Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 7) (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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hey frowning, I'm 42 and have had a lot of the things you mention. I tried Lyrica too BAD stuff I think...at least for me. I also tried the cymbalta and had tried almost everything else ever prescribed for fibro and depression, etc, the Cymbalta was a little better than the Lyrica but I didn't like it either, the savella as far as I'm concerned has been way better so far. Its so (*&^ hard finding the right dosage but titrate onto it the way it says and then like you say, you gotta know if you're getting too much or too little, I have just changed the way I was taking it the last three days and its more amazing than before, not that life with fibro is ever great but I've had TWO fairly good days in a ROW now... I do have my days, weeks, and longer that I feel like I don't care what happens...I think most of us can relate. Hang in there!! Oh, I also tried the concerta quite awhile back, I had really bad depression, not so great thoughts, etc., on it, a new doc told me they give it for ADD, It does help the energy level but I didn't like the depression...I think the savella helps the fatigue better than anything I've tried so far. It's not perfect but trying to put up with the side effects cuz I really do feel like I feel better, not like I'm full of cement from the neck down, just like my body is not so heavy, I actually ran errands twice today, for me thats unheard of......good luck to all!!

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was on savella for FM for 5 weeks became very confused, hostile, angry, very suicidal. Very hypertensive B/P 215/109.Severe vertigo and stroke like symptoms. obviously off it now and feeling better.

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I am ready to start my 3rd week n savella and have already had to call the doctor and change my dosage. I was on Effexor for depression and doc changed it to savella-pharmacists said I should have waited till Effexor was out of my system before starting savella cause its the same type of med. I have severe head dizzy symtoms if I move too fast or turn my head too quickly. I am also on 375mg of lyrica-has anyone else been put on savella for depression? I experienced my first bout of real aggitation yesterday but so far, not today. Seems like I'm hurting more from fibro than usual since I started the savella- is this happening to anyone else?

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Tammy-- I can't believe that your Doctor didn't tell you that you had to stop the Effexor before starting the Savella. From the problems you are experiencing it sounds to me like you are feeling the effects of drug interaction or overdose. It will take several weeks before the Effexor is completely out of your system. I do hope you feel better soon. This is an excellent example that we must take charge and do our own research before we start any new medication.

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I'm relieved to read that others have experienced mental/mood issues when switching from cymbalta to savella. I felt as if I was going crazy with my mind spinning with out of control thoughts and severe mood drops. I chalked it up to the holidays and my mother's 30 day visit with us but now I know differently. I've been taking savella now for 7 weeks, up to 100 mg. once a day but I'm still pretty depressed. Cymbalta worked better for my depression but savella is alleviating some of my deeper, sharp joint pain. I'm suffering from chronic flu-like symptoms and the depression is pretty rough. Has anyone got any relief from these symptoms? and how long did it take at what dosage of savella? Help!

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I swiched from zoloft to savella. was on it for 5 weeks. I was also on valium to sleep. For me the Savella was very dangerous. My personality totally changed. I became very hostile, reckless driving and road rage, suicidal, curled up in a chare for weeks and avoided everyone.Total short term memory loss, Don't remember much of what happened during that time, horrible flushing and hot flashes that turned cold and then cold sweats like when you have the stomache flu and are ready to vommit. Please be careful! I nearly commited suicide. When you are in it you don't see it. Thank God my husband took me to the doctor. She put me back on the zoloft took me off the valium ,replaced the valium with 1mg of klonopin. WOW what a difference. I am returning from what felt like hell!!! I am getting my life back! I am still very debilitated and need to regain my strength. All of these drugs act differently with different people. Please when you change medicine ask a trusted friend or spouse to help you. They can be an observer and sounding board! This is very important. I nearly loss my life on savella!!!!!!!

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Deb, in reading your post, you imply in the last line it was savella that almost caused your demise, yet in the body of your text, you indicate that the doctor took you off valium and oh what a difference. Would you please rephrase the information so that it can be informational to others? I personally never had such terrible times with savella, except at the beginning when I was also on wellbutrin AND lexapro. Got rid of the lexapro and all is well. Cymbalta sure doesn't do squat for pain. Glad Savella is so great for me.

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Oh Hey, as a side note: My environment the past three weeks has been off work for self employment training seminars, etc., and vacation time. I work in a smoke filled environment for my day job, and having been out of there, my fibromyalgia hopping all over has been less, busy brain, more brain fog, and also, when I am dealing with something that brings me a great deal of personal stress and heartache (my dog -best friend in the whole world who has been with me for 14 years and now needs to be put down) caused me to have severe reactions. Also, my blood sugar levels as I am now monitoring have dropped significantly more often. I sure it's not the medicine, but the way I eat, coupled with the stress. So, what I am trying to say, is really pay attention to the environmental causes of your physical well being, and keep track of the stresses and what results that brings as well. I can't wait to update my doctor next week.

