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Milnacipran Treatment Report

Category: Prescription Drugs

Most Popular Types: Savella, Ixel

See patients taking Milnacipran

Sort by: Helpfulness | Most Recent

69 patient evaluations for Milnacipran

PhD Wanna Be

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

Pain: Most

Fatigue: All

Sleep: All

Stiffness: All

function: None

external_stress: All

Stickman: all
Description:F45y
CFS:?y
FM:9y Dx
by PhD Wanna Be
See PhD Wanna Be's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Oct 28, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Nov 19, 2009	100 mg Daily	Major	Mild	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Fatigue, Sweating excessive

Date: Nov 19, 2009
Advice & Tips: 1. Easy to manage; side effects are mild, at least in comparison to previous medications, such as Cymbalta and Lyrica. Those medications, along with others, had moderate to severe side effects, at least for me. 2. Unexpected benefits: Have tried virtually everything for fibromyalgia, so I had sort of lost hope. So it has been extraordinarily positive to find that Savella really works well. 3. Impact on daily life includes the ability to function during the day, which has been a long-time schedule for me. I would often stay up all night and sleep all day, which made a variety of things extremely difficult.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

12 helpful marks

ladyvenom

Sex: F

Data Quality: 0 stars

Pain: Most

Fatigue: Some

Sleep: Some

Stiffness: Most

function: Some

external_stress: Some

Stickman: some
Description:F64y
FM:4y Dx
by ladyvenom
See ladyvenom's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Oct 05, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Feb 01, 2010	100 mg Daily	Major	Mild	Always	Not at all
Dec 29, 2009	100 mg Daily	Major	Mild	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Fatigue

Date: Feb 01, 2010
Advice & Tips: It was amazing stuff. I am now taking a light anti-depressant but it is not as effective as the Savella. My Husband's company went for the cheap and changed insurance to a very slight care provider so now that wasn't covered although the doctors wrote to them they completely turned it all down. The new stuff is better than nothing but not much. Savella was a miracle if you can get it covered you owe yourself a trial. I am in so much better shape all except the back went out already and I was down with pain for a few days. With Savella I have a more positive outlook, better sleep, rested sleep. Now my sleep patterns are starting to turn and I am not doing as well. But I am trying to make it work. Savella again was a miracle for me. :) It was 33.00 for month with insurance.
Cost: $100-199 monthly

Date: Dec 29, 2009
Advice & Tips: Someone on here said they took Savella and had stomach problems after taking. They suggested to eat half of your food for say breakfast take your pill then eat the rest. I do that still but sometimes I am unable and seem to tolerate it quite well. I am a different person. I thought I was going to have to go on disability but I feel so much more positive. I really felt so tired and lacking any energy. I was working 6 hours per day. Starting the 4th of Jan 2010 I will go back to 40 hours. They agreed I could come in at 9 am and stay until 5 pm which is really 7.5 hours. After a week I hope I will still feel better. But it may be difficult for me to work that long. Only time will tell. But I have to say Savella is a miracle. I really thought here we go turn 60 and put me out to pasture. I so hope this keeps on working. I wish everyone would try it and see if it works. I still have pain, the doctor prescribed Naproxyn which is helping. I can handle the pain to a degree just not the fatigue. I feel like Eyore when I get fatigued. I hope this helps even one person.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

3 helpful marks

dsseak

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

Pain: Most

Fatigue: Most

Sleep: Little

Stiffness: All

function: Little

external_stress: Some

Stickman: most
Description:F45y
CFS:4y Dx
FM:4y Dx
by dsseak
See dsseak's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Jul 03, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
May 05, 2011		Moderate	Severe	Always	Not at all
Dec 04, 2010	156.25 mg Daily	?Can't tell	None	Always	Not at all
Aug 20, 2010	156.25 mg Daily	Moderate	None	Always	A little

