Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 9) (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 am very upset, No one has even given my question a thought. I havr been waiting patiently, But to no avail....I will find my answers elsewhere...... thanks anyway!!!!!

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Dear Saundra,
Please accept my sincere apologies for not responding to your post. Please don't give up on this site as there are so many wonderful, warm and caring people who are participating in this discussion of Savella. First you mentioned that you're reaping benefits from the Savella as far as your pain is concerned. As with all drugs there are side affects that are different for each of us. Are you still taking the Savella and having the same problems? Out of all the posts I haven't read one that states the side affects that you're having. I do know that some medications will enlarge your pupils. I think the skin problems that you mentioned could just be a cause of introducing a new medication into your system. You stated that you do not take many meds so that could be one of the reasons. I really don't have any answers but I do know that you are very upset and that upsets me. Please give the site another chance and see if anyone can give any other input to the problems that you are having.
I think we've been a little excited about the special attention that The rxchat.com Team, has been giving to our posts that we've over looked the most important part of this forum and that is to help one another. So once again, Please accept my apologies and God Bless you, Sweetie! Give us another chance!

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Kristi~ You are a Savella success story! Thanks for finally sharing your story! It is uplifting posts like yours that we all need to hear!! Keep up your posts---you never know how many people you may be helping!

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I have been suffering from fibro for a very long time and finally decided to medication. My doctor suggested taking Savella. I have tried muscle relaxers and pain meds but it did not help. I most concern with the constant fatigue. I am starting Savellla tonight, let;s see what happens!

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Saundra, I too apologize, we were all excited to be able to have to special help. I haven't had or heard of that side effect but all meds affect everybody different. I am finding most of the things I noticed that were bothersome when I first started the Savella are going away or else I'm just not noticing as much, whichever the case its good, I do believe however your body can and does get used to things, its amazing that way. Kathy whatever you do keep trying it for awhile, it is amazing for the fatigue, I too had tried everything and anything docs thought would help fibro before I found the Savella. Keep us posted.

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Lori, Teresa and Rebecca, Kristi and ALL, I was just thinking this morning we shouldn't quit talking/using this forum to keep connected until we figure something out...I was kinda discouraged this morning as we've had bad weather here which seems to affect my fibro or arthritis or both and make the fatigue and pain that much more miserable and I got wondering about the rest of all of you good people. It is nice to talk, complain, support and be supported by each other. Lets keep it going!! Kristi thanks for the encouragement, I NEEDED to hear it today. I get frustrated that my body won't cooperate with my mind....meaning I WANT to get up and get things I need to do done and my body doesn't want to or won't cooperate or I have to fight with it soooo hard I'm mentally drained. Just having a no good, very irritating, miserable, not in a good place day.

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Hi girls! Tessie, you're right; keep this going. I had to work today at my job. I had the shingles 2-3 weeks ago, after that, then I got a UTI. three days of bactrum, that cleared up, and the next day BAM! the muscles in my upper back/neck mostly left side are spasm and so much pain I got in an appointment thursday am (lucky) for trigger points. Today, I got the IBS flaring up, and then the job caused my whole left side (I'm left handed)muscles are flaring up again. This is a viscious cycle. I''m cycling through this and what in the heck is a girl to do? I am at a complete loss. My pain doc told me that I am at the highest dose for savella. Maybe I need a pain medication stronger, like an opiod, but I don't want the stuff. I need to maintain my mental alertness, and I don't want a drug dependency but I don't like not knowing what is tomorrow going to be. This is not an illness that is going away, so they say. So do I just keep cycling through this. my husband thinks I should apply for a disability. I can't do that, I couldn't afford to live on a disability, has anybody applied for a disability? I have like six to eight different diagnoses, but I have always been moving forward, we have a home business that I and my husband have been building up. I have to keep it all going. My legs hurt, I walked my butt off today. I wonder if I'll feel good tomorrow. Any suggestions, what do you guys do when you go thru this cycle? Or, please tell me if you do 'cycle'. HELP. Any suggestions short of jumping off a bridge would be welcome. thanks all.

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Second day on Savella and I feel amzaing better than I have in a long time. I still wake up stiff and it takes me a while to get going but once I take the dose of Savella I get a surge of energy. I have been doing stuff that I have not been able to do in a while. Hope the effects last. I wish I could go on disability but it is not an option for me since I'm the only one working at the time.

