Anyone take Invega? and what is it for?

Hello,

I did a search with mostly limited and older posts. I was hoping that perhaps this has been prescribed a bit more since.

I was curious what people thought of it.

As well, I am very confused about it. I was prescribed it after my first visit to a pdoc and have no idea what it is even for? Is it used to treat a variety of illness or only one? I am really trying to understand what is wrong with me in the typical "label" approach. It would help me study a more specific area for self help. I was hoping now that I was perscribed something, that the perscription may shed light on what I may be sufferig from.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. The Perscription paper is sitting on my desk and I am not filling it until I know more.

Thank you,

Oldsoul

I dont take Invega, but I do know that it is classified as an antipsychotic, but psychosis can just be a symptom of another disorder. This med can be used to treat several different disorders. Definately call your Dr. to find out why he prescribed this med for you. Communication is key and you need to start treatment as soon as you can. Glad you are reaching out. Be well.

Its a "typical" (meaning 1st generation-been around for 40 years) antipsychotic. I took it for a while and it really does help with my psychotic tendencies and helped to dramatically slow my racing thoughts and behaviors. I have bipolar and was prescribed it because of that. It was very effective for me, but unfortunately, at the level I needed to take, it made me extremely sleepy. This isn't the case for everyone, so you would really need to try it before you decide if you dislike the side effects. I have a 9 year old son, so I cannot be falling asleep all day long and incapacitated all the time, otherwise, I would probably still be taking it.

Did you get prescribed anything else?

I know that my psychiatrist tends to avoid labels because I obsess about the label and get sort of weirder...others just generally don't like to give labels at all...perhaps this is the case with your pdoc? I would ask him why he's giving it to you. And then give the med a try, it may help you.

Invega is classified as an atypical antipsychotic. You can learn more about it here:

http://invega.com

I use to take it for hallucinations & delusions. I had to quit taking it because insurance stopped covering it so now I take Clozaril. But Invega is a great medication. It also worked well for bipolar, anxiety, and sleep.

In addition to the Invega, I needed a medicine called Artane to counter the side effects.

Best of luck with Invega.

Ok, good to know. I don't have a Doctor, just the saw the Pdoc at the hospital. He never mentioned any Dx, quite a short visit considering I have no history on paper and it was my first visit ever. Maybe he wants to shed light after the Rx kicks in? I was just concerned because I wont be monitored while on it.

I see, ok, will keep that in mind too. He did not prescribe anything else. I tried to explain that I have come as far as possible med free, and am looking for understanding and the option for meds, but I guess he did not not take it as I meant.

THANK you that site helped allot. It certainly makes me think I should be monitored while on it. I have a history of seizures, and serious memory issues... which now to mention it, he asked about, yet still decided to write me up a Rx for it, knowing I have no family doctor and live alone.

Decisions, lol.

Thank you all very much.

It made me swell up like a balloon.

Oh ya! I totally forgot about that (though how can I forget such an awful side effect?), it also caused some vision problems for me.

Swell up as in "swell up", or gain permanent weight?

I am confident I can modify my training to keep cut and in shape if its just a minor weight gain. But if it causes you to swell, I had an episode once with a drug when I was bodybuilding that made me swell up. It concerned me, It was suggested that I was more sensitive to.... cant remember the clinical terms.

0ldsoul

Like retain water all the time, swell up, for me. It just makes you weird and puffy. I believe this is also what caused vision problems for me.

yeah retain water. i gained 30lbs because of it. But have since lost it since i got off the med and started going to the gym.

Well I figured I would give my thoughts on the drug now that I am on it.

Not much to report, little change and no side effects. Its been almost a month. I have nothing bad to sat about it, and feel a very "small" change. I did gain 25 pounds in the last FEW months, but I also quite drinking caffien cold turky mid jaunuary, so I am sure its a combination of the two as the wight gain started in january. I decided to take care of that and got back to my target wieght with little effort, so at least the wieght gain was managable.

I may be noticing a bit of a delayed response, but nothing dangerous, milaseconds if anything. I just seem to get hit a bit more in martial arts, nothing more.

I have a history of high tolerence to things so I am assuming I need an increase from 3mg to something higher. If and when I get that I will update.

oldsoul.