Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 14) (Top voted first)

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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Second day off Savella. My breathing is nearly back to normal but the pain is returning. I am so disappointed. The Savella had my pain down to 0. Once the nausea let up it was great. Has anyone else had similar problems?

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Okay -- Day 3 of savella is kicking my butt! Wow! Feel like I got hit by a train and the stomach is horrible! Not looking forward tomorrow b/c today is the day I take my methotexate too -- so Fridays tend to be not fun anyway! I have to say that I am holding out hope that it gets better!

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Jami, the nausea is really a pitfall (it seems) with Savella. However, it does get better if you're able to stick with it. It took about 3 weeks for my stomach to get back to normal. The benefit I got from taking Savella was worth it though.

Hope everything works out.

Lori, I am also waiting to see if there is anything doable with prescription drug info and this board. I've looked into other avenues and they may be an option for what we are looking for (chat, posting, conferencing, etc).

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I am no longer taking the Savella and the pain is back but, blood pressure is down and I am not angry all the time. Have any of you tried to take asidopholis (sp?) I take it everyday and have not had an IBS for along time. It may help with the stomache issues associated with the Savella

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I just started takin Savella today. I am not sure about the Fibro thing though Doc says I have it. Depends on which one I go to though. Anyway. I used to take Prozac for depression but it stopped working for me so have only been taking about 15 vitamin and mineral pills a day for hte last 3 months. Nothing else. I am getting Savella on my own not from a doc without a prescription from a Canadian pharmacy since I do no have healthcare and cannot afford to see a doc or pay the fees here! Wish me luck!

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Be careful to make sure it is a legit pharmacy because you never know if you are getting the real thing. This medicine is so hard on the system I would hate to see what would happen if it is not manufactured correctly.

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hI Westerlu.. acidopholis for the stomach - I've heard it is helpful, but when I eat it in yoghurt (naturally occuring) I puke. It is probably because of the yoghurt, but it's not something that I do. I had been taking the prevacid for stomach issues, and am supposed to take one every day due to a past ulcer that perforated. I don't use the capsule, I cut the top of it off and just ingest the granules. The IBS is bad for many people, I had bad bouts of that in the past. All I ever did to relieve the severe bowel cramping was to drink plain hot water. It calms the spasms and you will feel back to normal shortly therafter. I could explain that, but... just try it. it is only water and it will not hurt you. :)
take care, good luck - and to the new fibro gal who is taking canadian drugs, please consider finding a free clinic in your area and then call the company that makes savella - they have a form you can fill out and get a 3 month supply from them through the doctor. the doc has to fill out the form but it is worth it. Please do it for yourself and for everyone that loves you.

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Hi Lori and everyone else on this board. Thank you for bearing with us over the past few weeks, as we have been dedicating our energy to upgrading this community's infrastructure. This has hopefully resulted in faster site performance and enhanced security for everybody.

We still have every intention of creating community chat features, but before pursuing such major upgrades needed to ensure that the site was running on a stable enough server to handle the added load. I hope this makes sense.

As to exchanging email addresses, we certainly cannot make them available on the site for the public - we might be able to facilitate more live interactions if you could use our contact form to let us know what time zone you are in and typically what the best days/times would be for you to connect with other members. We could then send out a group email to those who have reached out and attempt to facilitate a meeting time that way. It could also be helpful for us to get a feel of how a live interactive session would work.

Wishing all of you the best and may you feel better on a daily basis!

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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