Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 6) (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'm so pleased to find this posting. I started savella yesterday for fibro. I've been on tramado for about two years and noticed the effects aren't what they once were. I am at the max dosage and afraid my body will soon quit responding at all. I tried lyrica but gained weight and felt like Willie Wonka all swelled up. I started with my fibro and CF after menapause and a bout of mono. I've also had some thyroid problems. Everything started at the same time. I feel that it has something to do with my hormones. I take enjuvia, a hormone replacement, it helps some. I too see a load of specialists all working together. I would like to know more about the site injections. My back has been terrible these days. It aches all the time. I have noticed some stomach upset and pain with savella. I also had a terrible sinus headache but didn't connect it till after reading this.

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I have been on savella now for nearly 2 months. It was added to my med regime because it works with and enhances the effects of other medications. I have been very ill with Fibro for 15 years, and this is the first real relief I have had. I am so grateful every day for Savella and the difference it has made in my life. I finally have energy again, and deal with the pain and fatigue much better. My family loves that I am able to be a much more cheerful person, and I am finally able to work without wondering every day if I can make it for 8 hours or not. It does cause some nausea in the beginning; take it with food. The nausea will pass as your body becomes accustomed to the Savella.
As for the injections...I hope they help you. I had several, and not only were they incredibly painful, they did not improve my condition at all. I hope they are useful to you. By all means you should try them, because you may be the person they help. Good luck and keep trying new things until you find the magic button for your body.
Darcy Birdsall

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My opinion is give the injections for back pain a try. You'll probably need to see a pain specialist for injections. Depends where your pain is coming from where they'd do the injections. I'm in process of having a series of injections in my neck area, both sides. With the kind of injections I'm having, they are done in a series of three different times. The doc injects my neck in 4 or 5 different areas -- first with something to numb the skin, then with a kind of cortisone. I'm told the first two times she does the injections it is really more for diagnostic purposes to see whether the injections will work. Third time the injections are to actually kill some little nerves in the neck. (Those little nerves do grow back so this is not necessarily a permanent solution.) The injections are unpleasant but I've definitely had worse things happen to me. Don't let someone tell you the injections are unbearable. They aren't. They aren't a picnic in the park but you can definitely have far worse things. Best of luck!

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I have trigger point injections as needed. For me, it is monthly. There are many trigger points, the maximum that my pain specialist will give me at one time is six. The medication is only lidocaine. It is more the needle that helps the trigger point, but the dry needling can be painful. My pain specialist does not use any steroids, that they are not good for you/me/anyone. When I get my injection, she sprays a numbing agent onto the area, injects the lidocaine, slightly moving the needle around, then slowly removing the needle from the site. after removing needle, she massages the site area which is necessary to improve the benefit of the injection. I have also received the lidocaine patches for a sample, then got a prescription for them. It is very helpful for when I have an area flaring up, for me it is usually my shoulder blade muscle/neck muscle area. I have had a great benefit from the injections and I called for info. on accupuncture. The first visit for me will be $95 for a complete history and a treatment. then 65 every visit thereafter. I have to budget this in, but it is worth it to me, and my pain specialist actually recommended it. Wheeeww. Long winded. Hope the info helps

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I was on Savella for 4 mos. Have called the FDA to advise of a side effect I had that wasn't listed & have saved all my info & leftover meds (waitin to see what happens). Had to stop taking it-it's been abt 2 mos. OMG! The probs it caused me! Was covered in bruises, , mood swings, stomach pain, the anxiety (geez!), lost my job (a new job) because I couldn't concentrate/focus/retain anything, was always soaked w/sweat, 24/7 headache, hardly ate (needed to lose weight, but not the way to do it), terrible dry mouth (still have that-hasn't gone away), sense of smell went out of control (hyperosmia-not listed in poss side effects-also hasn't gone away-making my life miserable as 99% of my migraines are caused by scents), ended up in the hosp 2X for extremely high blood pressure & chest pain (mine is normally high90's over low70's). Still having some probs even after going off it. Afraid now to try anything for Fibro, now just trying to deal w/the pain...safer that way.

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I start savella tonight-for depression-still on 375 Lyrica per day-taking me off Effexor for depression-anyone taking both fibro drugs for different reasons?

