Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 10)
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This is a new medication that just came out for fibromyalgia. I have several other conditions involving spinal degeneration , herniated discs, arthritus, etc.
I've been taking this medication for a little over 2 weeks now and have worked up to the full dose. My biggest symptom seems to be upset stomach but I don't know if it's from the Savella or from de-toxing from 7 other medications that I've been on for over 10+ yrs.
Is there anyone else out there that has started this medication that can give me any information that they may have on it?

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Savella has given me my life back. I've been on it now for almost a year, and the difference in the way I feel is dramatic. I still can't push it, but I can lead a fairly normal life. The last time I posted was when I started on it. The fact that it is STILL working is amazing!

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I have the upset stomach also, in particular, about 1/2 hr after taking the drug. However, for myself, have had stomach aches and lack of appetite for so many yrs, that this is a relief from previous experience. Also, I do have an appetite now, have not had for yrs. It is nice to feel like I want to eat food again and look forward to meals, makes me feel like I am part of the human race again! I am happy w/the medication, certainly not perfect but a big improvement.

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I have been on Savella now for about 5 months. I have noticed the pain level down but also I did try to change my diet at first. I started to eat a diet of all natural foods. No artificial colors, flavors, preservates and no msg. It sounds hard but once you get use to it believe me it does help so much. I have been traveling with our children for lots of sporting events all summer long now and have gotten away from the eating because of eating out so much and I have noticed a big difference in the level of pain and the all around feeling. Have started to gain some weight and will be hitting it really hard to get back on track real soon. I do truly believe the food has a lot to do with it all after seeing the difference in the way i feel. Sometimes I will pack all of our food but just don't get it done for every game.I am probably 75% on it still but you need to really stay on it for the eating to pay off. I did let my doctor know about what I was going to do when I started eating this way and he said it was a great thing to change to. I would encourage all of you to give this a try and see what happens, you have nothing to loose and I can give you some tips...The one tip I can give you is to not make excuses like I did and just do it!!!!!

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Have tried savella, have had CFS, now fibromyalgia for over 20 yrs. used to take nortryptylane. I am very happy w/savella, does have some side effects- sweating, and some giddyness. I had to bring my dosage down, the suggested dose was too high for me and I couldn't sleep. Am now taking 25 mgs in the morning only and feeling great relief. I can work w/more alertness, feel happy, and can sleep at night. And no weight gain! Next week back to the dr for blood tests, so I hope all is well so that I can continue!

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I'm on day 6 and have the hot flash after I went up in strength. My doctor told me to take an asprin 30 minutes before I take Savella and it works. Dry mouth as well but in a way it's good, I'm drinking more water. And so far I"m not eating more and hope it stays that way. Pain is better :)

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I have been taking Savella for about 6 months now-- there does seem to be some upset stomach associated with it in the first month, but it should get better. I don't feel any specific negative symptoms, the positive ones are that some days it seems to take the edge off the pain, so that helps somewhat. I am still not totally convinced that it helps 100% and therefore my neuro has also added Namenda in the past 2 months--it is an anti Alzheimer drug that helps a little with the pain and fibro fog also--so I am currently taking 2 for fibro with an additional Vicodin to take the edge off my back pain. Namenda has certain side effects that I'm not crazy about like extreme headache, rapid heartbeat and sweating. I know that when I stop taking Savella, the pain is more intense, so I think it is working a little bit.

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I also tried savella a long time ago and was on zoloft at the time. I was actually on anti depressants for over ten years. I weened myself off and have been off of them all together for 1 year now. When my doctor tried me on savell he told me to stop taking immediately the zoloft and start the savella. Big mistake. I went through major mood swings and was nasty to people and I had to go back on my zoloft. It was due to withdrawls and stopping cold turkey is not good for you. I have recently started savella after one year of no meds other than every now and agin pain meds, and add meds. So far I feel great but you can be weened off your anti depressant while taking savella which would probably be better than cold turkey. Maybe try to get some anti anxiety meds to help calm your body while going through the withdrawls. That is what helped me get through taking myself off of all antidepressants. Come to find out, I was never depressed. The meds made me worse when I took them, so for 10 years I have been making myself sick with them. I do have fibro and I am glad savella is not an anti depressant. We shall see. Good luck to you and I hope this has helped some.

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You can contact the drug manufacturer and they will give you a 3 month supply for free if your doctor will write a scrip to them. You will have to say what your income is, but most people can get it.

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I am not aware of stomach issues...So many issues I seldom "take them apart" to see what is what...I do take madications with food...My Dr. put me on Elavil at night for sleeping...I had crazy experiences from my sleeping pills...I started doing things in my sleep. I woke up one morning and found refrigerator clean...Another night my spices in alphabetical order...I am off of them now..The Elavil leaves me in a little bit of a fog like when one takes cold medication...However, I love my spices all neat and in order...: )

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Have been on Lyrica and all the others and my body is too sensitive to take what most people are taking-- however I am on Lexapro past 5 years and working fine-- added Savella about 5 months ago and was able to adjust to that, also added Namenda about 60 days ago-- this is to help with the fibro fog and pain shooting from head to toe, while the Savella addresses pain from toe to head. They are supposed to meet in the middle and cancel each other out (or so I'm told).

