Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 11)

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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Hi all,
Faith: I tried Lyrica also and I wanted to shoot myself. YUCK! I have just started the full dose of Savella and cannot believe the change. My stomach is a little upset but I can live with that. I was diagnosed 12 years ago with FM and have many other medical issues, like the rest of you. I can't remember ever being without pain but the Savella is fantastic. I have so much energy I don't know what to do with myself. I can relate to the feeling tired and not being able to get out of bed or even wanting to so this is great! Hang in there there are Drs out there who are understanding. I found that females seem more so than males.
May tomorrow be a better day for everyone!

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hi Faith, and others.. nice to meet you. I'm interested in the doctor who may have found a viral connection. Please keep updates coming. I actually did something today. I mean, something awesome! I went to an accupuncturist. As in chinese medicine accupuncture. I'm a believer. I am happy I did that. It's not covered by insurance, but I did it. I have had a headache, but that's about it. I left there, and went to the health food store. leafy green vegetables, brown rice, beans. Cabbage also. It is such a different thought process. I'll stick with the new food plan, stay on savella (until such a time as I may not need it, but not planning anything other than to keep with it) and continue with accupuncture.
anyway.... I cannot imagine what it would be like with little ones at home with fibromyalgia. The whole stress thing that comes with life anyway, dump the physical ailment on it and a husband who doesn't get it. I hope you have a strong faith. Keep working at your excercise. that's the tricky one for me. It really does have to be JUST RIGHT. Not too much, not too little. Even if you start out at five minutes. well, I need to go to bed. I am tired. No xanax tonight unless I really can't get to sleep, but I feel sleepy. it's a very nice feeling. take care, rest well.

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Hi All. I will keep posting on the virual link to fibro as I find out info about it. Like I said, going to ask my MD about it in May. I know he will have no problem testing my blood for the viruses (there are 23 viruses that the FL MD tests his fibro pts for) that can activate fibro in certain people. You can also google fibromyalgia virus and get the homepage of the dr that has spearheaded this new direction in finding a cause. The virus link to fibro makes sense to me as I have always felt it was cellular, because it affect EVERY body system we have. Exercixe has to be done EXACTLY right, and it is so individualized. I started w/ 3 reps and have built from there. Just added tredmill work to my program. Jogging long enough to increase my heart rate for 3 min. I made my own program as most personal trainers are not aware of how negatively to much working out can set us back for weeks. I know, been there and done that! To get myself motivated to start exercising I told myself that if I am going to hurt, I might as well hurt for a good reason :) I still have lots of pain, but exercising has helped my sleep and energy level (well they go hand-in-hand). I remember going from early am to late pm Momo4, and it is such a hard cycle to break as all your energy goes into getting thru the day. Hang in there. I hope this summer you will get a chance to re-juice your batteries as much possible. Good for you with the new diet Lori. Let me know if you feel any different from it. I tried one similar and felt it was helping, but was feeding a family at the time and it got to be hard to stick to it. Even with food, the savella still makes me pretty nauseated, but am going to keep taking it as that is a small price to pay for feeling better in the long run. Just hope the headaches stop. Even tho Ibuproferen works, it is just more pills to take, and I kid of prefer to have a healthy liver...lol :) Again, I am so glad that I found this site that I actually get teary eyed when reading the posts because you guys understand! TY so much for the words of encouragement. God bless all of you, the people you love, and lets keep fighting this syndrome :D

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Hi all,
I am new to this board but have been on Savella for a month now. I had a couple of really bad weeks with extreme irritablity but the pain is relieved. I am so much more clear headed than I was when I was taking tramadol but I have buzzing in my head and am very blurry eyed in the evening. I am not sure if I am noticing these symtoms now because I am off the tram or if the savella is causing my vision to be blurred. Anyone else experience this? I am alos haing trouble with my blood pressure but will be seeing the DR next week to increase meds for that.

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Well the Dr. gave me some samples of savella so I went ahead and started yesterday. When does everybody take their dose? I usually take that type of med in the evening. I am concerned about depression and irritability since I am prone to that anyway and the savella replaced those meds. If anyone has any thoughts or info on this would appreciate it. Thanks

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My life hasn't been mine for years now. I can't explain the pain I go through daily. I hate to go to bed because the morning is more painful than the afternoon and evening. Doctors have me on pain meds that really don't do much but put a small band-aid on the matter. i'm scared to take some of the stuff suggested. Please help if you can anybody!!!

