Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 14)

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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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261

results were amazing so far. Almost instantaneous! I feel ENERGETIC and my pain is minimal! I have not felt this good in years. That is only on the 12.5 once a day. I took it yesterday and again this morning. Only side effect so far is sewating and then chills after about 5 hours. If this keeps working so well, I have found the holy grail of pharmaceuticals! I know it is too soon to tell. But I will keep you posted!

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262

Hi all, haven't been on for awhile. Glad for all your info. Rebecca I've been told by rheumatologists, etc that fibro is linked to ALOT of other diseases. I had been diagnosed with it before most docs believed in it, before it was recognized by insurance, SSI, etc., I do believe as I have read and studied about it the similarities of me and others diagnosed with it are too close to be coincidence, meaning, headaches, yeast infections, stomach problems, (small ones) as well as the big ones like arthritis, lupus, etc. but thats my opinion if it makes any sense. LORI, glad you are doing so well, I read your post and decided to find an accupuncture person, anything special I should look for?? Also, did you respond to the question from prescription drug info, I would really like to talk with you and Theresa (and others) still, It sounds like they are working hard on it...wonder if Theresa is still out there. Hows things with hubby??
TO ALL: Does anyone else get worse like every March?? I have for years but it didn't hit me til reading posts etc, March and/or spring time, I know depression can get worse right before spring, don't know why, but know it does, I hope I'm not getting over the worst. I have done holistic things in past AND to be totally honest I have to agree with Lori, they do and have worked best for me...i.e. homeopathics, diet, nutrition, etc.,
Anyway, hope this post makes sense didn't sleep alot or well last night but don't feel too bad physically right now, just having a hard time typing what my mind wants to say...oh well...HAVE A GOOD DAY everyone!!!

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263

Started taking Savella 2.5 weeks ago. Made it through the titration pack. Did have the flu-like symptoms off and on, and did have nausea a couple of days. Blood pressure up a little bit, but nothing serious. I decided to stick with it because I noticed my overall body felt better than I had in ages. And, I actually was interested in doing some fun and normal things like cooking a fun dinner, going shopping, etc.... I didn't even realize that I wasn't doing those things anymore. I'm now taking 50mg twice a day and am feeling really good. I can sleep on my back again!!!! I just thought I was a side sleeper, even though I was waking up several times a night with a sore shoulder. Turns out I am really a back sleeper. I've slept better during the past two weeks than I have have in the past two years. So far I am really thrilled that I am feeling so well. I really hope it continues.

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264

I just found this forum and I'm so glad I did. I can't believe what I'm reading ... my symptoms ~ your symptoms, my life ~ your life; the pain, sadness, loneliness, frustrations, etc. I've got a lot of questions but I'll start with the Rx savella, I have never heard of this medicine. I looked it up and it's an anti depressant ... so what makes this one different than all the rest? Which most of us have tried over the years with little to no success for the fibro, and the mountain of other health problems that seem to accompany this disease (or whatever it is)? Thanks, Dom

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265

Welcome Mary and Dominique! So many new faces lately. This is great.

Mary, I'm so glad Savella is working for you. Keep track of your blood pressure and heart rate (especially if you suffer with HBP). Unfortunately, this seems to be a side effect.

Dom, Savella is a relatively new drug to the scene. I encourage you to try it if your needs are such. It seems most of the drugs for Fibro are anti-depressant based. Guess they figure this disease is more mood affected. IDK!

I'm actually having a good weekend. Not pain free but I'm able to move. That's always a good thing. Have a new pain in my wrist that's cropped up just in the last 3 hours. Don't know what that's all about but it hurts like hell. Could be stress induced. Got a real bad call so I'm having trouble sleeping. Oh Well!

I hope everyone was able to have a good weekend. TTFN! Talk later.

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266

Hello and Happy Monday to everyone! I was so thrilled b/cafter only 5 days on Savella - I had an amazing Saturday. Was able to enjoy my 6 year old daughter's soccer game and then be outside while my 3 and 6 year old played all day (1st day of spring was gorgeous in SC). Even cleaned out my patio planter, added new soil, and planted some carrots, spinach, and baby romaine. I couldn't believe how great I felt. Now --- yesterday -- was a complete 180 -- I felt horrible the entire day. Don't know if it was the rainy weather or what -- but made it home from church - put on sweats and crashed for the rest of the day. Hoping today is better than that! Wishing all of you a great week too!

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267

I am titrating up to 25 mg twice a day. The energy thing has ebbed a bit and I have found I need to nap SOMETIMES for a couple hours midday. My mood is amazing! I am so upbeat! my pain is present but just whispering instead of shoulting. I feel so good I want to cry. I am alive and my heart is so full. I cannot explain it. Its like the dark cloud that has hovered over me has lifted.

I just hope it lasts. I am going to order a months supply from my Canadian pharmacy tomorrow.

