Milnacipran and Headaches: What Users Say

• Msl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Savella for a month now. I had nausea and headache for the first week, but that stopped. Then I noticed that my body isn't swollen anymore (my body has been constantly swollen for 12 years, never knowing why, it was my muscles inflamed), and my muscles aren't killing me to move. In 12 years, I've had zero relief, and this has given me some. Unfortunately, I've had to come down to half dose because I am having heart issues. I already suffer from palpitations, and it seems like my heart just isn't finding the normal rhythm anymore. I don't want to stop taking this as nothing has ever happened to me, and I'm loving not being swollen anymore. It's bliss to not have that severe muscle pain! Oh, and those who want to scare people from taking this, please stop. We are all different when it comes to medication."

• SAV...
• June 16, 2009

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 and 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."

• lit...
• October 28, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "After years of pain, I was diagnosed with fibro about two years ago. I thought I could change my diet and lifestyle to make the pain go away. Using vitamins, going gluten-free, light supportive yoga, etc. After suffering for about 5 years, I finally broke down and went back to my doctor to ask for medication. She gave me Savella. I have just completed the graduated starter pack, and let me tell you, work through the nausea, insomnia, dizziness, and headaches. I have never felt this good in my life. I still don't have much of an appetite, and get a headache here and there, and from my clothes hanging off of me, I know I have lost weight. (I refuse to own a scale, they are evil!) I start my second month tomorrow, and pray that this continues."

• Mic...
• January 27, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I started taking Savella about 7 years ago and still use it today. I started taking it in the drug testing phase before it was released to the public. I started out on only 10 mg 3 times daily and slowly built up to 75 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night. In the beginning, the side effects were nausea, dry mouth, and headache. After a couple of years, high blood pressure too now managed with meds. The benefits far outweigh the side effects. I ride my bike 3 miles a day and work 40 hours a week at a physically demanding job. Stick with it until the side effects subside. It will be worth it."

• jai...
• January 20, 2015

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."

• Sru...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 2, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "Started taking this drug 8 years ago. The hot flashes and sweats were really bad at the beginning. Was told by my rheumatologist that I should push through. The good outweighed the bad for many years - it helped with my fibromyalgia pain, anxiety, ADHD, and OCD. But now I have had headaches more often, but I recently noticed my blood pressure creeping up every time I go to the doctor. I’m vegan and am pretty healthy, so this is odd to me. Dr. says it’s not the Savella, but I think it is. GP wants to start me on BP meds - ugh. Should I stop the Savella or just keep taking it and add the BP meds?"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after suffering from pains in various parts of my body, exhaustion, and overall lack of interest in most everything. I've now been on Savella 50 mg 2 X a day for about two months. My results are astounding. Significant reduction in pain. The first two weeks I did experience nausea and headaches, but was willing to continue, for I already had some reduction in pain. Give it a couple of months to fully work. The feedback from others on this site was helpful. I hope my positive experience is also helpful because I've finally got my life back!"

• bet...
• August 9, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Savella for a little over 2 months now after 3 years on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia. My doctor kept me on my full dose of Cymbalta until I have finished the 2-week pack and another week on 50 mg 2 times per day, then she suggested I do 1 Cymbalta pill every other day for 10 days, then stop. I just stopped cold turkey to be done with it, no point in dragging out the side effects of coming off the Cymbalta any longer than necessary. I love Savella, for the first time in my 31 years of life, I feel normal. Suffered from hot flashes and some headaches, and I'm having some trouble dealing with experiencing emotions again after being neutral for years, but everything is working out great. Savella honestly gave me my life back."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Savella this time for a couple of weeks. I've noticed I have constant headaches and constipation, and that doesn't help because I have IBSC. I do suffer with headaches, they are worse now, along with all my other health problems and medications. I go back in a month to see my PCP. Savella has helped with my fibro pain, and I have lost weight. It's just the constant headaches and constipation. I hope my PCP will have a solution because I don't want to stop taking it. I have tried Lyrica in the past, I couldn't take too many side effects. I also took Cymbalta, it worked well, but my insurance stopped paying. Then I started reading about all the lawsuits for Cymbalta. So I hope my headaches and constipation get better."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I started on Savella in July. Have been on it for 4 months. I have had such bad hot flashes 24 hours a day. Does not decrease. Headaches, severe constipation, which I have never had in my life. Dizziness, memory loss, irritability, the worst is severe high blood pressure. When I realized it was from the Savella, I went off of it. My blood pressure is coming down. The pain is tolerable. Do not take this medication if you do not have to. It was weird how I found out the high blood pressure. I went to 3 different doctors for different things. They all asked me if I had high blood pressure. I didn't. So I drove to my PCP. He immediately put me on medication, it was so high. Within stroke zone. Please check your blood pressure."

• 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."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I loved this medicine. It worked extremely well for my fibromyalgia symptoms. Unfortunately, I had some severe side effects and had to stop taking it. Blood pressure up to 187/90 and severe headaches even after a month on it. If you only have minor side effects, this may be well worth it for some."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Savella for 8 weeks now. I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia after battling with the symptoms for 4 years. At first, Savella was terrible. I took the titration pack, which gradually ups the dose until you get to 50 mg twice a day. I wanted to stop after the second day. I was feeling angry, having headaches, nausea, and some vomiting... you name the symptom and I had it. For whatever reason, I pushed through, and it gradually became better. I noticed after a week I was waking up with more ease than I had in 4 years, and I didn't have the overwhelming fatigue I usually did. The only side effect that I still have is hot flash/sweating. Sometimes it seems unbearable, but compared to the fatigue/pain, I think I can handle it."

