I tried Cymbalta, but I got so irritated with it I discontinued taking it. I spoke with my Rheumie about it, and he prescribed Savella for me today. Has anyone tried this, and did it help? I also have Lupus, and he told me my lupus is improving, its my Fibro that is causing my pain.
Hi Trisha, I have been on Savella for about 2 years , but I still break them in half and take 1/2 with breakfast, the other half with lunch and a third half before 5 , this helped with the nausea… And I can’t take it after 5 or it will keep me up at night. ( For me the 75 mg is enough) The Savella helped me better able to Handel the emotional and psychological side of the fibro. It also helps with the fatigue, I always had to take an afternoon nap, since I have been on Savella… No naps, For me this med has helped… Don’t get me wrong I still have pain, I get exhausted easily and can’t do all I used to, but I can honestly say I couldn’t function with out the Savella.
I hope it helps you also… Look up all discussions and type in Savella it will bring up old posted discussions about Savella… This may be helpful 
Hugs & blessings
dee B
I have been on Savella for about 4 or 5 months and I take mine the same way as dee B. Just the 75mg a day. I couldn’t tolerate 50mg all at once. It made my blood pressure spike and my heart beat too fast but 25mg 3 times a days is good. I did the tritation pack 2 at a time meaning instead of increasing over 2 weeks my doctor had me increase over a months time and I didn’t have the side effects a lot of people complain of so that is my suggestion. It will keep you up at night like dee said and at first the dreams are vivid but that has gotten better. My biggest issue is I am hot all the time. Not like miserable but I know I run the air conditioner more than usual and I can tolerate cooler temps more than heat since I started the Savella. For me the improvement was the fatigue. I went from needing 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day to managing on 8 or 9 hours and sometimes even less. I don’t get the fog as often either and my feet don’t have the tingly feelings. Be cautious of the irritability. My poor husband…I was just mean to him somedays but that has improved also. If I skip a dose I definately know it so it is a life saver. I had a miserable time with Cymbalta also so I hope this works for you as much as it did for me. I noticed a difference within a couple of weeks. Bizarre side effect I had for awhile… goose bumps on my scalp. Weirdest feeling but that has stopped also.
Good luck to you!
Thanks so much for your advice! I don't sleep more than two hours at a time, and I did take my first dose late last night, and I had trouble falling asleep, not to mention staying asleep. The fatigue is my biggest complaint, and weight gain a close 2nd. I did search for past discussions, and came with nothing?
Thank you both for sharing : )
I haven’t had any weight gain issues from the savella. I have low thyroid also so losing weight is just not happening right now but I haven’t gained. I do take my meds when I eat because it does cause some nausea but I think that gets better also.
Hello Trisha
I don't know how long you took the Cymbalta as it takes about six weeks before your body adjusts to it. During this time you will no doubt have to struggle with some of the side effects. There will most likely be unwelcome side effects with the Savella.
I'm really glad that your lupus is improving. That's great news.
I have not tried Savella, but I am on Cymbalta and have been for about three years.
Gentle hugs
Rachel
My rheumie prescried savella.Today is my first day taking it. I just took it like a hour ago. Its 50mg. He said to take it2 Times a day with my cymbalra .is that too much? I was just taking cymbalta abd lyrica. The lyrica was not working. So hopefully this will work. Of course the pain won’t go away but hopefully it helps. I’m just worried about taking both and the dosage
That's interesting MrsK that increasing the dosage over a month's time rather than two weeks you did not have to deal with the side effects that many other people have.
I'm glad you mentioned this.
Teesa,
My Rheumie gave me a titration pack which gradually increases the dosage. I started out with 12.5 mg first day, then twice a day for day 2 and 3 and day 4 through 7 is 25 mg twice a day. Day 8 through 14 is 50mg twice a day. I like the idea of increasing the dosage over the first month like MrsK suggested.
dee B, thanks for the suggestion of taking it before 5, that helped me last night. I was able to fall asleep, even though I still didn't sleep longer than a few hours at a time, but I could return to sleep. So far, no side effects. I have high hopes that this will address my fatigue, I would like to try to return to work, even if its only for a few years. Thanks for all the advice.
He started me out at 50mg twice a day. And a cymbalta… its only day two and I’m not liking this medicine. Its tooo much . Everyone is saying they started with much less. I’m very concerned now
i like sivella but my insurance will not approve it
so my dr keep giving me the trial packs but i too started off with 12.5 and i now only take 25mg twice daily but i also am on amitrplyn for my stomach and sleep as well plus tramadol twice daily so not sure which is helping me the most
Victoria, that's the problem when we are on multiple meds. Which one is helping us the most? Or is it the combination of meds that is helping?