Originally Published: July 14, 2018 at 9:00 pm EST
If you follow me on social media, you know that I am now taking the Aimovig injection every month for Migraine prevention, as prescribed by my doctor. On this post, you will be able to keep up with my progress from week to week. The good, the bad, and the ugly. In the comments, let me know if you find any discrepancies. I am a person with Migraine, after all. I am both the writer and the editor, NOT a good combination!
Disclaimer: I am a former Amgen and Novartis Spokesperson. This content reflects my own personal opinions and was not created or reviewed by Amgen and Novartis. I was not paid to write this article.
In case you prefer to jump around:
Weekly Updates
Updates are in chronological order, from one week after the shot until the Written Date next to each entry. To see the data behind all of this, see the Migraine Log and Migraine Stats further down. For the sake of these stats, a Month is 28 days starting with injection #1. Let’s go!
Date of 1st Injection: Thursday, June 28, 2018
Time of Injection: 7:00 pm
Dosage: 140 mg (2 – 70mg Injection Pens)
Injection Site: Left Upper Leg
Date of 2nd Injection: Thursday, July 26, 2018
Time of Injection: 8:30 pm
Dosage: 140 mg (2 – 70mg Injection Pens)
Injection Site: Left Upper Leg
Week 1 Update (Written on Friday, July 6, 2018, on Facebook)
I took my first injection of Aimovig for chronic migraine last Thursday. While I’ve still had migraine attacks I’ve noticed that the severity has lessened a bit and I am more active. I am tired all the time, but that started before the shots. My insomnia did go away. I’ve slept all night every night since a couple days after the shot. It’s very early to have real answers about how well Aimovig will work for me, but after only a week, I have a really good feeling about it.
Week 2 Update (Written on Friday, July 13, 2018)
I use Migraine Buddy to track migraine attacks. Before my first injection, I was plagued with migraine attacks almost every day with pain levels rarely below 6. Keep in mind, there are a few days in early June where I didn’t notate my attacks out of laziness or just not feeling well. I didn’t go back to add them, but I have been tracking pretty close to 100%, definitely since the injection two weeks ago. Even so, you will notice a difference in pain level severity after the injection compared to before my first injection. See the section “To Compare” in the chart below.
Also, keep in mind, I’ve been going through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) since December 2017. I’ve been able to cut down on a small portion of my depressive/stress triggers. Which is another reason you see a slight drop in migraine attacks after April 2018. The program works for you if you work hard for the program. Unfortunately, I did not see a decrease in pain severity like I have with Aimovig. Side note: I highly suggest CBT to help cut down on attacks by reducing triggers.
Trigger Threshold
If you don’t know what a trigger threshold is, read more about it here. Now that you’re educated about it, I have noticed a change in how my body reacts to some triggers. As time goes by I’m sure I’ll start to notice more and more changes, but for now, I realize I am not triggered as easily by cleaning. I mean light cleaning, like washing a couple dishes and sweeping a small area. Usually, this would set me off if my trigger threshold was low. I’m no doctor or scientist, so I couldn’t say if the medication helped increase a patient’s threshold, but that would be interesting to find out.
Side Effects
During this second week, post-injection, I have not had any side effects. I did have constipation that first week, but it slowly decreased as the days went by. I can happily say that right now, no side effects. Party over here!!
Energy Levels
Boy, I have so much more energy than I did before the shot. Just ask my kids and the hubby! Ha! They secretly hate it, I know they do!!! Example, on Monday (7/9/18) I grabbed my teens and we (I mean they) swept the WHOLE house (we have wood floors), mopped the whole house (again, wood floors), cleaned up Sunday’s dishes (cause we’re not perfect), transferred about moving boxes into the outside storage building, and cleaned their rooms. You see, while I did help here and there and wear myself out, I actually had the energy to delegate all of this. I had the energy to ensure it was done right, which is my way, 😉 of course. I had the energy to be around them while they did all of this and talk to them while we worked. I know a lot of people take that for granted, but for me, that little time spent cleaning with my kids…it’s priceless. I hope for more days like that, though, I doubt they do!
IBS Changes
I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that occurs only during migraine attacks. Yesterday, during a conversation with another person with Hemiplegic Migraine on Facebook, we discussed IBS and migraine. It occurred to me that I have not had IBS with any of my attacks since the shot. This is something I’ll be keeping an eye on for now. Do you get IBS only with migraine?
Week 2 Wrap-Up
It is my hypothesis that with all the events I have in play, like the CBT, to cut down on triggers together with Aimovig, I will not only continue to see a decrease in pain level severity but also in the number of attack days. Keep posted here every week to see an update of how it’s going!!
Week 3 Update (as of Thursday, July 19, 2018)
This week has a lot more reading than the previous two weeks. I had a doozy of a migraine attack but also some amazing revelations. So please don’t give up on me, I apologize ahead of time for a long read! It’s worth it, though, I promise!
