Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 16)

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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I have been on Savella for 2 months and I've been feeling so much better. I have had some weight gain and was wondering if it's just me or have others had weight gain. I have also been going for physical therapy 2x a week for some back & jaw issues and haven't been able to exercise as much as I'd like which could also be an answer to the weight issue. Seeing the doctor tomorrow.

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Dear fellow suffers of fibro, this forum has helped me understand the effects of these drugs. I know they aren't all bad and the scientists are doing what they can to help but I'm so confused. I have had fibro since I was in my teens but didn't know what was wrong then. My wonderful GP diagnosed it some 7 years ago and has been trying different drugs to help. I recently tried to go off my meds so that I might hopefully loose a little weight for my son's wedding in June. Oh no, I had no idea what they would do to me. I've had a few nightmares, screaming in my sleep. Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and yes depression (and I've never been diagnosed with being clinically depressed). I cried for so long the other night that I scarred my husband and myself - not knowing why. Since reading all your experiences I now know that what has happened to me (not all at once thankfully) is withdrawal symptoms. I am feeling so dreadful I have now decided to go back to my full dose until after the wedding and an operation I'm to have in July. This is scary stuff folks - how do you get off these drugs without it affecting your whole being. I will be very very slow in trying to decrease the dosage and hopefully later in the year I will be successful. I will then have to re-evaluate something else to help me manage the pain and debilitating effects of fibro, as well as sever arthritis, I have had many operations and they fixed everything that I had done - so I have been truly blessed in this way. I would just like to be fixed with fibro - I am optimistic.

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Yes, me too, I have noticed a tremendous change in my memory ( cognitive) skills... I almost forgot just now what I was responding to... :-). Also, just started Savella 2 days ago. Noticed the dry mouth, hot flashes, constant persperation; had to change to a more effective deoderant, noticesd stomach upset when taken on an empty stomach, and slight nausea and jitteriness. All in all I feel so much more energy, am able to sleep through the night, LESS pain... I can function. It's only been a couple days and I hope it stays as is or gets better! Good luck to everyone in finding the right combination! And thank u for listening!

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This is to Karen S. I take pain meds for my fibro. They are opiates. You should'nt feel like a druggie. No one needs to know you are taking them. I feel if you need them then take them. Sometimes it can be hard to find a DR. who will prescribe them. I have tried all sorts of them, the Vicoprofen works the best for me. You will not become addicted to them if you really need them and you don't take more that was prescribed for you. I am starting on Savella on Monday. I am weaning off my prozac and prednisone first. I can certainly feel that I am not on my prozac. I start to cry all the time over nothing, don't feel like going anywhere nor seeing anyone. I sure hope I can tolerate Savella. I have heard that it can really make you sick, with vomiting and all. Good luck to all of you with fibro. Does anyone know of a fibro chat or support group that is active daily??

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I have been taking 50 mg of Savella twice daily now for 2 months. My doctor instructed me how to wean myself from my Prozac. The effectiveness for pain was almost immediate. However, I did have nausea at the beginning. The nausea is now gone, but like others posting, I have extreme hot flashes with perspiration (I have had a complete hysterectomy) and now it seems I have a constant headache. I also have diabetes 2 and it is harder to control my blood sugar. I know it sounds like I'm a mess but I also have many blessings and enjoy life every day.

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I have been given a 2 week pack to try. I have fibro and arthritis with severe lower back pain. Currently on Cymbalta and Lyrica. WEIGHTGAIN can be 5-10 lbs per week, very hard to lose. What are these trigger point injections?

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Been trying to get Savella approved at the V.A. for 10 months now. Just to find out my doctor got the wrong one approved. (Cymbalta) lol Don't get me wrong I love to help other fibro. patients out, but what I read on cymbalta is that only helps women. Maybe one day I will get to try savella. :)

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I have been taking fora month.I feel i
would have had better results if my rotator cuff surgery had'nt flared the
muscle pain so unbearable.I pray
this savella will be what i have needed for 17 yrs. Bless All.

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I tried Savella for my Fibromyalgia pain. I made it 6 days on the trial pack. Horrible for me. I was hoping it would be a magic pill, but I had a migraine from day one that increased daily, my blood pressure went sky high, I thought my veins in my neck and head were going to burst and my heart raced like crazy, hot flashes and sweating. I thought I was going to stroke out or have a heart attack if I didn't quit taking it. I had an appointment with a doctor unrelated to this during that time and when he saw my blood pressure and heart rate, he immediately ordered me an ekg. Obviously, this isn't a drug for me. Good luck to others trying it. I know everyone's chemistry is different and it's great for some, just not for me. Feel so much better since I quit it.

