SAVELLA - 3RD MED FDA APPROVE FOR FIBRO

I'm thinking of asking my doc for it - anybody on it?  Is it working?  Do you have insomia? - appetite reduction?  (listed as possible side effects).

I take 3 x .5 clonipan for sleep and it USUALLY works pretty well.

I'm on Savella, starting wk 2 of a 2 wk titration pack. The first 3 days are a total of 5 12.5mg pills, then days 4-7 are 25mg pills, 8 of them. And the days 8-14 are 2 50mg pills. I have read that it takes a full 6 wks for it to become fully active though. I will take my first 50mg pill tonight at bedtime, I must admit I'm a bit hesitant to take it, the 25mg pills have given me such horrible dizziness and 'brain zaps' that I have to lie down or fall down about an hr after I take it until it wears off, about the time for the next pill. I've not noticed any change in pain or fatigue, though my husband says there is a definite change in my mood, leaning towards the mean, b*tchy, and at times scary. It has also changed my appetite from one meal and munching through the day to nibbling though out the day and has caused me to lose another 5lbs. (At 93Lbs, back into my pre-pregnancy little girl jeans YAY! maybe?) LOL It is by class an antidepressant which means mood changes are possible, but it does effect everyone differently. I started taking buspar at the same time as the Savella but have altered my meds schedule and the mood changes come after taking the savella. I plan on continuing the titration pack though, in hopes that it will do what is says that it will do (change the brain chemistry to alter the way my brain responds to pain stimulus) though if the side effects are too much, I am calling my dr on Friday.
Though it's been a bumpy ride with savella, I still suggest trying it, as not everyone responds the same way to the same medication. I wish I had more positive things to say about it, but by nature I'm not a liar LOL

Best of luck and welcome.

Hi,

I started Savella 5 days ago. On the 4 th day I took one 25mg tablet and within an hour I was vomitng, had a terrible headache and wanted to die.  I was crying, I felt so bad.  To go on Savella, I had to quit taking Ultram.  Dr. gave me Percocet.  That made me worse.

When it was time for my second dose, I bailed.  I still had a headache on day 5 and skipped day 5 dose.  Today I went back down to 1/2 of the 25mg pill.  30 minutes later, I'm getting another headache--I don't think this drug is for me.

Welcome Barbara,

I have been taking Savella for almost a month. Started out with the introductry sample,
12.5 mg up to 100 mg a day. I now take 50mg 2x daily. Haven't had any bad side effects
but I can't say I had any noticeable changes since I've been on it. Hope it kicks in soon!

Robin

I also took Savella for 6 wks and had to stop. It made me very agitated and irritable. Found myself jumping down peoples throats for no reason and that's just not like me. Sorry to say I can't recommend it. The rheumatologist I saw just yesterday thought the same about it.

marlygirl said...
Savella is not for me--
Just vomited again. No wonder you lose weight!! I am on Diamox. Not a good thing to be vomiting and taking a med that is a diuretic. It will land me in the ER. It's happened before. NOT willing to take the risk. Ultram was much kinder to my body. I think these Drug manufacturers don't get it when we say we are sensitive. Perhaps the key is much slower up dosing. I am tired of trying new meds.

Fibro, CFS, Chiari, Migraines, DDD Cervical and lumbar spine, Fused C3-7

I'm with you on that. I hate trying new meds also. My Rheumy wanted to put me back on Prednisone. I looked at her and told her I would rather eat cow ....... Eewww sorry.  I don't want to be too grose. I'm trying the HERBAL thing because I'm either allergic or can't stand the taste of some pills. I hope you find a happy medium at some point. I would tell your DR. to take the Savella him/herself.... LOL

HARA I am feeling pretty good today. Ther herbs are working...slowly..but they are working. I've only had one neck spasm today.

just started savella. on day 3 of titration pack. my pain doc did warn me of poss nausea. She said it would go away after a week, If it happens at all.

Well sure enough bad nausea on day 1 of pill and here it is day 3 and I am going on phenergan for nausea. She said hopefully it will go away and the med will work well.

here is hoping.

melissa

I'm about ready to call it quits with antidepressants, too. 

I don't like the side effects of Prednisone either but it's amazing stuff if you get results with a medrol pak. The last Medrol pak gave me 4 months of relief.  Insomnia, massive appetite, and hyped feeling only last 1-2 days. 

 Hara, what herbal remedies are helping your pain?  I tried acupuncture, but for the whole week after I felt like I had a dozen bee stings.  Then with the next treatment it started all over.  Sorry,  I think if something makes me feel worse, it's crazy.  Nothing like a tepid bath with peppermint sea salts...  Problem is--  my head and neck  don't get relief in a bath.  GRRR...

I use a LOT of muscle rub, ice and heat.