Savella Forums

the new medicine savella for fibermyalgia does it cause weight gain like a lot of other meds? ## My doctor just gave me a sample of Savella to try for fibromyalgia? Has anyone tried it yet for fibro and does it cause you to gain weight like other antidepressants used to treat fibro? ## Savella contains the active ingredient Milnaciprin, this is an SNRI antidepressant, approved in the US to treat Fibromyalgia. While weight gain is not listed as a common side effect, this class of medications has been known to cause it in some people. Common side effects may incude:nausea, itching, anxiety and vertigo. You can read more here: Did you have any other questions? ## Savella will give you upset stomach and it actually takes your appetite away. You are more likely to lose weight. Most welcome t...

62 REPLIES

Hi, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome about 5 years ago and was put on Savella for about 2 yrs. I developed tachycardia and chest pain and will be on a beta blocker for the rest of my life. Anyone else have problems with this one? ## I have read stories from so many people about their terrible experience with Savella, but none have had the same symptoms that I did. I took it for a month in 2011. After the first week, called my doctor crying because I was in so much pain. She said it was because I was not on the full dose. After two weeks I had to go to urgent care, it was a weekend. I could hardly walk, the pain was unbearable, my legs and feet were so swollen. I was red and purple. They said I had edema. My doctor started weening me off of Savella. That took two more weeks....

27 REPLIES

After taking savella for a month I began having non stop suicidal thoughts. One night I found myself on the suicide hotline. I committed myself to a 1 week lockdown program and they were the ones that told me it was the Savella. That was 2013. It's now 2022 and I have survived 2 serious suicide attempts. It's never gone away. When I read the original FDA application it noted that 1/3 would get pain relief, 1/3 would not see improvement and 1/3 would become suicidal. I'm furious! How did the FDA allow this drug on the market?! Be super careful... I would avoid Savella like the plague. ## I am so sorry this happened to you. It’s so scary when they use SSNIs and antipsychotics for other non-mental illnesses. They give Abilify to people with chronic fatigue syndrome and it...

5 REPLIES

Took 100mgs of savella 3 hours ago! My doctor said nothing about "working up" to this dose! I'm scared i took too much for my first dose.. Don't have any symptoms of overdose yet. Am I going to be ok? Should I do anything? Ughhh...sigh...feeling stupid right now:( ## First i was perscribed cymbalta for fibromyalgia and nerve pain in my back and feet. The side effects were horrible. My blood sugar level went way up into the high 200's. I had never in my life had high blood sugar . So they weaned me off, and my level returned back to my normal 70's and 80's. Next they put me on Savella, and i was told that it was not in the same family as Cymbalta.Well i took the Savella for 2 months, and my blood sugar went very high again, and it will not go down. Now i have ...

2 REPLIES

I was leary to try Savella since I had such a bad experience both while taking Cymlata and terrible withdrawal from it. The side effects from the Savella were terrible but I continued it for 8 weeks until I started having heart palpitations and chest pain. I have been off of it now for almost 2 weeks and I am experiencing more muslce aches and pains than I had prior to the drug. I have read where some people suffered from severe withdrawal from the Savella. Has anyone else out there felt there muscle pain actually got worse if you stopped the drug. I actually tried it because I was told it would help my severe fatigue and fibro fog. Neither of those were improved but I am now actually suffering with at least twice as much pain as I have ever had from the fibro. I also still have the con...

2 REPLIES

My insurance Company has denied the medication, Savella for my use. I can't take Lyrica or Cymbalta because of kidney disease. Are there any other medications that have come out for fibromyalgia that have the same ingredients as Savella. I was Dr samples until that ran out and I was getting relief from the Savella. Is there anything else comparable? ## Have you had your Dr. write them a letter stating you can't take the other 2 meds? My ins company was making me pay $75.00 a month for Savella due to it not being on their drug list. My Dr. wrote a letter to them for me, and you can contest it with the note. They really don't listen unless you have a Dr.'s note. ## Savella made me very sick. Following my first dose I started projecting vomitting. I thought it must have bee...

2 REPLIES

I have fibromyalgia, have suffered for years with no diagnosis. I have been on Lyrica and Cymbalta, no help. I have been on Savella for over a year now and I finally got my life back. I am unemployed and going to college full time on line. My husband is on social security from heart problemss and major stroke last Aug. I need to be able to take care of him and myself. Recently my insurance coverage changed and the new one will only cover generic. I really need help with this medicine. I am receiving unemployment but it is hard to stretch the money out with my perscription and all the perscriptions my husband is on. I am running out of my savella in 2 week, I ask my doctor to change to something eles but he says this has worked so good for me and he has not seen me so good in 5 years. Pl...