Trigger Threshold
If you don’t know what a trigger threshold is, read more about it here. Now, I have the same results here as last week. I am able to do more, push myself harder than I could before Aimovig. I’m not triggered so easily. Not to say that I’m not triggered by activity, because I still am, but it’s taking longer. And yes, I have pushed myself too hard, more than what I’m used to, and had a migraine attack.
Here’s a specific example, on the 19th I got up early with the husband and made him breakfast and packed him a sandwich for lunch. Then I immediately started cleaning the kitchen when he left for work. I was able to get through the small load in the sink and wipe down all the counters pretty successfully with no issue. I then decided I needed to do some light washing, we needed clean towels. So I got that done. So far so good!
I did feel a little winded so I thought it better to relax for a few hours. But relax to me means getting on my blog and writing. So on Thursday, I wrote 3 Ways You Can Find Your Diagnosis Codes. I did a lot of research that day after writing a mini-guide to the ICHD-3 and ICD-10 mentioned in the article for my new Migraine Support Group on Facebook. Needless to say, I spent HOURS on my computer that day. Sometimes just typing irritates the muscles in my left arm and sets off my Carpal Tunnel. To top it off, the Carpal Tunnel pain will trigger a Hemiplegic Migraine.
That evening, my sister invited us to walk over to her house for burgers. The kids decided to swim in the backyard, so we made an evening of it all. It was nice, the North Carolina weather was cooperating and we had a good time. It was just my kids and me, Stephen was catching up on sleep. He’s had a rough few days sleeping. At some point in the evening, I began to feel my sixth sense kick in. I call that weird, warning feeling I get right before an attack my sixth sense. As I was walking to go back into the house from outside in the backyard, I began to feel my left side stiffen. With Hemiplegic Migraine, one side of the body can become weak or paralyzed.
Seconds before that, though, I felt my sixth sense kick in. I knew. Weirdly, the weakness and stiffness only lasted a few seconds. By the time I reached the back door, which was about 4 feet away, I was back to normal. But because I get pretty cautious when I get this way, I took it relatively easy the rest of the night. I just didn’t feel normal, even though I looked and acted normal to everyone else. Nobody had any idea what I was going through. I didn’t want to alarm my kids just yet because it happened so fast and was gone just as quickly. The only lingering effect was a slight “off” feeling. But I get those all the time randomly throughout the day. Nobody ever knows.
After getting my fill of hamburgers and an amazing Smore’ we made on the fire outside, we all headed in to watch the ESPY awards my nephew recorded. They are BIG baseball fanatics and follow most of the sports on TV. They are both very talented and we just might see them on TV watching the ESPYs 😉 I had been sitting in an awkward position for maybe an hour. I wasn’t comfortable and I had started to feel my neck stiffen. I decided to lie down, but I think the damage had already been done. After an hour and a half of ESPY watching, I decided it was time to walk back home. So I sat up and immediately knew something was very wrong.
My sixth sense was on high alert and within seconds I had a full-blown, Level 9, Hemiplegic Migraine attack. With this attack I had severe pain (but not high enough to trigger seizures), transient aphasia, hemiparesis (weak on the left side of my body to include arm, hand, leg, foot) that caused me to not be able to lift my leg very high in order to walk properly, altered consciousness, blurred vision, muscle pain and stiffness all along the left side of my body from the top of my head down to my feet (same feeling as if you had a blood pressure cuff on high wrapped around one side of your body), and vertigo. There might be more, but sometimes remembering the episode is vague. I remember enough of it though.
The timing for this second, more severe attack lasted through the night. I fell asleep in pain, even after taking my “abortive” meds. I do not take Triptans of any kind as they have hospitalized me in the past with a severe, week or longer lasting Hemiplegic Migraine attack. It takes months to recover from those. It’s like having a stroke and having to recuperate because the temporary damage is a little more extensive than a typical Hemiplegic Migraine attack. The abortive medication is a combination of prescription Compazine, 3 Alka Seltzer tablets, and a 25mg Benadryl capsule. My doctor at the Mayo Clinic decided this was the best option for me since I have been receptive to the same combo in the hospital through IV. It works about 75% of the time if I catch it early enough.
By the time I fell asleep I was still in a lot of muscle pain, but my head had cleared and my vision was normal. I was no longer dealing with vertigo and I could walk well enough, considering the muscle pain and light stiffness that lingered. So here is where the magic happens. The next morning, on the 20th, which is not reflected in the data since the cut off date was July 19th, I woke up completely normal. NO MIGRAINE HANGOVER whatsoever. What???!!! Seriously, guys, this is unheard of for me. With a Level 9 attack, I should have been in bed for AT LEAST 24 to 48 hours with migraine hangover. I am usually bed-bound because of it. It’s almost as awful as the migraine attacks themselves.
So while I couldn’t avoid the severe migraine attack, I woke up like a champ and went on with my day like nothing happened. To me, that’s a win. A REALLY BIG WIN! I have accepted that I will have Hemiplegic Migraine for the rest of my life, but if I can have an attack and suck at it and then wake up the next day refreshed, I’m in!
