Hi, I am on paliperidone metabolite shot once every three weeks for a year and eight months for psychosis and in the last 5 months was having some trouble breathing (shortness of breath) that goes in cycles. I have had shortness of breath in June 2013 first time, September 2013 second time, Dec 2013 third time and most recently March 3rd time for about a week at a time then the breathing problems go away and then come back again. I was wondering if shortness of breath is a known side effect of paliperidone shot like I have read in some schizophrenia forums written by people taking Invega Sustenna however my psychiatrist says always that it is only anxiety and that I require more meds for that, of which I am very hesitant to take. Should I switch medications maybe to Abilify? Thanks for your advice! Lindsay
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your problem. In my opinion, you should consult pulmonologist first and rule out possible organic causes for breathlessness, before stamping it due to anxiety. So get done1. Chest x ray2. PUT (pulmonary function test). If both are negative then no need to worry much for organic cause for breathlessness. You are mostly having anxiety related symptoms. So better to consult your psychiatrist and discuss these issue and start treatment for this. You may need anxiolytic Chat Doctor. And perindopril will not cause any respiratory disease. So your breathlessness is not due to perindopril.