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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mommyron on February 19, 2010, at 17:55:23
Does anyone know if Savella is very similar to Cymbalta? Cymbalta worked well for my depression, but made me sick as a dog and anti-emetics didn't help. Then dc'ing it was a 2-week nightmare. (Effexor, another SNRI, also worked well for me, but with other nasty side effects.) Since Savalla is an SNRI, I think it might be helpful, but I'm curious what other members have found regarding side effects, usefulness, etc. ??
Thank you.
Posted by bleauberry on February 20, 2010, at 6:13:04
In reply to Savella, Cymbalta, posted by mommyron on February 19, 2010, at 17:55:23
I have tried Cymbalta several times and Savella several times. But not Effexor.
First off, it is almost dishonest for Effexor and Cymbalta to be called SNRIs. Their affinity for norepinephrine is very low. 30:1 serotonin to NE ratio for effexor, and 9:1 ratio for cymbalta. Savella is a true SNRI with a balance of about 3:2.
Whatever. It's all theory talk and doesn't matter. There is too much going on at a molecular level that we haven't even scratched the surface on. Tons more research is needed. What really matters is how the drug affects you, and a trial is the only way to find out.
All that said, Savella and cymbalta were in no way comparable to me. Cymbalta was aweful in terms of side effects and withdrawal, and did very little to improve my mood. It actually made me feel worse most of the time instead of better. Savella on the other hand felt very clean and friendly. The only side effects I had were diminished appetite (but not nausea), and an extremely hard time going pee. It began working on day 2.
My personal opinion is that Savella is usually dosed too high. I believe normal doses are too high. In studies, lower doses were shown to work as well as high doses, but took longer. Me, I responded well to less than 20mg per day. The starter pack has you go from 12.5mg to 25mg and to 100mg within just days. Ridiculous. Stay at 12.5mg for a while and shoot for 25mg as a final goal, maybe 50mg. My opinion.
> Does anyone know if Savella is very similar to Cymbalta? Cymbalta worked well for my depression, but made me sick as a dog and anti-emetics didn't help. Then dc'ing it was a 2-week nightmare. (Effexor, another SNRI, also worked well for me, but with other nasty side effects.) Since Savalla is an SNRI, I think it might be helpful, but I'm curious what other members have found regarding side effects, usefulness, etc. ??
> Thank you.
Posted by mommyron on February 20, 2010, at 11:14:47
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by bleauberry on February 20, 2010, at 6:13:04
Dear Bleauberry, thank you for the very helpful information. May I ask what your diagnosis is, if you are comfortable sharing? I know we all have such unique biochems, but if the diagnosis is similar I have more hope in the med having similar effects. I have a weird/soft kind of bi-polar 2 and borderline traits, mostly huge rejection triggers.
Posted by bleauberry on February 20, 2010, at 17:47:40
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by mommyron on February 20, 2010, at 11:14:47
Sure, I'm always happy to share whatever I can for whatever it's worth.
I don't put much faith in a diagnosis, because it is basically just a word given for a cluster of symptoms that could actually be a different diagnosis. And there is overlap from one to another. No clear boundaries. Given 10 doctors, they might all have a different diagnosis for you. It is too subjective for my liking, though I admit it at least points us in a starting direction.
My top symptoms are anhedonia, chronic fatigue, lack of zest, rejection sensitivity, abandonment sensitivity.
I have responded best to:
Prozac + zyprexa + adrafinil
Savella
AmisulprideGoing forward, I think the low dose SNRI plus low dose antipsychotic route looks the most promising, or Amisulpride monotherapy could do it. The most amazing meds I've ever encountered were Savella or Amisulpride.
For the rejection stuff, I think a very low dose of an antipsychotic almost has to be in the mix. Unless it is an ssri that is totally numbing all emotions, I don't think an antidepressant alone will target the rejection stuff.
My general observations anyway. Anything is possible.
> Dear Bleauberry, thank you for the very helpful information. May I ask what your diagnosis is, if you are comfortable sharing? I know we all have such unique biochems, but if the diagnosis is similar I have more hope in the med having similar effects. I have a weird/soft kind of bi-polar 2 and borderline traits, mostly huge rejection triggers.
Posted by polarbear206 on February 20, 2010, at 21:55:51
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by bleauberry on February 20, 2010, at 17:47:40
> Sure, I'm always happy to share whatever I can for whatever it's worth.
>
> I don't put much faith in a diagnosis, because it is basically just a word given for a cluster of symptoms that could actually be a different diagnosis. And there is overlap from one to another. No clear boundaries. Given 10 doctors, they might all have a different diagnosis for you. It is too subjective for my liking, though I admit it at least points us in a starting direction.
>
> My top symptoms are anhedonia, chronic fatigue, lack of zest, rejection sensitivity, abandonment sensitivity.
>
> I have responded best to:
> Prozac + zyprexa + adrafinil
> Savella
> Amisulpride
>
> Going forward, I think the low dose SNRI plus low dose antipsychotic route looks the most promising, or Amisulpride monotherapy could do it. The most amazing meds I've ever encountered were Savella or Amisulpride.
>
> For the rejection stuff, I think a very low dose of an antipsychotic almost has to be in the mix. Unless it is an ssri that is totally numbing all emotions, I don't think an antidepressant alone will target the rejection stuff.
>
> My general observations anyway. Anything is possible.
> > Dear Bleauberry, thank you for the very helpful information. May I ask what your diagnosis is, if you are comfortable sharing? I know we all have such unique biochems, but if the diagnosis is similar I have more hope in the med having similar effects. I have a weird/soft kind of bi-polar 2 and borderline traits, mostly huge rejection triggers.
>
>I still say you should try Nardil for your symptoms. I thought you were considering it?
Posted by mommyron on February 20, 2010, at 22:48:57
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by polarbear206 on February 20, 2010, at 21:55:51
No, I hadn't considered Nardil. I'm chicken about trying the other MAOIs because of the diet issues...
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2010, at 0:47:52
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by mommyron on February 20, 2010, at 22:48:57
Plus the weight gain and hypotension. One poster broke her back from fainting on nardil and got addicted to pain meds. Today she takes a tiny dose of nardil and subtonex. She had to see an additions dos to get off opiods from the broken back. Wonderful person. Have to see what this savella is. Love Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on February 21, 2010, at 15:00:39
In reply to Re: Savella, Cymbalta, posted by mommyron on February 20, 2010, at 22:48:57
> No, I hadn't considered Nardil. I'm chicken about trying the other MAOIs because of the diet issues...
Sorry that waws meant for Blueberry.
Posted by bearfan on March 2, 2010, at 12:54:53
In reply to Savella, Cymbalta, posted by mommyron on February 19, 2010, at 17:55:23
For me, Savella wasn't as calming as Cymbalta. It didn't have the bad gastro-intestinal side effects of it though. Worth a shot if anxiety is not a primary concern.
This is the end of the thread.
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