I need to take a few more sentences to say how amazing my kids are. We live directly behind my sister’s house in North Carolina. So we walk back and forth all the time to see each other. That night I walked over there but couldn’t walk back. My daughter, newly licensed, had to go to our house and drive the car over so I could get home. They were both on top of it! My son stayed with me and just hung out, checking on me every few seconds. He never left my side while Marissa went to get the car. You see, Stephen wasn’t answering any of their phone calls. While we’ve lived through this since 2004, it’s been years since they’ve had to go through a bad attack like this one alone with me.
While my sister and her family were there, they aren’t used to my attacks. We’ve only lived here since August of last year. I don’t normally leave my house if I’m dealing with HM, so nobody but my husband and kids really know the true impact of what goes on. While they were very accommodating, they let my kids handle taking care of me for the most part while we waited to go home. My kids and my sister helped me to and into the car, all the while I’m trying to talk and failing miserably.
For some odd reason, I get talkative when I have aphasia, even though nobody understands me. It’s weird that I do that. Anway, Marissa drives me home and Noah helps me out of the car and into my bed. In the meantime Marissa is putting my abortive together for me to take so I can lie down and try to sleep. I can never lie down and just sleep, though. Instead, since the attack had already started fading and most of the more serious symptoms were gone, I got online and talked to my peeps in the Migraine Support Group. The medication eventually did its job of making me sleepy and I knocked out.
My husband hasn’t been sleeping, as I mentioned earlier. The reason nobody could get ahold of him was that he was KNOCKED OUT to the world! He didn’t even wake up when we came home making all kinds of noise. My kids are rockstars, I am so proud of them for the way they held their own. They knew exactly what to do to make Mom comfy in all this pain. I just love them.
Side Effects
No side effects this week, other than little constipation. But I am not so sure it’s a side effect, but more of what I had to eat. Magnesium did the trick and it wasn’t an issue. It didn’t seem related to IBS in any way.
Energy Levels
While I still have a lot more energy than I did pre-Aimovig, I have days where I feel fatigued. I can’t say my energy level is any different than Week 2. Might be a little less, but still better than before. At the beginning of Week 3, I did feel more energized. But as the week progressed, that energy slipped some. Going to keep an eye on that. Also, I haven’t been getting too much sleep. According to my sleep logs, I’m averaging about 4 1/2 hours of sleep per night. I’m almost positive that’s probably why my energy has dipped.
IBS Changes
I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that occurs only during migraine attacks. This week I haven’t had any bouts of IBS with any of my attacks. Normally once an attack happens I’ll have IBS that day. None so far, with the exception of constipation I mentioned earlier. But there was no back and forth like normal.
Week 3 Wrap-Up
Well, guys, I’d say this week was pretty successful, with the exception of that Level 9 migraine attack. Though, there was still an upside at the end of it. So I count that as a win! I foresee migraine attacks still occurring next week, but I also foresee lower pain levels and shorter durations **crosses fingers**. I enjoyed my week for the most part. I got out of the house to run errands, always with a driver since I’m still not driving. I’ve been grocery shopping with no attack on the way out. Woohoo!! I’ve written more articles than normal this week. I’ve been brainstorming because the fog is gone and concepts seem clearer. All in all, Week 3 was successful in my book.
Week 4 Update (as of Thursday, July 26, 2018)
It’s the fourth week after my first Aimovig shot and I’d say things are progressing nicely. Don’t get me wrong, I still get migraine attacks, but they are becoming further apart from each other. I did have two pretty severe hemiplegic migraine attacks within these last 7 days, which I’ll go into more detail later. Even so, I also had really low pain-level attacks and days with no attacks. So let’s get into it…
Trigger Threshold
My trigger threshold isn’t as strong as it was after the first week post-Aimovig injection. My energy levels have also dipped. I’m tired all the time and I need naps to sustain me through the evening. I think that is why I was easily triggered into those two severe hemiplegic migraine attacks. The first severe attack was on 7/20/18 after I had been laying on the couch in a bad position. Bad posture is a big trigger for me, but sometimes I just forget until it’s too late. The highest pain level was a 9 and I had to take my prescribed migraine cocktail (prochlorperazine, Alka Seltzer, Benadryl). I did have a difficult time falling asleep, but by morning the pain was completely gone like nothing had happened. I was so surprised, it always takes me at least 48 hours to recuperate from an HM attack of this magnitude. It was like it never happened.
My next attack wasn’t again until 7/23/18, but was not a hemiplegic migraine. I did have migraine with aura at a pain level of 4 until the next day. I was fatigued after and slept until late morning on 7/24/18. I didn’t take any meds this time around, I try not to take them too often. I don’t work, so I was able to sleep through it.
A few days later, on 7/25/18, I had another severe hemiplegic migraine attack at a pain level of 9. The day was very raining and stormy and the humidity was at 90%. Not good for a person with migraine who has barometric pressure change triggers. During this attack I suffered through altered consciousness, severe pain all along the left side of my body (muscle pain), vertigo, aphasia, and hemiparesis. The attack happened at 9:25 pm after I really good day. No pain or migraine attacks at all until after leaving the movie theater. I was walking out of the theater on the way back to the house. I wore migraine glasses during the movie because I had already started having light sensitivity right before the movie started. I really wanted to see Equalizer 2, so I stayed knowing I was going to have an attack at some point. I just underestimated how bad it would get. By morning it was gone. Again, I was completely normal like nothing had happened the night before. I’m so not used to that! No migraine hangover whatsoever!!