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Lori, & all. Funny you should mention that about disability because as I mentioned I was thinking about all of you the other day and wondered what your situations were like. I'm almost 43, I worked at a doc's office for 10 years and then did his medical transcription at home for another 5, I also had four small children at the time and had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15, Lupus as 18 and fibro and other problems by age 20. I was ashamed and/or embarrassed at first thinking about disability BUT after working for and with doc for 15 years and seeing the people who WERE getting on it, I DIDNT feel bad and problems got so much worse by the I applied for the disability, (they ALWAYS deny you the first time by the way) and then after waiting for two years I was approved...GOOD NEWS for YOU guys this was BEFORE fibro was on their list, IT WASN'T recognized when I got approval, it now is. Anyway I am on disability and would be glad to provide info, help and encouragement for the process, its long but worth it, I've wondered how some of you keep working (course we all do what we have to). I know this isn't making any sense right now cuz I've been in fibro fog today bad, anyway depending on how long you've worked and how much you've paid in depends on how much you'll get. Anyway, as far as narcotics, let me tell you I take an OCCASIONAL pain pill (like once a week or less) BUT when I first found prescription drug info the reason I found it was to get off of the duragesic patches my doc had put me on over the last 3 years because of serious pain that they didnt know what was causing it. I finally decided I was only existing and they were making me WORSE. I cold turkey'd them and let me tell you withdrawals from these things (from the people on forum I talked to) are worse than heroine withdrawals. THAT being said, I used to take occasional pain pills previous to this patch. MY ADVICE, DON'T let some doctor put you on anything slow release or that stays in your system very long. Pain pills are okay in moderation and there are even some out there that don't make you too not alert. I found the Savella right after getting these narcotics out of my system. A REALLY GOOD anti-inflammatory that has worked for me for pain (non narcotic) brand name is CATAFLAM. Docs told me I couldn't take it anymore after my stomach surgery in June but after prayers, withdrawals from narcotics nearly ruining my life and marriage and not helping pain that much anyway I decided I'd rather have another stomach surgery than take SLOW RELEASE narcotics. Short term on an as needed basis works okay... If this doesn't make sense or anyone has questions...just ask. Anyway woke up to 2 feet of snow this morniing I think thats what I felt so yucky yesterday, feel a lil better today, still ache and hurt and the USUAL with fibro, etc but I know how you feel. LORI, if you don't mind, How old are you and What are your other conditions?? ANYONE else that wants to share tell us TOO the more info we share the more help we can get and give?!
God Bless and HUGS to all!

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I haven't had a upset stomach yet. But then again I'm only been on them for two days. I make sure to take them with a good meal. I don't take any other meds with it. Not even my vitamins!!!! I chose to do this to make sure any reactions are from the Sevella and nothing else. I will keep you guys posted.

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Kathy, I'm glad savella is already working good for you. Obviously, if you read some of the previous posts, it isn't right for everyone. I can relate to not taking anything else, I'm always paranoid that I'm going to have a reaction (I have alot of reactions) so, my pharmacy is definately on my A list in my phone. I'm not ready to go for a disability request. I work, got put down to part time, which is what my doctor recommended for me anyway. We do have a farm and feed business, so I have alot to do. I feel good when I'm active but I easily overdo it because I feel good. Duhhh.. I really ought to catch on to that. Tonight I feel like an invalid. Everything was sore so I rubbed this smelly ointment all over my muscle aches. It's natural, and it is a rub for horses, but.. it works. It's jojoba, thyme, mint, clove, comfrey, chamomile, calendula, garlic & vitamin E. it is for scrapes and cuts and chapped skin on horses, dogs and cats, and naturally protects against infection and soothes away the pain promotes skin healing and keeps the flies at bay. I just don't have any lidoderm patches at the moment, so...
Tessie, I work two ten hour shifts in a casino as a slot attendant. Last night we were swamped because of a promotion and I hurt all over. Now I have a sore throat and swollen glands. Also, something like bursitis is acting up in the elbows. I have two eighteen year olds at home and a husband. (one of the 18 year olds is a foster child) Husband has been unemployed, but will find out about a new job on Tuesday. As far as life stress goes, it is troublesome. My oldest boy and my husband (step dad) do NOT get along, and he lives in our guest house with his girlfriend and her son. The 18 year olds get it though, and they are very helpful to me. My husband thinks that he can offer advice on help. He doesn't understand, and he won't read up. He doesn't listen to me, and it's like I feel that because he can't SEE me as a chronically ill person, then therefore I can just keep on keepin on. Waking up every single day with a migraine for the past 3 days. Anybody going through that? I always have a morning headache until coffee, but these are migraines. I take frova for that. with all the cycle of severe pains starting all over again, I don't know if the savella is helping me right now or not to be completely honest with ya. I suppose without it I would be alot worse is always possible. Can't imagine that. Oh wow. Lori is rambling. Actually I'm going to say it, we all say it; I probably am not making any sense right now because I have fibro fog but when I read others' postings who say that, it's more like fibro A.D.D. We've got all kinds of stuff to talk about and just can't stop writing. Obsessive compulsive? Does anybody else get that way? Is that a side effect of a drug, or a side effect of the fibromyalgia? Or is it just me? Hey, talk to you all later, please take care of yourselves, like how I should be taking care of myself and don't either.... Yep. You're busted too. We all do that to ourselves also.
Seeya later, rambling on. - Lori from Northern Michigan, where we don't have as much snow as you do. Ha!