• 1br...
• June 29, 2013

For Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome "I have had a severe case of RSD/CRPS since 2007, as it began with an injury to my spinal cord in 2006 after a fracture. I have been on, and am still on, many medications to treat different aspects of it. I have been taking Savella since 2009 to help with the severe burning in both my feet, as well as my legs and pelvis. I also experience something that feels like a red-hot fire poker sticking in the bottom of my foot. Savella has been the only medicine that has helped reduce these symptoms, and I have tried every single medicine out there for nerve pain/burning, either with horrible side effects or no results. Savella has worked the best. The only issue is I do notice headaches as I titrated up on the medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I was taking 50 mg 2x a day for my fibromyalgia pain. It was working well for my pain, but now I'm having side effects. I get a headache and nausea after I take the medicine. I also suffer from chronic migraine headaches, so this is very bad to have a medicine adding to my headache problems. I'm so frustrated. Without this medicine, I ache so bad, I get a headache, and I'm miserable, but with it, I have a migraine. I've probably been on Savella for 3 months now. I've had to cut back to 25 mg 1x daily and take Lyrica at night. I will say too that I still had bad shoulder tension while on the medicine, but the rest of my fibromyalgia pain was gone. I was getting my life back."

• Yay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I had been taking Duloxetine for years and felt it had quit working. The doctor had me do the titration pack of Savella, and by the time I got to the full dose, my head and neck were sweating like a garden sprinkler. I could not even try cooking without it rolling into my eyes and down my neck, I also had a headache at the back of my neck that was unrelenting. Couldn't stand it!!"

• GMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Savella now for 5 weeks. 25 mg x2 daily. I am hoping the side effects I am experiencing subside, as it has helped my pain. I am experiencing vertigo 24/7 to the point I am scared to drive. Headaches which come and go, profuse sweating, and flushing of my face. Other medications have not helped. I tried Cymbalta but experienced excessive yawning to a point it was debilitating. Thank you to all who have posted about their experience. I am trying to hang in there and hope the side effects subside. I do wish the cost was more reasonable. I am paying $437 a month."

• 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
• July 17, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I usually have bad side effects with any antidepressants, but decided I would go ahead and try this and am only on day 3 of the titrate pack. But so far, not too bad. My side effects so far have just been: 1st night, just absolute crash/fatigue within an hour, next day, headache, elevated blood pressure. I guess because I had energy, I felt better but felt weird to me (almost manic maybe, but confused/scared about it too). But I do so want some energy to accomplish tasks. Definitely some moodiness/aggression, but the situation warranted that as well, so won't blame it on the medicine. Some light-headed moments, some chill (but again, I am always cold). Still have the ache all over, so I will give it some more time to see how it does. So far, it's a plus."

• Amt...
• February 25, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Been on it for over a month. Seemed to work, gave me a clear mind. Still had night pains. Now I'm getting pain in my groin area. Been like that for over a week now. I've had bad headaches and sweating. Gonna stop. I'm getting side effects, it's lost its appeal."

• del...
• November 8, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "My fibromyalgia had gotten extremely bad due to a great number of stresses in my life this year, so the doctor recommended I try Savella. I was on a drug called Pristiq, and when my psych doctor found out about the Savella with it, he said I was beginning to experience serotonin syndrome - not good. I got off the Pristiq and cut way back on how much Savella I'm taking. I'm going to increase it very slowly and hope the side effects will subside. Reading that for some it took 2 months gave me some hope. I've been having hot flashes, nausea, dizziness, headaches, no energy, but - hardly no pain! I will keep trying."

• ney...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "This is the second time I have tried Savella. The first time, after 3 weeks of suffering from sweats, intolerance to heat, although the pain was better, I started having headaches and palpitations. It did nothing for my brain fog. It did, however, help with the pain. Because I only have 1 kidney, pain meds are a problem for me. I have RA, osteoarthritis, and fibro. I started back on Savella at a 12.5 mg dose 10 days ago, but once again, the palpitations, the nausea, and sweats have caused me to stop. Wish this could have worked for me."

• sue...
• October 8, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor first prescribed me Savella back in January. It was a gradual packet. I felt great the first two weeks, then, as the dosage continued to increase, so did the side effects. By the fourth week, headaches and eye pressure pain had me weaning myself off. Once off, the pain came back and seemed more severe than before (because I wasn't used to having pain for a month). So, I started back on, and now I have only been taking 12.5 mg per day and feel GREAT. No side effects and minimal pain (I still continue to have 'flare-ups' when under extra stress). I would highly recommend fibromyalgia patients try this medication and work closely with their doctor to get the right dose."

• AFi...
• August 26, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Have used Cymbalta and then Lyrica for years. Weight gain and blurred vision were the worst side effects. I have now been on Savella for about a month, and the side effects are awful. Constipation is the worst! Even so bad, I have been to the emergency room feeling like I was in labor. The sweats are almost unbearable. I also have chills and insomnia. Headaches are now a daily occurrence."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Savella for about a month now. Started with the titration pack. Felt relief within a few days. Pain is not gone, but certainly diminished to a point where I feel somewhat normal. Doesn't help with neuropathy, but does lower muscle pain. I have had muscle cramps/spasms in my legs at night, some slight constipation, and now some headaches have started the past couple of days, but I am so grateful for this medicine. Some days I feel that I don't need to use my handicap plaque! I previously used Salsalate, which helped, but nowhere near as good as Savella. I wish the price would come down. But I'm on it happily!"