I know I will have hemiplegic migraine attacks, I have accepted that. But to have no disabling migraine hangover for days after? That’s a game changer!
Side Effects & Energy Levels
No side effects this week. It seems any side effects have worn off completely. Although, the energy I did have after the shot has also worn off. I do have more fatigue. I’d rather have that than migraine, though.
IBS Changes
No change from Week 3: I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that occurs only during migraine attacks. This week I haven’t had any bouts of IBS with any of my attacks. Normally once an attack happens I’ll have IBS that day. None so far, with the exception of constipation I mentioned earlier. But there was no back and forth like normal.
Week 4 Wrap-Up
I know I had a couple of severe attacks, but the migraine hangover continues to stay absent and pain levels stay low for the most part. The length of attacks is also shortening. I am wondering if the fatigue returns because the shot is “wearing off” or if it is, indeed, a side effect I’m excited to see what happens next month after Dose #2!!
Migraine Log
I use Migraine Buddy to track my attacks pretty consistently. Below is a table showing up-to-date data as of July 26, 2018. Keep in mind, on some nights I fall asleep with an active attack and wake up attack free. The counter counts the next morning since I don’t END the migraine attack until I actually wake up the next day.
The top portion of the table above, in the greyed-out rows, shows each month, March through June. These months are
- Number of Days
- Number of Migraine Attacks
- Number of Attack Days
- Number of Attack-Free Days
- Average Attack Duration
- Average Pain Intensity
- Minimum Pain Intensity
- Maximum Pain Intensity
Migraine Stats
I’ve included screen captures from the Migraine Buddy app installed on my phone. This is the raw data captured by the app and created into nifty charts to share with doctors, and you of course! This data should coincide with the numbers you see in the table above. Also, I’ve added [**] marks next to the stats that are updated as of July 26, 2018. Look for these each week to see what’s new.
Pain Intensity Chart 
March 2018 
April 2018 
May 2018 
June 2018 
**July 2018 
March 2018 Stats 
April 2018 Stats 
May 2018 Stats 
June 2018 Stats 
**July 2018 Stats 
1st Wk Post Shot: 6/29/18 – 07/05/18 Stats 
2nd Wk Post Shot: 07/06/18 – 07/12/18 Stats 
3rd Wk Post Shot: 07/12/18 – 07/19/18 Stats 
**4th Wk Post Shot: 7/20/18 – 07/26/18 Stats 
**4 Wks Post Shot: 6/29/18 – 07/26/18 Stats 
Note: All stats notated with two ** are current as of this week’s update.
Disclaimer: I am a former Amgen and Novartis Spokesperson. This content reflects my own personal opinions and was not created or reviewed by Amgen and Novartis. I was not paid to write this article.
54 Comments
I so incredibly happy and excited for you! I am definitely interested in how well this works for you.
Thank you!! Me too. Still having migraine attacks, but like I mention above, the pain severity is less. I consider that a good thing!
Thank you!! Me too. Still having migraine attacks, but like I mention above, the pain severity is less. I consider that a good thing!
I had my 1st inj last night n feel a lil better tday already. Fingers crossed!!!!
🤞🏼 yes!!! Keep us updated. Good luck!!
I had my first injection of Aimovig today. I have a migraine every day.
Mary I really hope this is they key to better days ahead!! Keep me posted.
Did my first injection today. Hoping to be able to eliminate Botox, Trokendi and other preventatives. Been on Botox 3 1/2 years and in the last 6 months it’s started losing its effectiveness. Fingers crossed!!
Yes 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 Im sorry your other meds aren’t working as well anymore. I hope Aimovig keeps up performance for the both of us!
You are on the same meds I am on . I eliminated Botox to see if this was doing the trick or not . Two injections should far . Been tough .
Me too!! Really bad chills the first day and felt kinda flu like the second day, but I had the same effects with Botox. Odd side effects but I’ll take it if it works. Time will tell. I was 20-25 days a month migraines so any improvements are improvements in quality of life. 😎💐
I’ve had severe migraines for 35 years – I’m now 60. I had my first Aimovig shot about a month ago and I’m getting ready to take another one on August 24. I’ve had no migraines. This is a miracle! But along with the miracle comes the side effects. Which are still a lot better than a migraine. I have extreme fatigue and constipation. I can deal with the constipation but the fatigue is hard. I suffer from fibromyalgia so I’m no stranger to fatigue, but this is on a different level altogether. I’m hoping it will get better. I felt like I had the flu for a few days after the shot and then that passed and I thought I was out of the woods. I sleep okay but feel tired all day.
I agree, in this case the side effects for me are way better than the migraine. Although it sounds like your side effects are more prominent than what I’m experiencing. I haven’t had flu-like symptoms. 🤞🏼for month 2!!! Hope it gets even better for you. I take shot #3 the this week.