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Hello everyone...I'm a 10 year FM sufferer and I'm very young. My PM doc gave me the sample pack of Savella and I sat on the thought of taking it for about 6 months, just because of all the other meds i've been on for the past 12 years. Well the holiday's were coming and I thought hmm maybe I'll try this Savella Sample pack so I can get through the pain of Christmas shopping I knew I had coming up. Well that was a baaadd decision. I took the Savella and about a week or so after I started taking it my ENTIRE body swelled up like a balloon. I discontinued the medicine and was in sooo much pain I had to rent a wheelchair scooter to finish getting through Christmas. I waited about a week and continued to swell up. Even though I quit the Savella the swelling was still the same if not worse. I finally went to the ER and the doctor's were shocked to see how swollen I was and where I was swollen(EVERYWHERE!!) I was put on lasix oral meds and after about a week the swelling finally began going down. I have been on the Lasix for about 3 weeks now and I have lost 24 pounds and still have some swelling. The doctor gave me a 2 month supply of Lasix. I truely think if I would have continued the Savella I could have died. It was really scary. Just to give you some minor info about me, I'll tell you I'm 36 Caucasion I have FM, Asthma and Sleep Apnea, and Diabetes. I am only taking Asthma meds and Insulin. I no longer take anything for Fibro cause obviously pain killers mask the pain and nothing makes it go away. Occasionally I will take Prescription Naproxen. That's all! I've tried injections and all that good stuff too..Tried Lyrica and it made me pass out on my kitchen floor....also, I have no know allergies...This just happened out of the blue...I followed all the proper instuctions and looked up Savella online before I decided to take it....Good Luck all you Fibro sufferers...I'm gonna try some semi permanent aquatic PT and pray I have a comfortable life because I tell you what...It sure SUCKS right now...

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Purpletustin,you mentioned in your post experiencing sudden hearing loss; do you know what caused it? I too have experienced this along with a gradual loss that i later discovered was caused by neurontin.I was prescribed Cymbalta to help with nerve pain,after starting Cymbalta i began having blackout spells and woke up one morning unable to hear anything.I have regained some with the help of a hearing aid.I tried the Savella which caused severe nausea

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First, Teresa, thanks for starting post. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Fibromyalgia but from what rheumatologist tells me they all cause you some similar problems. That being said the Fatigue & pain has been the WORST for me for the last 15 years. I worked at a medical clinic for ten years, my doc did believe in fibro before it was recognized but was at a loss as how to help and was willing to try anything I was. I have tried everything from the Amitriptylene the really old one, to the neurontin and the lyrica and the cymbalta, was on prozac for about 10 years, didn't ever feel real good on any of them. Was given ALOT of different narcotics for pain as well which between all these meds about ruined my life, marriage, etc. I have been totally narcotic free now for three months, started savella two months ago and was able to taper off the Prozac, but take it 4-5 nights per week the week before my period, it does help with the aggitation and depression of PMS, mood swings, etc. That being said I was scared to death of the side effects of savella because of the lyrica, cymbalta and neurontin experiences I had, HOWEVER, I feel better than I have for 15 years. That being said, I agree with the aggitation and aggression someone mentioned they had, some days seem worse than others. I do take xanax occasionally when I get extremely agitated. I HAVE noticed I DON'T sleep so good with it though, I do have ambien rx but don't like to take it much, try to use tylenol PM 3-4 nights and then use an ambien for a real good nights sleep.
QUESTION: for those of you who felt really aggitated and irritable did symptoms seem to get better as you got used to it, I too have also noticed a little more depression and or emotional feelings; I WONDER though if this is a result of discontinuing Prozac after 10 years because some of the antidepressants do make you feel kinda like you don't feel.
Sorry to ramble, anyway thank you all for sharing and any info anyone else has who has tried this a little longer is welcomed. Also I do have a cousin who is a pharmacist, she says of all these fibro drugs and antidepressants, this one was shown to cause weight loss, weight gain wasn't a symptom in trial studies...that being said, I had major stomach surgery for a GI bleed in June, and I haven't had the upset stomach (any more than usual)....gastroenterologist said that stomach problems, nausea, etc., are a big symptom of the fibro as well, what ISN'T???!!!! Anyway thanks to all for sharing. I do notice I have energy and can get out of bed and pain is 75% better with NO NARCOTICS. I just hate being so CRANKY at kids and hubby at times and hope somebody can figure out something to help ease that..I am SOOO glad I found this so far though. Thanks for sharing. Teresa, Prayer and attitude is huge as you say as well as nutrition, exercise and good mental attitude. Just easier said than done, like anything worthwhile, you gotta work for it....I tell myself that on the days I hold my couch down so it doesn't run away cuz I'm too tired and hurting to do anything that day!! Hugs to all, Hang in. Prayer does help me too!!!

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I am 50 y/o who is just trying Savella for the first time tonight. Recently had surgery for ACL tear and have been having lots of pain, especially at night. Hoping the Savella will help lessen the pain, and will help curb my appetite so I can loose a few pounds. I read quite a few comments tonight. LOL...can't read the ones that talk about yawning, cause it made me START yawning. How infectious is that!! Thanks for all the good info from everyone. It really has been helpful.

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This is for Tessie--- you sound so much like me and guess what? I'm called Tessie also since I was a child.

I'm so glad to hear that the Savella is helping you. Unfortunately my insurance company would not approve it for me even after my Neurologist requested in writing the need that I have for it. It can go to appeals but I've fought long enough with them that I just gave up. Unfortunately I'm using morphine and it has begun to not give as much relief as it once did. I go back to my Neurologist in 2 weeks and will see if he's up to the appeals process.