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I have to say the longer I'm on this the better I'm doing. Whether you've been on cymbalta, zoloft, prozac, whichever antidepressant for any length of time they are just as hard to get out of your system and get your body used to not having them as any other kind of drug. The longer I've been on the savella now the more and more I like it. That being said I totally agree with Lori, you have to pay attention CLOSELY to your moods, etc and have someone who is close to you tell you if you're acting different, sometimes it has to get really bad before the person taking the medication knows theres a problem whereas others around you can tell sooner. This medication has really been helpful to me for the pain and wonderful for the fatigue, etc, I don't sleep well when I take the nightly dosage however, which usually on other antidepressants if you take them in evening they help you sleep. I've started taking my evening dosage at about 5 p.m. at latest, by 10ish I'm tired, ready for bed and can sleep, sometimes using an occasional benadryl. Hope this helps. I agree with Teresa 100% the docs don't know everything about this drug, I'd rather talk to pharmacists but moreso people like teresa and others who have been on the medication and have the problems I have. Thanks all of you who share. God bless!

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hmm... interesting. I cannot settle down for bed. I take my pm dose around 9pm. I had mentioned to my doctor that I feel physically better after my evening dose, and my doctor said the time of taking the savella is to maintain the level in the body, but I HAVE to MAKE myself take my xanax so I WILL go to bed. If it were up to me, I think I'd stay up all night. I guess it might be because I feel decent and because I know I hurt when I wake up. Either way, I never want to go to bed. Anybody else like this? I wonder if it is related to savella, or if I'm just having a mental hangup..... anybody?

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another p.s. When I told my doctor that I have a hard time settling down for bed, she gave me samples of sleeping aides... three different name brand, lunesta was one of them, anyway.. when I took it, I had the OPPOSITE effect. Wound up until I took Xanax. Anybody else have this?

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Hi Everyone,
I just started Savella a week ago. Fibromyalgia pain is much decreased. I was taking 6 Ultram a day and my Doctor yelled at me. He put me on the Savella and I haven't needed the ultram as much.
One thing about me: I hate taking meds! When I was younger (20yr) (now 45) I couldn't remember the birth control either.
I blame the forgetfulness on Lupus Fog It affects short term memory.
Your posts have been most helpful. The reason I am posting is because LORI was talking about grounding. This method can be helpful to many, BUT Lori, you have been diagnose with Raynauds. Raynauds causes severe pain in the hands and feet with cold weather. Arthritis gloves are the best for the hands. Underarmer socks for the feet. Bare feet and Raynauds= pain. Even if it is just your hands with the problem, exposing your feet to cold will cause a problem with your hands. I have had the disease for 8 years. And I have had Sjogren's Syndrome for 10 years.

For a couple days on the Savella, I did experience dry mouth, but then it eased off. I do feel more depression. I have been taking Effexor and have been easing off it.
I am optimistic about the Savella.

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Dayna, Thanks! Arthritis gloves come from where? Is a prescription thing? and the underarmor sox? I wear my wool sox in the winter. in the house, in bed, in shoes, etc. The trouble with the raynauds is it is another thing that isn't a constant... meaning that it will be severe for 2+ weeks, then I'll have days that I can go out (in North Mich winter) no mittens or gloves get my hands wet with cold water from feeding the dogs and nothing goes white. Then, air conditioned or even cooler buildings turn myfingers white as snow. My doc sending me for lab tests on lymes disease, just because I asked and hadn't been ruled out yet. Also, have to have other labs to go see the rheumatologist. I just got a tens unit (that's awesome). I got a pretty severe flare up of severe pain the last 10 days or so, but of course, I have shingles, so I couldn't even get the trigger point injections. That's why the tens unit. Savella sometimes is not enough to handle the depression side of the fibro., talk to your doctor about welbutrin or zoloft or another to compliment. savella is more on the side of the pain management than the depression management. Oh, latest and greatest advice. 30 minutes of good sweaty excercise. Graduate up to that much. Both my regular MD and pain specialist stressed that this past week. Laptop on my lap makes me sweat, these things sure do get warm. hehe. I also tried out the z-coil for shoes. Had four different 'adjustments' between the lifts ad the coils. If any of you have the chance to check this out, do it! Once they were customized to my physical needs I had a great walk. My really bad pain spot at C-5 had no pain at all when I was walking with these on. My breathing was way better because of proper alignment of spine. Strangely, my headache went away. Came back shortly after I put my crappy shoes on. There is a study right now on these things with a pain management Dr. at a spine and pain clinic. Anyway, they are pricey so I put one pair on layaway. I'll just pay as I can until I am there. Might even be reimbursable with a prescription from Dr., and z-coil ppl said they get alot of prescriptions for them. Oh, on the shingles, I was given prednasone. I have side effects of mostly upset stomach but it is only 7 days. I'm halfway there. Whew. I get alot off my chest here. Thanks for the info Dayna. I will see about that but if you could tell me where to find these arthritis gloves would be a great help. Take care everyone. Have a fun day!