You have the same types of migraines I have . I was misdiagnosed with MS as I have brain lesions too . After 7 years and treatment for MS they concluded that all this weakness and left sided weirdness was from migraines . I am on The injection as well . I am not so sure about it though . It has been 6 weeks . Hard to say . I have tried everything . But , it is refreshing to have days where everything is so “clear” . Vision , brain , everything !
They say to give it the full three months before deciding is not going to work for you. From what I’ve learned, the cgrp blockers in Aimovig build up over this time period. Crossing my fingers for you!!!!
I am new to Aimovig. I had my first shot two weeks ago. So far I can tell no difference. I am a male, 68 years of age and had a tumor removed 16 years back and another tumor was diagnosed two years back and was radiated using the gamma knife. MRI’s show it is not growing and may start dissipating. I collapsed at work a couple of weeks back and was on the phone with my neurologist as I lay on the floor. Over the phone the nurse diagnosed it as a migraine. I was hospitalized for three days and several tests were run. All turned up nothing. My headache Doctor has tried every pain medication and preventive medicine, excluding botox, known to man. I even have a Cafely, but I am not sure how effective it is. During a moderate to mild headache I have pain using this device and it is severe if I raise my eyebrows. So far I cannot tell any difference with the Aimovig. The number of headache days seem to be the same and no change in intensity. My headache Dr says I need to give it 90 days before it is effective, but at a cost of almost $700, that is out of the question. I was just informed Aimovig will now mail it to me (I hope at no cost.) to date I have spent over $2,500 on the Cafely, two ER visits, one ride to the hospital in an ambulance with a three day stay, and numerous medications that don’t work, help with some pain but not all migraine symptoms, leave me with a drug hangover the next day,or in bed for 24 hours.
All of this started because i was taking Percocet for the migraine pain for 8 to 10 years. I did not abuse it and took it as my Dr directed, and as needed. It cost $22 with my co-pay for a supply that would last me an average of 45 days. I stopped cold turkey and had no side effects 6 to 8 months ago. Since then all this has happened. I am at my wits end. I now go to work and come home and go to bed. I’ve become a recluse in my home. I no longer have a social life and I fear to travel far because I might have a migraine attack. I have found Excedrine migraine and CBD oil help, but my state just banned the CBD oil this week.
My question is, does it take 90 days before i will notice any improvement or is the headache Dr blowing smoke my way just to stall me asking for help for this?
Your doctor is right! Give it three months to really know if it will help you or not. It takes about that much time for the CGRP blockers to build up in your system, from what I’ve learned? Keep us posted on your journey. I’m rooting for you!!! If Aimovig isn’t the answer, there are other, different anti-cgrp medications coming on. Ajovy was just approved by the FDA last week!
My post is not related to Aimovig but I’m recently diagnosed with hemiplegic migrain. I’m trying to reach out to those who have it since I’m not sure if I’m properly diagnosed. Besides the stroke like symptoms, I have constant mild to moderate Rt sided headache/pressure, dizziness, light/sound sensitivity, ringing of ears and on and off migraine headache attacks and the above symptoms are intensified with nausea. My neurologist and I have a lot of trouble finding the right treatment because it causes me bad reactions. I’m currently on Propranolol 40mg 2x/day which only makes my HM attacks less in severity but it does not take care of my constant symptoms.
I’m not sure what triggers my attacks but it doesn’t choose a place/time, activity and this is the reason why I refused to drive since it happened once while I was driving. They are unpredictable without having prior symptoms, if it does it’s quite so short that I don’t have time to protect myself. I’ll start feeling like I’m going to pass out, blurry and temporary double vision experienced, mild confusion, increased dizziness, ringing in ears and Rt sided head pressure.
When the attack starts I don’t usually have a typical migraine headaches but it’s really scary, my chest/throat tightens, mild difficulty of breathing, palpitations, blood pressure increased, followed by tingling/numbness, weakness and pale colored skin noticed on the side of the body that’s affected. The whole Rt side of my face starts to droop and I get numbness in my face, arms/legs and recently I started having these symptoms on my Lt side of the body. I also have a hard time swallowing and get nauseous. The length of my attacks varies from 30mins to 9hours. The weakness will resolve after a couple of days but the no energy, exhaustion and feeling like a zombie will last for 5-7 days.
So far, I have 5 Rt sided and 2 Lt sided body weaknesses since January. I do notice that I have difficulty finding words and some short term memory loss. I am also tired all the time that my activity has to be low stress. Sometimes it feels like these migraines have stolen my life because I lost my independence and everything that I do has to be modified.
Has your symptoms been similar to mine? Thank you!