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268

I am a 40 year old woman who has had fibromyalgia for about 20 years. I have tried soooo many medications, therapies, dietary changes, etc..to little or no results. I was beginning to feel as if nothing would ever help but my doctor gave me Savella two weeks ago and I am feeling pretty encouraged thus far. I have not experienced the nausea or hot flashes but I do seem to have a sense that my heartbeat is up a bit. At first I felt a little spacey, but that has diminished. I feel mentally better and more energized than I have in some time and so far have not experienced my typical fatigue and flu-like feelings. I did have trigger point injections two weeks ago as well and think that these are VERY helpful. Hoping that the combo of the two will have me functioning better than I have in some time. I am concerned that my insurance will not cover the Savella as my fibro is a pre-existing condition...but we will see. I did look up the cost and it seems it runs about $200/mo. (I am still getting tester packs thank goodness) Anyhow, I hope this info helps anyone trying to decide if Savella could be right for them. Good luck and get to feeling better!

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269

the doctor took me off Savella after two trips to ER with breathing problems. been off for about a week now and still am short of breathe. going for a pulomary function study tomorrow to make sure there is nothing else wrong. i think it is just the med still in my system. the pain is back with avengence. tramadol takes the edge off the pain and is allowing me to work at this point, but my boss has warned me about too many days off. hope we get something going pretty quick.

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270

I'm on week 2 of Savella and i can see a little improvement; my mood seems better and my hips and knees don't hurt quite as bad. I also take the Max. dosage of Lyrica along with antidepressants and at least 1 vicodin a day. Hopefully the higher up on dosage the better it will be??? I don't seem to have any other side effects at this time. No fast heartbeat yet.

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271

I have been on Savella now for 1 month and have seen a tremendous improvement on my pain. I have had some issues with my stomach once I began the medication and I am taking Nexium for the stomach and it has helped. I have noticed some wait gain but my mood has been fine.

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272

A friend gave me astarter pack and I had amazing results for a few days that I was on it. I decided that it was too expensive and since I have no health insurance I was going to wean my self off after a wonderful week of being on Savella. Well after a few days of feeling awful I decided to spring and buy it. I got IXEL which is the original milnacipran that was used in France since 1996 which is the exact same thing as savella it was $95 for 60 50 mg pills shipped from the UK with no prescription. I will let you know how it goes with them

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273

Hi all, and it is great to read so many things, not that its great everyone feels crapy but its nice to know that we aren't crazy and that others out there are feeling the same way, I find myself thinking if Teresa can do it I can, poor Lori, I wonder how she is today. Dominique (sp?) thats FIBRO for you, all I can tell you is even on the Savella enjoy the good days to the max, try to enjoy / do what you can on the bad days, even when laying around on my really bad days I still have to deal with my 13 and 14 year old girls (drama) problems and help them with school, etc, sometimes we read and do homework right from moms bed or on couch, I catch up with them about their fears and dreams which takes my mind of my problems and really if I look at it with a different perspective the fibro has been a blessing in some ways as some of my girls friends moms don't have time they feel good, they're always on the go, I always wanted to be that kind of mother, was angry and chastised myself constantly because I wasn't and now after 20 years of fibro have come to the conclusion if you have to live with it you have to find different coping mechanisms, AND ask me tomorrow I could tell you to heck with all this I'm sick of the fatigue and pain, BUT in the BIG picture I have to stand back, look and my four children, husband, and my life and be thankful for what I do have and have been able to do...other days and even weeks at a time I struggle extremely hard with this but try to keep in the back of my mind the perspective because at this point it sounds like the Savella is more helpful than anything so far....and I'm like someone else on here who has tried EVERYTHING and ANYTHING docs have prescribed and right now theres no cure, just symptom relief, holistic approaches and attitude, i know, i know easy to say, HARD to live. HANG IN THERE ALL!! HUGS!!

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274

Hi all...I have not been on in a while due to a very badly bruised forearm and hand. It is still ugly looking, but feels better than it looks :) Has anybody else ever had a problem w/ weakness in the legs? I have had this issue for the last 3 years (fibro for 12 years) and my wonderful MD has ruled out anything being wrong other than fibro. That is how I beat myself up :) I stood up from the couch and went to take a step and fell. The legs just give out. Unfortunately, my forearm mad a solid contact w/ the tile and wood coffee table we have :) No breaks (my doc was amazed it was not broke) but the bruise runs from elbow to wrist and continues around to encompass the entire top of the hand. Anyway, if anybody has any ideas, I am open to them all :) I have not had any of the mood problems w/ savella that others of you have experienced. I am monitoring my blood pressure closely as it took me 16 months to find a medication that would keep it down low enough to not harm my body over time. I am praying it levels out and comes back down to where it was before savella. Someone had asked why savella seems to work better than the other drugs we have been given that are an anti-depressant like savella. As a registerd nurse, i did some research and here is the difference. All the other anti-depressants used for fibro are what is called a SSRI. A Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Savella is a SNRI. A Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. That is why we are getting better results :) ok...sorry for the wordiness of this post...Tessie...luv your great, positive attitude! It pretty much mirrors mine...we have it, its not going away, so make the best of life anyway :) Fibrogirl..glad u are able to keep getting relief. Having no insurance is hard. Lomai...hope the trigger point injections coupled w/ savella has worked for u. All the new people...Welcome :). And just a nod to all on this site. We are strong people who keep fighting the good fight :p Remember to find the funnies in life and laugh as much as possible, cuz we all know that at times it is either laugh or cry. Everybody stay as happy as possible, as strong as possible, and as well as possible :p