Side effects:: Increased fatigue

Date: May 05, 2011
Advice & Tips: Made me extremely tired. Had serotonin syndrome for the second time so my pain mgmt. dr. switched me to Pristiq. It's only been a few days on the Pristiq so it is too soon to tell but I think I got much more pain relief from the Savella, but my mood and energy level are better now. Savella stays in your system longer and can build up and serotonin syndrome is too dangerous to take a chance with. I won't ever be able to take Savella again so now we have to figure out how to help the pain more, it is very severe now. It is nice to have less fatigue!
Cost: $50-99 monthly

Date: Dec 04, 2010
Advice & Tips: I think the Savella helps a lot with fatigue. I used to be on Cymbalta and was always so tired I could barely function. Had such a hard time staying awake I had to stop watching my great niece until I could get it under control. I had major fatigue before starting Cymbalta but can't honestly say if the fatigue was so bad because of the Cymbalta or if it was just not giving me any help with the fatigue from the fibromyalgia and it was naturally getting worse. Fatigue is much better since I have been on Savella. So either the Savella helps with the fatigue or the Cymbalta was making it worse. Or some combination of the 2.
Cost: $50-99 monthly

Date: Aug 20, 2010
Advice & Tips: Great, new drug. I take 1 tablet in the morning, which is easy, and the other mid afternoon, which is harder to remember. Dr. advised me not to take it too close to bedtime so this was his advice. It doesn't help with the pain, but neither has anything else and I have tried many different meds. It does help tremendously with fatigue and that used to be a major problem for me. Nuvigil and Phentermine were useless for me. This is wonderful.

3 helpful marks

Kaessa

Sex: F

Data Quality: 3 stars

Pain: Most

Fatigue: Most

Sleep: All

Stiffness: Most

function: Some

external_stress: Little

Stickman: most
Description:F48y
FM:4y Dx
CFS:3y Dx
by Kaessa
See Kaessa's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Sep 01, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Dec 23, 2009	100 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Nov 27, 2009	200 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Nov 15, 2009	100 mg Daily	Moderate	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Oct 13, 2009	100 mg Daily	Moderate	Mild	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Hot flashes, Racing heart feeling, Sweating excessive, Constipation, Dry mouth (xerostomia), Shortness of breath (dyspnea), Headaches

Date: Nov 15, 2009
Advice & Tips: It definitely interferes in sleep. The dreams are very vivid and bizarre. I need to take Ambien to be able to get a halfway decent night's sleep.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Oct 13, 2009
Advice & Tips: I take my second dose earlier in the day, otherwise I can't sleep.
Cost: < $25 monthly

2 helpful marks

jjpjjf63

Data Quality: 0 stars
- Sex: Female
- Age: 49y
Condition: 2 additional condition(s)
Quality of Life:
- Social: Unreported
- Mental: Unreported
- Physical: Unreported
by jjpjjf63
See jjpjjf63's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Sep 01, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Feb 24, 2010	100 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Always	A little

Side effects:: Nausea

Date: Feb 24, 2010
Advice & Tips: This medication can be very rough on the stomach in terms of nausea. We started me very slow...We took about a month to get me to my current dosage. I've lost quite a bit of weight (the opposite effect of Lyrica) because this med has effected my appetite...The weight loss was welcome. As it's similar to an antidepressant, it has also helped with my mood. It's turned the volume down on the fibro a notch or two, it's no silver bullet, though.
Cost: < $25 monthly

2 helpful marks

uxgrrl

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

Pain: Some

Fatigue: None

Sleep: Most

Stiffness: Most

function: Most

external_stress: Little

Stickman: some
Description:F36y
FM:3y Dx
by uxgrrl
See uxgrrl's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Dec 10, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jan 13, 2011	100 mg Daily	Major	Moderate	Always	A little
Dec 24, 2010	100 mg Daily	Major	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Dec 20, 2010	75 mg Daily	Moderate	Moderate	Always	A little
Dec 15, 2010	25 mg Daily	?Can't tell	None	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Jittery feeling, Racing heart feeling, Giddiness, Restless feeling in legs, Sweating excessive, Brain fog, Nausea