Hi Nemia! Thanks for writing in about hemiplegic migraine. Your story sounds a lot like mine, actually. I am very sensitive to medications as well and have been in the ER or hospitalized because of side effects. Have you ever heard of Migraine with Brainstem Aura? It’s VERY similar to hemiplegic migraine, except it does not include one-sided weakness. I get both of these, and before Aimovig, I had them 7 days a week. I’m now in Month 4 of taking Aimovig and I’ve gone down to 3/4 days a week. Which means I now get 3-4 days a week of NO MIGRAINE! So there is hope. If you have “failed” 3 to 4 migraine treatments you might be eligible to try Aimovig, Ajovy, or Emgality – all CGRP Inhibitors. All three have just been approved by the FDA this year, so some doctors are reluctant to put their patients on these anti-CGRP receptor antibodies. Have you tried Botox? A lot of HM patients on Facebook have had success with it. I have not tried it myself. You have options, you just have to know the right ones. Is your doctor a migraine specialist? If not, I suggest you talk with your current Neuro about finding one. If he/she isn’t on board, really think about switching if you feel your care is at a standstill. Take control of your care and stay as proactive as you can.
With my first shot I was knocked out with fatigue for a week then it was a little better. By 3 weeks the fatigue was noticeable again and I am at the 4 week mark and the fatigue has returned full on. I have chronic migraines and the pain seems to be dulled with the Aimovig but still there. At 4 weeks I feel like I am back to the migraines but too slow and tired to respond. Definitely not the miracle I needed.
I was the same way at 4 weeks. I felt like Aimovig was wearing off. Once I took my second injection I started to feel better again. Now that I’m in Month 4, I no longer have the fatigue or constipation noted in this article. You can read about Month 2 and Month 3 to see how far I’ve gotten. Just check out the charts, you’ll see it clearly. Hopefully, soon, you will see a decrease in attack days too, not just severity!
I Started Taking Aimovig Thrusday 8-2019 Today Is The 9 No Side Affects Try the botox Shots Didn’t Work Been Having Headches since 2006 Got bad in 2011 Have Headaches every day some time i am free of headaches 2 days out of a month today stared getting a headache i been putting cold water from the frigs over my head it stop the headache for a while and it help me from being dizzy thats all i got to say only hope you try the cold water really works i been doing that 6 to 8 times a day….. Be back next month see how i feel then…
I have several different types of cold packs in my freezer ready to go when myself or one of my kids gets an attack. Cold and hot both work for me, actually. Are you putting cold water in a baggie or something similar or are you just putting cold packs in the fridge?
I’m so thrilled for your success with Aimovig. I just started my first injection on Monday. Your cocktail to abort a migraine was really interesting. I have also used Compazine and Benedryl, but I have a question. I’ve never used Alka Seltzer. Why do you think that medication is useful? I am considering trying it. Thank you in advance for your help.
Very best,
Cindy
I never did ask why. He just made sure that I used the one with Aspirin in it. Sometimes I’ll buy the Cold version and not take the Benadryl. Both ways work fine. I’m assuming since it’s effervescent, it helps the medication go through the blood stream faster. But that’s a guess. I have a new doctor now so I’ll have to see what she thinks about that.
I would recommend everyone search the following ,
Aimovig histamine , it has everything to do with histamine .
My neurologist confirmed this .
A low histamine diet is a game changer for many migraine sufferers .
Also search Migraine histamine .
methylation histamine
Methylation is the process that metabolizes histamine .
Methylation can be improved with diet and supplements .
30 to 50% of people have the gene mutation MTHFR.
This affects how you metabolize histamine .
Wishing you well in your search for answers
Thank you Joanne for this information! I’ve never been tested for for MTHFR Gene mutation but I’ve wanted to.
Interesting about histamine. I did a quick search as you suggested. The most interesting result I found was the list of foods containing high levels of histamine. It is the same list as the one of foods containing tyramine. If you don’t know about tyramine as a vast-dilator and a powerful migraine trigger, this knowledge could help you.
Just started taking Aimovig. First injection was on 10-16-2018. I was taking methergine, 3 times a day, which was pretty effective. I see a team of Doctors/Neurologists that specialize in Migraines. MHNI in AnnArbor, MI. Strongly suggest MHNI, if anyone out there is not making any progress. After 6 months of being on Methergine, a medication holiday is required for 30 days. This is my second medication holiday. The first one was very rough and this one has started out rough as well. The first full day off of Methergine, a very intense migraine struck (9) in intensity. These take me down for the rest of the day/evening. Woke up today and still had it. Took imitrex and soaked for half hour in tub with ears submerged. Followed up with lying down. Migraine is finally gone. I hope Aimovig starts to kick in.
I’m on Month 5 now and this month is so much better than Month’s 1-4. I haven’t had a migraine attack in over two weeks, which has been unheard of for the last few years. I really hope you will see the same kinds of results. I’m pulling for you!! Hope you’re doing well today Ricardo!
