Savella: I just started taking savella... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Savella

leagle81 profile image
35 Replies

I just started taking savella tonight for fibro and wanted to know if anyone else has taken it.

I was also given amitriptyline for anxiety and started taking that as well tonight together with the savella. I was told that it was ok.

How long does it take to feel the side effects if any for the meds and how long does it take for the meds to kick in.

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leagle81 profile image
leagle81
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35 Replies
TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

I have not personally used this drug but I have pasted you some links that you may find useful. Savella claims to be an effective treatment for Fibro but on it's website it compares it's effectiveness against placebos. However, I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck with your new medication.

Excerpt from Savella Website:

Most common side effects of SAVELLA:

Nausea, headache, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, hot flush, excessive sweating, vomiting, palpitations, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and increased blood pressure.

Link To Savella Website:

savella.com/

NHS Choices - Antidepressants

nhs.uk/Conditions/Antidepre...

NHS Choices - Amitriptyline

nhs.uk/medicine-guides/page...

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Regnofibro1 profile image
Regnofibro1

I have never heard of it. Please share how it works! I have to watch what I take due to heart condition but would love to know about it! I have 3 sisters with Fibro and if it works maybe they could ask doctors about it!

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply toRegnofibro1

This is what the website says but I cannot find anywhere that says how it works. It is available where you are in the US drug but as far as I am aware not available in the UK.

Savella relieves symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Some patients who experienced overall improvement with Savella also experienced pain reduction as early as week one of taking a stable dose (the same dose every day). It may take several weeks for patients to feel the effect of Savella.

Savella has been extensively studied in clinical trials.

Savella’s efficacy was tested in four studies. Nearly 4,000 adult patients participated in the studies; all of them met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia. These criteria include having a history of widespread pain for at least 3 months and having pain present at 11 or more of 18 specific tender points.

May be worth discussing with your medical specialist?

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply toRegnofibro1

I also had a heart condition...atrial fibrillation...and really got scared when my heart started racing and the sweats came when I started on Savella. I didn't wait to see if my body would get used to it. That was enough. I seem to recall there were other side effects, but it was a long time ago. I take Ultram ER 300mg. and that seems to be the best for me. Best of luck!

ninjananna profile image
ninjananna

Are you in the UK? When I asked my Dr about this drug(a year ago) she said that they were only available in the States!....♥♥

Fibrofoggiest profile image
Fibrofoggiest in reply toninjananna

Yes, I've checked it out and it looks like it's only available in the States ....... I hope it works for you leagle it's one of the SSNRIs

leagle81 profile image
leagle81 in reply toFibrofoggiest

No I am in the us

ailsamary profile image
ailsamary

Don't know anything about savella but I take amytyptiline for fibro and find it has helped a lot

leagle81 profile image
leagle81 in reply toailsamary

I did not know that amitriptyline helped with fibro. I take it for anxiety

ailsamary profile image
ailsamary in reply toleagle81

Amytyptiline is one of those drugs which works for a number of things. It's also good for neuralgic pain, neck pain and some others. It does work by altering the way the brain perceives the pain but that DOES NOT mean that the pain is all in our heads

Pauline31 profile image
Pauline31 in reply toailsamary

I took Amitriptyline for 10 years ,for insomnia ,and it worked fine..I increased it to 25mg,but could not tolerate anymore than that..75mg is the dose for depression I believe..I am taking Cymbalta at the moment for Fibromyalgia .

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply toailsamary

Amytryptiline is an antidepressant, so it does help with fibro. I just put on a ton of weight on it. As soon as I stopped, the pounds started peeling off. Now I know to ask about weight gain being a side effect of any med I'm taking.

ailsamary profile image
ailsamary in reply toLotus954

yes it is an anti depressant but it works on nerve pain by altering the chemical imbalance that makes the nerves overexcited it is also used for some epiletic response so it is far more than just an antidepressant, and the dose for fibro is far lower than for depression. i am very lucky and have not gained any weight at all, though i have a friend whom feels that her weight gain is worth it for the amount of pain relief it gives her

leagle81 profile image
leagle81 in reply toLotus954

I am on Savella and amitriptlyne together

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply toleagle81

I did well on the amitriptyline but I thought I was going to die on the Savella. Literally.

