User Reviews for Milnacipran

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I've been taking Savella for fibromyalgia for about two months now. I am a healthcare professional and have read many of your posts. It is imperative that everyone remembers the side effects may not be from the drug and it is very easy to become paranoid about things that feel different just because you have started new treatment. I have prescribed it for many of my patients and I constantly remind them of the fact that these side effects were shown to be transient in the clinical trials, which consisted of over 2000 patients and they will go away, it will be worth it. I'm so glad that this medication has made it's way to the United States as it is the standard of care in many other countries.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: Savella works great. But the 1st week of side effects while titrating are uncomfortable. After that, it's great for energy, pain and brain fog though it takes a couple months to see dramatic improvement. People who stopped taking it after the 1st week didn't take it properly and aren't giving it a real chance. It's not a pain pill; doesn't work instantly. Important to remember: Take it early and with food. I take it at 5 am and 2 pm (7 weeks now). If not taken correctly, it'll cause headaches/nausea. Don't give up; give it 2 months to work. Doctors also aren't telling patients: It's an SNRI so don't take it with other serotonin affecting antidepressants or it'll make you sick (serotonin syndrome). Give it a chance; Savella helps A LOT.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have suffered from fibromyalgia for years; long before it was even heard of. I sought relief from doctors , specialist, nutritionist, etc. At great expense. I have been on every possible pain medication including narcotics and over the counter pain relievers, anti depressants etc. (although I am not depressed) to no avail. I participated in an open label test program for fibromyalgia medication (not savella), which helped somewhat but also with side effects. I have now been on savella for 10 days starting the pack at 12. 5 mg to 100 mg which I am now on. The side effects caused me to have a nasty taste in my mouth and nausea. In comparison to the pain I will tolerate the side effects which are not as severe as the first 5 days. Although I am still a little stiff when I awake; I am mobil earlier in the morning than before starting the savella. I am very optimistic that this medication is the real deal. Take it from someone whose been through it all. If savella is not causing you to have serious medical problems try tolerating the side effects for a while before crossing it off your list. I am!

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I started taking Savella approximately 4 weeks ago. I take it in the morning with food and in the evening after dinner. I have had no nausea though I do have hot flashes, increased sweating, some panic symptoms, and today had a real strange feeling of my arms and upper body feeling "tingly" inside. That made me panic, still not sure what that was. I have also experience constipation (mild), being very tired (before taking I was exhausted, so I was told maybe tired is an improvement over exhausted), and losing weight (though will NOT complain about that side effect). I have lost 6 lbs. in the last 3 weeks. It has helped my pain and I no longer wake up during the night with the muscle achiness in my outer thigh area.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been on milnacipran (200mg) since they first started the study. First of all, the side-effects WILL go away. The pain never completely disappears, but is tolerable. I went from not being able to work at all, to managing a drug store and working 10 hour days. You still have to be careful and monitor what your body needs. Rest on a good bed (I use Temperpedic), heat (stay warm so you don't get stiff), take pain medication when needed, DO NOT let the pain run away from you. Force yourself to stay active. Do something everyday. And most of all, give the medication a chance. After 20 years, I am very grateful for this medication. I can hug my family more often than not and wouldn't give that up for anything.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been taking Savella since March and I feel great. This is a drug that reduced pain with minimal side effects. It took about a month to kick in and unlike Cymbalta and Lyrica I do not have any brain fog or dry mouth. Still a bit tired but I attribute that to the fibromyalgia. I did well on Cymbalta but after 2 years it stopped being effective. Lyrica made me disoriented and foggy. I recommend Savella, based on my own very positive experience. This is not a classic antidepressant and is specific for fibromyalgia. Glad I found it and will continue using it. I have more energy and no pain.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been taking Savella for three weeks. My fibromyalgia pain and related symptoms was stealing my quality of life. I suffered for nine years with muscle exhaustion from my knees down, horrible muscle cramps in my legs, irritable bowel syndrome and high blood pressure brought on by the never ending pain and exhaustion. Savella has changed everything. I still have bad knees but I can tell such a difference between the bone pain and the fibromyalgia pain. I don't have any of the symptoms any more. I can walk around in big stores without having to stop and sit down. I can eat foods that would have sent me running for a restroom. I am feeling like I did when I was twenty years younger. I would reccommend this drug

