Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Morgan Lewis said:Hey everyone!

Quick question about meds—I’ve been getting Xplore depot injections for about three and a half years now. On top of that, I’ve been on Zyprexa for way longer than that.
The therapy works for me, honestly, but man, the constant poking and prodding is starting to get under my skin... it's just getting old. Has anyone here actually made the switch from injections back to pills?
And if I did, what would the alternative even look like? Maybe Risperdal?

It seems like almost every antipsychotic medication comes in two different formats—either as a pill you take daily or as an injection—and that’s certainly the case with Xplore. The generic name for Xplore is paliperidone, and when it's produced in its tablet form, it's actually known as... I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately reflecting on my experience with Invega, trying to make sense of how it actually sits with me. It’s one of those medications that feels like a bit of a balancing act, isn't it? On one hand, there's the relief it provides, but then you have to navigate those inevitable side effects that seem to follow it around. I find myself weighing the pros and cons more often than I'd like, just trying to find that sweet spot where I feel steady without feeling completely unlike myself. It's a bit of a journey, I suppose, and I'm still figuring out my own pace with it.Risperdal is just another antipsychotic option on the table.
You know, you can always have a conversation with your psychiatrist about transitioning back to medication if you feel like that’s what works better for you.
I recently made the switch from Abilify maintenance injections over to Azolar tablets, mostly because my job keeps me out in the field so much that tracking down a clinic for monthly shots just wasn't practical anymore. To be honest, I haven't noticed any real difference in how they work; for me, it really just comes down to what fits my lifestyle better. At the end of the day, some people find it much easier to just handle one injection a month, while others—like myself—find daily pills much more convenient.

Harold Anderson3 said:It seems like almost every antipsychotic medication comes in two different formats—either as a pill you take daily or as an injection—and that’s certainly the case with Xplore. The generic name for Xplore is paliperidone, and when it's produced in its tablet form, it's actually known as... I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately reflecting on my experience with Invega, trying to make sense of how it actually sits with me. It’s one of those medications that feels like a bit of a balancing act, isn't it? On one hand, there's the relief it provides, but then you have to navigate those inevitable side effects that seem to follow it around. I find myself weighing the pros and cons more often than I'd like, just trying to find that sweet spot where I feel steady without feeling completely unlike myself. It's a bit of a journey, I suppose, and I'm still figuring out my own pace with it.Risperdal is just another antipsychotic option on the table.
You know, you can always have a conversation with your psychiatrist about transitioning back to medication if you feel like that’s what works better for you.
I recently made the switch from Abilify maintenance injections over to Azolar tablets, mostly because my job keeps me out in the field so much that tracking down a clinic for monthly shots just wasn't practical anymore. To be honest, I haven't noticed any real difference in how they work; for me, it really just comes down to what fits my lifestyle better. At the end of the day, some people find it much easier to just handle one injection a month, while others—like myself—find daily pills much more convenient.

Do you happen to know if Invega is even available here in the States?

I’m honestly not entirely sure, Invega comes from Johnson & Johnson, but it's essentially the same medication as Parnid, which is manufactured by Pfizer. I suppose it's possible that Pfizer might even have their own version of paliperidone in tablet form out there somewhere.

Parnid hasn't actually hit the market here in the States. I honestly have no clue why—it feels like there’s just no paliperidone available in tablet form in America right now.

I have to admit, I actually felt way better on the depot injections than I do now that I've switched to taking the exact same medication in pill form. It’s the same combination they use for Diego—aripiprazole—and my doctor over at the Mayo Clinic even confirmed that for me...

fadedhound86 said:I have to admit, I actually felt way better on the depot injections than I do now that I've switched to taking the exact same medication in pill form. It’s the same combination they use for Diego—aripiprazole—and my doctor over at the Mayo Clinic even confirmed that for me...

That’s because the depot version keeps a steady level of the med in your bloodstream.

I remember someone mentioning how much the Xeplion shots sting—it’s pretty common to end up with some bruising after the injection, unfortunately. If you’re managing everything perfectly, maybe switching to tablets is an option, but honestly? From what I've seen with other people, about 90% of the time, control slips when they make the switch from depot to pills, and they usually end up heading right back to the injections anyway.

Is there any possibility that Xeplion could cause neuropathy as a side effect?

Nicole Booth25 said:Is there any possibility that Xeplion could cause neuropathy as a side effect?

Oh, absolutely... especially with most of those newer antipsychotics on the market. That’s why I personally stick to the older stuff like Moditen or Prasil... I just can't deal with the newer ones. Every single one I've tried has messed me up... my sinuses swell up, or my heart starts racing, or I get these pounding headaches that just won't quit. In my experience, the older medications really are better...🙂😵

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0425118/

This is such an incredible HBO series about twin brothers dealing with one brother's struggle with schizophrenia... honestly, I can't recommend it enough!

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fadedhound86 said:https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0425118/

This is such an incredible HBO series about twin brothers dealing with one brother's struggle with schizophrenia... honestly, I can't recommend it enough!

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Cases like this really highlight how much schizophrenia is tied to genetics.
When you look at identical twins, if one is diagnosed, there’s about a 50% chance the other will be too. In the other 50% of cases, the second twin stays perfectly healthy.
Honestly, I don't know who has it harder—the person living with the illness, or the sibling watching their twin go through it.

fadedhound86 said:https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0425118/

This is such an incredible HBO series about twin brothers dealing with one brother's struggle with schizophrenia... honestly, I can't recommend it enough!

