Coming off Invega/Xeplion (paliperidone) injections v11

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I hope one day when all this passes, I can resume my life. As of now, under the effects of Invega- I find it difficult to do anything. As the months go on and this drug leaves my system, hopefully I can get better.
Mark the 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 8 months AFTER the first month of NOT having a shot. on your calendar. 4 quarters make a dollar. Gives you something to look forward to and reminds you progress is happening. Mark even every month to if you want but put a star next to those.

I found that the progress is exponential. 4 months is twice as good as 2 months. 6 months twice as good as 4. And 8 twice as good as 6. This may be due to the half life.

That was my experience. Dont be discouraged if yours is different. Some take 1 to 2 years. I myself still have a lot more to go. But im not in that miserable zombie stage.
 
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Have any of you tried drinking alcohol or beer after getting the Invega Sustenna injection?

Please share the pros and cons.

I've never tried drinking alcohol before, but if it helps increase dopamine levels, I'm willing to give it a try.
Me! (Hand raised). I found the withdrawl gave me great anxiety and I wasnt about to get on another pill and have compound side effects. Wanted to just heal. But alcohol would manage my anxiety. It indeed helped with that. Alcohol affects GABA reception in brain. Calming effect.

Alcohol also has more of a "love" effect. I believe i read it helps release oxytocin. (Think of how you will see drunk men at a bar telling each other over and over they love each other and are brothers) but one wrong word and its dr. Jekyll to mr hyde. (Alcoholic rage)

So far as dopamine yeah im sure there is. Didnt get that affect until much later. Maybe 4 to 6 months when i was in a window. A mania it can put you in sometimes at least for me.

That being said alcohol has major downsides. Its addictive. You always want more. You wake up feeling like shit. It may help anxiety but also causes it the next day. And for anxiety you become dependent on it. People look down on you for drinking all the time even if you are self medicating. Its dangerous to drive with it. It destroys every organ in your body. While at work you will have to take many burning liquid brown bathroom breaks. Makes your joints ache. Kills testosterone levels and damages your brain. I am a guilty addict as I havent found anything better for my anxiety yet. Its the price i pay for relief but i borrow from my future.

If you never drank. Stay away. Find something else. My advice.

One of the quickest and surest ways to F up your life all over again.

Alcohol shuts down the frontal cortex which is one of the main components you need to be repairing. Find productive tasks that release dopamine naturally.
 
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Guys i wanted to share that officially ive lost all the weight ive gained from the medication. 8 months.

Many of you, like i had, look in the mirror and say wtf is this me? The disgust and the lack of self esteem. But the D2 receptors being blocked increase prolactin, decrease testosterone, elevate estrogen, and increase your appetite. This causes rapid weight gain.

After the D2 receptors are nolonger blocked your body approaches a more correct and natural homeostasis. Your appetite fades, your metabolism increases. It takes time but you get in a calorie deficit. It will all fall off if you especially if you are young. I didnt even do a lot of exercise other than work.
 
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For those worried about man boobs due to the elevated prolactin, it can easily be counteracted with proper supplements and some prescriptions. If you catch it early enough the tissue is not mature (not fibrous) and will go away. 1 to 2 year window you have for that.

Methods to Lower Prolactin & Reverse Early Gynecomastia

1. Medication Adjustment (Most Important)

· Mechanism: Directly addresses the root cause—the dopamine D2 receptor blockade from the antipsychotic.
· Method: Prescription. Your doctor may:
· Reduce the dose of your current AP.
· Switch to a prolactin-sparing AP (e.g., Aripiprazole, Brexpiprazole, Quetiapine, Clozapine).
· Add Aripiprazole: Low-dose (2-5 mg) aripiprazole can partially block the prolactin-raising effect of other APs due to its unique pharmacology.

2. Prescription Dopamine Agonists

· Mechanism: Directly stimulate dopamine receptors in the pituitary, counteracting the AP's effect and signaling it to stop producing prolactin.
· Method: Prescription.
· Cabergoline: Typical dose 0.25 mg - 1.0 mg per week. Highly effective and well-tolerated.
· Bromocriptine: Less commonly used now due to more side effects.

3. Key Supplements & OTC Aids

· Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl or P-5-P)
· Mechanism: Acts as a cofactor in dopamine synthesis, potentially increasing dopamine to counter high prolactin. P-5-P is the active form.
· Dosage: 100-300 mg daily. Start lower. P-5-P form is often preferred.
· Vitamin E
· Mechanism: Studies show it can significantly lower prolactin levels, possibly by enhancing dopamine activity.
· Dosage: 400-800 IU daily.
· Zinc
· Mechanism: Can lower prolactin and is involved in testosterone metabolism.
· Dosage: 25-50 mg daily (elemental zinc). Can be combined with copper (2-4 mg) for long-term use.

