Milnacipran and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Tri...
• April 28, 2014

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I have been on 100 mg daily for 12 years and have had fairly controlled symptoms compared to others I know with fibromyalgia. I am increasing my dose to 200 mg daily to help control my anxiety and insomnia. Savella has been a lifesaver for me!"

• jai...
• January 20, 2015

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I really wanted this to work. I had an allergic reaction to Cymbalta, but it was helping with fibro, so I tried Savella. I have been doing the titration pack. I never got higher than 50 mg in 3 weeks, but my neck has been stiff, I have had headaches, stomach pain, bloating, an increase in anxiety, and an achy feeling like the flu. So, I plan to stop it and see if things improve. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 20 years ago and haven't felt this bad in a long time. I'm so disappointed."

• Mot...
• August 21, 2009

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."

• Ros...
• October 3, 2016

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I have been taking 100 mg of Savella per day for about 6 weeks. Many of the side effects have subsided at this point, and my fibromyalgia pain is minimal. However, my anxiety and moodiness have only increased. I occasionally take clonazepam, but it's so sedating and addictive, I don't want to take more than the prescribed 1 mg per day. The first time in 10 years I have had minimal pain, but the anxiety and agitation are crippling at times."

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2016

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I started titrating, and I'm close to reaching the max dose of 50 mg 2x a day. I have experienced severe insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety, along with depression. I also take Abilify, Ativan, Klonopin, and extended-release Ambien, and I still can't fall asleep. The fibro pain, however, is almost gone."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "Just started Savella about 2 weeks ago for my fibromyalgia pain. It has relieved my pain some, but not liking the side effects at all, which have included dizziness, abdominal pain and discomfort, and anxiety. Still trying to weigh out whether this script is worth taking or not. Going to finish up dosage and then make a decision from there."

• smi...
• September 11, 2009

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I have been on Savella for over a month and have found it to be the most effective medication yet for fibromyalgia. I also take Neurontin and meloxicam, and the combination of the three keeps me almost completely free of pain. No more brain fog, no more mornings where I can't get out of bed or days where I have to go home at noon because I can't function. I was worried that I would have to give up my management job due to this sickness, but if things keep going like they are now, I will be able to keep on working. Constipation, cold sweats are annoying, but not debilitating like the pain. The first week I experienced anxiety and unnecessary worrying (I'm not a worrier normally). Thanks!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2016

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I have had hot flashes and sweating while on this medicine, which after a couple of weeks have subsided. I am only halfway through my first pack but have had a lot of emotional depression/anxiety since I started it. I was taken off of Cymbalta and given Savella. So far, I haven't had any more energy, but I am going to give it 2 more weeks, which will be a month."

• jho...
• August 1, 2009

Savella (milnacipran) 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
• February 21, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I felt relief on day 2 of the titration pack. Savella has been a miracle for me, I am pain-free. The only side effect that I am experiencing is anxiety, which is getting better, and I hope will disappear. I do wonder if it is contributing to some of the weakness that I feel, but it is so hard to tell since muscle weakness was a huge problem to begin with. I am grateful for this drug. I'm sorry to hear that many of you are experiencing such side effects. I wish that we could all be pain-free."

• woo...
• April 25, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "My mom and I have been dealing with fibromyalgia for years with completely different symptoms! She is well-controlled on only diet and exercise routines. I tried that for years, and I feel it only made it worse! I started Savella almost two months ago, and I have exercised every day with no horrible pain afterward. This is fantastic. I must say my anxiety levels are sky high, but I've always had that issue. My hair and skin don't hurt anymore. I know! I can brush my super thick hair every morning without crying. I can touch other people, and they can touch me without me cringing. I may even go dancing again! Has anyone had allergy-like headaches? I'm wondering... I don't know if it's connected."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "20 years ago, I suffered an ankle sprain and resulting nerve damage. Ankle pain every day since then. That's when the fibromyalgia began - a few years later, constant burning pain and muscle tenderness took over from head to toe. Don't like medicines much, but Savella is really necessary for me! It started relieving pain within 2 days, and I can now exercise and do just about anything without anxiety about pain catching up. Have been taking it for three months. Just a little bit of passing anxiety, occasional flushing, some tiredness. When starting, I had the nausea. That was remedied by eating a meal before taking it. My high blood pressure and heart rate treatment by Toprol is effective against those possible side effects. Worth a try!"

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2009

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I am on week two of the titration pack, and I have seen some improvement in pain. I have tried them all: Cymbalta, Celexa, Celebrex, Lyrica, Vicodin, morphine, just to name a few (with many side effects and very little relief). I have since discontinued Celexa and Vicodin. YEAH! Side effects were pretty much the same as others - nausea, anxiety, out of sorts (which I think were withdrawal symptoms). The side effects are getting better with each day. Even if they don't completely go away, it is better than the pain."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "Started Savella on 5/30/10, 2-week titration pack. First 2 days took it morning and evening, but could not sleep even with Ambien. Stopped the evening dose and took Ambien only when had trouble falling asleep, and able to sleep again. Biggest problem was daytime sleepiness - very difficult to deal with. I am at 50 mg/day, morning only. It helps with the daytime sleepiness very well, and with some of the aches and pains. 50 mg gives me mild anxiety, which is hard to take. Will go back to 25 mg. If you can't sleep, don't take it at night. Keep your room cool/cold."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2009

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I stopped taking Savella during the 2nd week of the titration package. I didn't feel any pain relief; maybe if taken longer term I would have. I experienced many of the side effects others have discussed, including bloating, weight gain, anxiety, and dizziness. I stopped taking Savella because I experienced a severe panic attack followed by weird heartbeats, twitching muscles, electricity zaps, and vertigo. This is how a serotonin syndrome began for me 1 1/2 months ago for which I was hospitalized. Perhaps I am at greater risk for serotonin syndrome, having had it before. Still, I caution you to be careful if you are on other serotonin medicines and Imitrex. Savella will augment the serotonin effects and may leave you very sick."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for 15 years. My doctor suggested I try Savella. He took me off Zoloft that I had been taking for over 20 years. He started me on half of a dose to help with the nausea. It really worked with the pain and a little less fibromyalgia fog. The only drawback was I got very short with people and couldn't handle stress. The doctor put me back on half the Zoloft I had been on, and all is well. It did not help with the chronic fatigue, but I still would give it a 10."

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "At my wits' end. Fibromyalgia began to make me feel depressed - I figured an SSRI class medicine wouldn't be all bad. Had a hard time with Cymbalta, but ready to try anything. Within hours after taking the first dose, began violent mood swings that woke me up and sent me keeling over the toilet with nausea from so much anxiety. When I fell asleep, I woke up and began crying. It was...weird. My persistence with increasing dosage only reaffirmed nausea. So my medicines for IBS were pointless. Anxiety increase led to an increase in anti-anxiety medicines. Unsure how to feel for a while... It cured a bit of fogginess, but I think exaggerated other symptoms. I was a raving lunatic with a tummy ache. Didn't feel like me."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2010

Savella (milnacipran) for Fibromyalgia "I've been on this medication for about 3 months. I titrated up slowly and really found no difference in my symptoms. Not sure if things would be worse without it. My depression has definitely gotten worse, and I'm not sure if it's a direct medication side effect or I'm just totally depressed that nothing I try takes my pain away. I think it's causing my morning anxiety. My doctor just prescribed Neurontin in addition to Savella. I'm glad it's helped so many other people, though."