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hi.. welcome to you new posters.. I take my savella when I get out of bed (if I work the night before, I get up between 9-11a) and then when I get home from work at 1a. i also take my xanax at bedtime, so I am not sure if the savella keeps me awake if I try to go to bed without xanax I can't. I am going to sleep dr. on monday. Also, I had posted a few days ago about going for accupuncture and I'm doing GREAT. I have not taken anything for pain (I still take the welbutrin150mg 2x/day and savella 100mg 2xday- down to 1 mg. xanax at bedtime instead of 2 and occassionally I have taken 3) . I go back next week to see the accupuncturist. the diet is great! I have limited to eating leafy greens and brown rice OR beans of any sort. Like I said before, I cannot explain chinese medicine, but I can tell you I am not in the pain I was previously.. as in.. very little and no headaches. My fibro fog has even lifted. If my health continues to go so well, I may just ask pain dr. to titrate off savella. I really don't think I'm going to need it. A diet of brown rice or beans for protein and leafy greens for a veg. might sound boring and unappealing etc., etc., but I haven't thrown up since I started eating this way, I have more energy, and I am naturally tired. The suckie thing is insurance doesn't pay for accupuncture. But if I can get off the western medicine and the drugs that go with it, and just live the natural way, I'm good with all that. Besides, I'm paying almost 500 per month just for my health insurance premium. Ahh.. I am probably not very much help to those of you that are in severe pain day in and day out. I know what that is, and all I can tell you, is do not be afraid to try alternative things. If there is an alternative that you are interested about, read up on it, find out more. Check out all your options. Well, I hope I answered a couple of someones questions. Oh, I did have funny vision but I believe that wasn't a side effect of the savella (but I can only speak for myself) Everybody is different. Take care

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HI everyone. Lore, the savella works on the nor-epinephrine and serotonin in the brain, so it should help with sleep issues. I actually dreamed the other night, which I have not done in a very long time, so I know it is helping my sleep. You may want to try no xanex on a night that you don't have to do much the next day (just in case you get no sleep). I do know that it takes about 3 days to clear most meds from our system, so you may experience a few nights of up and down sleep before you would be able to tell if you can get a fairly good nights sleep without the xanex. Take care all :)

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I was FINALLY dx. with fibromyalgia, after so many misdiagnoses. I have only just begun the pills, and have found the following: I'm UP. OUT OF BED!!Mood has improved, however, my blood pressure has gone up, and I have been getting head aches. I am being treated for bi-polar disorder, and am a little leary of combing my meds. My pharmacist and dr. aren't concerned. But all that aside, I have never felt better. My thoughts are clear, no foggy disconected feelings, pain much better, and ENERGY!!! No napping!

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Hi all. Sorry if I can't remember all names, I read all posts and then try to respond, I can remember whats said, sorta..but not all who said what. Anyway, I have really been struggling the last two weeks with the Savella and fibo,. I am so irritable when I take full dose of savella and when I don't then I don't feel as good. I CAN'T take the evening dose before bed, I had to start taking morning dose earlier and like a 3--4 o'clock dose for evening dose or I can't sleep, noticed several others said same thing . I do have xanax that I take as needed. Lori, I'm seriously wondering about adding some wellbutrin, I took it before years ago and I felt ??TOO mellow, maybe it would help with aggitation now. Also I KNOW the diet, nutrition, OUT of the box stuff helps, I did some homeopathic things several years ago, helped more than anything conventional docs did, I would consider accupuncture. I have had chronic headaches ever since well ever and I'm wondering the last couple weeks if they're worse from savella or if its just stress due to husband, kids, etc. I don't know...IM just DOWN the last two weeks WORSE than normal. Whoever asked about the eyes, I have had some eye issues as well, I don't know if its linked to savella or not but you got me thinking. I don't know if husbands really don't understand OR if because males tend to want to be fixers and there is nothing they can do to fix, they seem like they don't listen or they don't act understanding or maybe they just are jerks. sometimes I give mine the benefit of doubt sometimes I get really really ticked off, angry and hurt!! Well didn't mean to have a pity party here, just freakin frustrated today, I can usually handle a few days in a row but I'm going on a couple weeks and I'm frustrated. Teresa, if you're still out there haven't heard from you for awhile, I think if anyone wanted to trade email addresses we could go through prescription drug info and the email they sent us, maybe send a request. Anyway, good to hear from all new people today, I''m interested in the viral thing as well, Thanks all!

