.

Thank you for suggesting to get my prolactin levels checked. Mine were very high. The normal range is 0 to 26, mine were 101! I will now see an endocrinologist. After you got your prolactin levels checked did you get them under control and did the weight come off? Also, when your prolactin levels were high did you have problems with your memory or cognitive abilities? I feel that I'm thinking a lot slower and haven't had an explanation.

I didn't get into an endocrinologist until just a couple of weeks ago. My pdoc started treatment with bromocriptine but I never got labs again so I don't know if it's helping. I'm on the lowest dose and I'm still missing my period some months so I'm gonna guess that it needs to be increased. My endocrinologist hasn't got back to me with test results from my blood draw two weeks ago (which I'm very annoyed by) so I don't have any answers yet. I'm calling tomorrow or Monday so hopefully I will be able to get an answer and get treatment started. I'm also prediabetic (due to the rapid weight gain or possibly the invega, as that's another side effect) so that makes it difficult to lose weight as well. My endocrinologist said he might start me on metformin if my insulin levels are still high. I'm hoping I'll be able to lose some weight once I get started on the right meds.

If I were able to motivate myself to stick to strict low carb I would be more successful with weight loss but I just can't get my head right.

I didn't notice any cognitive or memory issues, but my memory is crap naturally and from several rounds of ECT so I probably wouldn't notice anyway.

I'm on invega and im sick and tired of the side effects. I've gained 30 pounds in the last 3 months and it makes me so mad. Im down to 50mg and am hoping it starts leaving my system soon.

Get your prolactin levels checked. Do you have to wean yourself off of Invega? Is that why you are on 50 mg or can you quit cold turkey?