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Hey everyone. Catching up on all the reading and goings on I've missed. Hubby got me a Yorkie puppy for V-Day. He thought it may help channel my pain and provide a bit more (less strenuous) exercise. While this dog is more than adorable and has taken my heart, it feels like having a newborn in the house. He needs constant attention. I also had oral surgery last week. Surprisingly, it went really well. Was in a cycle of pain that had me worried if the surgery would trigger more. Doc made me promise to take the Vicodin he prescribed. OH HOW I HATE TO TAKE PAIN MEDS LIKE THAT!!!! But I did. And although I was still in alot of pain (not from the surgery) I was at least able to rest. I stopped the Flexeril while taking the Vicodin. Friday I decreased the Vicodin to a half tab. Still slept pretty good and had a good Saturday. Did the same that night with a half tab Vicodin. Woke up Sunday just not feeling right. I wasn't hurting, per se, but something wasn't right. By midday my body was in total spasm. I could barely walk. And I was absolutely beyond tired. But I kept myself going thru the day. What a chore!!! Then when it was bedtime I was not able to wind down. I took a Flexeril (no Vicodin) in hopes of helping the spasms. They were worse thru the night. And I barely got any sleep. This morning my left arm is back to spasmotic twitching, my back is in spasm and I cannot move. I'm trying to find any correlation between my meds, surgery, etc or wondering if I was just at a point of cycling that happened to coincide with everything else. It's so hard to determine. My rheumatologist doesn't ever see any correlation between this or that but I have to wonder. I don't want to have to resort to things like Vicodin to make everything manageable. I don't function well with those type meds. I'm one of those who reacts to meds very strangely, even seemingly innocent ones.

I am curious to see where we all started in this journey. For some the road has been very long. And for others, myself included, we've just begun this journey. What was it that had you take notice that something was wrong? How did you convince a doc that is was more than just.......(??????) and that you weren't doctor shopping for drugs? How did/does your family and friends handle this? What is your day like? Do you notice any triggers? Do you cycle? How oftern? Are some cycles worse than others, produce different symptoms, affect mood differently, body parts??

I know these questions have probably been asked over and over again but I'd like to see if there's a pattern or a link or whatever.

When we get our own board (community) it will be great for all this info. For now though, I think we've got a good link to keep everyone together and communicating. Did that make any sense? I'm in a fog right now and not sure that how I word things actually makes sense. LOL! I think you all know what I'm talking about. HA HA HA HA!

Keep up the posting. We MUST stay connected.

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Hello, I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for 12+ yrs. how can u really tell? but DX after the birth of last child, hes almost 10.Other 2 children are 25&23. I wake every morning in such pain, i make myself get up. it takes a good hour 2 B able 2 do anything. I am on Methadone which helps with the unbearable nerve pain. oxycodone as needed for different pain.(back,neck,hips) all arthritic,edema and DDD. Valium helps with everything,anxiety, depression, sleep,and a muscle relaxant, which i never knew about until a bout with siatica.i try to eat lots of protein,vit D, omega 3. Lyrica is helping but the bloating and weight gain isnt worth it. My Dr. suggested Savella.So I am going 2 try it. I do keep a journal, as my wrists are so cramped up and in pain from typing. Funny I did alot of transcription,was an Optician. worked all my life. Now on SSDI. fought that for 7 yrs. finally got approved. no one understands. family and friends think i am supermom and wonderwoman.I am not the same person. I hurt deeply bCuz people dont understand, they dont want to. they say i hear ya if i am in debilitating pain. NO they dont. they will never understand. I end up doing so much 4 others, i dont take care of myself. things have to change. I hope im not the only one. my pain and symptons have only gotten worse over the yrs. i just dont listen 2 my body and overdo things. i need 2 stop B4 im in a wheelchair. recently hurting wrist and torn meniscus in knee. i swell up in any overuse activity. anyone else like this? will Savella help me? HELP no friends to talk 2. they all r selfish. i am a giving person.i am a hurting person all over. please respond....

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Welcome Annie!