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I started on Savella for three weeks...It was as though there was a gradual feeling of letting go of some of my pain...Then I had my knee replaced and the hospital lost my medication..(they didn't have it in stock)...I am back on it now...It was not a fast change but I did notice I was feeling better..I have been in pain for so many years, I am happy for any relief....You have to give it time...I did have night sweats...I have tried every medication on here. I also take Percoset...I know it is not for Fibro, however, I have Vulvadynia and the Percoset helps..Many people with Fibro have this problem..I have gone on and off Percoset with no withdrawl issues..It does help me to feel better mentally which, is a good path to helping me heal....

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Yes,ive been taking savella for a week and yes it gives me a upset stomach. When you take it eat some crackers, toast etc.. . . ....

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Most people in the NE have a Vit D deficiency, I've been on supplements and Savella and have noticed no difference since being on Vitamin D for the past 12 weeks

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I am only on day 3 of Savella- called in sick to work. I am a nurse and read all the literature- prescribing info etc for providers but no where did I find that the first week symptoms will likely go away. I got on the internet at 4 am after calling in to work to look up anecdotal patient comments, and so glad I did!!! So many say to keep going -especially the first week is the worst, and many mention to give it 1-2 months!! One said the first week was Hell On Earth :) I wished I had known this because I would have started it at a different time!! I had to wean off a med then postpone because my neurologist wants me to call him on day 6, which was going to be today- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. He only gave me 7 days of the trial pack, because he wants me to call with an update.

I was very hopeful to keep taking the medicine. I was beginning to think maybe this is the wrong diagnosis,thinking the reason I feel so bad is maybe I don't need this med. Don't we all question our symptoms? I am just in the process of ruling out other diseases, but my neurologist started me on savella anyway. I had decided to try vegan and gluten free diet. After going to my primary before lab work, she said I need to eat wheat for at least a week or the tests for celiac disease would show up negative. So I just had my lab tests 2 days ago, some are send outs so being a long holiday weekend, I do not know when I will get the results. My neurologist, who I have been seeing for migraines initiated by back pain states FM is primarily ruling out other diseases.. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc. I also saw a mention of a possible correlation between Levaquin or Cipro and FM. I took many rounds of these for sinus infections for a few years. After 1 month of Levaquin, my sinus infections finally improved. I did have symptoms of ankle stiffness and worried about arthritis at the time, mentioned it to my Dr, cause I saw it as a side effect, but it seemed to resolve . Somedays while on the med and afterwards, I could barely walk down the stairs in the am. Not a problem now several years later. This site is great too. Anyone having questions read the first site I mentioned, this has so many pages it is difficult to read everything, but great to continue reading. If you are like me and at the beginning of your titration, read more before quitting! I was going to quit, until I read everyone had similar issues and many go away. Some individuals had to stop the drug, but you must get beyond the trial period and go for 1-2 months unless some life threatening side effect.
thank you everyone!!

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After weaning off Zoloft, I am now on day 6 of the Savella titration pack. I have never felt so horrible! I feel like a stranger in my own body. I am now going to wean myself off of the Savella. No more drugs that change the chemicals in my brain. I was prescribed Savella for fibromyalgia along with Gabapentine.

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I have FM, O/A, deg discs, I used Savella, Milnapricin it was called in 2006, I ordered it from England after getting approval from my dr., I was in pure agony, on every kind of drug, no-one could figure out was going on with me, after 10 yrs. I went to the depths of despair. My son happened to stumble across it and ordered it for me. Within 2 days I was pain, I was not jumping hoops or anything but I could walk without assistance, sleep, oh it was wonderful. My son forgot to reorder then it went on back order so I never bothered again. I heard the US has tested it and it is a go I cannot understand what is holding Canada up.

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I absolutely love it and feel better than I have in a long time. I have no side affects now. I am also taking Gabapentin. If I miss any of my meds, it doesn't take long to feel the intensity go up. Works for me. I've also lost 10 pounds in 3 months.

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I, too, had a little nausea when I first started. I was coming off Celexa at the same time. Eat your meal first and then take the Savella. Having a little something on my stomach helped a lot. It does go away.

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I just started the savella.Am on the lowest dose. Right away its bothering my stomache.

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I used it 6 yrs ago when it was named Milnapricin. I had to purchase it from England with my dr's., approval. I also was on heavy duty drugs for chronic pain. I won't bore you with them. Within 2 days I was pain free. I continued to take it but my son forgot to reorder and it was also on backorder, so I did not get my next supply until 10 wks later. Then it failed me. However, when available in Canada I will be 1st in line for a prescription. It works. It is the seratonin. I had used Cymbalta, supposed to be similar, to no avail. I live in Canada. Cannot understand why it is not available yet. It is available in England, France and China with positive results. Canada wake up.

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