Sick of the guessing game!

My current medication I am maxed out on, and it's been working. (12mg Invega) but it's making my hormones really wonky so I have to change medications again.

So, I'm getting really tired of finally finding a medication that helps keep me stable, but then having hormone side effects and having to try something else. When I was last in transition from Risperdal to Abilify, I ended up in the hospital because I got so out of control. Plus, the Abilify made me so sick.

I'm starting to run out of options for antipsychotics with little to no weight gain risks and low side effects. I'm also starting to think that maybe I can handle myself without medication. If I am closely monitored by my therapist, maybe I can go without all medication, right?

So my question is, is it a good idea to try lowering the dose of my Invega and just dealing with my symptoms without medication? I don't want to put myself at risk to go back to the hospital, but I can't stay on my medication anymore unless it ruins my hormones and make things worse for me in the future....

So, should I try the other medication and risk hospital once more? Or should I just quit all medication and risk hospital again anyway? I hope I make sense. It's just I'm so sick of finding my miracle med, and then finding out it's not good for my body and then having to go through rough transitions again.

Can you talk to your therapist about it? If they would need to be monitoring you and know you well then they are probably the best person to talk to about how well they think you will manage without meds.

They should be able to go through the pros- and cons- of each situation with you and help you to decide

Do you also, suffer from PMDD? Have you discussed your hormonal concerns with you doctor?

Has your thyroid levels been checked, recently? Is your body, going through changes? Or are you dealing with other stressors in life, that seemed compounded monthly?? I am a bit confused, about medications interacting with a woman's hormones, other than sometimes, meds can interfere, physically, in that aspect.

From this, it reads not to come off the med, without being under dr's supervision, even if you are feeling better.

>>Rare Side Effects

Paliperidone may increase the blood levels of a hormone called prolactin. Side effects of increased prolactin levels include females losing their period<<
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | About Medication

Thankyou!

I will definitely tell my therapist what I'm thinking. She pretty much monitors how I'm doing already, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Thank you for the information. I have talked a little about my cicerone with my pdoc, he strongly recommends I try another medication, but I'm really sick of all these medications.

I don't have PMDD, but when I had my bloods done earlier this week my prolactin levels were high. Apparently my prolactin level is what it would be for a pregnant/nursing woman and if I continue taking the medication my period may stop soon and everything will be messed up. I don't want that to happen and honestly I don't want to try anymore medications because I don't want to get out of control again.

What does 'high prolactin levels' mean?

I hear you about concerns about elevated prolactin levels. Sometimes, meds, have some strange side effects and the side effects don't always outweigh the benefits of the medicine itself. Really, anything produced in excess, especially something in your pituitary glands, doesn't sound like it's good to have going on in your body.

Think, you are ready, to approach life, med free? Do you have coping strategies, in place? Keep us, posted.

Are you taking the Invega for psychosis? What symptoms are you most worried will return if you lower the dose?

So sorry to hear! I love Latuda but I'm on it for bipolar mood swings!

Yes, I am taking it for psychosis from schizoaffective disorder.
I'm most worried that my voices and paranoia will return if I stop or switch medication. I've only been stable for about two months now and I don't want to break that streak. I tend to have a hard time switching medications. I think every time I've had to switch medication, I had to do it while in the hospital because I get so out of control when changing. So, I think it may be best to just cut out my antipsychotic altogether. Maybe incorporate better skills to help me manage the psychosis instead of medication? It sounded like a good plan in my head, but when I try to explain it it doesn't sound as good.

Is Latuda an antipsychotic or a mood stabilizer? I'm glad it's working for you! I have heard of it, but I don't know much about it.

Hey Kori-it's an antipsychotic. I love it since it works great and is also weight neutral!! Best of luck!!

Thanks! I will definitely check into Latuda.

I called my psychiatrist and told him that I'd prefer to stay on my current medication instead of changing or I'd prefer to come off my antipsychotic altogether and he and I came to the agreement that we can try lowering the dossier the Invega that I'm taking now and see how I do at a lower dose. He also said he's feel comfortable getting my prolactin at a certain level that might be achievable if we lower the dose, so I think I want to give that a try instead of switching to a new medication.

Please do not stop an antipsychotic cold turkey. If you want to lower the dose or attempt to discontinue all together, you need to do so through a slow taper. You're body needs time to adjust to the change in dose.

It's an antipsychotic, which is used as a mood stabilizer. For me the AAP's like Latuda help stablize my mood on a daily bases. Whereas an anti-convulsant like Lamictal, just helps keep the depression from recurring! I'm an ultra rapid cycler so my mood changes hourly, where Lamictal helps, but Latuda is life saving, especially for agitation. Best of luck!!

Sorry to bump this again. I spoke to my therapist yesterday and we talked about me having the dosage of my invega lowered. Since I was going to start trauma therapy soon we're going to have to wait until I'm completely stable.

I'm definiely not going to stop cold turkey. I'm working with my psychiatrist to find the right dose or the right medication.

Thankyou so much for the information! Unfortunately, I don't have a huge issue with mood swings, so I don't know if it will work for me as well. But I have been checking it out. Thanks again for the information.