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I was taken off the Savella prior to stopping the valium. The savella was definitely the problem. I have taken valium in the past prior to an MRI and had no reaction. I have never had such a horrible reactionto any drug. The side effects from savella were hostility, anger, suicidal, insomnia, heard things, saw things, fecal incontinence, road rage, I was planning my suicide, horrible hot flashes which turned to cold and shivers then I would sweat, vertigo,hypertension 215/107. It was absolutely horrible and I would never advise anyone to try this drug.

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to Deb:
You have mentioned this before. Just because it was bad for you does not make it bad for everyone else. Please remember when posting that this is to share information; not to scare the hell out of people from using a medication that has helped so many of us. I hope you find the proper medication that will help you. Good luck in your efforts.

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Lori--I have the same problem of not wanting to go to bed. I will go 3-4 nights with no sleep at all and then my body will just shut down and crash. It seems when this happens I sleep much better... However I'm not getting enough rest that my body needs which in turn makes the FM symptoms go haywire. I do have Ambien but will stay up all night with it. I really think it has to do more with depression and chemical imbalance. It's not the Savella causing it for me because I haven't been on it for months. My insurance co.
(HUMANA) will not approve it for me even after my neurologist wrote a letter explaining the need. When and if I can get it I will start taking it again because it gave me the most relief out of all the meds that I've been on. Heres to a good nights rest!

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Thanks Lori, I was simply replying to your question that you asked me. I am not trying to scare anyone. If it works for you I am glad. Everyone is different. I do feel it is a dangerous drug and people who are on it should get a B/P check often. I feel everyone should be informed of the side effects of drugs. Doctors will often try to add more drugs to stop the side effect of another. I keep myself very informed. Thanks and good luck to you!

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Hi Lori,
The arthritis gloves are best priced at Walgreens online. Companies IMAK and Therall are the main ones. There is another one that isn't fingerless and works instantly, but picking things up is problematic. However, being in Michigan, it wouldn't hurt for you to have both. Go fingerless first and make sure you do small or medium. Large is for man-sized hands. Imak sells the gloves individually for around $14.99 (there isn't a right or left to worry about, you just order two boxes.
. Therall sells the two for $29.99.
If you don't have the gloves...in an emergency for a very painfull attack...keep hothands on hand. Once you open the package...the pouch begins to heat up. Then customize an ace bandage to be able to wrap around your hand. You are going to place the pouch on the back of your hand and wrap the bandage around your hand. Keep it there for the day.
Raynauds pain can be excruciating. I take blood thinners to control it. But you are right...it is not a constant. Cold weather is the factor. I take the blood thinners until March. But I am in California.
If you can take Aspirin, that's a blood thinner. I can't because I am asthmatic. Aspirin and asthma equals bad.
It was good hearing from you Lori.

On the Savella I do get the sweats, but I figure it could also be my body weaning off the Effexor or my body adjusting to Savella. I like the pill so far, so I am going to hang in there.

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Hi! I posted several weeks back when I first started on Savella, and just wanted to update all of you on how great I am doing. I do struggle with the dry mouth, but found a spray which I use just before bed or when I have to do a lot of speaking that helps tremendously. I have not felt this good in over 15 years. Keep in mind the Savella is in addition to the meds I already use: Welbutron and Savella every a.m., and Savella, Cyclobenzapril, and Imiprimine in p.m. The addition of Savella has helped tremendously with the pain, fog, energy and even taken the last bit of depression away. I know it will not work for everyone, but I would encourage everyone to give it a try. After 15 years of chronic pain, fatigue, and depression from the pain and fatigue, I am thrilled to have found the magic combo for my body. Good luck to all, and remember, don't give up. Keep hounding your doctor until you find the right combo for you.
Darcy Birdsall

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Teresa and Lori, I have had trouble sleeping as well. I'm still unsure if its savella or just part of the lupus, fibro, arthritis stuff. I do try to go the two nights or so without using something for sleep then I do use the ambien, I've been able to take a half of the 10 mg and been able to get good REM sleep (doc says thats what the ambien is supposed to give you) for at least 5 hours. Teresa, I used to work at a medical clinic, docs have ALOT of pull with drug representatives, my doc has gotten me two months worth of free samples from drug rep, ALSO drug companies offer programs to help pay where insurances won't, have you asked you doc?, it would be worth a shot. Good luck to all.

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