Another new drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. I wish there would be some medications approved for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The medication Savella, by Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Cypress Bioscience, Inc., is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor.
Savella was tested for safety in two U.S. pivotal phase III clinical trials involving over 2,000 Fibromyalgia patients. The studies showed that Savella doses of 100 mg/day and 200 mg/day demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful concurrent improvements in pain, patient global assessment, and physical function. Savella is expected to be available in pharmacies by March of this year.
How does Savella work? According to Pharmaceutical Online:
Although the exact mechanism by which Savella improves the symptoms of fibromyalgia is unknown, some researchers believe that abnormalities in certain brain neurotransmitters may be central to fibromyalgia. Savella blocks the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, with greater selectivity for the inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake in vitro. This may be the mechanism by which Savella acts to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Safety Information Regarding Savella:
Savella is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitor (SNRI), similar to some drugs used for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of such drugs in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on Savella should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Savella is not approved for use in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Savella is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Savella is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) concomitantly or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment of an MAOI or in patients with uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.
Development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with agents that inhibit serotonin reuptake, including Savella, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (including triptans and tramadol) and with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs). The concomitant use of Savella with serotonin precursors is not recommended.
Blood pressure and heart rate should be monitored prior to initiating treatment with Savella and periodically throughout treatment. SNRIs, including Savella, have been associated with reports of increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Pre-existing hypertension, tachyarrhythmias and other cardiac diseases should be treated before starting therapy with Savella. Savella should be used with caution in patients with significant hypertension or cardiac disease. For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure or heart rate while receiving Savella, either dose reduction or discontinuation should be considered.
Savella should be prescribed with caution in patients with a history of a seizure disorder, mania or controlled narrow-angle glaucoma.
Savella has been associated with mild elevations of ALT and AST. Rarely, fulminant hepatitis has been reported in patients treated with milnacipran. Savella should be discontinued in patients who develop jaundice or other evidence of liver dysfunction and should not be resumed unless another cause can be established.
Savella should ordinarily not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use or evidence of chronic liver disease.
As with other SNRIs and SSRIs withdrawal symptoms have been observed following discontinuation of milnacipran. A gradual dose reduction is recommended.
Hyponatremia may occur as a result of treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs, including Savella. Discontinuation should be considered for patients with symptomatic hyponatremia.
SSRIs and SNRIs, including Savella, may increase the risk of bleeding events. Patients should be cautioned regarding the risk of bleeding associated with concomitant use of Savella and NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin or other drugs that affect coagulation.
Male patients with a history of obstructive uropathies may experience higher rates of genitourinary adverse events.
Savella is unlikely to be involved in clinically significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Pharmacodynamic interactions of Savella with other drugs can occur.
Savella contains FD&C Yellow No. 5, which may cause allergic-type reactions in susceptible persons. In clinical trials, the most frequently occurring adverse reaction was nausea. The most commonly occurring adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 5% and twice that of placebo) were constipation, hot flush, hyperhidrosis, vomiting, palpitations, heart rate increased, dry mouth, and hypertension.
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I understand that the release of Savella has been pushed back to this summer. Has anyone seen an exact date?
i have had severe fibroyalgia for approx. 19 years. i only got real good relief this year and i followed a diet of no soda, sweets, sugars bread etc for a couple months. a friend told me about how yeast can cause illnesses in the body. there is a book called ”the yeast connection” on the market that will help. nystatin is the drug to kill yeast inside the body. candida cure sold in health food stores will help. i eat meat and veggies or haddock or eggs at breakfast.ceral is not good . if you follow a strict diet a few months, you will get relief and then can add some sweets sparingly.its well worth trying this . the relief i got is really great. i wanted to share this with others .also lookup yeast , molds and fungi.
I am so glad to see they have finally approved this drug for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. I participated in one of the studys for this drug and it was like a miracle for me. I had severe Fibromyalgia and could barely function. I had to stop working for several years and could barely get out of bed to take my kids to school. My doctor reccommended that I participate in the study and I am so glad he did. The milnaciprin (Savella) gave me my life back! I had no side effects and it relieved ALL my Fibromyalgia problems. I have been purchasing it overseas since the end of the study with a special prescription from the study doctors, I don’t know how I would get along with out it. It is about time the FDA approved this miracle drug! I can’t say enough good about it! If you are a Fibromyalgia sufferer I highly reccommend asking your doctor about Savella!
