I've been on milnacipran (Savella) since April of 2007. (I took part in the drug trials to get Savella approved by the FDA.)

I find that helps the Fibro pain enough to make a difference - I quantify it at about 60% - 70%. What is more important to me is the fact that the Savella cuts the FibroFog. I'm able to get by on OTC pain relievers most days. Infrequently, I have to take a Tramadol.

I'd encourage you to try it, but I think you'll have to give up the Lyrica and the neurontin in order to do that. I'm kind of surprised they have you on both, since Lyrica (pregabalin) is a re-formulation of neurontin (gabapentin).

Just remember, if you try the Savella, take it with food!

SkyEyes

First off I wanted to welcome you NeuroTalk...SkyEyes! I am also a fellow Fibro sufferer. I tried Savella last year but I don't think I gave it an honest try...I need to talk to you about what meds help and don't help. I have suffered from symptoms of Fibro for over 30+ years...diagnosed 20 years ago. I'm really having a really bad time of it right now...

Also, it might be beneficial for you to introduce yourself on the New Member Forum...link below...hope to talk you soon!!

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum88.html

Thanks for the warm welcome, tamiloo, and hello from sunny Tucson, Arizona!

How long did you try the Savella? What other drugs were you taking at the same time? How high a dose did they titrate you up to? When I was first on the drug, I leveled out at 100 mg/day, but about 9 months later, I had them up my dosage. I ended up at 175 mg/day; that seems to work.

Unlike the tricyclic antidepressants, I don't seem to experience that falling-off of effectiveness with Savella. I hope the effect is permanent.

SkyEyes

Welcome to NT

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. That's what makes NT special. I'm sure lots of people here need to read your experience with it.

This is a great place to give and receive. Glad you found us.

There's a lot of info here, so I'm sure you'll find something to help you along the way.

I pray you find peace in some way today.

DMom, I'm really surprised that your Doc let you take Cymbalta and Savella together! Both drugs are SSNRIs, and although Savella is not approved for depression here, it is in Europe. Taking both can lead to a thing they call Serotonin Syndrome. From Google Health:
verview
Serotonin syndrome is a potentialyl life-threatening drug reaction that causes the body to have too much serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur within minutes to hours, and may include:
Agitation or restlessness
Diarrhea
Fast heart beat
Hallucinations
Increased body temperature
Loss of coordination
Nausea
Overactive reflexes
Rapid changes in blood pressure
Vomiting

Sounds like that's what happened to you?
I've just dropped Cymbalta and Lyrica (cold turkey), and started the Savella dose pack. Today I'm the 100mg/day dosage. So far, I've gone through a rough withdrawal period with sweats and chills, muscle cramps, NO energy at all and not very good night sleeps either. The worst has been the itching though.
I finally broke down this morning when I started scratching (yet again!), and took a Lyrica. I'm still itching, but not nearly as badly. The depression is fading (which is why the change in medications), as is some of the pain from the fibro. I'll let you know how it goes.....
I guess the message I'm trying to give is that, in the end, we are the ones responsible for ourselves and our health care. Given the enormous amount of information out there on the web, it is up to us to research, research, research! I love Google!
Be well!

Doctor just took me off of Savella. As soon as I started on the trial pack I felt like I was loosing my mind. All I did was cry, and want to crawl in a hole and die. It did nothing for the pain, actually I think it made it worse. I would not recomend this drug. Good luck to anyone who tries it. Dar aka;Floridanana

Dar...I felt the same way on Savella. I felt like it put me into a flair worse than I have ever had...

Hope something works soon...so much pain!

I have been on Savella for about 6 weeks. I am tolerating it well but do not yet know if it is helping my FMS. Though I can't really tell, my husband seems to think it is helping.

I have not been able to tolerate Lyrica, Cymbalta or Neurontin.

Mere

Hi Mere!

I am glad you can tolerate Savella and I hope it helps you!

Some people really like Savella.

I was not able to tolerate it at all. Yet, that is how things work with me!
I am extremely sensitive to meds.

Best Wishes to All!
~DejaVu

Hi Deja,

I too am very sensitive... it's seems like it is just the luck of the draw. I have read that those of us with FMS/CFS can have difficulties taking meds.

Mere