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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on July 9, 2011, at 14:11:56
Hi, my pdoc wants me to try Savella, I guess as a last-ditch effort before I would go to the MAOIs.
Does anyone here still take Savella alone or in combo? What was your experience with it?
Thank you!
Roslynn
Posted by sigismund on July 9, 2011, at 15:50:37
In reply to Anyone had success with Savella for depression?, posted by Roslynn on July 9, 2011, at 14:11:56
I took it for a bit at a very low dose. There was something nice about it. But once I took any amount of it I got this ants under the skin feeling.
Posted by bleauberry on July 10, 2011, at 19:35:39
In reply to Anyone had success with Savella for depression?, posted by Roslynn on July 9, 2011, at 14:11:56
I like savella. After failing so many meds and then failing ECT, savella actually helped! It did what ECT couldn't.
I had a side effect of urinary restriction which was quite troubling and potentially dangerous, so I had to stop. Other than that a decrease in appetite was about the only other major side effect. Stimulating the first few days and nights, but then really good sleep and more energy during the day.
A few other people here have tried it but didn't have the same effect as me.
It is my belief savella is dosed to high. I was only taking only 25mg....divided into 3 equal doses spread out. I just emptied the powder of capsules and divided it into 3 roughly equal piles and then reloaded each pile in an empty gel cap.
I think people can accidentally be pushed into not giving the drug a chance by having too high of a dose too fast, and then bailing out because of problems. Savella hits norepinephrine pretty hard, and I think the downstream circuits take more time to adapt than serotonin downstream circuits. Probably because they are intertwined with the endocrine system.
Anyway, I am a fan of savella if managed properly. The only other things I might rule out before going to a maoi would be zoloft+nortriptyline; clomipramine; or some creative usage of prozac, zyprexa, ritalin.
> Hi, my pdoc wants me to try Savella, I guess as a last-ditch effort before I would go to the MAOIs.
>
> Does anyone here still take Savella alone or in combo? What was your experience with it?
>
> Thank you!
> Roslynn
Posted by Roslynn on July 11, 2011, at 15:16:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success with Savella for depression?, posted by bleauberry on July 10, 2011, at 19:35:39
Bleauberry,
Thank you so much for your helpful response. I'm sorry you were not able to take Savella long-term.
My pdoc has written the script for me to take 12.5 in the morning and 12.5 at night.I think he knows to start slowly w/me when dosing new meds.
My current meds are Prozac 40mg, clomipramine 50mg, lithobid 600mg, Seroquel 100mg and Ativan 1-2mg prn. The Prozac/clomipramine combo that had worked so well for me has pooped-out.
I've taken all the meds you mentioned below except I have not taken the Zoloft+Nortriptyline combo. But Zoloft alone makes me feel worse. I've taken Nortrip with Prozac but it didn't seem to do anything.Thanks again for your positive response concerning the Savella. I really appreciate it.
Best,
Roslynn> I like savella. After failing so many meds and then failing ECT, savella actually helped! It did what ECT couldn't.
>
> I had a side effect of urinary restriction which was quite troubling and potentially dangerous, so I had to stop. Other than that a decrease in appetite was about the only other major side effect. Stimulating the first few days and nights, but then really good sleep and more energy during the day.
>
> A few other people here have tried it but didn't have the same effect as me.
>
> It is my belief savella is dosed to high. I was only taking only 25mg....divided into 3 equal doses spread out. I just emptied the powder of capsules and divided it into 3 roughly equal piles and then reloaded each pile in an empty gel cap.
>
> I think people can accidentally be pushed into not giving the drug a chance by having too high of a dose too fast, and then bailing out because of problems. Savella hits norepinephrine pretty hard, and I think the downstream circuits take more time to adapt than serotonin downstream circuits. Probably because they are intertwined with the endocrine system.
>
> Anyway, I am a fan of savella if managed properly. The only other things I might rule out before going to a maoi would be zoloft+nortriptyline; clomipramine; or some creative usage of prozac, zyprexa, ritalin.
>
>
>
> > Hi, my pdoc wants me to try Savella, I guess as a last-ditch effort before I would go to the MAOIs.
> >
> > Does anyone here still take Savella alone or in combo? What was your experience with it?
> >
> > Thank you!
> > Roslynn
>
>
Posted by floatingbridge on July 11, 2011, at 18:07:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success with Savella for depression? » bleauberry, posted by Roslynn on July 11, 2011, at 15:16:21
Good luck Roslynn. I like the idea of a low dose approach, too.
Best!
fb
> Bleauberry,
>
> Thank you so much for your helpful response. I'm sorry you were not able to take Savella long-term.
>
> My pdoc has written the script for me to take 12.5 in the morning and 12.5 at night.I think he knows to start slowly w/me when dosing new meds.
>
> My current meds are Prozac 40mg, clomipramine 50mg, lithobid 600mg, Seroquel 100mg and Ativan 1-2mg prn. The Prozac/clomipramine combo that had worked so well for me has pooped-out.
> I've taken all the meds you mentioned below except I have not taken the Zoloft+Nortriptyline combo. But Zoloft alone makes me feel worse. I've taken Nortrip with Prozac but it didn't seem to do anything.
>
> Thanks again for your positive response concerning the Savella. I really appreciate it.
>
> Best,
> Roslynn
>
>
>
> > I like savella. After failing so many meds and then failing ECT, savella actually helped! It did what ECT couldn't.
> >
> > I had a side effect of urinary restriction which was quite troubling and potentially dangerous, so I had to stop. Other than that a decrease in appetite was about the only other major side effect. Stimulating the first few days and nights, but then really good sleep and more energy during the day.