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HELLO EVERYONE!!! I've noticed that many of you have mentioned changes in your vision. I've had this going on for years and it is a side effect of many medications. Some days are worse than others but also as you age you do begin to lose some of your vision capabilities. Usually close up vision first as in why so many older people need reading glasses. But be assured the the vision problems are because of not only Savella but many other meds and it is temporary.
I listen to so many of you gripe about your husbands and think if only I had one! I've been single for so long I think I would be qualified as a virgin!! Really ladies, sometimes we have to put aside the bad and be more thankful for the good. I know that is easier said than done but I've found that each day I wake up and say, This is going to be a great day, regardless of the fibro monster lurking just waiting to attack at any given moment, it helps to be positive.
Sleep disorders is another symptom of fibro. Seem there is nothing that doesn't fall back to fibro.
I just went through the worst flare up I've had in over a year. For the last week I've been so miserable that i felt like I wanted to die. I went to my clinic to see if they would give me a shot to help with the pain and was turned down flat as a pancake. I was told that since I'm on morphine they weren't going to give me anything else. So even with morphine I still have pain. Like I've said before not one medication will ever take our pain away but I didn't think I'd ever be treated like a junkie because I was searching for more pain relief. How humiliating.

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Hi all, sorry to hear about the way you were treated Theresa. As a nurse, it relly makes me mad when i see or hear of drs who treat people with chronic pain like a junkie. It fortunatly has not happened to me, but like I have said, I have the best dr in the world! Maybe it is because he is also one of the directors of a hospice place here in town. Hang in there Tessie. I think we can all relate to the frustration of days on end with no relief. I am actually doing much better with savella...for the most part :) No vision probs, but I am still new to the drug. I have noticed vision probs in the past however. Even when not on any meds at all. Maybe its the fibro that causes it. The problem is it can be coming form different things because while we all have some of the same symptoms, there are different ones for each of us depending on the day. A positive attitude is something I had to learn how to achieve. Just like I had to learn to not let my tiredness, pain, or any other symptoms I might be having, be directed at the ones closest to me.Now the people in the car in front of me may get a good rant out of me though. Just kidding :) Try to find something good to focus on, or meditation works well also. I have learned to find the funny in fibro. Like the fact that I can't remember movies very well now, so I always have something on my shelf to watch :) Hope you all have as good a day as possible!

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Faith, I love the movie thing...my 19 year old son just said to me the other day, mom, It would be kinda nice to have your memory, you can watch lots of movies over and over again cuz I know some of the ones you swear you haven't seen I watched WITH YOU...I had to laugh, cuz he's right. Teresa, I know you're right about the husband thing and I do appreciate him most the time, its helpful to have you ladies to talk to, share with and get encouragement and understanding from. I actually finally felt better this morning. I do agree that most all of these same symptoms we have go back to the basic fibro, even some that aren't directly related seem to be made worse because of or combined with the fibro.

On the positive one thing I have noticed about several of you is your sense of humor, I do know its a GREAT thing to have and I have felt better and more alive on the savella than anything for quite some time, just struggled lately. The mind is a very powerful tool, I know the meditation, positive thinking, etc does work, its just like everyone says, we all have days where it all just sucks but I try to remember it could always be worse and it always changes, grandma used to say a change is as good as a rest
Teresa, Docs for the most part are just like that, the doc I worked for was great with me but I watched him treat other people really bad through the years, theres something to be said for some of them having a God complex. Don't worry, they'll feel bad one day and have to deal with someone like them! I wish we all had a doc like Faith does. Glad you're on here so you can share you info with us. Hope everyone has a good night and great day tomorrow!! Thanks for the support!!

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Hi everyone.
I went to the sleep doctor specialist yesterday. He spent two hours with me and my husband (they request that your sleeping partner come with you to attest to your snoring or kicking, etc). He pinpointed several reasons for my insomnia. One is that with my work hours, I have shift work interferring with my regular circadyin (sp?) rhythyms. He suggested a 3mg melatonin OTC. which I picked up. He gave me insight as to the medications. He strongly feels that with the savella AND the welbutrin that I am getting too much of the ssri (?) for the depression. As the amount of savella increased over the months and became that STEADY amount in my body, it all started to work against me. He is writing my regular doc and pain doc to start taking me down and then (I would like to be completely off) the wellbutrin. I also have restless leg syndrome,(inhereited) and that gets more active as the iron in my body gets depleted. I am due for my 3 month iron check because i have anemia. He explained how the iron helps the brain and keeps the symptoms of restless legs down. I have iron transfusions because of iron deficiency. i'm past due for my bloodwork.
I write this at 5:20am because I just got up. I had 7 and a half hours sleep and I feel really great. He also recommended (and I did) taking a hot bath at night before bedtime. No caffeine after noon, either. which I am not a caffeine person. anyway, I wanted to get this posted asap so that maybe some of you could benefit from some of these simple suggestions. Good luck I have a long day in the car today. take care!