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2005 after having the Parvo B-19 virus. I’m sure I’m not alone in the people who were anticipating the new drug for Fibro. My doctor gave me the sample pack of Savella to try 2 weeks ago. After the third day of starting the medication, i became very nauseous & had a severe headache. I was sweating profusely, dizzy, dreaming very weird dreams. I called my doctor who advised me, either stick it out and see if you get better, or stop & see if you get better and then try again. I stopped. My nausea continued for 24 hours after stopping Savella. The headache started to come and go after 24 hours, but I was not back to “normal” until over 48 hours of stopping. So, the next Friday night, I took my first pill. I took another one on Sat. night (25mg). Sunday afternoon, the nausea & headache were back. And when I say nausea, I mean head holding, saliva dripping nausea. My headache was so bad both times, that I could not raise my head off my pillow. Absolutely miserable. I would like to hear from other people who have tried Savella to hear their reactions. I could not tolerate the side effects to see if it was going to work. I’m bummed. Any more out there??
People kept telling me it’s my age (80). Until I found a doctor that gave this a name. Extreme fatigue, mostly, other things too. Not too much pain, only when I squeeze parts of my body. I take a Vicodine in the morning to stop lower back pain, (spinal stenosis) I feel my life is over. This started about 1 1/2 years ago. Just started on Savella, so far no change. It is about 3 weeks. I do not know if I should continue the meds or not. My doctor told me to call and he will call the pharmacy and order another month for me. I only leave my house to go to the doctor. I sleep on and off all day. Sleepless nights. I haven’t dusted my furniture for at least 6 months. I have no desire to do or go anywhere, even to get dressed. I gave up all outside activities. My daughter takes me food shopping and she does all the work, all I do is point, I drive the riders. Evan talking on the phone exhausts me. I am a fighter, and do not want to give up. I do not have the money to go to a clinic out of Florida. Can anyone advise me what to do so that I can have my life back?
Thanks for listening. Gloria glonailpro@aol.com
I have had fibromkyalgia going on 7 years. I have been on pain medication which at times ease the pain but never goes completely way. Aso sleep aid and muscle relaxants. My Doctor has just started me on Savella, being the first from his practiced to try it. I had tried lyrica with bad reactions. I am hoping this medicine will at least relive some of the pain.
Sherry, I’ve been having the same symptoms that you have. Right now I have a 102 fever and having very weird dreams, each and every time I sleep, all nightmares. I also get the nausea. I’m still on it and just starting it. I’m on day 5 now.
I began taking Savella a few weeks ago… for a chronic sleep disorder called PLMD. This condition causes me to wake every 2 to 3 mins all night every night. In a typical night I wake about 100 times (sleep study determined this). So I am exhausted during the day and obviously have problems staying awake. I had taken provigil (but it eventaully stopped working). So like the rest of you I began my ‘trial.’ Here is what I experienced: dry mouth, constipation, ringing in the ears, increased sex drive (haven’t had one of those for a while) LOL, slightly higher blood pressure and the higher the dosage (my max is 50mg twice a day) the cloudier my thinking. I was awake, but not ‘Alert’. I was doing stupid things like washing my hair with my face soap (which is in a bottle). Unable to clearly put together a sentence toward the end of a day, it was like my brain stopped working. Additionally, it has caused me to me very irritable & in a bad mood, which is very uncharacteristic for me. All this yap, yap, yap about speeding up the neurotransmitters is crap. I began backing off the 100 mg dose and am taking 50mg a day (cutting my tablet in 1/2). Pharmacists don’t even know if that was ok to do. I am not sure I will continue to stay on it. I just might go back and ask for adderall at least that is a very inexpensive drug. Best of luck to us all. Will pray, God answers!
Thanks for the feedback on this drug. It is important that we have all the information from patients so we can decide if it is something we want to try. Take care!
I have been taking savella for two months now having stopped the cymbalta and cut back on oxycontin. I had some very positive feelings and only some negative ones at the beginning which I hoped would disapate. The nausea started immediately. On two occasions I started raising my dosage to 100 mg and just could not function. I would not have considered driving even to the drug store or down the street. I could not keep a clear thought going for any length of time.
