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Posted 2/28/2015 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
So today I have a constant deep deep ache in the back of my spine and at the top of my neck going into my head like someone is drilling my spine into my skull.

Anyway, my anxiety/depression was at it's all time worse today. I slept poorly which I know didn't help but this morning I had a complete panic attack. My knees were burning, I was so lethargic and completely froze about getting out of bed and going to work. I have been crying all day. I left work early and called my doctor.

So she wants me to try Savella which I will start this weekend. It is supposed to be new for fibro, anxiety and depression. Anyone try this one and if so, any thoughts? I know we all react differently but I'm just nervous to start a new medication yet am desperate to get some energy and stop feeling so down. She also wants me to see a therapist for help in managing the pain mentally. I seem to be having a real problem with this. I am losing my joy, zest and feel like life is passing me by while I obsess over my painful body.

Well, just wanted to vent my day. Anyway, anyone try Savella?
Posted 2/28/2015 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, i have not tried this med , i know a local rheumy who suggests it for fibro..will be interested to hear how others did on this also.

And hope you will let us know what you think of it going forward..

At times we reach a point where we try things , trying to get some relief with this disease..sure hope it works well for you

Lj
Posted 2/28/2015 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
Faith- my heart goes out to you because I have been down your road before. I would try the savella plus do therapy work. I never tried savella but I have done therapy work. I found out when I have chronic pain my depression/anxiety goes up. I have found out if my pain is controlled things are so much better. Learning new ways in controlling your pain can come from a therapist. I did therapy work and it made a world of difference. Find a therapist that has experience in working chronic health issues and pain. I even took classes on depression/anxiety. I took all these tools plus using what I learned here on the forum and put them to work. I now have my joy and peace back within me.

Not sure if your spiritual, but maybe you are with the beautiful name of faith. I use my spiritual life to get me through each day. I think it's good for our souls for some kind of meditation/spiritual therapy.

I hope you start feeling better soon. I am glad you posted today. You don't need to be alone in all this pain. You will get your peace back!!
Posted 2/28/2015 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Faith,
Savella was a very good medicine for my fibro. I had almost no side effects from it, and the one I did have was positive…it took away my irritable bowel syndrome that many of us suffer from as part of our fibro. Savella took my pain down about 40%. Unfortunately, it only worked for about 2 years, and then began to fail me…some of the SSRI/SNRI drugs have what they call "poop-out syndrome," and stop working for people. I can cycle back on that drug after a rest from it, and it will help me again…I did it once already. Don't be afraid to try it…follow the directions that will titrate you on slowly. I really appreciated this medication.
HEART
Posted 2/28/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
I don't take those medications but several members have had good luck with Savella. It's been around for several years now...not sure how many....but it would be worth a try.

Sherrine
Posted 2/28/2015 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Knda off topic, but Heart, what do you do for fibro between savella?

And then since it helped 40 % , did you also use other meds at the same time?

Just curious as my dr. Has said i could try savella, which so far i have resisted..only because i get help other ways..

Lj
Posted 3/1/2015 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone. Well, today wasn't much better. I literally stayed in bed all day and either slept or cried didn't even watch t.v. The depression just overwhelmed me. But the good news is that I just started walking around and doing little things around 7:00 p.m. I started my first pill of Savella this afternoon. It is a pack with a gradual increase of dosage for the month. I will let everyone know how I am feeling by the end of the month for sure. I have read good reviews about it so we shall see. And if it works for a while and then I have to switch then I'll take it! Anything that will help for now I am willing to try.

AK Angel: Yes, I do have a strong faith which I think I have been too weak to concentrate on lately so I know it's time for me to get my spirituality back along with my strength. I used the logon name FaithAlways for that reason. Faith is not my real name, it is Diane but I thought it was a good reminder to never lose faith and to know that when I am at my lowest, He is carrying me.

I hope that one day I will be able to help someone on the forum as all of you have helped me in countless little ways that you will never know.

-Diane
Posted 3/1/2015 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Faith-filled Diane and LJ:
By saying it helps 40%, what I mean is that I still have some pain, but the Savella took away about 40% of that pain, making life so much better for me.

When I felt it was not working as well fo me, I gradually went off it to see what condition I was really in…for me, it is important to be off all meds every once in awhile to gauge where I am and look it all square in the face. I do have a prescription for tramadol (pain med) as a back up for the times when I really need it, so that gives me the courage to go off the meds that are supposed to be taken regularly, like Savella. I have gone off meds to do this examination three times in the past 5 years, always when I was questioning if the meds were really helping me anymore.

After weaning off the Savella and living with my unmedicated body (except for occasional tramadol) for about 6 weeks, I went on Cymbalta, which helped me about as well as the Savella. But after a year or so, that medicine seemed to stop helping me, and I decided to get off it. That one was a nightmare to get off…even with a careful titration, it was months before I felt the side effects of withdrawal were finally gone…Therefore, for me, Cymbalta will no longer be an option.

I went back on Savella and it worked again, maybe not quite as well, but it was an improvement for sure. But after less than a year, it was not working again. I went off it, titrating down. It was not difficult at all, and I found out that it actually was helping a bit, maybe 15-20% pain being taken away…
After a few weeks on nothing, I agreed to try fluoxitine which is prozac. I had my doubts about this one, but my doctor thought it would work, and it does. I would say it takes away about 30% of my pain. Just enough to make me functional, able to work full time and last the week until I can rest on the weekend.
Hope my journey story helps you feel confident in trying the Savella. Good luck, friends!
I also am a woman of faith.
HEART

Post Edited (<3) : 3/1/2015 11:08:23 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/1/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Faith,
I hope that the forum is helpful to you. I am fairly new to it myself but have found it to be both helpful and inspiring. In regards to the Savella I have been on it for almost a year. I take 50mg in the morning and 75mg at night. I have also tried Lyrica but that did not work for me.

So far the Savella along with two other medications, I am doing much better from when I first started out with the Fibro. It has been 3 years now since my diagnoses and I still have some days that I struggle with the flares, depression and frustrations. There are also some very good days that I am able to function well. These are the days that I am trying not to take for granted and over do. Sometimes that's a little hard because when I feel almost normal, I can get a little carried away.

I also go to physical therapy and I see a therapist. I have been blessed enough to have both who are familiar with Fibro. Yes it is important that we find a balance and make some adjustments to help manage our bodies and our lives.

I have struggled with how to fit Fibro in my life and have gotten very frustrated and depressed when things wouldn't work out. Recently over the last few days I realize that I may have to adjust my life to Fibro and eliminate the self-pity that I sometimes get caught up in. I have felt that Fibro has interfered with my life and get upset with the thought of being stuck!

Now I'm working on acceptancing that I do have a few limitations, but I that doesn't mean I have to stop living. I just have to pace myself a little more, acknowledge when it's not a good day for my body physically and take care of myself so that maybe tomorrow will be better.

It can be challenging but when I see others who are a little worse off than me and are still trying to make it, I become inspired and grateful. Spirituality is definitely something that I have utilized to get me through some ruff turns in my life and I am now working towards applying it to this challenge.

In pain today but up and moving about the house. May even cook a little dinner with rest in between rounds Lol.
Hope the meds work for you.
Stay in good spirits:)
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