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Watched it. Also recommend. Great acting.

Harold Anderson3 said:Cases like this really highlight how much schizophrenia is tied to genetics.
When you look at identical twins, if one is diagnosed, there’s about a 50% chance the other will be too. In the other 50% of cases, the second twin stays perfectly healthy.
Honestly, I don't know who has it harder—the person living with the illness, or the sibling watching their twin go through it.

Maybe the guy with the sick twin though...

ironrider11 said:Maybe the guy with the sick twin though...

To’s honestly what I’ve been thinking as well. If they aren't both dealing with it together, the weight feels so much heavier on the person who's healthy but watching a close family member suffer.

It really is such a difficult spot to be in...

Harold Anderson3 said:Cases like this really highlight how much schizophrenia is tied to genetics.
When you look at identical twins, if one is diagnosed, there’s about a 50% chance the other will be too. In the other 50% of cases, the second twin stays perfectly healthy.
Honestly, I don't know who has it harder—the person living with the illness, or the sibling watching their twin go through it.

That line you dropped really gave me something to chew on. I guess I’ve spent so much time stuck in my own head, feeling sorry for myself, that I didn't even realize how much my hospital stays, my outbursts, and those dark moments where I'd threaten to end it all actually took a toll on the people closest to me...

Man, this mental health stuff is just brutal... Even when you think you're finally in remission, it still haunts you...

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fadedhound86 said:That line you dropped really gave me something to chew on. I guess I’ve spent so much time stuck in my own head, feeling sorry for myself, that I didn't even realize how much my hospital stays, my outbursts, and those dark moments where I'd threaten to end it all actually took a toll on the people closest to me...

Man, this mental health stuff is just brutal... Even when you think you're finally in remission, it still haunts you...

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I know I've caused damage—mostly just to my own people. But that's just how this disease works, what can you do? It’s been a huge financial drain on them, too. I mean, they were constantly footing the bill for gas and travel just to come visit me at the hospital and stuff like that.

It's hard to call that "healthy." Unfortunately, I'm not even in remission right now. I'm more like in a plateau stage with the illness. I'll probably have another episode eventually, since I seem to end up hospitalized every couple of years or so.

It's been over two years since my last major episode, though. 🙂

fadedhound86 said:That line you dropped really gave me something to chew on. I guess I’ve spent so much time stuck in my own head, feeling sorry for myself, that I didn't even realize how much my hospital stays, my outbursts, and those dark moments where I'd threaten to end it all actually took a toll on the people closest to me...

Man, this mental health stuff is just brutal... Even when you think you're finally in remission, it still haunts you...

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Carol Barrett2 said:I know I've caused damage—mostly just to my own people. But that's just how this disease works, what can you do? It’s been a huge financial drain on them, too. I mean, they were constantly footing the bill for gas and travel just to come visit me at the hospital and stuff like that.

It's hard to call that "healthy." Unfortunately, I'm not even in remission right now. I'm more like in a plateau stage with the illness. I'll probably have another episode eventually, since I seem to end up hospitalized every couple of years or so.

It's been over two years since my last major episode, though. 🙂

That's just the reality of it. Honestly, plenty of "healthy" people have caused just as much damage to others, if not significantly more than "us." That's life, I suppose. You just have to bury whatever happened in the past, no matter how messy it was, and try to move forward.

Harold Anderson3 said:That's just the reality of it. Honestly, plenty of "healthy" people have caused just as much damage to others, if not significantly more than "us." That's life, I suppose. You just have to bury whatever happened in the past, no matter how messy it was, and try to move forward.

My older sister hasn't been officially diagnosed, but she’s got narcissism and a few other personality disorders going on. She basically spends her time tearing down everyone in her orbit, especially her own kids.

Matthew Castillo5 said:My older sister hasn't been officially diagnosed, but she’s got narcissism and a few other personality disorders going on. She basically spends her time tearing down everyone in her orbit, especially her own kids.

I remember you mentioned this on Reddit a while back. Honestly, if there's any comfort to be found in it, please know that you aren't alone in this; there are plenty of families out there dealing with the exact same struggles.

Why is it that I end up back in the hospital twice a year... I take my meds regularly, though honestly, I rarely actually swallow them... Not that alcohol has ever made me feel physically sick or sent me into a depressive spiral, either, but I know I can overdo it sometimes, and god, I’m only 22... It just doesn't make sense. I can't tell if it's my borderline personality disorder tearing me apart, or if it's schizophrenia, or maybe they're just teaming up against me... Therapy helps, specifically small group sessions, but still... ending up in the ER twice a year is just way too much...

crimsonviper48 said:Why is it that I end up back in the hospital twice a year... I take my meds regularly, though honestly, I rarely actually swallow them... Not that alcohol has ever made me feel physically sick or sent me into a depressive spiral, either, but I know I can overdo it sometimes, and god, I’m only 22... It just doesn't make sense. I can't tell if it's my borderline personality disorder tearing me apart, or if it's schizophrenia, or maybe they're just teaming up against me... Therapy helps, specifically small group sessions, but still... ending up in the ER twice a year is just way too much...

Are you saying you've lived with schizophrenia for 22 years, or that you're 22 years old, or that you're a "young" 22-year-old, or maybe that you've been hospitalized twice a year for 22 years?

I'm honestly a little lost here; I can't make heads or tails of what you're trying to tell me about being 22. 🤷