Savella and Fibromyalgia

Drugs like Savella are not needed for Fibromyalgia when we look at the issues that are at the root of the problem, is my response to a site visitor who has the following question:

Hi Cynthia. I was diagnosed with acid reflux this summer. You had a nice article about acid reflux not long ago & it was very informative, & helped me a lot. Has anyone tried the new drug “Savella” for Fibromyalgia? I tried it for three months but, had to stop taking it because of the adverse side effects. I was so hoping it was the wonder drug that we who suffer from Fibromyalgia was looking for. I do hope it helps others. Blessings, Bonnie

Hi Bonnie,

I’m sorry I don’t know of anyone who has used Savella. This blog focuses on the non-drug approach and getting to the root of the problem rather than covering it up with a drug band-aid. I typically don’t encourage the taking of any prescription drug unless it is a necessity to save one’s life or some kind of urgent matter and only on a very short-term basis with drugs that are on the safer side.

Although I understand Fibromyalgia is quite disruptive to one’s life, as I live with it myself, I don’t see it as a life-threatening situation calling for a prescription drug on a daily basis, as it can be effectively managed in many natural ways. Unfortunately, there really is no such thing as a “wonder drug,” for FMS or any other condition. It always boils down to diet, nutrition and environmental toxins.

Let’s keep in mind that the FDA, medical society, pharmaceutical companies etc. have spent the last couple decades denying that Fibromyalgia even exists, because they didn’t have a drug they could market for this condition. FMS patients were told it was all in their head, stress, etc., were disrespected and did not receive competent health care.

Now all of a sudden that the pharmaceutical companies have manipulated the situation and come up with a drug that they can profit from, they make a complete turnaround and say “oh Fibromyalgia does exist after all and we have this great drug that will fix you all up.” We see those ridiculous commercials saying “Fibromyalgia is a real condition” like those of us who have lived with Fibromyalgia for so long didn’t know that. It’s really despicable behavior on their end. However, the positive side in this situation is that others will now take the condition more seriously and people with FMS won’t be scoffed at and looked at with skepticism.

Additionally, lets take a look at the drug Savella. It is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which means they increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It is similar to drugs used for depression, anxiety disorders, ocd, etc. It is believed that Fibromyalgia may be caused in part, even by those of us in the natural health field, by a malfunctioning or deficiency in the neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin.

The problem with taking drugs that manipulate neurotransmitters is that they ultimately make the problem worse in the long run. They deplete and malfunction the neurotransmitters even further. The person will become dependent on the drug forever to keep neurotransmitters functioning and more problems will develop over time.

Neurotransmitters can be better improved through changing the diet and lifestyle and taking nutritional supplements. The supplement 5HTP in conjunction with other select amino acids and vitamin co-factors will increase serotonin levels naturally.

However taking supplements addresses only half the problem, neurotransmitters are affected by many other factors like diet, excessive stress, environmental toxins, adrenal glands, hormones, food sensitivities, candida overgrowth and nutritional deficiencies and these must be addressed as well. Learn more about neurotransmitters.

When addressed with diet, lifestyle and nutritional supplements, the neurotransmitter problem is addressed at the root. It restores balance to the neurotransmitters naturally.

In addition to neurotransmitters the following issues also contribute greatly to Fibromyalgia:

Environmental Toxins

Candida Overgrowth


Hormone Imbalances

Adrenal Fatigue

Nutritional Deficiencies

Food Allergies or Sensitivities

Poor diet – especially, sugar, refined carbohydrates and caffeine

Too many complex carbohydrates

Many Fibromyalgia people find improvement in their health with a diet that does not include sugar, caffeine, grains or dairy, eating organic and cleaning up environmental toxins from their living space.

Fibromyalgia can be managed, improved and sometimes even cured when all the above issues are addressed and a drug like Savella is not needed to provide artificial stimulation to neurotransmitters. Artificial stimulation of neurotransmitters leads to further depletion, perpetuates the problem and ultimately leads to the development of more health conditions. I personally have found a lot of relief in my FMS and level of severity by addressing each of the issues mentioned above.

Best regards,
Cynthia

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