Erica,
Which Alka Seltzer do you take in your cocktail? My daughter suffers from severe migraines. Started in 8 th grade. She’s a senior now and missed 26 days of school last year. She take Zonisamide for prevention. It has helped reduce her migraines, but it can’t override the Barametric Migraines. She is at the 3 week mark of her first Aimovig injection. It seems to have helped until now. Like it’s worn off. She still had migraines, but we could get under control. Not this week. She also had not shown flu like signs until now. She’s not sick though. Anyway she takes Alka Selter Gold just wanted to see which exactly you were using. Benadryl does help, but can’t mix with her Midrin. Too sedating!! Thanks
Hi Trish! I take regular Alka Seltzer, in the Lime flavor. My doctor told me to make sure it was the kind with aspirin included. I know that the Gold does not have aspirin. My migraine cocktail includes: 3 Alka Seltzer, 1 25mg Benadryl, and a Compazine tablet. The Compazine tablet is prescribed by the doctor, the rest can be bought at the pharmacy. DEFINITELY, run this by her doctor before you combine these meds just to make sure it will not interact with anything else she might be taking. My daughter is also a Senior this year! I have her on a 504 and it’s helped her tremendously! She no longer gets called out for excessive absences and she’s allowed to have certain things on her person that’s usually not allowed. For example, she’s allowed to carry Nuun Electrolyte tablets with her. She also takes the Nuun with Caffeine together with Ibuprofen if she has a migraine at school, per doctor’s orders. Now, for the doctor prescribed stuff, she doesn’t need a 504. BUT, the 504 does protect her absences and allows her to have extra time to finish work. She also gets bad vertigo with her attacks, so she’s able to get access to the elevator instead of using the stairs. Luckily, she’s on Topamax and it’s working so well for her with no side effects. Lucky girl!!! She rarely has a migraine anymore.
I did write a post about my daughter’s journey. It’s an older post, as she’s doing much better now. She was about 8 when she was diagnosed as well! Good luck to you and your daughter. <3
It’s so sad to watch your child go thru it!! We had no idea about a 504 until this year. Our school did nothing to help her. Now that I went to enough people we have a meeting next week for her 504 plan. 3 yrs too late! I had taken Topamax or Dopamax for me. I did not want her to have those side effects. May have to try if she’s becoming resistance to he Zonisamide. It’s still in first month of Aimovig. She does take aspirin. Doctor approved reluctantly to try. Thanks for that info. Glad your daughter is better. We will run the cocktail by him. Thanks
Just had my first injection of 140 mg of aimovig. Praying this is the miracle I’ve needed for 12 years. Suffering every single day with debilitating headaches.
Now that it’s 3 months later, how are you doing? Any noticeable differences?
I have migraine with brain stem aura, getting worse over the last 2 years, frequency and effects increasing. Just took my first Aimovig injection 1 week ago, on day 4 of my usual ten day migraine with all the neurologist stuff going on, by the afternoon it felt like I was in postdrome! Unbelievable. I am having some diarrhea, nausea, muscle spasms and fatigue and muscle weakness and my face is showing the migraine is still there but no brain fog or pain of migraine and I can drive and walk…I am usually house bound and can not tolerate conversation. My husband says I am smiling, he can see a big difference…this is day 10 of the migraine cycle…so it will be interesting to see what a normal non migraine day will feel like. Good to hear that side effects can improve.
Wow Carol! That is so good to hear. I apologize for the late response but I’m eager to hear how you’re doing two months later! I also have Migraine with Brain Stem Aura, so I know exactly what you’re going through. My heart is with you and I really hope you are seeing some improvement at this point.
I gave myself my 2nd injection today. Dr did first one. I think I’ve might’ve done it a little bit too low on my upper thigh because I feel a little sore and swollen in the area. I only went about 6 in above my knee. Will it make a difference if I did not put the injection in the right spot of my thigh? I also felt after my first shot that it seem to be working a little bit but by the end of the month I had a headache every single day for a week. Any thoughts?
Hi Maria! My apologies for the late reply. One of the side effects of the injections is injection site reaction, which is pretty normal according to the literature. I’ve had a sore, swollen area a couple times in my thigh. Once I switched to injecting into my abdomen I’ve never had an issue, not even pain. I just followed the directions as written in the package. As for returning attacks at the end of the month, I experience the exact same thing. I wish I could tell you there’s a secret to get around it, but unfortunately, that might be common for you until a few months have passed or it just might be how it is for you. In month 7, I was still having several attacks the last week and a half on Aimovig. While it’s not perfect, Aimovig has made a huge impact on my migraine pain levels, no migraine hangovers, and more migraine-free days. Good luck!
Aimovig has just been approved in Canada and I’ve signed up for it. Never had a migraine until I received a concussion almost 5 years ago. Now I suffer from daily migraines, vision problems, fatigue etc and cannot work. I’m eager to get back to a semi normal life. Hoping his injection is the miracle I’ve been searching for.
Kerry, I really hope you’ve been able to get started on Aimovig or any of the other anti-CGRPs to see if they help you! How are you doing?
I have had migraines for 35 years, they ruin your life. I have tried many medications, I was on 150mg Trokendi XR, this really helped me, but the side effect’s were terrible.I have aphasia and it is making life difficult. I just started using Aimovig today, excited to see if it will help so I can get off Trokendi XR. I have a question that no one seems to ask, the price of this medication is very expensive. Even with the $2700 the drug company gives you, it still will not cover a full year. 140 MG will cost $1,100 a month. My insurance allotmont will be used up in 56 months. Anyone else come across this?
