Savella and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Ela...
• December 12, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "This medication Savella did wonders for my fibromyalgia for the month I was on it. My muscle and joint pain disappeared, and I had energy and could focus again! The caveat: it made me sweat profusely. Dripping sweat. It made me look like a drowned rat every day. My blood pressure also skyrocketed, and I often felt my heart racing. So I have weaned off the medication, and now I am in pain again. At least I'm not worried I'll have a stroke and I don't look like a drowned rat anymore! On to try something else."

• Fib...
• August 8, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibro 10 years ago. The rheumatologist started me on Flexeril, Tramadol, and Ambien. I never had an increase in meds and felt good. Then insurance changed and sent me to pain management. They were awful - so I got fed up and fired them - walked away. Here I am 2 years later, tons of pain and back to my rheumatologist I went. I am allergic to Cymbalta and Lyrica. Can’t take NSAIDs, so he prescribed Gabapentin and Savella and Flexeril. I am NEVER going to take GABA, I have always said. Nevertheless, starting that and Savella at the same time! I’m on day 4 of Savella and I’m always dizzy, nauseous (with or without food) - heart rate escalates, a clump of hair fell out today, and my vision is blurry, and my restless legs are WORSE. My nights have been excruciating, and I will NOT be taking it anymore. Has not helped me or given any relief (just grief) - for those of you who it helped, I’m happy you found something, but it’s NOT for this gal."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica made me drowsy and puffy. Cymbalta made me feel weird and killed my sex drive. Savella has been a blessing for me! I have more energy, less pain, and feel like a lot of my brain fog has cleared up. I have Ehlers Danlos and possibly fibromyalgia, which I use this for. I can feel pain when I hyperextend, but the reticular nerve pain is almost gone. Maybe 2-3 days out of the month I have an odd day, but not nearly as many as I used to, plus the SNRI seems to keep me cheerful. Have to take with food or I get nausea. Had BP spike, high pulse, and sweats first month, but they went away after. I pray this med continues to work! Get prescription drug card from website! Much cheaper, even with insurance."

• ndb...
• August 14, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Have been on this drug for the full four weeks now. I've noticed 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."

• Mas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "This medication is a lifesaver. Have been taking for 4 years, 100 mg, 2 times a day. Pain is gone. The only side effect I had is elevated pulse. Dr. prescribed propranolol and no problems now. Highly recommend this medication. Give it 2 weeks to start working."

• Mot...
• August 21, 2009

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."

• mcr...
• October 24, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Savella has really improved my life. I am a nurse who works 12-hour shifts, and before this drug, I had to crawl out of bed, work my 12-hour shifts, then sleep for days until it was time to return to work again. Now, I have a new lease on life, and this is the first time in 25 years where I don't feel as if I was dragged under a bus all night when I get up. It has not been without side effects. Most notably, rapid heartbeat (up to 125), sweats, hostility, and irritability. I've found that 6.25 mg daily is the most I can tolerate. It does not come in this dosage, but I break a 12.5 mg tablet in half. My pain is not totally gone, but the fatigue is remarkably better. A couple Tylenols twice daily helps with the pain and stiffness. Keep trying to find the right dose for you."

• Ano...
• July 6, 2009

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 disease, and an assortment of autoimmune 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 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."

• alw...
• July 11, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I started Savella May 25th with the titration pack. Side effects not bad. When I got to 100 mgs, my pulse and blood pressure shot up. I felt odd. I had been trying not to take any other pain medicines, including Advil or Tylenol, to gauge its effectiveness. I talked with my doctor and started the titration again. It has definitely decreased my pain and I got rid of my fibromyalgia fog, which has been great, but I seem to be unable to tolerate the 100 mg dose as my BP and pulse are elevated again. I am very disappointed. I will keep trying."