Siqban profile image
Siqban in reply toleagle81

Hi there does amitrip and savella help with the fatigue as well...iv gone worser after my fourth misscarriage where my spine neck inflamed and whole body house bound doc prescribed amitrp but im more drowsy and lathergic with it any advice appreciated

Pauline31 profile image
Pauline31 in reply toLotus954

I took it for 10 years..but only started om 10mg ,then 25mg.It only works as an anti-depressant at 75mg :)

BlueMermaid3 profile image
BlueMermaid3

Hello

I have never taken Savella, but I do have a tip regarding the Amitriptyline.

It can make you a bit groggy the next day, so it is a good idea to take the Amitriptyline around 6-7pm so that the next morning you don't feel so tired.

As you are starting both drugs at the same time, it is going to be difficult to know which drug is having what affect.

I suffer dreadfully with anxiety, but I have never been told Amitriptyline is good for that. I do hope it works for you.

Hugs Lu xx

leagle81 profile image
leagle81 in reply toBlueMermaid3

I took the amitriptyline last night and I slept like a baby. I am taking it for anxiety

BlueMermaid3 profile image
BlueMermaid3 in reply toleagle81

That's great. It helps with pain and sleep too xx

nonnyneenee profile image
nonnyneenee

That's what I thought amitriptyline was for, sleep and that it may help the pain as well. I haven't taken either but I did take Lyrica at the lowest dose, 25mg, and had to stop as my migraines increased (frequency and intensity). Lyrica is similar to to Savella. I also used to tale nortriptyline for migraines and I slept like a baby,no side effects at all. Good luck!

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply tononnyneenee

My doctor wouldn't even prescribe Lyrica for me because of all the side effects.

nonnyneenee profile image
nonnyneenee

One other thing. ...I am a pretty positive person who is happy most of the time, considering lol! but within 10 days Lyrica gave me suicidal thoughts!!!

I'm not kidding, isn't that weird? So between the migraines and feeling like I wanted to die, I stopped right away. So be careful!

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply tononnyneenee

My doctor refused to prescribe Lyrica when I asked him about it. His answer? "Have you read the side effects? I don't think so"

leagle81 profile image
leagle81 in reply toLotus954

I had bad side effects from gabapentian.. It is in the same class as cymbatlta

Paula123 profile image
Paula123 in reply toleagle81

Doctor put,me on pregabalin

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply toleagle81

I have a friend who had bad side effects from cymbalta. She doesn't have fibro but was taking it for something else. She couldn't stand it.

Pauline31 profile image
Pauline31 in reply toLotus954

I started Cymbalta at 30mg,the gradually went up to 60mg..Intially they made me feel sick.But after 8 years,I am afraid to stop takin them :(

Pauline31 profile image
Pauline31 in reply toleagle81

I did not have side effects taking them as a migraine preventative..they did not work .however....I have been taling Cymbalta for 8 years,for depression ,and Fibromyalgia.

Siqban profile image
Siqban in reply toPauline31

Hi pauline did it with help with the low energy too and the back pains?

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954 in reply tononnyneenee

I didn't get suicidal on the Savella, but I had the most bloody, blood curdling dreams that were so real that I couldn't stand it. I HATE what they call "lucid dreaming". I have vowed not to take any medication that has even the POSSIBILITY of lucid dreaming.

nadine111 profile image
nadine111

i had problems similar to nonnyneenee with lyrica so try to be really aware of your thoughts and feelings. also, i have learned to always try one med at a time. guess people with fibro tend to be prone to side effects of which some are pretty ugly. hope i'm not repeating others. just want to make sure you are careful. ps-if find the amptrip. doesn't work well you might want to take with your dr. about trying clonipin. have found it to be so helpful and know several others who also have found clonipin to help them with little to no side effects. there is talk about people having to up and up the dosage but i've never had to up the dosage and been taking it for years.

Lotus954 profile image
Lotus954

I took Savella and got side effects almost immediately. My heart started racing and there were some other problems that I don't recall. I think I was on amitriptyline with it and I don't think the problems had anything to do with that. The med I finally settled on was Ultram ER 300mg. The generic is Tramadol, but I don't find it effective, for some reason, so I have to go with the brand name. Back to your question, Savella was death for me. I hope it's ok for you.

focus888 profile image
focus888

hi Leagle81,

Do you know by any miraculous chance where I can obtain Savella in the UK?

Such awful symptoms I'm barely alive. No exaggeration...

Many thanks

Focus888

Andinka profile image
Andinka

Hi, just wanted to ask how you getting with the Savella please? Kind regards

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