I am in the same boat you are. No one around me understands the pain (although they say they do) and I have no one to talk to concerning my issues. Everyone wants, wants, wants, nobody gives, and everyone believes I'm supposed to be supermom! I try to take care of myself but it seems futile. When I take the time, I feel like I'm being selfish. So, I just don't do it.

I took Savella (twice). For me it took the edge off the pain but didn't take it away. It was a great improvement. I also lost weight with it. However, because I suffer with heart failure also, it had adverse effects on my heart rate. So, I had to discontinue. Since then, I have not been on any meds that help at all.

With the wonderful help of this site, hopefully we FM sufferers will soon have our own board where we can all gather, share stories and get to know each other better. Until then, we meet here with our stories.

Hope to see you participate more and share your experiences. We are all here to support one another.

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Hi Annie,
I am sitting here crying my eyes out this very minute because I am so hurt that even my pain doctor didn't bother to call in a prescription last week. I'm appear to be going through what I guess I would call an episode, or cycle.. the pain is so bad right now. I've been on savella for around 5=6 months or so. It has been good, but apparently fibro and everything associated it can have be fine with minor flare ups and then WHAM!!! I am pissed at my doc, pissed at her office staff, pissed at my husband because he was just going up the road, and ends up gone for hours and calls me from the town that's an hour away and asks if I need him to go pick up anything. Nice of him to ask, but he abandoned me. You are right. Nobody can understand or they don't want to or they're sick of hearing it, or who knows what other people think. I have to not count on those people but need to count on myself. That's why this discussion helps. I have even been to a therapist and she says I am capable of handling things, and that I have all the tools in my toolbox to use. But there are days thatnone of that matters. Today is one of those days. It has been building up over the past several weeks and I'm ready for narcotics today. I've got an appointment for my regular doctor tomorrow and so I just need to get through today. The people that live in this house with me did not take care of things that are their responsibility (keeping the fire going in outdoor woodstove) and I can't even take a hot shower, and it's chillly inside. and that husband just LEFT ME to go visit his friends. He's an asshole. I just need to get through today. So, maybe I know just how you are feeling. I'm not in a mincing words mood today. Thanks for listening. Savella is not doing squat for me today, not because it doesn't work, but because my pain is beyond that. If you have cycles of your pain, you may want to consider making sure you have a back up pain plan just in case. I don't have one... yet. If I call my mom at least she would come over but I am not a good person to be around right now. I could really be a bitch if I were in a better mood. Help! You guys at least understand. How do you cope when you can't cope anymore? Lori

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To the rxchat.com folks: I really get ticked when I open this page and there is an advertisement for someone who says they got over fibromyalgia. I have to tell you, I hate marketing lies. I absolutely do not believe their product is going to match their claim. I would ask if you have had that claim investigated before putting it out there on this. I trust your site, but question some of the others that you are advertising for. Thanks for considering my comments. Lori

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No one wants to spend time with people who only talk about how much pain they are in.. If all you do is talk about your pain then you are allowing pain to control your lives. I simply don't allow this to happen. I also believe that when you take so many opiates or other addicting medications, you really will never be happy with any new medication that is not addictive. You build up a tolerance to the point where they not only don't help you but actually make things worse. It's very dangerous to take all those meds then add Savella on top of them. You will not get a good and fair trial until you stop some of the other meds.

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Savella helped my pain after increasing it from 100mg twice a day. But it changed my personality. I became irritable and angry. It was scary.

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Hi Lori - thank you for your feedback regarding the ads. I'm assuming that you are referring to the text ads / links from Ads by Google? The only thing with the ads on this site is that they are contracted out to third parties such as Google to determine which ads appear. As such we do not always monitor individual advertisers since the ads are coming from a third party. Doing it this way allows us to focus more of our efforts on maintaining the community, rather than having to recruit individual advertisers. I hope this makes sense. Please feel free to email us from our contact form any individual advertisers which have appeared that you are concerned about. We could then investigate them on a more individual basis.

Thanks!

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Sharon~
I could not get through one day without the help of my pain medication: morphine, immediate release and extended release, Soma, Zanax, etc. The list is very long. There seems to be such a stigma associated with using narcotics but I don't let that get to me when they make a difference in living my life or just existing..... Yes they are addicting but my doc told me who cares if they are addicting if they give you relief. I think it is unfair for you to make a judgement statement that anyone taking narcotics cannot be happy. This is so untrue. Yes you do build up a tolerance but then my Doc will adjust my dosing or go to another medication. I am reaping benefits from the meds that I'm taking---I can walk and take care of myself without the help of others. Without the narcotics I would be bedridden and then I would really be unhappy.

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