• Jen...
• June 30, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I am amazed at how well Savella has been working for me so far. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in November 2008, but suffered 10 years before diagnosis...thought it was arthritis. I've been terrified to try any medications for it because the side effects really scared me...pain kept getting worse as my quality of life declined...the doctor suggested Savella and gave me a two-week titration pack. As far as side effects, I was pretty nauseous and sleepy, had zero appetite, and weird dreams...once or twice I felt my heart racing but managed to bring it back to normal with some deep breathing exercises. After two weeks, I'm a little less sleepy...still not that hungry (ginger candy stops the nausea) and very little PAIN now...feeling great!"

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "First, let me rate it a 1. I was supposed to take 25 mg at bedtime. Woke up a little before 2 a.m., heart racing, hot flashes, extreme nausea. Spent the next hour trying to sleep, but heart palpitations, hot flashes, then chills, vomiting, and needing the bathroom... 4 times! I have NEVER had this type of drug reaction like that!!! Unreal! Charging my insurance nearly $1,000 for a rubbish drug that makes people sick. Even people who don't have severe reactions all have nausea! It shouldn't be legal to charge people so much for a drug. It is price gouging and insane! I still feel sick the next day. Never again. Now I am stuck with pills worth more money than I can make and hate them."

• jho...
• August 1, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I am 38 and have had fibromyalgia since I was 18. I have spent the last 2.5 years recovering from 2 neck surgeries. Pure hell. I am off all pain medicines finally. But I have constant nerve pain and nerve damage in both arms and hands. I controlled my pain via a personal trainer 3 times a week since the 90's. I am not the machine I used to be due to the neck injury. You all with fibromyalgia keep moving. The stronger you are the pain can be managed. It will not go away, but you can get through it with more on your side. I am on my third week of Savella. 2 weeks, no sleep, higher heart rate, and I am anxious. I have to keep going, these things take time. We all must give it a try, everything takes work. Cymbalta and Lyrica helped a little."

• Anonymous
• May 13, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I am male with fibromyalgia since the early 1990s. Have tried a variety of regimens and some medications to help. Started Savella the first time late in 2009. Side effects became so bad that I chose to stop. Fibromyalgia got to the point that it was ruining quality of life, so I started again in February. This time, I decided to go really slow with the titration. Two weeks at 25 mg a day, 2 weeks at 37.5 mg, etc. Now at 50 mg a day in 2 doses. Have occasional nausea, prostate-like issues, headaches, and rapid heartbeat, but not severe enough to stop. Pain management is much better. May try increased dosage to see what happens. Stick with it and go slowly is my advice."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Been using Savella (50 mg 2 X daily) for 9 weeks, and it's made a HUGE difference in my pain. Not 100% pain-free, still have trigger points, etc., but improved my ability to function day to day tremendously. It 'takes the edge off.' I've had entire days where I feel almost normal. Did have the typical side effects the first two weeks: sweating, rapid heartbeat, agitation, and nausea. Stuck it out, the side effects subsided, and it was worth it. Tried a lot of the other medicines recommended for fibromyalgia, including Cymbalta, Lyrica, Elavil, Flexeril, etc. None worked for me - either unable to tolerate side effects or made no difference in my pain. Recently missed 2 consecutive doses, and the pain came back ferociously, made me realize how much better I've felt."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Savella for 3 months now, and it is the most effective medication I have taken for fibromyalgia to date. I've tried Cymbalta and Pristiq. It is not without side effects, though. I have a rapid heartbeat and stay on the verge of throwing up, but... pain is not the first thing I think of when I get out of bed in the morning, and that means a lot. I am going to stay on it as long as possible in hopes that the side effects will go away. I started taking Topamax for the headaches, and they have gone away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Savella was awesome for my chronic back pain. Unfortunately, the side effects were too serious. My blood pressure skyrocketed to 160/110, my resting heart rate skyrocketed to 136, and my estradiol levels plummeted to that of a postmenopausal woman (I'm only 37 with no history of early menopause). I experienced hot flashes that would have me dripping in sweat with absolutely no physical exertion whatsoever. If it weren't for the side effects, I'd love to take it. I sincerely hope there are people out there who can take this and not experience the side effects, because it was like a miracle for the pain."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I tried Savella for about 2 days. I had severe nausea, rapid heartbeat, and horrible hot flashes. It also ran my blood pressure up. Started with a 12.5, then the next day broke the 12.5 in half and still had the same side effects. I have tried everything from Neurontin to antidepressants, and I have bad side effects from them all. So as of now, all I'm taking is tramadol as needed. I give up on all the other medicines."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "This is my 4th week of being on Savella. I am a 53-year-old female and have had FMS and CFS for 7 years. When I was taking 12.5 mg twice daily, my blood pressure was elevated and my pulse was high, was agitated a lot, had chills, no nausea. Because of the elevated BP, my doctor has lowered me to 6.25 mg once a day for now. The pain is coming back, and I am sleepy all the time. I hope I can titrate back up because this is the only thing I have ever found that helps my pain and gives me energy with no fibro fog. I am willing to do just about anything to be pain-free again. Praying this is my miracle."

