I was on invega sustenna for 18 months or so and now I’m on invega trinza. I seem to have a hard time enjoying anything but I’m not sure if it’s a symptom of the invega or just a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Or maybe even a symptom of depression. Anyone else who has experience with invega have any similar symptoms? I’m getting really tempted to get off the drugs. No enjoyment in life is unbearable, but I don’t want to slip into psychosis either.
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I take sustena I still get joy from things its just harder to get into them
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I don’t know if it ever helped my symptoms, but the side effects weren’t bad for me as I really never noticed them much. I preferred going in and taking a shot every once in while to taking pills every night too. But, really I would rather not take an AP, but people coerce me into it.
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I have been on invega sustenna for almost 4 years. I am on 50 mg. I don’t know personally for me if its the injection or just depression from having schizoprenia and being 36 years old living with parents. I just can’t shake my depresion. I hate being 200lbs and I hate living with parents. Overally I am thanful for the medication because it has kept me out the hospital for 4 years where as before I was going in every year. I have heard from others that invega is a terrible drug and causes depression and ahedonia.
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i was on sustenna for 3 years or more and have been on trinza for 4 months now. the first year and a half of sustenna was terrible. the only joy i had was eating and i put on 30 pounds. all i did was sit on the couch. then after about a year and half i started to get emotions back and my anhedonia started to lift. im still not as joyous as before, but i don’t often get depressed anymore. i love trinza so far, im not even getting night time voices like i had on sustenna. and also im losing weight, almost back to my pre medicated weight. im almost happy i would say, and have been able to workout some even. they say sustenna and trinza are the same thing, but for some reason the trinza is much more effective for me. im on the highest dose though.
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Next to nobody likes invega sustenna. I was left on it for years until I got a new pdoc. She had many people complaining they didn’t feel well on it. So she put me on latuda. If you are a person who needs to be on an injection. There are people who seem to prefer the ablify injection.
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My situation is very similar to yours November. I can’t tell if its the drug, the schizophrenia or depression but I want to do something to get out of this rut. I’m 47 years old and had to move back in with my parents as well. Although I’ve got disability now and could move again if I choose to. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia very late in life. I was like 40 before I started having my first episodes of psychosis.
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Yes, switching drugs might be an alternative to just getting off Invega cold turkey. I’ve got about a month before my next shot so I have some time to think about it. Thanks for the input.
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It’s encouraging to hear that your anhedonia started to lift after a year and a half, Lifer. Thats a little less than I’ve been on it. I too still enjoy food as well, very little else. If I decide to get another 3 month shot maybe it will get better in that span of time, like yours. I don’t know what to do. I can’t decide between getting off the shot, switching AP’s or giving it some more time. I know I can’t go on like this too much longer though. Thanks for your story though.
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I used to take Invega shots for some years. I experienced the lack of enjoyment and was really low most of the time. Now I’m more of my old self with ups and downs and emotional responses after switching to Abilify Maintena 400mg. It’s been a year since my last Invega shot.
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Thank you for the information 1Dave. I left my doctor a message today. I think I’m going to switch.
I went off Invega 6 mo this ago. When symptoms began rearing their head I asked around and then asked my doc for Abilify Maintena. He decided Aristada would fit sza better. I can’t describe how happy I am to have changed. I feel more like myself,clear headed, and stable. I’m on 441 mg, aristada is very similar to Abilify but is best for sz where Abikify is best for bipolar symptoms.
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Thanks for the info DearZombie
Your dr is blown smoke up your ass foreals… basically the same thing only time release is different…