Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 26) (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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I have been on it a month now and still have knee,leg and elbow pain. I hope this works, because it has changed my outlook. I feel melancholy at times. Thank you also for all your kindness. It's just so nice to have someone who understands what I go through daily. Let me know how the new med works and let me know the name. Stay in touch and have a blessed week-end.

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Phyllis, it took a few months. I do a Zumba class almost every day. I'm sad to report that I have less muscle pain when I go a few weeks without working out! But, I have to work out so I can sleep and it elevates my mood. So I take some Naproxin for that pain and keep going to Zumba. Exercise helps my arthritis pain for knees and hips. As you will find, Fibromyalgia is different for everyone. Hopefully you will find your combination of relief!

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Thank you so much for your comments back,,it really helps. I work full time and take body flex, cardio and weight interval and physical training classes every week. I really hope to see results. I hope you keep getting better. Stay in touch and have a blessed week-end.

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I've been on savella with lexapro and naproxen, along with valium (as needed) and flexeril(as needed). I only feel a little queasy in the am if I take the savella and don't eat right away. I am doing so much better with Savella than Lyrica. I have DDD, and fibro..the lex. helps with not just depression but also the fibro..and elevates my mood and some days are so bad, I really sometimes feel like giving up, but then I get spells of feeling like I have nothing - especially when I am in warm dry weather. Just returned from 2 glorious pain free weeks in Florida, so don't give up, it takes awhile to find what works best for you. I must have tried 7 antipressants before I found lexapro only to discover it also helped my fibro..and lyrica and cymbalta before I got savella.. I rejected any opiods for pain, for many reasons of my own on side effects. However, if you can't function at all, you many need to do that and one day that day might come for me

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I just started taking Savella this week. The main problem I find with Savella and this is the 2nd time I am trying this is my mood change. I am quick to anger. No patience. I am no longer taking Effexor for depression while on the Savella. I tried Savella before but did not give it a chance to work, I stopped taking it and went back on effexor because of the mood swings. Has anyone experienced anything like this and has been on Savella long enough to where these symptoms have subsided?

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I didn't notice that particular side effect, (the mood swings) but I wonder if taking Lexapro at the same time would counter balance that. I did take a small dose of Lexapro (only 5 mg.) at the same time for about a year. I felt really good! I got along so much better with my teenaged daughter :-) However, I decided to go off the Lexapro because for some reason I can never lose weight while I am taking an anti-depressant. They sort of make me too happy with the way things are, and I don't seem to have the discipline to stay away from the goodies. I lost 9 pounds last fall! Some have started to creep back up on me, but I am being diligent again, and hope to get those darn 4 pounds off again. When I was on Cymbalta, I gained 12 pounds over a years time. I am down 14 pounds from that now. Savella has actually curbed my appetite--which is one of the side effects (yippee!) So, maybe see if you can get on a small dose of Lexapro at the same time. It just went generic, so (Escitalopram) see if your doc will prescribe it--now that it is cheap! Another thought for all you great struggling Fibro friends--have any of you ever tried Nuvigil? I have an RX for it, and only take it about once every couple months, but when I do--I can forge ahead through the day without resting and I get so much done! It is expensive and insurance will not pay for it, but even at $200 for 30 pills--I just cut them in half (the 150 mg dose) and I can make that RX last me a year. Just another thought for ya'll.

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The mood swings are supposed to be a temporary side effect. I have been on savell for 6 weeks and the swings just started for me. My doctor said it would pass. Not really getting any pain releif,,,but I was told to stay on it for 6 months and I will. The sweats have stopped and I get very little nausea now. Hope this helps.

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I started Savella 7 days ago. I don't have much of as appetite. Within last 2 weeks I've loss 5 lbs.. I started a total vody cleanse. This may be why I don't have much of an appetite. Afraid to take the Meloxicam for inflammation.

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Thanks Phyllis this helps me alot. I go back to the Dr. in 2 weeks. I will check with her about the anger issue. I didn't realize the hot flashes were part of the Savella also. I am happy to hear they subside as well. I guess I will give it the 6 mths. You seem to be well informed. I need to ask more questions as it seems my Dr. is not forthcoming with information. I think this site is awesome for help. I hope you get the relief you so need. Thank you all for your help. I have learned much from you. God Bless.

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Thanks Peachpiano..you are a wealth of information. You are great. I have not heard of Lexapro. I will check with my Dr. when I go back to her. Nausea is not a symptom for me. My only problems are the mood swings and hot flashes which I did not attribute to the Savella until I read this site. Also, I have not noticed any relief in pain but i have only been on it for a week. I did want to thank you for your advice and your input. You are so very kind to share your experience with everyone. I pray you get the relief you need. God Bless.

