Question about savella

Hello Everyone, forgive me in advance for rambling and venting but I just need to share with people who get what I am going through.

Was wondering if you can share your experience with this drug savella.  I was prescribed this today after having side effects with other meds and not sure whether I want to try it or not.  I have been in so much pain and had an app. with a new doctor/rheumatologist in hopes that she would be more open to prescribing pain medication, as my neurologist (he diagnosed me) has only prescribed tramadol which gave me terrible side effects and does not want to give out anything else other than neurotin for the neurothapy I have.  Have been taking oxycodene these past few days when the pain has been at it's worst and it has helped a bit and was hoping to get a prescription for pain meds or a muscle relaxant, only to have the doctor say they don't work for fibro.  I mean, can you imagine that?  Yes, I get that these meds will not take the fibro away but they do help and I found her remarks to be so insensitive. 

I have never ever been on pain meds or relaxants, chosing to go natural with acupunture and other remedies but the pain, muscle spasms, weakness and numbness has been so bad that I have resorted to asking my Dad for his pain meds and now today being told she doesn't think these meds work, explained how serotonin/norephinephrine is at play and that this is the only way I will get relief for the fibro.  Yes, I get this but give me a break when your in pain that doesn't allow you to even think straight you want something to help immediately.  Just so frustrated with this new dr. and the neurologist who also does not want to prescribe anything more for me.  I am taking magnesium malate which has been proven to help with pain, this is not working, taking vitamin d, let's put it this way I watch my diet and take an assortment of supplements, so it's not like I am not doing what I can.  Was going to acupunture and still will but funds have become tight and for all it's good, within a few days the pain comes raging back. 

I am just so tired of pain, I used to have such a large tolerence and still believe I do but now I just can't take it anymore! I have interstitial cystitis and so for many years I have lived with pain in my bladder, terrible terrible pain and during that time I believed so much in doing things natural that I never took any narcotic drugs and managed it with acupunture, herbs, all types of supplements,energy healing, yoga, diet, you name it I was doing but now I feel this fibro has made my life hell and I just don't want to live in pain anymore.  I have become depressed with this condition that is so debilitating.  I am applying for disability because I can't work right now, it's that bad and thank god my neurologist has written a note stating this is the case but yet he doesn't want to prescribe pain meds, I just don't get it.  The last time I saw him, I almost felt like if I spoke anymore I would wind up begging him, which is insane! Like I am so kind of junkie and when I was first going through my battles with IC that is exactly how doctors treated me in emergency rooms never responding seriously to my pain. 

Today as a spoke to this new dr. I told her in a stern voice, "why do I feel like I have to convince people of my pain, it drives me crazy!"  After her whole explanation about not prescribing pain meds & relaxants she prescribed savella and so I was wondering if there was anyone that could shed some light on this med. and if I should give it a try.  She mentioned taking it at night which I am finding out as I have read on many sites it creates a lot of energy and can cause insomina.  Any info or advice would be helpful.  Thank you for listening and for allowing me to share and vent.  How grateful I am to have found this forum!

Many Blessings to you all! 

Fibromyalgia, Interstitial Cystitis, Irritable Bowel, Chemical Sensitivity, Veritgo, Neuropathy

Angel light- Many chronic pain people feared this was going to happen. People like you were going to have trouble getting narcotics for pain. As you know there was a huge increase in abusing narcotics nation wide, so they are tighting the hatch down in writing prescriptions. Can you not look for another Dr.? Or you afraid it might be the same with a new Dr.?

I can see some of the Dr's views on prescribing narcotics. I was one of those that the narcotics caused me severe problems. My husband noticed I was getting severe depression with the narcotics. I was in more pain with the narcotics. I developed a huge tolerance to them. It was like a vicious cycle that I didn't know how to get out of. I decided to stop my pain meds. It was all worth it. My depression lifted. The pain decreased. I was amazed. We are all so different. Some people do very well on them.

I have been to scared to try savella, but I have heard some good things if your stomach tolerates it. Try not to buned too many bridges with Dr's because your going to need them on your side when you file your disability. I hope you can find some comfort soon.

Hello Angel,

I am sorry to hear about what you are going through, But you are in the right place as you are not alone.

I was prescribed Savella about five months ago and I was started at a very low dose of 12.5 mg a day. I can say I saw improvement after four weeks but after two months I went back to my doctor because I had a flareup and dose was increased to 25 mg a day, Where it currently is at. The most common side effects for me is nausea, but it subsides after you have taken it for a while. I have also been experiencing night sweats and I feel very hot. I have experienced weight gain, but I don't really exercise because it just hurts me to.

Overall Savella is a good drug. I was in a lot of pain before I started and my days have become tolerable because of it. I wish you luck and please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. I look forward to hearing from you. Stay well! Xo