Last week I had a colonoscopy for the second time. It was a nightmare of its own but with the fibro it was even worse where I could not drink all the preparations, I started with terrible nausea and vomiting, it had been arranged to put me to sleep for the procedure because of the heavy narcotics I have been taking and because of my sleep apnea. Had it not been for the anesthesiologist and the patience of the GI doctor I never would have gone through with it. My only problem now is that it appears having the procedure done has magnified my nausea, headaches, and pain levels as well as increasing the depression which I felt that I had made great strides with. After reading some of the notes above, I too believe I will discontinue the savella to see if this will make the nausea disappear so that I can eat again and have the gas go away. I’d like to feel like a human being so I can go away on vacation and enjoy it. Some day one of these meds might work. Lyrica was a disaster to my system and unless something else can be explained about what is causing me to feel so ill, I’m assuming Savella is now also not an option for me. I’ll keep trying within reason new meds that come along. One day after almost 35 plus years of dealing with fibro something will finally work.
I am very sorry to hear that so many Fibro sufferers aren’t finding any relief with Savella. I am apparently one of only a few who has had great relief and few side effects from Savella. Having had Fibro for almost five years now, I have been getting progressively worse until I started Savella almost four weeks ago. I had mild nausea for just a few days, but no other negative effects. I was able to quit taking my depression med, sleep med, pain meds and migraine med. I have even started to lose some unneeded pounds! I still take a med for high blood pressure but the dosage has been reduced by my doctor as my BP has started gradually lowering. I only take one 50mg tablet each morning and it is effective.
It is amazing how the same medication can have such varying effects on so many different people!The one major drawback for me is that Humana will not pay for my Savella and it DOES NOT come cheap! However,I am at the point where money is no object compared to the relief I get when taking it.I’ll be REALLY happy if/when a generic ever comes out. I wish those of you who are not getting relief the best of luck and hope that you will find something to ease your pain soon. God Bless.
Has anyone tried Savella who has CFS, CFIDS or ME/CFS? My MD wants me to try Savella, but it looks like this is intended for Fibro, which isn’t my main problem.
I have had fibromyalgia and lupus since 1994 and still living half a life. I am on Lyrica and it doesn’t have side effects just doesn’t seem to have ANY effect. I am afraid to start the savella. Especially now. Like Susan I recently had a colonostphy and now have to have part of my colon removed. I have heart issues (three heart attacks and a stent) sleep apnea, degenerative discs in lower and upper back. I am scheduled to have the surgery sept 10 so I am not going to change any meds right now. Too scared to I guess. Please let me know how you are doing susan and anyone else who just needs to talk. michelerae53@yahoo.com. I could use some friends who really understand our illness. Have a pain free day.
In the past I have used Lyrica which made me gain up to 260lbs so I stopped that and I had been taking Cymbalta for depression for a couple of years. I just within the past two weeks started Savella because I wanted to get off of Cymbalta and try something different. So far I have had no side effects and it seems to be going in the right direction. I will continue to post as time goes on to let you know its impact on my poor old body. It seems to let me cut down on my Oxycontin use as well. Reading some of your posts makes me feel extremely lucky if that can be said of anyone with this curse.
I’ve had Fibro and CFS for 8 years. I was told by two doctors it was nothing. Finally, I gave my history of agonizing pain and fatigue (following a c-section) to a doctor who believed me. He only gave me pumped up Ibuprofin! After getting married and getting ‘real’ insurance, I found a real doctor who gave me Hydrocodone and Tramadil. The Vicodine (hydrocodone) helped with muscular and skeletal pain but not much with energy. The tramadol helped with skin and joint pain but not at all with energy. I got a reputation for being lazy. I would wake up every morning in extreme pain and fatigued. It would be an effort just to make coffee. Just to wash the dishes. Just to do one errand. Imagine a busy day with no energy. I tried Lyrica, and it helped, but made me so drunk-acting that I neglected my responsibilities. So took myself off. Then I started Savella just a couple of weeks ago. At first I didn’t know if it would work out for me. I had a racing heart, light fever, dizziness, profuse sweating, night sweats and dry mouth. Fortunately for me, the weather got cooler, the sweating a fever are under control, and my energy is returning — in spades! I feel like I’m in my twenties again! All those years of being called lazy; that it was in my head — a lie! I find with Savella that I must take it at exactly the same times every day. Followed within 3 hours of a dose with Tramadil or Vicodin. I cannot take Savella too close to bedtime because of the racing heart, so my first dose is really early, second dose just after lunch. I supplement it with evening doses of Tramadil and Vicodin. This combination is working great — especially learning that taking each pill at exactly the same time each day works best. (NOT as needed which is stated on my bottle. If I wait until ‘needed’, it’s way too late!) I still have drops in energy (esp. when Savella is wearing off) and some pain (about every other morning) but otherwise, I am pain-free and full of energy. My life is going to change so much now.