Date: Jan 13, 2011
Advice & Tips: I was joking with my partner yesterday that "Save-ella" is aptly named :) I've been on it for almost a month now and just refilled for the next three months at my new stable dosage (100mg/day). I requested, and got, a rx for one 100mg tab a day instead of two 50mg tabs because it would be half the cost through my insurance that way. I noticed a HUGE difference with Savella. Clearly whatever that's wrong with me Savella fixes. I do notice the odd nausea or "hot flash" from time to time, but it's gone down in intensity and frequency considerably. And, frankly, the side effects are worth the benefits for me. Actually -- and this could be because it's winter -- I've felt colder in general than I did when I was taking tramadol daily, which also made me sweat. The only problem that I'm still struggling with is an amplification of RLS symptoms, which is common with anything that increases serotonin. I feel almost normal again. I haven't felt like this in four years or so. For people considering taking Savella, two recommendations are to advance dosage MUCH slower than the mfgr suggests. I didn't up my dose until I was OK at the dose I was already at. Also, take it with food. This forced me to eat breakfast every day, which I never did before. Savella is not a 100% cure. I'd say it's muted my pain by about 40-50%, which is a huge improvement. It's given me the "space" to actually consider exercising, which is also supposed to help FM.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

Date: Dec 24, 2010
Advice & Tips: Now that I've finally stabilized my Savella dosage, I have to say that's I'm extremely pleased with this drug. I feel like myself again for the first time in five years. The strongest positive effect has been with my energy level. I don't have to drag myself to and from bed anymore. I don't dread going up the stairs to fetch something. I actually can do something after work at night instead of collapse in my recliner. I'm still tired at the end of the day, but it's a normal, ready-to-go-to-bed tired instead of exhaustion. I'd say it's muted my pain level by about 40-50%, which feels wonderful. I'm still managing what's left through other medications, but having the fatigue lifted makes a big difference in my mood. If I have to rest because of physical pain I can still be mentally active, which I wasn't able to do before because of brain fog. Lots of people complain about side effects with Savella. As long as I eat a few bites of something in the morning I have no nausea. I'm not sweating anymore either, which is nice, because I was sweating constantly on the tramadol. I think if you want to give this drug a try, make the commitment to go up SLOWLY on your dose, and give it a little time before you expect to see anything. I didn't advance my dose until I was fully adjusted to the dose I was already on, so it was fairly painless.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

Date: Dec 20, 2010
Advice & Tips: Yesterday and today were the first days I really started to feel better. Last week I noticed I was feeling more cheerful overall, but it wasn't until I hit the 75mg/day mark that it started to make an impact on my pain. I stepped up pretty gradually -- each time I had a little bit of nausea (unless I forgot to eat when I took it, and then I had a LOT of nausea). I feel a LOT more energetic, almost a nervous, over-caffeinated energy which is a little annoying. I expect that to go away after awhile. I take my afternoon dose about 3/4pm so it doesn't interfere with my sleep. Last week I was having a terrible time with RLS symptoms, which might have been because I was coming off of tramadol which is often used for RLS. Last couple of nights were better but I stayed awake until I was exhausted and then took a double does of melatonin when I finally did go to bed. So far feeling REALLY positive about this drug. I feel like "myself" for the first time in years. I hope it continues!
Cost: $25-49 monthly

Date: Dec 15, 2010
Advice & Tips: On day 5 of my titration for Savella. Doc was worried about nausea so he started me on 12.5mg a day. When I took the rx to the pharamcy I found out I could get 25mg tablets instead and split them for a cost savings. My insurance copay was $10 for 15 tablets instead of $17.75 for 30 12.5mgs, which the pharmacy didn't stock. Note: 25mg tablets are frickin' tiny! Anyway, I did the 12.5mg a day, with my bedtime medicine cocktail, for 4 days. No effects, bad or good. Started 2 x 12.5mg at lunch and bedtime yesterday and today. If nothing happens, I will go to 2 x 25mg tomorrow. Because of the possible serotonin interaction with Savella, I have to discontinue my tramadol, which I've been on for over a year. I've halved my dose and plan to be done by Friday. I feel like crap, so clearly the tramadol has been doing something for me.