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Teresa, even though I am very new to FM, I have been accused of doctor hopping and pill shopping. I don't know how this idea was formed since I've only seen 2 doctors for FM and I DON'T take any narcotic drugs. I think it's the environment of this disease that gets the fingers pointing and the accusations flying. Of course this gives the perception that we're junkies, not only in the medical community but in society too. It's horrible! We are people in PAIN - alot of pain - yet we stand accused like a criminal. I wish more doctors were like Faith's doctors. It would make managing FM so much easier. We have pain that, for some, can only be managed thru narcotics.

I had a terrific weekend. Was almost pain free. WOOHOO! Those days don't come often. It didn't last long as I woke in a tremendous amount of pain Monday morning. My hubby could instantly tell (before I got out of bed). I want to cry but realize it's useless. I MUST remain positive! Today is much the same. I can only hope my appointment with the doctor tomorrow brings new light, hope and relief to this dread.

On an interesting note, a research company (Meridien) is conducting INVESTIGATIONAL studies on Savella in my area. Oh how I wish I could be a participant. But it has me wondering what they are investigating. It's an FDA approved drug. Are they now rethinking this position? Has something happened that has them looking at Savella in a different way? IDK!! It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.

With so many of you wondering about vision changes it has me wondering. For the last couple of years I've had quite a few vision changes. I've even developed a cataract and my Rx has changed 4 times. However, my eye doc says it's probably due to my asthma treatment. Seems as though people who've had asthma since childhood (me) are more prone to develop cataracts at an earlier age. But, in reading about FM there also seems to be a link there. Interesting!!! So many symptoms overlap other Dx's. No wonder FM is so hard to understand.

Well, I hope all you ladies have a very good day. I really appreciate all the feedback and info you share. It really helps me connect. TTFN!

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Hello Rebecca and all~ I would like to thank you all for your words of support and encouragement! I'd like to think that perhaps the research Co is doing exactly that for another drug company to perhaps start making a generic or similar medication to Savella. It has a very high success rate and I'm only waiting for it to come out in another less expensive form than Savella so that I can buy it without insurance and the big WOW cost factor. It's bad enough that we have to suffer the physical and emotional symptoms of fibro and then to add the financial on top of that----BIG stress factor that we don't need. So, I'm keeping my finger crossed until the day comes when it is more affordable and I can begin the therapy again.

I too, have suffered with asthma since early childhood and have been pumped with steroids all my life. My Ophthalmologist believes that is why I was diagnosed with glaucoma at the age of 41. I also have what she called baby cataracts in both my eyes. I have hearing loss and severe tinnitus to the point of needing aids but cannot afford them and my ENT says thats possibly from long narcotic usage, family genetics and or working very close to the flight line at HAFB for 20+ yrs. Medications have many benefits but they also have many harmful side affects.

Well ladies, remember to find something to laugh about today no matter how miserable we may be---nothing funny? Have a laughing contest with your kids and see what happens---no kids? Have one by yourself---you may feel a little crazy but you'll get a real chuckle and that's worth a thousand pills!

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I have decided to discontinue the use of Savella. I can't take the irritability and agitation anymore. I am cutting down the way I built up. I want to see what kind of pain levels I have without anything but blood pressure meds and Zoloft. I am trying out a no refined sugar diet and walking. Anyone have any other suggestions? Also is there a pain blocker that does not have all the side effect of Savella?

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Westerlu, some of your problems are likely due to taking both the Zoloft and the Savella.

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I am not on both at the same time. I had been on the Zoloft for about 15 yrs. I am sorry if I was not clear. I am going off the Savella (slowly) and going back on the Zoloft, because it has worked so well for so long, minus the weight gain at first.

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I think I have tried everything. Savella really helped the pain but it made me way too angry.

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