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You are very welcome Carolyn. This is why I love the forum,,,it keeps us together. I did not get these answers from my doctor either. I had to go to other medical sources to get the info we need. Stay in touch and have a great week-end.

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I went off Savella after two years because the sweating and flushing got worse not better. Totally alleviated the pain in my elbow joints but sweat profusely and face was always flushed very red. Never had a moment of nausea but seems to be different symptoms and levels of each. Had miraculous pain relief in three weeks, but the level of sweating was impossible to live with. Now on natural supplements that seem to be working, still tired, still achy but not as much and not sweating like a pig.

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I just want to say something about what doctors do and don't tell you. My husband is a Dermatologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is prescribing drugs to people all day long. He researches drug interactions using a special App just for that purpose. He is frequently called in on hard hospital cases where the poor patient is on so many drugs it is almost impossible to determine which one caused what reaction, and usually it is a terrible itchy rash. Doctors just won't know everything these drugs do-- we want them to and pretty much expect them to, but they don't. I'm not saying this to blame them, just stating a fact of life. That is why this kind of forum is so helpful -- to be able to communicate with people who have been or are currently on the drug.
For those who can take the side effects, Savella has really been a God-send. I have not noticed the hot flashes getting worse, I just pray that they don't! They are pretty bad already!
I would not expect your prescribing doctors to know thoroughly about these side effects unless they have taken the drug themselves! You have my two cents for today!
My psychiatrist put me on Cymbalta several years ago and he told me it was weight neutral, well, I discovered that was not th case! So keep checking in here to see how others are faring! Happy Sunday!

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My main complaint with Savella is anger. I am always angry and have a short temper. I was taken off the Effexor when starting on the Savella and I dont know which of that is my problem. I am going to stay on the Savella for a given amount of time to give it time to work into my sytem and get the full effect but in the meantime I am not a happy camper. I was hoping to get some insight from someone as to how long this may last. Given an idea would give me hope for a better tomorrow for my poor family. I appreciate all the insight so far. This forum is great I am happy I stumbled upon it. Happy Sunday to you also!

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I don't think I realized how angry I became til I went off it. Have always been the more outspoken in our fam ily but can see a change in last few months. I do have to say I had a very tiring weekened, went dancing Friday, in bed at 2:30 am and then catered a wedding Sat., til midnight, yesterday I was exhauusted and my elbows ached. It rained here all day so I think between the dampness and just plain having a hell of a good active weekend I was tired. For one brief second I missed my Savella, but I got over that notion quickly and climbed in bed for some much needed sleep. It is four a.m. and I'm getting ready to do my Monday catering job and my arms feels good again. Life is GOOD! Please try natural approaches if at all possible, I have done every prescription and been to every specialist, I will always have a SPECIAL body inside (bad muscles, joints, etc) but feel the best I have in the last five years. You know your body and mind the best...

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How long does it take to Savella to work.? I am going into my 8th week and it has not helped the pain. Starting to think I should get off.

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Took three weeks for me

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Thank you Veronica I tend to agree. I just don't think there is anything out there that has helped me so it is best to just grin and bare it. Or as one rheumatologist once told me "It's pain I will have to live with the rest of my life so just deal with it". Nice disposition this Dr. huh? Spoken by a dr. who clearly has not lived 10 min. with this type of pain I am sure.
Phyllis I too am not finding any relief in pain using Savella. I too am seriously considering not taking it anymore but I want to be sure I have given it a fair amount of time to get into my system to work. So I will stay on it a while longer to give it a fair shot. Thanks again everyone for your support. Have a wonderful evening!

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Carolyn, I just remembered something that another doctor told my husband about Savella. He said that he usually has to give it in a higher dose than 50 mg--like 100 mg twice a day. Well, I'm already having too many side effects to want to risk going up to 100 mg. However, he claims that the pain relief is much better at 100 mg twice a day than at 50. I have had some pain relief, but it doesn't take away all the pain. Just takes the edge off it.

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You can go to 100 mg twice a day but I shudder to think at what cost to your mind and body. I took it faithfully at 50 mg twice a day and it worked on some of my pain but the thought that Iwould ever have to double that dose, no way.... chronic pain is a horrible thing but the side effects of these drugs times two makes me understand why some people can not bear to live any longer. The depression at several points had me barely able to lift my head from my pillow n ot from pain but lethargy. Do research online, there are so many forums dedicated to just this type of thing, there you may find an aid for yor pain that is tailor made for you.

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