> >
> > A few other people here have tried it but didn't have the same effect as me.
> >
> > It is my belief savella is dosed to high. I was only taking only 25mg....divided into 3 equal doses spread out. I just emptied the powder of capsules and divided it into 3 roughly equal piles and then reloaded each pile in an empty gel cap.
> >
> > I think people can accidentally be pushed into not giving the drug a chance by having too high of a dose too fast, and then bailing out because of problems. Savella hits norepinephrine pretty hard, and I think the downstream circuits take more time to adapt than serotonin downstream circuits. Probably because they are intertwined with the endocrine system.
> >
> > Anyway, I am a fan of savella if managed properly. The only other things I might rule out before going to a maoi would be zoloft+nortriptyline; clomipramine; or some creative usage of prozac, zyprexa, ritalin.
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hi, my pdoc wants me to try Savella, I guess as a last-ditch effort before I would go to the MAOIs.
> > >
> > > Does anyone here still take Savella alone or in combo? What was your experience with it?
> > >
> > > Thank you!
> > > Roslynn
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Roslynn on July 12, 2011, at 13:49:22
In reply to Anyone had success with Savella for depression?, posted by Roslynn on July 9, 2011, at 14:11:56
I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...
Posted by floatingbridge on July 12, 2011, at 14:42:00
In reply to Re: Savella update, posted by Roslynn on July 12, 2011, at 13:49:22
Could it be a pharmacy glitch? I recall you saying you'd discussed 25mg. I don't know. I have had my pharmacy make errors in dispensing. I have also had prescribers accidentally write a script differently than we agreed simply by oversight. Maybe you could check in with them.
I did not trial savella, but on cymbalta, my initial doses were really ok at the standard start up. That might be like comparing apples and oranges. I think they are both short acting, so if you find the dose strong, it will out of your system fairly quickly, maybe? I am not sure. I have found that idea comforting myself....
> I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
>
> Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...
Posted by floatingbridge on July 12, 2011, at 14:46:42
In reply to Re: Savella update » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on July 12, 2011, at 14:42:00
Reread your thread, and I see you two agreed on 12.5mg. That is very different from 50mg. (I apologize for my oversight.) I encourage you to call.
Good luck.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 18, 2011, at 21:46:35
In reply to Re: Savella update, posted by Roslynn on July 12, 2011, at 13:49:22
> I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
>
> Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...Wondering how this might be going for you.... Wishing you the best.
Posted by Roslynn on July 19, 2011, at 11:22:50
In reply to Re: Savella update, posted by floatingbridge on July 18, 2011, at 21:46:35
Hey FB,
Finally got in touch with my pdoc who was out on vacation...my new prescription is for 25mg with an instruction to split the pill the first three days, then increase from there.
I guess I'm okay...feel kind of weird but it could be from coming off Prozac at the same time.
Please let me know what your new doctor said and how you are doing. :)
Roslynn
> > I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
> >
> > Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...
>
> Wondering how this might be going for you.... Wishing you the best.
>
Posted by floatingbridge on July 19, 2011, at 18:51:10
In reply to Re: Savella update » floatingbridge, posted by Roslynn on July 19, 2011, at 11:22:50
Roslynn,
I'm glad the dose issue has been resolved. Summer vacations are slowing down call back times for sure.
I'm not sure how your Prozac withdrawal works. Sorry about the wierd feeling you report. Do you have a Savella start date? (It sounded like you haven't started yet....?). I'll look for updates. Continued best wishes!
(oh, it's Emsam, Xanax xr, and ambien today. Thanks for asking.)
> Hey FB,
>
> Finally got in touch with my pdoc who was out on vacation...my new prescription is for 25mg with an instruction to split the pill the first three days, then increase from there.
>
> I guess I'm okay...feel kind of weird but it could be from coming off Prozac at the same time.
>
> Please let me know what your new doctor said and how you are doing. :)
>
> Roslynn
>
>
>
> > > I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
> > >
> > > Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...
> >
> > Wondering how this might be going for you.... Wishing you the best.
> >
>
>
Posted by Roslynn on July 20, 2011, at 13:18:18
In reply to Re: Savella update » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on July 19, 2011, at 18:51:10
Hi FB,
I started 12.5mg Savella a couple days ago. (I'm using a pill splitter)
The next few days I will take 25mg per day, and then increase from there.The Prozac withdrawal started about a week ago..my pdoc just had me stop taking the med since the metabolites stay in your system up to 5 weeks..
Good for you on finding a new doctor! And I hope you can get a full trial of EMSAM--I know last time it interfered with your sleep.
Best,
Roslynn> Roslynn,
>
> I'm glad the dose issue has been resolved. Summer vacations are slowing down call back times for sure.
>
> I'm not sure how your Prozac withdrawal works. Sorry about the wierd feeling you report. Do you have a Savella start date? (It sounded like you haven't started yet....?). I'll look for updates. Continued best wishes!
>
> (oh, it's Emsam, Xanax xr, and ambien today. Thanks for asking.)
>
> > Hey FB,
> >
> > Finally got in touch with my pdoc who was out on vacation...my new prescription is for 25mg with an instruction to split the pill the first three days, then increase from there.
> >
> > I guess I'm okay...feel kind of weird but it could be from coming off Prozac at the same time.
> >
> > Please let me know what your new doctor said and how you are doing. :)
> >
> > Roslynn
> >
> >
> >
> > > > I have just picked up my prescription...my pdoc's instructions say to take 50mg twice a day. The capsules are 50mg each.
> > > >
> > > > Now I'm a little concerned that this could be too high a dose...
> > >
> > > Wondering how this might be going for you.... Wishing you the best.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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