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I had been taking CYMBALTA and Gabapentin for the last 6 years. They had relieved my pain greatly, but was tired and brain fog constantly. My new doctor recommended me to try Savella. The worst part is that I had to get off the Cymbalta before starting Savella. The withdrawals were terrible. I felt like I was trying to get off Heroin. After reading theses comments I am wondering how many of these side effects people are having is from coming off of a previous drug and not Savella alone. Before I could start the Savella I was having dizziness, nausea, electric shocks through my whole body, sweats, chills, etc. I am on day 7 of Savella and still having some withdrawal, but it is getting better. I say give Savella a chance to work before giving up. I am.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 12 years ago. Since then it has robbed me of much of my life. It took my social life away. I could no longer work. Basically I just learned to manage the pain everyday. I tried Lyrica but couldn't tolerate the nightmares. Then I tried Savella. First days were great at low doses. Then with increased dosage the side effects were nausea and vomiting, but I transitioned back to a lower dosage (total of 25 mg daily) and that helped. I am exercising again and feel that I am getting my life back thanks to Savella. Try to get through the adjustment phase of the medication and it could make a huge difference in your life.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have just weaned off Cymbalta and started Savella about 3 weeks ago. Be careful of your judgements on side effects of Savella. Many of us are being weaned off medicines like Cymbalta and others and these can be causing the side effects. Coming off Cymbalta can cause dizziness, feeling "weird" and many others. Before you write off Savella, make sure your side effects are not withdrawal from other medicines. I have found if I take Savella on an empty stomach, I am nauseated, so take with food. I also have moved the second dose of the day to 2 pm and that helped decrease the insomnia. I have more energy than before, but find I am a bit edgy at times and this is fading. Smaller doses may help side effects. Insurance should cover-ask for appeal if denied.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been on Savella for about a month and I must say there is a improvement in my pain level. The only side effect at first was nausea and then that went away after the first couple of weeks because the body needed to get used to it but after you are over that hump the only side effects for me was hot flashes and sweats. However, to be out of pain is all that I care about. I was out of work for a year and a half and now I'm able to function and work again. I thank God for Savella and my Doctor who suggested it. She has never steered me wrong. To anyone who has Fibromyalgia please try this medicine and give it a little while to work. Stick out the side effects the first couple of weeks and the pay off is wonderful.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: Have been on this drug for the full four weeks now. I've noticed in an improvement in my energy and mood. The muscle pains have all but gone too. I did have sweating/hot flashes with it but those are better now. Luckily my insurance covers it but it's still $60/month. I also noticed the increased heart rate so I quit drinking caffeine during the day and keep my beer/wine consumption down a lot. Increase your intake of water as that helps with the head pounding feeling. I also take Ambien so my sleep has not suffered. Consider taking something to help you sleep, at least until you get used to the medication.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: The "hot flashes" were really unbearable. I was changing entire sets of clothes at least once a day. I finally stopped using Savella. I'm not sure if it helped my pain, but watch out for this side effect, documented in the Savella medication handout. Good luck to all others who are using it; I really hope you do not experience this side effect.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: Was on my 3rd week of the starter pack and loving the medicine when I found out my insurance wouldn't cover it. Devastated because I hadn't had that much energy in years. I've had chronic pain for 18 years and constant muscle spasms. It didn't get rid of the pain and spasms but it seemed like it was working on it, but with no side effects and the increased energy, I was enjoying the break from and 18 year exhaustion.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I think the physicians are prescribing too high a dosage for those that are having such terrible side effects. My doctor started me with just 12.5mg. Yesterday she increased it to 25mg and today I've had some dizziness, a little nausea and some palpitations. I'll go back to the 12.5mg - it didn't completely eliminate my pain but it was so much better. I was able to do my house work and even did a little shopping which is very good for me. I take Lyrica at night and just the 12.5mg Savella in the morning with breakfast. Maybe the physicians could reduce the dosage with better results. My arms are still sore but not as bad. I'll continue the Savella, at least for now.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: After taking Savella for two months, I began to notice a slight lessening of deep muscle pain and tenderness of joints. It has not, however, done away with the intense fatigue I am sometimes subjected to. Initially, I did experience my heart racing and feeling jittery, but after a few weeks, this went away. I do sometimes experience hot flashes, but I can live with that. Overall, my doctor and I are quite pleased with the results. I don't know if this is as good as it gets or if the results will continue to improve as I continue the medication. While I am not completely pain-free, I am very happy with Savella. I find it a blessing indeed.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: This drug gave me my life back. I have had no side effects. My insurance would not cover Savella at first but now they do. Thank you to the researchers and company that puts it out. Hopefully there are no negative long term effects.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I am halfway through the tritation pack of Savella. I haven't cleared the insurance hurdle yet. I was relieved to learn others have experienced hot flashes and sweating. No nausea, no sleep problems, but I am either fanning myself or changing out of drippy clothing! From others' comments, I think I will give it a little more time because my energy level, motivation and pain reduction have definitely been better! I can actually complete one or two chores per day!