9 REPLIES

I have no medical insurance,I am diviorced,awainting answer to get on Social Security Disability,I am not able to work, i live with my disabled daughter we try to take care of one onother. ## I have medical insurance but I have Fiber and I am perscribed sevella and I have been only taking samples and hav eran out and I am still not finacially able to pay for the savella. Is there a applications that I can get assistance for the cost of this medication for my fibermyalgia. I would appreciate you assistance and response on this matter. Thank you, Misty Wright Fibermyalgia suffer Savella taker but need assistance please ## Yes, the manufacturer, Forest Pharmaceuticals, does have an assistance program. I don't know all the specific details, but you can contact them for more information ...

4 REPLIES

I'm finishing my second week on Savella and feel so much better and have lots of energy. In fact, so much that I can't sleep at night and become very restless. I'm also experiencing constipation and weight gain. I had read that Savella may cause you to loose weight??? What can I expect and will it all get better eventually?? ## Savella contains the active ingredient Milnacipran, it's an SNRI that is used to treat Fibromyalgia. Weight gain is generally not a common side effect of this class of medications, but some people have reported experiencing it, as a side effect. Other side effects may include: nausea, dizziness and constipation. As with any medication, side effects usually hit their peak between 4 to 6 weeks of use and then gradually start to taper off. Learn more...

4 REPLIES

can't afford savella no ins. anymore but cousin with fibro has stopped taking lyrica and is willing to give me a supply of lyrica until I get my insurance in 3 months. Is it much different than savella. Im seriously having major effects since I stopped the savella which really helped me. Is it safe to try the lyrica. Im in a lot of pain and really can't take much more of feeling like this ## They are not the same medication, Lyrican contains the active ingredient Pregabalin, which is an anticonvulsant that is also used to help treat nerve pain. It really shouldn't be used without it being prescribed for you, due to the risk of possible side effects. Learn more Savella details here. However, there is an assistance program for Savella that may be able to help you continue with...

4 REPLIES

Savella has devinatley made the pain from Fibromyalgia decrease. but I am very, very constipated. Has this happened to anyone else??? ## Great to hear that this is working so well for you. Constipation is a known side effect of this medication, along with nausea, headache and insomnia. Have you tried any remedies? When I have this problem with medications, I usually find that fiber supplements are quite helpful. ## YES! Constipation was horrible. It actually caused me to stop taking Savella. But now intense pain is back. A real Catch-22. Have you found a solution to the problem? ## I too have the problem with constipation, but I have found if I drink plenty of water and fruits and vegts I am able to get along just fine. ## I too also took sAvella for two and a half months. My pain went ...

6 REPLIES

I need help getting help with Savella. The doctor has been able to help until now with samples and his nurse just told me to go your site for help getting the Savella. I can't work and have no money. Can you help me with getting any Savella ? ## this site does not manufacture, nor provide any medications, this is an information only website. The programs that assist with needed prescription medications are usually provide by the manufacturers of the medications. In this case, the manufacturer is Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. and they have an application that you can print out to apply for the program. There are sections that both you and your physician will have to complete and if you qualify, they will send the medication directly to your doctor's office, so they can provide you ...

3 REPLIES

needing help for a drug called Savella ## I can tell you that it has been 2 months that I HAVE NOT BEEN IN BED so I feel this med savella really work for me I live near chicago 90 mile west, so weather is hard on us.I have RSD not fun when it hits I need this meds for a better living so i need the help for this it is 140.00 for 60 pills twice a day. ## go to www.forestpharm.com/pap They have a prescription assistance program for their medications including savella. ## I can't work because I am in too much pain and asked to go to your site to get help getting Savella. The doctor has been able to give me samples up until now , but now his nurse told me that they can't help me much anymore. I need Savella to even function. I am on 50 mg. 3 times a day. Can you please help me get Sa...

6 REPLIES

My Humana insurance will not approve Savella for me. My neurologist sent in a special request for it and it was still denied. I was taking samples that my Dr. was giving to me but that has run out. Is there a generic for this medication yet or another medication with the same ingredients? ## I am using Savella, with good results. I had to try 3 other medications first (no relief). That is a hoop insurance companies expect you to go through. One of those other, less expensive meds ,may help you, your insurance company is hoping. Don't give up. Your insurance company can tell you and your doctor, which meds you need to try, to fulfill this requirement! ## My insurance (Wellmark Alliance Select) will not pay for Savella either regardless of letters my Dr has sent. They want me to take ...