• Mom...
• February 19, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "Savella gives an energy boost. My pain doctor has me on Cymbalta and Savella. I did question the doctor about serotonin syndrome, but she wasn't concerned. Several years ago, I stopped taking Cymbalta, and the brain zaps lasted nine months. Then my depression returned, and I ended back on the Cymbalta. I don't think they mix well for me, as I am extremely agitated and hostile and still depressed. I will be talking to my doctor about how to wean off Cymbalta and perhaps finding a different antidepressant. Savella has helped with my pain, but I do have a rapid heartbeat and panic attacks. Plus, I suffer restless leg syndrome, and it is so painful. Can't win for losing."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I didn't have a headache while taking Savella (I could only take it for 5 days due to severe side effects), but Savella didn't work for me. I experienced a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, painful urination, and stomach pain. I was only taking 50 mg/day. My heartbeat went from mid 60's-70's to 105. My blood pressure was changing constantly."

• One...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I was on Savella for 10 years. Run, do not walk from Savella. I suffered from day one until I refused to take another pill. It did nothing for my pain and caused sweating, chill bumps on one arm and scalp, rapid heartbeat, swelling, high blood pressure, and in the end, diabetes 2. I literally lost 10 years of my life to Savella. Heat intolerance, flushing to the color of purple on a 72-degree day mowing the yard, I'm a woman, not morbidly obese. I felt immediate relief the minute I stopped taking it."

• Ler...
• March 6, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I tried Savella with the starter pack. I experienced terrible nausea, insomnia, hot flashes, racing heart, and fever. My doctor reduced the dosage back to 12.5 mg, but with very little improvement of side effects. She finally told me to stop taking it. I have had great results with my other medications, and I wasn't having any issues, but my doctor wanted me to try this new 'great' medication. I haven't felt this bad in years. If I were having problems, I could understand her trying the Savella with me, but for me, this medication made me feel worse than I have in a very long time. I am relieved to be off of it. In the future, if my other medications become less effective, I might give it another shot... but for now, 'No thanks.'"

• mso...
• October 11, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Savella for almost 5 months and am overall very disappointed. Switching from Lexapro to Savella made for one week of hellish symptoms. Then I had nearly every awful side effect that is listed for Savella: rapid heartbeat, nausea, constipation, sweating, shivering, insomnia, etc. I was getting some significant pain relief, though, maybe 60%. The rapid heartbeat was a real concern, so I cut back to 75 mg for a few weeks. The pain relief decreased, so I went back up to 100 mg again. Although the rapid heartbeat was no longer a problem, the FM pain relief has never returned either, and I still have the side effects, though the severity has lessened. My plantar fasciitis pain is the only pain that is really reduced."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "Well, I've only been taking Savella for a few days for my FM, but it's affecting me negatively. I'm so dizzy, I have no energy, but my heart is racing. The side effects are too much for me."

• mrs...
• July 23, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Only the 4th day and can't sleep due to rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Very dizzy and nauseous. Panic attacks due to the side effect of this drug. Feel terrible."