2 helpful marks

mochafroggy

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

Pain: Most

Fatigue: All

Sleep: All

Stiffness: All

function: None

external_stress: Little

Stickman: all
Description:F53y
FM:11y Dx
by mochafroggy
See mochafroggy's full Milnacipran history

**Purposes:** Chronic Pelvic Pain and Fibromyalgia *(Started Jan 01, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Chronic Pelvic Pain Perceived effectiveness	Fibromyalgia Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Feb 02, 2011	100 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Severe	Always	Not at all
Dec 06, 2010	100 mg Daily	?Can't tell	?Can't tell	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Jun 10, 2010	100 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Mild	Always	Not at all
Jan 07, 2010	100 mg Daily	Slight	Moderate	Mild	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Elevated blood pressure

Date: Feb 02, 2011
Advice & Tips: This drug worked well but my blood pressure went up to 159/100 with a pulse of 102 while sitting. It has gone back to 128/70 pulse 78 since going off Savella

Date: Dec 06, 2010
Advice & Tips: Check with your doctor as my blood pressure and heart rate went up considerably

Date: Jun 10, 2010
Advice & Tips: I went off of this due to High Blood Pressure and didn't realize how much it was helping the pain until I was taken off. I went back on Savella for pain on 5/27/10...noticed difference right away. Sweating, is that from Savella?

Date: Jan 07, 2010
Advice & Tips: The nausea goes away after a week or two and then some pain relief with gained energy. Side effect though is insommnia but...with less pain.

1 helpful mark

Susan Harrington

Data Quality: 0 stars
- Sex: Female
- Age: 51y
Condition: 2 additional condition(s)
Quality of Life:
- Social: Unreported
- Mental: Unreported
- Physical: Unreported
by Susan Harrington
See Susan Harrington's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Feb 22, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
May 07, 2010	50 mg Daily	Slight	Mild	Always	Not at all

Date: May 07, 2010
Advice & Tips: I can tell somewhat of a difference in my pain levels but not much
Cost: < $25 monthly

1 helpful mark

CallmeKelly

Data Quality: 0 stars
- Sex:
- Age:
Condition: 2 additional condition(s)
Quality of Life:
- Social: Unreported
- Mental: Unreported
- Physical: Unreported
by CallmeKelly
See CallmeKelly's full Milnacipran history

**Purpose:** Fibromyalgia *(Started Dec 17, 2009)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Dec 25, 2009	100 mg Daily	None	Moderate	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Pain worsened

Date: Dec 25, 2009
Advice & Tips: Increased pain, could not believe how bad it hurts now. And the pain has now gone from mainly in my arms to my back as well. Chills, I can feel the hairs on my head "growing' or standing on end. Nausea, vomitting if I take it without food. I will hang in for the rest of the trial period but then I'm through, I feel worse now then when I was taking nothing. Tired all the time, if I sit down I fall asleep right away. Ridiculous.

1 helpful mark

Lakotawoman

Sex: F

Data Quality: 3 stars

Pain: Some

Fatigue: Little

Sleep: Most

Stiffness: Most

function: Most

external_stress: Some

Stickman: most
Description:F46y
FM:1y Dx
by Lakotawoman
See Lakotawoman's full Milnacipran history

**Purposes:** Pain and Fibromyalgia *(Started Jul 09, 2012)*
Date	Dosage	Pain Perceived effectiveness	Fibromyalgia Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Aug 21, 2012	100 mg Daily	Moderate	Moderate	Mild	Always	Not at all

Date: Aug 21, 2012
Advice & Tips: This worked wonders for my fibro pain. I was able to do a bit more as I wasn't hurting as much and was able to be a bit more active. Wasn't thinking about death as a way to release me from the pain any more. If you are considering this medication I would recommend at least to try it. It may work for you.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

1 helpful mark

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