4. Lifestyle & Dietary Interventions

· Stress Reduction (Cortisol Control)
· Mechanism: Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can increase prolactin.
· Methods: Mindfulness, meditation, adequate sleep.
· Regular Exercise
· Mechanism: Intense exercise can boost testosterone and dopamine, indirectly helping to modulate prolactin.
· Dietary Changes
· Mechanism: Avoid foods that act as phytoestrogens (e.g., soy, flaxseed) which may contribute to gynecomastia. Ensure adequate protein and healthy fats for hormone production.

5. Medical Procedures (If tissue persists despite normalized prolactin) - check Turkey and India for way cheap procedures

· Mechanism: Physical removal of glandular tissue.
· Method: Prescription/Surgical. Liposuction or Surgical gland excision are permanent solutions if gynecomastia does not resolve on its own after 6-12 months of normalized hormone levels.
 
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Dopamine-Elevating Activities (Ordered by Effect)

1. Intense Exercise - Very High | Difficulty: High

2. Major Goal Achievement - High | Difficulty: Very High

3. Video Gaming - Mod-High | Difficulty: Low-Mod

4. Learning a Skill - Moderate | Difficulty: Mod-High

5. Music/Art - Moderate | Difficulty: Trivial

6. Palatable Food - Moderate | Difficulty: Trivial

7. Social Connection - Moderate | Difficulty: Low-Mod

8. Task Completion - Low-Mod | Difficulty: Low

9. Quality Sleep - Foundational | Difficulty: Variable

10. Sunlight Exposure - Foundational | Difficulty: Trivial

11. Meditation - Foundational | Difficulty: Mod-High

12. Proper Nutrition - Foundational | Difficulty: Low

*Cannot overemphasize positive social interaction. Go out with friends/find a volunteer group. Go outside and see good people face to face. Comedy is great too.
 
Id also like to state to those unaware that dopamine isnt the end all be all to being "high" and enjoying life. There are other neurotransmitters to hack and take advantage of:

Serotonin (affected by invega, but low levels cause depression, anxiety, and lack of confidence)

These should be easier to feel as they are not blocked by invega:

GABA (calmness)

Endorphins (runners high, basically your bodys own morphine/opioid)

Oxytocin (love and bonding hormone, think pets, family, significant other, true friends)

Adrenaline (the rush from doing intense risk or perceived risk taking activities like sky diving or roller coasters)

Noradrenaline (experiencing something new, very similar to above but more pleasurable)

Endocannibinoids (content and bliss, exercise, meditation, social connection)

Hack these to feel good while your dopamine reception is low.
 
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Well I started actually using my CPAP (for the Sleep Apnea that I got from gaining weight on Invega Trinza…UGH)!

I feel so much better now! I don’t feel like I am dying all the time!

Oh, and the Pharmacy automatically refilled my Vyvanse Prescription so I am having fun and hyper focusing and everything!

I am going to cancel the MH Worker I have coming over to my home because I kinda do feel outta it. Telling her I am sick and rescheduling.
 
Mark the 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 8 months AFTER the first month of NOT having a shot. on your calendar. 4 quarters make a dollar. Gives you something to look forward to and reminds you progress is happening. Mark even every month to if you want but put a star next to those.

I found that the progress is exponential. 4 months is twice as good as 2 months. 6 months twice as good as 4. And 8 twice as good as 6. This may be due to the half life.

That was my experience. Dont be discouraged if yours is different. Some take 1 to 2 years. I myself still have a lot more to go. But im not in that miserable zombie stage.
It would certainly be nice if I would get some relief at 4 months. The only improvements, I have is that my jaw doesn’t clench anymore and my restless leg has pretty much stopped. I have akathisia and anhedonia still.
 
It would certainly be nice if I would get some relief at 4 months. The only improvements, I have is that my jaw doesn’t clench anymore and my restless leg has pretty much stopped. I have akathisia and anhedonia still.
Akathisia resolved for me after a few months, you’ll hopefully see improvements soon. I think anhedonia will take longer, maybe no improvements until 6 month mark.
 
Akathisia resolved for me after a few months, you’ll hopefully see improvements soon. I think anhedonia will take longer, maybe no improvements until 6 month mark.
Thanks for the response. I think maybe my jaw stopping clenching and my restless leg clearing up are early stages of akathisia starting to wear off, but I could be wrong.

I think waiting for the Anhedonia to wear off will be much easier when I no longer have akathisia, as right now it’s tough.
 
Weed. it was terrible I had a panic attack.

This whole story is fucking meaningless I am a worthless pos I deserve to die honestly
 
Weed. it was terrible I had a panic attack.

This whole story is fucking meaningless I am a worthless pos I deserve to die honestly
I had a panic attack and I almost fell into psychosis when I tried to smoke while on the shots. I’ve stayed away from it since. If I do it, I’ll likely be readmitted and injected with Invega again.

I like your updates on the forum and would hate to see you go. Hopefully you will find some improvements soon.
 
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