Withdrawals are the worst thing to go through and I'm positive you're experiencing withdrawals from the Prozac. I was on Zoloft and discontinued that last August along with many other meds. I have to take my Zanax daily. Luckily there's no one here but me and the cats so no one has to put up with my moodiness!

Keep up your positive attitude and remember to find humor in everything that you can. Hugs right back at ya and remember to Praise the Lord!

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Hi everyone! I'm on VACATION. I love to say that. Car ride is a pain, but I am doing great being in the warmer weather. Tessie, I had the crankies (serious) until my doc took me off one of my antidepressants, because with the savella, I was getting too much of the ingredient that my fibro-fog is not allowing me to remember right now. Anyway, I take the savella and wellbutrin SR now, and had been taking wellbutrin SR, savella, and another - like zoloft.. I can't remember the name LOLOL. The drop off that one, within days I was back to being a 'nice' person. :) I still am researching daily fibromyalgia information and all the suspected causes, as well as learning about natural alternatives and even talked to my pain specialist about medical marijuana. It is now legal in michigan. No, I do not want to smoke pot, I am just researching, but I really wanted her opinion on it. I love my doctor! I really can discuss anything with her and I know my health is better because of a good relationship with my doc. I hope you all have a good rapport with your physicians', it is a anxiety reliever for me. Take care, God Bless, Have a great Day!

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Lori--if you can get medical marijuana definitely give it a try. It has helped so many people and it's a natural drug. I smoked pot in my younger years for recreational purposes and loved it however my lungs did not so the use of it for me is out of the question until it can be purchased in THC form. I don't think any insurance would approve it so you'd be out of pocket on that but I can tell you it would be allot cheaper than paying full price for Savella or just about any other new medication.

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I just started my second week of Savella-just taken off Effexor for the depression-have mercy-I haven't ever had hot flashes like I do since starting the Savella, hope this side effect goes away. I've been on Lyrica since Oct. 2008 for fibro and so far it has helped some but I also go to a chiropractor twice a week because of herniated disc and spinal problems. Has anyone else been put on Savella for depression besides me?

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This is a site to discuss experiences with Savella. It is not a site to discuss medical marijuana. I will no longer be referencing this site and that is a shame since I have benefited from all your input up to now.

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Reply to Sharon: If you can figure out how to get off this list so you no longer receive e-mail notifications when new comments are added, please let me know since I'm not interested in continuing participation either. I'm not computer savvy enough to figure it out. Thanks!

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Bye Bye Sharon and Just Me! So glad you benefitted up until now. Myself and one other person has spoken about marijuana certainly hasn't changed the subject of this post.
It's very simple to unsubscribe:
1. Click on home page link.
2. In the big blue welcoming box click on about us link.
3. Scroll down until you find email
us. Click on that link and you can unsubscribe from there.

Good luck and God Bless you both!

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I've used this site for lots of information about many medications and problems, what I think people don't understand is that it is a forum, that means discussion, you don't have to reply or read or apply EVERYTHING EVERYONE says but everyone is entitled to an opinion, thats what I'm here for!! Sorry some can't apply what they want ignore what they don't. As far as I'm concerned they are the ones missing out!! THANKS Teresa. God bless all!! Thanks for the answer about the aggression and agitation, I'm struggling with it but I feel like I'm still trying to find the right dosage for me!! Savella is still the best thing I've found for the FATIGUE and the PAIN of the Fibro in 15 years so I'm willing to keep trying it despite side effects so far.

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Is anyone having these type of side effects? Skin a pinkish color & really big pupils? My pupils are really big & I just noticed today, so I don't know how long they have been like this. My skin(especially my face & neck) has been kind of pink for about a week now. Other than the occasional hot flashes (I like to call them power surges ;) ). The Savella has been okay so far. Is anyone else having side effects like these? The pain is alot less & I have been taking Savella for about a month now. Not thrilled with taking anything. I don't like to take medication ever, but if I have to then I will. thanks for letting me ramble. Bright Blessings to you all.

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I honestly am scared, depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, and 45. Got laid off this past June and have no money. I have had fibro since it was first talked about and my 19 yr old daughter does too. I also have bad spinal stenosis, disc bulge, very painful osteoarthritis, thyroid disease, carpal tunnel, horrible brain fog, and the list goes on... I tried Lyrica and almost drove head on into the front end of an 18 wheeler due to the horrible depression it threw me into. My husband thinks I should take Savella and I am afraid... I currently take Cymbalta which isn't doing anything that I can see, Mobic, Ultram, synthroid, and Concerta which does help me with my energy level slightly at times. I stopped taking the Xanax as often since not working. I just tend to feel so at loss right now and have barely any motivation to even live. I just can't bare the thought of menopause which I'm sure is right around the corner... Well, thanks for listening... I just had to vent and I know at least some of you understand... <3 Please be careful and pay attention to the moods some of these meds put you through.. It's very easy to let your mind go to a bad place as it is when you're constantly in so much pain...

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