Gabapentin is an antiepileptic and can relieve pain in the nerves. Savella is an antidepressant that also can help reduce pain. They work differently, so it is possible to take both at the same time. Savella can cause nausea, so some people have difficulty taking it. You never know if something will work or if you will have a bad interaction. Both might work great for you, or you might have some unacceptable side effects. Savella is one of the drugs approved for fibromyalgia.

I haven't taken Savella, but it is similar to Cymbalta and I had a bad reaction to that, so no one seems to think it is a good idea for me to take Savella.

I have been taking the antidepressant pristiq for almost 3 months. I feel so good on this medicine. My fibro flares were 6 months apart this time. I have more energy, clearer thoughts and even though I have pain, I'm happy. I am also craving healthier foods and I'm excited about exercise. I can say all that while laying bed right now on day 3 of fibro flare. It has just been a ball of fire trying to exit out any way possible. Started in my feet and today is head, shoulders, neck and upper back. But I am clear that this is temporary. Its a blip. Antidepressants can really help. It makes me a better mom, for sure. :) xoxoxo

We are all different, but this was my experience with Savella (just this past October).

I started the packet that takes you up slowly in dosage. First, I noticed my heart beat was faster than usual, racing at times. Then, my usual low blood pressure (that I take medicine for) became elevated. I stopped the blood pressure medication, because I suddenly had high blood pressure.
Then I developed a headache (I do suffer from severe migraines), turned out, none of my migraine meds would touch the pain of this headache. In desperation I went to the E.R.
At the E.R. they gave me a cocktail of strong pain meds by I.V. including Morphine (which usually always works). The Doctors could barely get my pain under control. Eventually, they sent me home with strict orders to never take Savella again. I was put on bed rest for 2 weeks to Detox (ween off medication), but I decided to go cold turkey. And, my headache lasted 10 days non-stop.

I have also been on Cymbalta, (that lasted a year), but my personality changed for the worse. And, I tried Lyrica, which messed up my stomach (and caused weight gain).

For sleep, I use Trazodone, an old school anti-depressant, that they realized works better for sleep than for depression. I have been on it for 7 years and it really helps me fall asleep quickly and stay asleep. My side effects were none, and after reading the above you can see I am very sensitive to side effects!

Good luck to you!

Gentle Hugs!

I don't use savella for sleep, have other meds for that, but it has been wonderful in helping me with my fibro pain. It did take about a week to get used to it as the nausea was bad. After that passed my pain was more manageable and my flares are much farther apart. Best of luck.

Thanks for your support, everyone! :)
Yeah I was on effexor years ago and it worked well till it started elevating my heart rate. Then I had to get off it and my heart rate went back to normal. Then they tried me on cymbalta and it completely messed up my stomach! Both of those medications were a nightmare to get off of. I've also tried amitryptaline and it did nothing but turn me into a zombie.
So you can understand why I am not looking forward to trying ANOTHER one of these medications.
I've bee through every kind of sleep medication there is. Either they haven't helped me sleep or I have suffered bad side effects, so I have had to get off them, that includes trazadone, ambien, lunestsa, etc, etc.... . The docs don't know how to help me get good (or any) sleep at this point. So they are resorting to going back down the antidepressant road. BAH!! i'm not sure it's going to help me get any rest.
So I just wanted to hear what others thought and what others have experienced with Savella and other antidepressants. Thanks!

I was a zombie on Elavil 10-20mg. for about a month , but it really helped my IB and sleep problem. Are you awake because of the FM pain? Isabelle1954

Blue,

If you start Savella, keep an eye on your blood pressure and blood sugars. My doctor wouldn't start me on it because of that reason alone given my family history.

Kinda happy I didn't have to try it honestly knowing how hard it is to come off of it.

Do you have a problem falling asleep or staying asleep? Or both? Melatonin and Valerian root help me with both areas, but I get pretty insane nightmares when I take these products and I stay awake or days on end because of them. Just wondering if you have ever tried these supplements or not.

I have trouble falling asleep AND staying asleep. Constantly waking up and can't go back to sleep when I do. I have tried melatonin and valerian.... it worked in the past but not doing anything for me in the present.

Isabelle1954, I have trouble sleeping regardless of how I feel. I could feel perfectly fine with hardly any pain, and I still won't be able to sleep. It's worse, of course, when I am in pain.

PS. Thanks for the tip about blood pressure. I hope it really doesn't effect mine.

Bluesun, have you tried muscle relaxers to help with sleep?

I can't take any muscle relaxers right now because it contradicts with a medication I'm currently taking called metaclopramide.