Self-help Articles

by Robin August, Ph.D.

Hot off the presses, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) has approved a new drug specifically for Fibromyalgia, Savella, which will be available in March. Considering that the FDA only approves about 20 new drugs a year, this seems really important and may be a milestone for people suffering with Fibromyalgia. It is thought that Savella works in the central nervous system by increasing norepinephrine and serotonin. These two neurotransmitters are part of the pain inhibitory system that helps to filter out pain signals.

Patients in the trial studies noticed that their symptoms decrease were noticeable after only one week. It helped reduce daytime fatigue, memory and concentration difficulties, and has a slight effect on weight loss. Hurrah, no more weight gain like on the other drugs that have been used off label for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. Side effects include a slight increase in both blood pressure and heart rate. It also has other side effects like headache, constipation, sweating, insomnia, dry mouth and palpations.

However, while Savella is similar to other tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil), it does not effect other neurotransmitter substances that cause severe dry mouth, weight gain and hangover effect the next day. It's not for everyone especially for people with hard to control hypertension. It also may not be good for people who already take other medications that raise the level of serotonin in your body such as tramadol, cyclobenzaprine for relaxing muscles, over the counter 5-HTP, and sumatriptan for migraines so discuss this at length with your physician and make sure he/she knows that you are taking these drugs. Also discuss any other over the counter drugs that you are taking.

For more information, go to the website, www.savella.com.

Please do not consider this medical advice. This obviously needs to be discussed thoroughly with your physician. This is for information purposes only.

This provides some hope that new medications are being developed with hopefully fewer side effects. For those of you who decide to try it, please write in to me and let us all know how it is working for you.

About the author:

Robin August, Ph.D., LCSW.obtained her Master’s in Social Work and her Ph.D. in Psychology from major Universities. She has also studied Life Coaching. She has been in private practice since 1987. She specializes in working with survivors of child abuse, coping with chronic illness, depressive and anxiety disorders, life coaching and general psychotherapy. She lives in the beautiful Smoky Mountains where she enjoys the outdoors. Dr. August also lives with Fibromyalgia and Systemic Lupus so she brings a unique personal understanding to her work.