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I have recently been diagnosed with FM and also have a bulging disc in my neck. I have been on numerous medications for pain/depression with only limited relief. I am currently on the 5th day of my Savella titration pack (25mg morning and evening) and have noticed dizziness and a feeling lthat my eyes are jumping. I am not sure if this is from the Savella or from being taken off of Cymbalta cold turkey. I am a little nervous after reading the post about the withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta but I am determined to keep up with it after reading all of the success stories on here. I have noticed that I am sleeping better; however, I also take Requip, which helps me sleep. The problem is with the two of them together it takes awhile for me to get over the stoned feeling in the morning. And heaven forbid if I have to get up in the middle of the night! haha! I do feel that I am in a better mood during the day and have more energy once the side effects wear off but have not noticed much difference with the pain yet. It sounds like it may take some time for some people so I guess there is still hope.

Thank you sooo much for posting this site. I am so glad I ran into it and was able to have some of my questions answered. I really enjoy reading the posts and plan on visiting this site frequently!

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Oh, I have also noticed within the last couple of days that I have a tendency to cry at the drop of a hat, and for no reason at all. I am hoping that this is a symptom of the Cymbalta withdrawal and will improve with time.

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I have been given Savella to try for my fibro. I have been on Paxil 50mg and Lyrica 100mg. I am kinda afriad to start since I have read people saying it caused mood swings or depression. This evening I will take my first does unless I chicken out. lol

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This is day 4 on Savella for me. I have read most of these posts and I have most of the same things going on. I was weaned off of Lexapro. I am starting to notice positive changes. So far I havn't noticed an increase in appetite which is good cause I could stand to loose a few pounds. I wake up at 3-3:30am for work which is when I take my morning dose but by 12N I'm done. I can't stay awake and almost feel lethargic. My mother described it saying she thought I either was messed up on drugs or she thought I forgot to take my meds. I'm aware that we are supposed to take the Savella 2x a day but I'm wondering if I'm taking it at the wrong times and that is why I fall out at noon. I take it when I wake up and before I go to bed. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome and carpel tunnel. Does anyone have any input on my fibro fog? I don't have an appt. with my rheumatologist for a few more weeks so I thought someone here might be able to help.

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I am just getting ready to start my final dosage of the titration pack (50 mg 2x per day). Most of the symptoms have waned and I am beginning to feel pretty good. I am still crying at the drop of a hat but hopefully that goes away soon also. I seem to have a lot more energy (My house has actually been kept clean YAY!) and I don't feel like I want to sleep all of the time.

Kasey, I have also been diagnosed with RLS. Are you taking Requip for that? I was curious because I am and I am usually pretty stoned when I take the Savella and Requip together at night.

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Carolee,
I was given Klonipin for my RLS but it doesn't seem to be working well. Some of the people I talked to told me to take 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm. I tried and that isn't helping either. I have had lots of trouble sleeping at night since I started Savella but I'm hoping it gets better. Forgot to take my meds yesterday morning and boy did I pay for it today.

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I have been on savilla several months. Started at 25 mg per day helped with pain and mood. Then after three months had to jump up to 50 mg. After two months now have to go to 75. Don't notice decrease in appetite or sweats. I have had sweats 20 years as part of CFIDS, so I can't tell.

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Kasey,

You may want to ask your doc about Requip for the RLS. I had difficulty sleeping before the Savella and Requip seemed to help. Now with the Savella and Requip together I am sleeping like a baby.

I am on my 2nd day of the 50 mg and am doing wonderfully. Still notice pain but have a lot more energy and side effect have pretty much gone away.

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I have been on Savella for Two weeks now. I have horrible mood swifts. I am a compete bitch and very angry one minute and crying the next. I find I don't want to be around anyone including the people I love the most. The pain relief from my Fibromyalgia is getting so much better. Is there another medication that can combat the mood swings? Any suggestions?

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Bekk27 - I wonder if there is a natural supplement you could take which would help like Evening Primrose Oil. If the Savella is giving you good relief of the pain, I am not sure if your doctor would want to prescribe another drug to help your mood swings because of possible interactions? Hmmm ... they would know your medical history better to make an informed decision. Personally I always like to try natural supplements first. I hope you will find some relief! I'm also curious to know what others have done to help with their moods?

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I'm noticing a distinct pattern of fibromyalgia with degenerative disc disorder. I have spinal stenosis, have had surgery, spinal injections, plus fibromyalgia. Is this common?

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