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275

Well...my Savella experiment has ended up much as other meds have and I will be crossing it off my list. As I reached the prescribed dosage I began to notice that my mood was changing dramatically. I went from loopy to alternating between crying and intense anger. Being someone who is pretty laid back, this was a little hard to take. I spent time trying to find out why this might be happening but it seems that there is just enough info out there to understand how SSRI's and SNRI's work (in theory) but as for more detailed info I did not have much luck. I did read that people with bi-polar disorder are prohibited from taking it as it can make it worse and although I am not bi-polar I wondered if other conditions may be aggravated by this drug. For me, I think it was the nor-epinephrine re-uptake part that I can not handle. I did have some shortness of breathe and increased anxiety that came in waves and I do have an existing anxiety disorder. An other thing that happened along with the anger/sadness was a marked worsening of exhaustion and heaviness in my limbs. So, now I am frustrated AND wiped out! I imagine there are some good chat areas for woman discussing how they are managing work. If anyone has suggestions, I would like to check them out. Work is a struggle but I am a single parent / sole provider of my household so not working is not an option. Thanks everyone. I hope others have better results with Savella than I.

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276

Faith, if you read post of Loami? just above yours, can the difference in SSRI vs SNRI cause such aggitation in some people, I''m not bipolar either but I haven't been able to maintain full dose of Savella, had to cut back some cuz I was yelling and screaming at the kids and random cars, cats, dogs, etc., lol... seriously I didn't feel the heaviness in limbs, etc in fact mine fatigue and heaviness is better its just the anger, agitation vs crying spells thats worse for me at this point. ALSO, I have one leg that does this, sounds stupid I know, both do feel weak / wobbly depending on what I've done day before but my right one just randomly decides to LET LOOSE if you will and I have lost balance, tripped, etc, but not fallen to extent you did...weird...hope your doing better. Thanks for support. Love to all, hang in there everyone!!

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277

Hi all...I am not sure whats causing the exaggerated mood swings w/ the savella. I will get my nursing books from the ex's house next time I am there (just not sure when I will be over there) and see if I can get some info from them since Lomai was not able to find any real info on the internet. I am so disappointed that savella is having this affect on so many people because the med works for the pain and fatigue. I am one of the fortunate ones who does not have the mood swingsbad enough to warrant stopping the med. I had angry mood swings when first diagnosed w/ fibro, and learned how to read my body signals in order to talk myself back down. I did do alot the week my legs went out. I felt better than I had in a long time (til I met the floor) and I told my dr I know I over did it. Lesson Very Well Learned...lol. Also, I asked him about the link between fibro and viruses. He has not heard of it, but I am taking him a list of viruses that fibro patients are being tested for. There are like 22 or 23 of them, and according to the Fl dr, people w/ fibro generally have at least 3, if not more of them. I will continue to post my progress as I travel down this road. The nest step will be saving the money to test for the viruses, as I am currently w/out health insurance. Thanks for the well wishes Tessie. The arm is getting better slowy, but it still hurts like H*ll. Take care all and hang tough :)

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278

I have been on Savella for 3 months and have not experienced major mood swings although I have had a few fits that a 2 year old would be proud of. :) However I am still experiencing pain and body aches which makes me think that the Savella is not working. Could this be something else besides Fibro? I have had a blood test for RA and the doc said it was negative. Ready for some relief.

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279

ok as far a as the mood swings. you have the figure the epinephrine boosts your metabolism a bit thus the increased BP and the sweating. So it is expected that we might be a bit high strung. I don't know about you but I was semi comatose before and it took great strides to get a reaction. I am keeping an open mind and considering that outside influences could be responsible for the mood swings not the Savella Like bills, kids, life!

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280

Hi all..the norepiniphrine will trigger the flight or fight reaction, so it will up the blood pressure and can cause fast heart rates, so the mood swings fit right in there, like fibrogirl said. I wonder if the people that are having mood swings that are disruptive to daily life, can decrease their dose to a point that they still get some relief from fibro but avoid some of the mood swings(we will all have mood swings forever as we are human ;p). Onlt Your Doctor Can Make The Decision To Decrease Your Meds! as we all know, savella is not a drug you want to stop abruptly. It has to be decreased over time. Gibsosh....I still have aches and pains as well, The savella helps alot, but it has not completely gotten rid of mine. I am on 50 mg 2 times a day and have been at that dosage for about 3 weeks now. Another interesting thing savella does is it acts as an antiinflammatory in the brain...viruses cause inflammation. Wonder if there is something to the virus theory. Can't wait (but I will have to)to get my blood tested :) Take care all

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