I have been been taking Savella for 3 weeks now and am having good results. Though I do not have Fibromyalgia, I have intense pain due to a discectomy in my neck that is still painful. The side effects have been very minor, mostly upset stomach when I take it without food. My mood has greatly improved, the pain is numbed so it is tolerable though I still have to take hydrocodone for certain activities. Overall a good experience for me so far. I wanted to share a good experience for those considering taking Savella.
I have being diagnose with fibro years ago, but try to ignore it ,til this wk I was sleeping,turn to try to hug my husband and it was like a thunderbolt of pain, then I have to gieve up, it hurts all over all the time, I was taking a cocktail of wellbutrin, flexeril,voltaren and topamax, according to this Dr to control migraines, hot flashes,back and arthritis pain, but this wk I went to ask for something specific for fibro, gave me Lirica, 2 weeks supplies,gain 5 pounds, have horrible dreams, walk on clouds all day, dry mouth, to the point the point that my tongue will get stack to my pallet, so to day he start me with Savella, I really appreciate everybody’s input, I hope I don’t suffer all the side effects, only the one that lady say (loosing some pounds).
Post later how I am doing.Wish health to all of you.
I am going into my fifth month of Savella. The first month I had nausea and headaches but I held on. I was feeling less pain and using less vicodin. Then, my marriage hit a major bump (H confessed to adultery). I have been so stressed that pain levels skyrocketed again. Doc just raised me to 200 mg. I am titrating up. I have been at 125 mg for 3 days now and not having any side effects. This is the first med that worked on my neurotransmitters that didn’t make me gain weight or make me sleepy! I have lost 15 pounds and when not feeling to stressed I have some energy. I hope it only gets better 🙂
Unfortunately Savella doesn’t seem like it is going to work for me. I’m having SEVERE diarrhea, stomach pain, trouble breathing, feeling like I’m being strangled (not an anaphylactic feeling, different). And the doc has brought me down to 25 mg once a day. And I have yet to feel any relief of pain. Couldn’t take Lyrica either…I was a “non-person” while on it with no pain relief, and tried Cymbalta for three years. No pain relief with it, just gained 50 pounds, which added pain to my knees and feet. Also, watch taking the Tramadol (Ultram) with the Savella. That is listed as a no-no right in the patient insert. It scares me seeing many of you on so many prescriptions that may cause more long-term harm being mixed together than any temporary pain relief they may provide. Use an online drug interactions checker to make sure you are not potentially harming yourself. Don’t trust the docs to check to see if that new drug they are adding to your repetoire won’t mix with something they have already given you. Take Care All!
I’ve been on savella for about three weeks and it seems like that’s the best yet so far. I’ve been on lyrica for about two years and it really doesn’t help a bit. I’ve gain thirty pounds since I’ve been on it. My doctor precribed savella as a new drug for fibro. and it stops me from sleeping at night and day. I have to take lunesta to help me sleep and then it over powerers that. I really don’t know what to do to get sleep, I find that not drinking a lot of sodas does help some. I’ve had fibro. for about five yrs. now. There is just not to much you can do, and there is no cure just not much relief. If anyone out there know anything to help with my pain please!!!!!put on web. I’m suffering with oxorarthitis, really bad and one knee replacement and need the other replaced but I’m afraid to do the other knee. It may cripple me for good.