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I'm on day 6 and I already feel the difference. Yes, I felt some of the chills, mild fever and dizziness. I figured I continue to see how it went. So far so good. I was in pain for the past year and I was just diagnosed this month. My pain is not completely gone, but I can honestly tell you that I feel about 80% better. Which is better than I've felt in a long time. I pray that it continues. My side effects are almost completely gone.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I'm a 51 year old female. My fibromyalgia was diagnosed 6 years ago in 2003. I also have neuropathy, degenerative disc disease, Celiac's disease and an assortment of auto-immune disorders. I've just completed the first two weeks of being on Savella. Only in the past few days have I noticed a very slight easing up of my pain. The side effects that I am experiencing are: Dry Mouth, Increased Headaches, Some Blurred Vision, Increased Tingling, Mild Constipation, Some Short Term Memory Problems, Moments of Confusion/Disorientation, and a Few Episodes of Increased Heart Rate. I've decided to continue with the Savella, at least for 4 more weeks, as long as I can tolerate the side effects. Of course, it's my hope that I'll see more reduction in my pain levels as my body adjusts to taking the Savella. In the past, I've tried to take Lyrica, two different times. However, the side effects from it were simply unbearable.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been on Savella for only a few days so far. I had taken Cymbalta for a while and it helped but not significantly. My main symptoms are insomnia, fatigue and pain and the Savella has helped with my fatigue more than anything I've ever taken before. As someone posted earlier I feel like I can actually plan ahead a little for the first time in a while. My pain is still a major problem but I hope that will improve as I have been on Savella longer. I have not really had any side effects at all. I am tired of my illness controlling my life and I will not give up. Hopefully Savella will be a real factor in getting my life back. Good luck to everyone out there deaing with FM.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: Suffered with Fibromyalgia for several years. I was asked to try all the antidepressants, etc. Their side effects rendered me more useless, not able to function at all in daily life. I had taken Vicoprofen 1/2 tablet (half by choice) 3-4 x's day for several years and Lidoderm patch every morning on my cervical spine, hips and knee's. I had no desire to live. I was going through the motions. 3 weeks ago I started Savella. 1/4 the recommended dose for 10 days. Then 1/4 the next dose. 1st week I felt a difference. By week 2 my husband said he hadn't heard me mention pain. I cautiously said I'm in no pain and on no pain pills or patches and don't need to nap and can sleep. I'm very active and can do anything. Start VERY slow, with low doses. Now on 25mg once in the morning with a full breakfast!

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: At first I took Cymbalta and it really helped me for awhile. I then tried the Savella, I have so much more energy. I don't lie around on the couch all day. I still have to take it easy and I do have my bad days because I have Sjorgrens also but it has improved my pain and my stamina. I can even plan ahead a little bit.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I had been on Lyrica and Zoloft. My doctor had me wean off them and then started with Savella. My muscle pain is much improved and I have only been on it for 2 weeks. The 'brain fog' I was experiencing with the other medications is going away. The most irritating side effect I have is hot flashes, which could also be caused by weaning off Lyrica and Zoloft. I hope those go away soon.

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia: I have been on Savella for a month - it does take the edge off of the pain in my legs and fortunately no side affects.