9 REPLIES

A few years ago I tried taking Savella for my fibro pain after having no success with all the other meds on the market. I suffered through a lot of different side effects, ie tremors, lack of appetite, sleeplessness. But I was desperate as my pain was was great and didn't want to have to take pain meds as that would be against my employers drug policy. I started vomiting but I have chronic GI issues and didn't correlate this as another side effect of Savella. After escalating periods of vomiting or dry heaves and 3 days of not being able to eat or drink was hospitalized for a week for an unknown disease. All GI test results were normal therefore was released from hospital. As I was only given medications in IV form my body cleansed itself from most of my medications. Rheumatolog...

1 REPLY

This is a new medication that just came out for fibromyalgia. I have several other conditions involving spinal degeneration , herniated discs, arthritus, etc. I've been taking this medication for a little over 2 weeks now and have worked up to the full dose. My biggest symptom seems to be upset stomach but I don't know if it's from the Savella or from de-toxing from 7 other medications that I've been on for over 10+ yrs. Is there anyone else out there that has started this medication that can give me any information that they may have on it? ## I have been on Savella for approximately 30 days post trial period. I am experiencing changes in mood swings and some depression. I am not sure if this is a resulf of being off Zoloft or just the transition time my body is requiri...

581 REPLIES

I JUST BEGAN THE NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG FOR FIBROMYALGIA THIS WEEK CALLED SAVELLA IN PILL FORM. MY BLOOD PRESSURE HAS RISEN FROM AN AVERAGE OF 122/70 TO 155/85. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WILL IT REGULATE BACK DOWN AFTER BODY ADJUSTS. OTHERWISE SURE FEEL A WHOLE LOT BETTER THEN WHEN ON CYMBALTA FOR SAME DISEASE. COULD IT BE A WITHDRAWAL EFFECT FROM THE CYMBALTA? I WENT OFF THAT 24 HOURS BEFORE STARTING SAVELLA. HEADACHES, JITTERY, HYPER WERE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY, THAT IS GETTING BETTER EACH DAY. ## Your experience parralels mine. I transitioned from cymbalta to titration pack of savella in one day. Very rough withdrawal. Worked my way up to full dose of Savella in October. BP was rising at half dose, Dr. thought at full dose pain would be lessened and BP would fall. I have always h...

52 REPLIES

I am just curious as to whether or not anyone else had possibly experienced thrush while taking Savella. I finished a 3 week course of antibiotics and then started Savella about a week after finishing the meds. About a week after I started the medication I suddenly felt as if I was swallowing something in the back of my throat. I thought I had severe dry mouth. I went to the doctor to only find that I had thrush. They chalked it up to the fact I had been on clyndamyacin then went on a week course of Levaquin back to back. I then went on Dyflucan for seven days, but it did not seem to help at all. The doctor then prescribed me another week long dose of Dyflucan along with me taking probiotics and yogurt everyday it still seemed after 11 days it was still out of control. I discontinued th...

8 REPLIES

I have been taking Savella for a week. I have celiac disease and have all the syptoms of ingesting glyten. Does Savella contain gluten? Savella is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, subsidiary of Forest Labratories. Any help would be wonderful! Thank you ## Hello, Joe! How are you? And no, from what I've been able to find, it doesn't containing anything with gluten. Has anything else changed concerning your diet or medications? ## No nothing has changed. I started the Savella Titration pack for 6 days. Had all the symptoms of ingesting gluten. With me, everything comes to a grinding halt!!! I increased my Myrilax by 4 times and nothing. Stopped the Savella and within 24 hours returned to normal!!! ## Hi- I am in the process of going off Savella, and I have Celiac's. Fro...

5 REPLIES

Anyone else develope fatty liver while on savella? 2012 diagnosed with CFIDS and FIBROMYALGIA WITH NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS. Thats a mouthful but my neurologist said that cfids/fm with neurological symptoms is very different than cfids/fm alone. I certainly am clueless..lol. I've tried all the common fibro drugs to no avail. Savella was hard to adapt to for about a month then there was light, so to speak. Not enough help though if it damages my kidneys or liver is my thought. I also take Nuvigil intermittently which is like manna from heaven when i have to think clearly for checkbook balancing and Bill paying. So that's my basics. I am tall and slender, not big on 3 meals a day for sure. But quickly my torso was gaining weight. From 135 lbs to 160. Bloodwork was different than ever...

1 REPLY