I am going off of Cymbalta to go on Savella, wish me luck. Going off of Cymbalta has not been fun, I have been hurting, light headed, sleepy and just not feeling good. Start Cymbalta New year day.
I started Savella about 6 weeks ago and it is the first medication in the years that I have had Fibro, CFS & Spinal Stenosis that the deep ache of fibro is gone. Gone. I still have other issues with CFS & SS but I can get out of bed in the morning for the first time in 14 years! I take 150mg of oxycodone a day but hope to cut back if this trend continues. And I am only taking 50mg of Savella per day! The oxy is mostly for the spinal stenosis which for me results in constant pain in my back, legs and feet, but with the deep ache of fibro gone I feel like I can compartmentalize my symptoms and treat as needed for my other illnesses. The only one I cannot control in any way is CFS. When I have a flare I sweat, have chills, run a low-grade fever and have to just wait out the flare, like I used to have to with fibro, but now I have hope that if I can avoid fibro flare’s that maybe the CFS will subside. Anyone have any similar conditions?
Hi everybody. I was just wondering if anyone who has tried Savella, who had previously had severe sweating episodes/night sweats with Cymbalta, did with it and/or if they had the same or similar side effects?
My background info: I’ve been diagnosed w/ FMS/CFIDS since 2003, but think I’ve had it since childhood. Have also had my spine fused (L5-S1) in 2006, suffer from fairly severe and recurrent depression (I think mostly cuz I feel so decrepit and can’t do anything!), and I think I have arthritis in some joints, though blood tests are neg for inflammation, so of course the docs say no, but esp my hands, big knuckles at base of fingers just ACHE so bad and are actually red and often swollen (yeah, nooo inflammation there!). I am only 40 but feel 90+. I am currently unable to work, or do much of anything else for that matter, at least on a regular basis. I tend to over-do it and pay for it for a week or two (I know, who doesn’t, right?!). I have kids, pets and a husband who is also suffering from severe medical issues (though completely different from mine). Am totally and completely exhausted. I currently take a total of 400mg of Oxycontin plus 5mg oxycodone (4 to 8 per day) for breakthrough pain (usually for about 2 weeks out of the month and I’m sure it’s cycle related). I also take 880mg naproxen, low dose of Zoloft daily, plus more at cycle (PMDD), and 80mg of Concertta so I don’t fall asleep during the day (like mid-sentence or while driving – and that happened even before adding in the narcs!) plus Ritalin for breakthrough zombie-like sleepy times. Haven’t had much luck with FMS meds, due to side effects, and regular depression meds either have too many side effects, or just don’t do anything. I sometimes take my muscle relaxers (SOMA, Skelaxin, Flexeril) but I don’t like the way they make me feel, so I limit those to severe need. Lyrica did seem to help with some of the pain, but the weight gain was too much to ignore. Same problem with some of the older antidepressants (like Desipramine or Remeron) that seem to work great for my mood/energy but made me gain weight.
Anyway, if anyone has any experience with night sweats while on Cymbalta, and has tried Savella, I would really like to hear how it’s going (or went?!). Thank you!
I have Fibromyalgia and work for a sleep medicine program. I may be able to help with the sleep issues. Fibro sufferers generally have what’s called “fragmented sleep’: we don’t get enough time in REM or slow wave (N3) sleep. We wake up throughout the night. In a little informal study, one of the docs I work with found that Fibro acts like an insomnia. Insomnia is the inability to start sleep, maintain it or both. When you finally get a good night’s sleep after years of crappy sleep, you get really vivid dreams – it’s called REM rebound and it’s normal. It goes away when you get enough REM.
I’ve been waiting for this drug and am so excited to find it’s out. It was getting close to coming out right before I had my son and then I relied on my pain doc for information because I was busy with my son. Boy, I should have known better. All they care about is “turn ’em and burn ’em! Let’s get another druggie in and make some more bucks.” It’s hard to find a doc in Atlanta who really wants to treat Fibro.
Anyway, I’m on a fentanyl patch and vicodin for breakthrough pain. The patch disrupts my sleep worse than the Fibro, so I feel pretty bad most of the time. Also, I’ve been on a 48 hour change rate for my patch and go through withdrawals after about 36 hours. It’s been bad. Now that this drug is out, I can finally – hopefully – come off of the poison I’ve been on and live my life. I know it will be hard, but my husband and my son are very worth it.
