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Cymbalta vs. Savella

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Posted 7/28/2010 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I did a little searching in the forum for information on Cymbalta and Savella, but can't find an applicable thread. My Rheumy prescribed Cymbalta this week for fibro pain. She told me she preferred Savella, but is concerned about naseau, which I have been struggling with since starting methotrexate for RA six months ago. I've dropped 30 pounds in that time and she is concerned about additional weight loss.

I happened to visit a pain clinic for a spinal injection the day after being prescribed Cymbalta. I asked my doc there about it, and he strongly prefers Savella. I'm anxious not to aggravate my gi symptoms, but desperate to do something about my fibro pain. I started the Cymbalta two days ago, but I don't know if I'm headed down the right path.

Does anyone have experience with these two drugs and the relative gi side-effects and/or effectiveness for fibro pain? I know everyone is so individual that it's hard to say how I would respond, but any impressions or experiences would be welcome. I'm considering asking my Rheumy to let me try the Savella.

Hope this isn't too much detail. I'm not familiar with you all yet. :-)
Posted 7/29/2010 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Mountaingirl, I first tried Cymbalta before Savella. They both are SNRI's but for some
reason I couldn't tolerate the Cymbalta, It made me dizzy and really nauseas, I
could only take it for three days brcuse of the flu like symptoms.

We all tolerate meds so differantly...it's trial and error. As I mentioned in your initial
post, Savella has helped me some, I'm not pain free...the pain is just more tolerable.

If you decide to go on Savella, ask your rheumy for two 2- week triation packs...
that way your body gets adjusted to the med at a slower rate and there is less chance
of side effects. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 7/29/2010 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mountaingirl

I have not tried the Cymbalta but can tell you I love the Savella. It's made such a difference for me and I have had no side effects at all with it. On the other hand, my daughter just got put on Cymbalta and the side effects were horrible. Could not tollerate , nausea, chattering teeth, spinning , etc... so they switched her to the Savella and she is doing well with it. This condition of ours is really trial and error with the medications, so good luck. Avoid as much distress caused from meds as you can.

By the way, Welcome to our little family
Steph
Posted 7/29/2010 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! I do have nausea from Savella but only when my stomach is empty. I take my pills with my two biggest meals. When I do feel sick I eat something small. The only time I actually threw up is when I went from 12.5mg pill to the 25mg pill. I started my 50mgs today and felt a bit dry mouth/nauseas but like I said... food takes it away.

I hope this helped!

-Amy
Posted 7/29/2010 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't tried the Savella, yet. I was on Cymbalta a few years ago, gained alot of weight on it. Tried Lyrica soon after it was approved, gained more weight and eventually stopped it. While waiting for Savella to be approved I got an additional DX and started on a whole slew of other meds. Now i'm considering asking about it again and seeing if it can be added to the other meds. Good luck with what you are trying. We are all so different, you just never know how you will do on them until you try.
Posted 3/14/2012 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
It is over 2 years since your original post. However, maybe this will help someone in the future. I was on Cymbalta for 3 years. I gained 40 lbs., my ankles and feet swelled badly by the end of the day. My feet became a huge source of pain, (and I was wearing flats and arch supports). I changed doctors. I found one who was doing studies on Fibro in Gulf War Vets. As soon as Savella came out he changed me over. I didn't notice any difference in the way I felt. However, the edema and pain in my feet began to improve. Over the following year I lost all of the 40 lbs. and I never changed my diet. It just dropped off and now I'm at a steady weight. I would highly recommend it over Cymbalta.
Lyrica has also been my miracle drug in my fight with pain and Migraines. Yes, it will make you sleepy and foggy but not having a migraine 3-4 times a week has been a miracle and blessing to me.

God Bless! I hope that this can help someone else on their individual path to recovery
Posted 3/14/2012 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.
I was on Cymbalta a while again and it worked for a little while then nothing. I had no side effects from the Cymbalta. Then a few weeks ago she put me on Savella and I difference has been night and day for me. So far no serious side effects...the only one is extreme cotton mouth. but i can live with that one..before savella I had the worst fatigue, just walking from one room to another would tire me out so much and i would have to sit down and rest...i would get so tired that i could not even move my arms. But since I have been taking Savella has really helped ME. I hope you can find what is right for you.

deb
Posted 3/14/2012 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.
I was on Cymbalta a while again and it worked for a little while then nothing. I had no side effects from the Cymbalta. Then a few weeks ago she put me on Savella and I difference has been night and day for me. So far no serious side effects...the only one is extreme cotton mouth. but i can live with that one..before savella I had the worst fatigue, just walking from one room to another would tire me out so much and i would have to sit down and rest...i would get so tired that i could not even move my arms. But since I have been taking Savella has really helped ME. I hope you can find what is right for you.

deb
Posted 7/9/2014 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I know these posts are quite old, but they have been very helpful to me. I started on Lyrica almost a year ago. It was the ultimate miracle drug so far as pain reduction. I felt great, had lots of energy and slept wonderfully. After about 3 months I really began to feel the dizziness, short term memory loss and itchy red rashes in odd places. So after 6 months I was forced to stop the drug. I researched Savella and Cymbalta on line and asked my doctor for Savella, since my drug co pay is less than for Cymbalta. After reading these posts, I am so glad I did. No side effects at all until 75mg. Then noticed a little heartburn, but a reduction in pain. Not great but it is tolerable. When I increased to full 100mg dosage I felt much better for about 3 days. Then started getting tired, listless, more heartburn. I am dropping down to 75mg per day and I think that is the proper dose for me. It is so hard to find the right medication for this condition, but I think Savella is finally a winner!
Posted 7/10/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Goofybird,

These threads are really old, you may want to introduce this with a new thread to get responses.

I have never tried either myself. But I am already on an SNRI. I really don't know if they work for my pain or not because I was on them when I got the fibromyalgia.

I hope that the Savella works for you and that you feel better.

We have an awesome thread called "fibro 101". It is the first thread on this forum. Do check it out. There is a lot of helpful information there.

And feel free to start a thread about yourself. We would like to get to know you better.

Have a good day!!!

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 7/12/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely agree.. No way cymbalta.
Posted 7/12/2014 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I take 50 mg of tramadol twice a day. Helps a lot! Not 100% but make it somewhat bearable.

Hi guys, I'm locking this thread because it's so old...we do that from time to time.  As Karen said, introducing yourself on a new thread (and putting something like "Newbie Here" in the title) is a good way to get lots of responses.  We are interested in getting to know you all!

Debbie

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 7/11/2014 10:27:46 PM (GMT-6)

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