Hi Andrea, for myself I have Medicaid, which is covering Aimovig and I pay my co-pay. I am not familiar with allotments for prescription coverage. Hopefully, someone else can give you answers! Good luck!
I’ve been taking Aimovig for the past six months and was just approved through my insurance company. I was in Teva’s one-year open-label clinical study clinical study. I feel my migraines were better treated with the Teva formula, but Aimovig was approved May 2018, so I was excited to try it. I just started seeing a new neurologist, and she said that most adults don’t respond to the 70 mg Aimovig dose, so my last injection was the 140 mg double dose. I’m still not feeling a change from one dose to the other.
I’m wondering if Teva is a better formulation for me or if I need to wait for Aimovig to build-up in my system. Came across your website as I was researching how long Aimovig takes to work. I agreed with my neuro that the next course of action would be to try Teva’s Ajovy which acts differently on the CGRP receptors and worked wonders for me during the study. My headaches and migraines were 75%+ better; a good day is waking up without a headache! I was even able to eat my biggest trigger food, chocolate, without any reaction (consuming chocolate triggers a migraine within 20-30 minutes).
The third course of action per my neurologist is another IV CGRP administered every three months that in clinical studies has seen great results (not sure of the medication and the developer).
Only you know your body and what you respond best to. I cannot tell you what medications to take or whether you should switch or not, but I think you know what is best for your body. This would be a great discussion with your doctor if they are open with you. As for myself, I saw a noticeable decline in pain levels after a week on Aimovig, but I saw the real results after 4 months of build-up. At six months things were even better. Now, right now, I am taking Ajovy as a trial run to see if I get even more good days. Sadly, I haven’t and since the injection I’ve not had one good day. The migraine attacks are back and I’m having additional side effects. So, with that said, I will be going back to Aimovig in a couple weeks. I’m kicking myself in the butt for switching, but if I didn’t I’d never know. Good luck!!!
Hi Erica?
It’s now been 19 days since the 140 mg Aimovig injection and it’s been 5-6 days since I’ve had to take rhizatriptan, my rescue med. I’ve been waking up headache free which NEVER happens. I’m crossing my fingers. I’ve also been taking magnesium per recommendation of my migraine doctor plus meditating every day.
I’m assuming you’ve already taken your second injection! How is it going so far?
Started my Aimovig trial 140mg just 2 days ago. I suffer hemiplegic migraines and have done for 30 years and almost daily now. It is a rare month that I even have a day without a migraine which I think is really hard for a lot of people to comprehend when you look normal. However having seen your Migraine Buddy journal Erica, it’s looking similar to mine – and having had my first day of Aimovig without a migraine I was feeing hopeful, but and then today woke up today with a doosey of a migraine and have had a “burning” left side of my body (different to usual) that hasn’t gone away. Far too early to make a call, it was really nice to have one day off from migraine so far! Found your post looking for how long Aimovig takes to kick into full swing, so will wait patiently for 3 months at least. 😉
Oh my gosh, yes my HM attacks were daily before Aimovig. Have you had a chance to read through all 4 months of updates? It took about that long to see big results but the results in-between were still great compared to my life before Aimovig. I’m pulling for you!!!! If you don’t already, follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see my daily updates. I talk about it all the time. http://www.facebook.com/achysmileblog & http://www.instagram.com/achysmileblog
I learned some years ago that my migraines are triggered by sulfites in food. Of course wine is the most obvious culprit but metabisulfites, bisulfites, sulfur dioxide (the same basic stuff) is used in any process food that might turn color like coconut, instant potatoes, fruit concentrates (in just about everything) and corn starch, potato starch and on and on. Avoidance works, but then there is almost nothing to eat and you can’t trust restaurants to even know what sulfites are. So my doctor started me on Aimovig earlier this month and it seemed to work for the first 19 days or so. I even had a glass of wine with just a tinge of migraine. I use maxalt when necessary. Now in my third week the Aimovig does not appear to be helping. I’m back to manic reading of ingredients and avoidance of sulfites. My condition is not as severe as many here, but I wonder how many people have sulfite sensitivity as I do and don’t realize it. I found a personal website where a guy like me describes the problem and what he has done about it. It’s non-commercial and unscientific, but pretty comprehensive and if you are interested you can check it out. I hope the Aimovig works because I’d like to eat again.
http://www.learningtarget.com/nosulfites/knowing.htm
It seems to be pretty common for the meds to “wear off” in the third week for some people. I am one of them! Thank you for the link, I will check it out.
I am on Aimovig again after finding that after 8 months it wasn’t as effective. I went on emgality and it was horrible. worse headaches. so now i am back on aimovig. I noticed toward the end of the month i was having more (and more severe migraines). but recently took my second dose. I still don’t see a difference though i think that last month it didn’t work right away. ( I really need to write this all down). Does anyone notice that it takes a while to kick in at the beginning of the month?
[…] bodies, just maybe they can also block attacks in people with chronic migraine. For me, personally, I started Aimovig back in June 2018. It’s been a great experience for me and I look forward to fewer migraine days ahead. […]
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