I have been taking Savella for 4 weeks now. After worrying about side effects, I have discovered I only have dry mouth, a little ringing in the ears, and a few headaches. On the upside, I have so much more energy, pain is greatly reduced, brain fog is much better. Overall, I think this a wonderful drug, providing you don’t have or can handle the side effects. Has anyone had trouble getting their insurance company to cover the drug?
My doc oput me on Savella for severe nerve pain from a trapped nerve in my neck. The starter pack seemed to help and the first few days were great. Then on day 5 the nausea, dizziness and headaches started, but I stuck it out. I felt awful but the benefits outweighed the side effects. Day 10 of the starter pack is the 50mg and it was the Worst Day Ever. After a few hours of the new dose I had a crushing headache and severe nausea – think of your worst heatstroke headache – and was so dizzy I couldn’t move. I took advil (which is a HUGE no-no) because my head hurt so bad. I called the doc and he said to stop taking it. A few hours later I had to leave work and go home. The dizziness and nausea persisted all that day and through the next day. It wasn’t worth it, but it was worty a try.
And it might not be mentioned already but taking ibubrofen with this is a very very bad idea because the 2 meds react badly to each other. I was taking both savella and ibubrofen for the first few days (savella seemed to help nerve pain but not completely) and I had early cycle bleeding which was a surprise. Apparently its common to have bleeding episodes when you take both. Nice to know (!)
Overall it started ok but the sluggishess and feeling rundown was moderately tolerable, but when the nausea and headaches got worse with each step up in dose, it wasn’t worth it.
I try to stay as far away fromn these drugs as posible. Have anyof u tried
natural supplements. I have found that they really do heal and dont have the side effects of these other drugs. I have taken tyenol with codeine for years and that is it
thanks sor listening
I have had Fibromyalgia for 3 years. I have been on Savella for about 2 months and has provided so much relief for my pain. I hardly feel any pain at all…except for a few times where the pain was minor, but I think if I hadn’t been on Savella the pain would have been much, much worse. I did experience nausea for the first month, and every now an then it comes back…but I think it’s starting to settle down now. My biggest problem in the insomnia. I’ve had 8 weeks of really bad insomnia. My Dr. perscribed Ambien, but it’s not working. One thing I noticed last night is that I was finally able to sleep 6 hours with Ambien, but I think it’s because I forgot to take my second dose of Savella last evening. I don’t know what’s worse, being in pain all the time, or not being in pain but having insomnia. For right now, I’m sticking with the Savella and trying to work out my insomnia…at least I’m not in pain and I have some energy back.
I just began my 50mg. pill this a.m. I feel it is helping. We have had high 90 weather, here so it is hard to tell about side effects. When I go out and the sun beats on me I do start to feel light-headed. But, I think if is the heat. I have had a problem with constipation and hot flush,occassionally. But, I am happy with the results. I had pain in my knee when I got up the other day and after I took the Savella, the pain disappeared. And I had pain in my hip, went to the chiropractor and when I left the office, the pain was gone. I used to have trouble lying on my side to sleep because after a few minutes my legs would start to hurt because they were against each other. That had improved. About insomnia, I told my dr. and I take two Benadryl and two Tylenol to sleep. It is safer than sleeping pills.
Thankful for the comments.
But what about those of us suffering from CRUSHING weakness (to the point of almost passing out)every single day and night. Sometimes I feel like some lower class citizen in the CFIDS world. I’m happy to see help for any of our symptoms, but where is OUR help? Sigh.
anyone out there considering savella for fibrolmyalgia? do not ever! i have been through hell and back. i ended up back tracking and doing my own research until i found out low and behold this drug was killing me. no sleep, trmors, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, heart palpitatations, severe day and night sweats, and i am already a heart patient. no on knows the long lasting effects from savella so it is a waiting game but i assure you if anything happens i have kept track of all dates to er , pharmacies and doctors contacted in my extreme agony. again please do not try this drug i beg you. sincerely sara m klee
Savella’s not safe. Not for the majority, anyway.
http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/savella-recall-urged-by-public-citizen-7750/?cfemail=posted#cforms2form
Please don’t tell people not to take a medication because you had severe problems with it ! You may be taking other medications or have other physical problems that other people don’t have. Most people can take this medication, it may or may not help them. I do believe they should talk to their doctor seriously if they are taking Savella with an anti depressant due to the possiblity of Seratonin Syndrome.
I am on my 7th week . I started with titration and now am on 100 mg a day. It’s not helping. The dose will be upped later this month when I see the doctor. I am disappointed because I had hoped it would help like it has so many other people. I can only hope and pray a higher does will help.
oh my well i have been battling and cont. downward spiral with chronic fatigue and muscle pain so severe that I am now at a point where I can not even hold on to a steering wheel. Been on adderall and loratabs only 1 per day at 7.5 mg and adderall xr 30 mg. At the beginning it helped than my doctor moved away and recommended his collegue. And she cont. the treatment but than since last fall my pains got worse and the fatigue was back even on adderall. And on top my own doctor treated me more like a drug addicted than her chronic pain patient. She never listened to my problems or my wallet. So I done some research and talking to people about good doctors who will be able to treat MPS and waited for over two weeks to get an appt with an Internist and this was the worst doc appt I have have been too…As soon as he read my patient info sheet and saw that I was on a loratab a day he pretty much made his mind up that I was a drug seeker. I printed out everything on MPS and was waiting to see if he would do the trigger point exam but THIS DOCTOR NEVER EVEN EXAMENED ME! I am in such horrible pain that I have now fever and elevated blood pressure where I never have any of it.All he said these narcotics dont work and I would only end up at a rehab center , so he gave me the two week starter kit for Savella. And I am horrified to read what this drug does to people. I am highly sensitive to drugs and hate taking any pills but I am now a cripple and have no life at all. Barely make it to work and home. Now been told to find pain managment clinic. I am only in tears to think that i would have to leave with this for the rest of my life.
I started taking savella 50 mg about a month ago .The Doctor had me to try savella and I have try others medication for Fibromyalgia none of them work for me until my doctor had me to try savella and its really help me sense I been suffer for 10 years or more with Fibromyalgia. I have had no side effect from this medication .But with the others medication I was trying out I was having a nightmare trying to use them until I got tired and just gave up with all of the others, but this one has really worked fine for me . No sickness as other had said they have had. With me its a miracle drug. I don’t have the pain I did have . I sleep better now. thank God for this new medication.RM
After almost a year and a half of pure frustration seeking dr after dr test after test to find out what the heck was wrong with me, I finally landed on the door step of my Rheumatologist… Fibromyalgia he tells me after an exam and history of medical records… In denial, I thought I was going to sure myself… yep that didnt work so good! 38 YRS old and 5 children… I could not be on all the hard core drugs nor did I want to be… I am currently on the Savella… So far, so good! I bit of hot flashes, touch of nausea,a zip of heart rate here and there…. But the deep inner muscle pain (flu-like symptoms)have gone away about 75%, being head achy every day has lessened, the crippled morning episodes are reduced 60%, it doesnt take me as long to “warm-up” in the mornings.. Sleeping ok… Joint pain is still there, but staying on a low dose for as long as I can…
I GET Severe migraines and was put on Imitrex which was a life saver, but I am reading not to mix triptans with Savella. Both Rheuma & Nuerologist says it ok, but Pharmacist says be caustious… Anyone taking the 2 together??? I am afraid to…. Thanks for input!
I have been on Savella for over ten years. It is the only medication that has helped me with Fibro and two back surgeries. I am now having to pay for my own medication and Savella is very expensive. I usually take 50 mg morning and evenings. I am thinking about going on Cymbalta. Can someone tell me if they feel better on Cymbalta or Savella? I do not sleep well and still have hot flashes in the evening and sweat when I exercise or fast walking. I swim four times a week to keep my Frbo and back pain under control. Maybe I should cut down to 25 mg morning and 25 mg evening. Just putting it out there. Thank you
I have been taking Lyrica for about 4 years for fibromyalgia pain…it helps, but I am plagued by the side effects. From what I have read, Savella has fewer of these side affects, but it seems that milnacipran (generic name) is not yet available under any brand name in Canada. How can I find out when and where it will be available in Canada?