Aimovig and Headaches: What Users Say

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started 1 dose of Aimovig 70 mg in April 2020. My neuro suggested that I should start a higher dose (140 mg) in July 2020. 3 more months after taking this awful stuff, the side effects hit full force! I literally felt like I was going to die. I was so WEAK. Recovery from this drug has been a nightmare. My side effects were brain zaps, anxiety, new panic attacks, paranoia, heart palpitations, numbness, tingling all over my body, weird electrical head sensations, head pressure. My migraines came back 4 months after being off this drug, more debilitating. I also felt like my heart was skipping beats. I experienced shortness of breath, fatigue, neck pain, weakness, burning sensations, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting that has lasted for months. Additionally, I experienced ringing in the ears, muscle spasms, and cramps. I want my life back. It has been like this for 5 months, and the drug is supposed to be out of your system in 6 months. Beware and run if anyone offers this! It stopped my headaches, but at what cost? Extreme life-threatening measures?!"

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "24 hours after a 70mg injection I have severe nausea, dizziness, and headache. I feel terrible like I have the flu. I hope this doesn’t last the entire month. Wish I knew how to get this drug out of my system. Will NOT be trying another shot. And their website lists none of these side effects! Based on others’ reviews, I am not the only one feeling like death. Awful drug."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken Aimovig injections for 8 months. I had 15 or more migraines each month. I am experiencing these side effects: Hair loss, Constipation, Stomach pain, Burning tingling all over, Enlarged and sore veins, Fatigue, Joint pain, Headache for three weeks, High heart rate then drops very low into the 40s, High blood pressure, Tremor, Weakness. Then dysautonomic nerve dysfunction was diagnosed after I started the drug. What is being done to alert people taking the injection about these very serious side effects? If I hadn’t been researching this drug’s side effects, I wouldn’t have known. I will follow up with a call to the FDA and file a complaint with Aimovig. There should be a warning on the box. Thank you, Sharon Kerr"

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Took the injection and an hour later started to feel horrible. Migraines are usually on the left side of my head and sharp. The right side of my head had a lot of pressure and down my neck. I went to bed thinking I'll feel better in the morning. The pressure became excruciating and my neck had horrible muscle spasms. I was in severe pain in my head, neck, and muscle spasms in my back for 8 days. It tapered off, and I could function again. My husband almost took me to the hospital thinking I had a bad reaction. I started researching and found out many people have had the same thing. My daughter took the injection the day after I did, and her symptoms completely mirrored mine. She is still suffering. I am writing this two weeks later and still have some minor symptoms."

• Lag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The initial monthly 70 mg injections gave me relief. I went from daily migraines to weekly, to occasional within a couple of months. But by the 3rd injection, I began feeling off. It wasn't until this week, and I'd already taken my 9th injection, that we were able to figure out why. The constipation, bowel blockage, bloating, burning pain in my back, confusion, deep, horrible depression, dark thoughts, almost acting on dark thoughts more than once, stomach pains, vertigo, chills, night sweats, fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, numbness in my face, headaches, sinus infections, high liver tests, being sent to an oncologist because my doctor thought I might have cancer, EGD, colonoscopy, MRIs, CTs, MRCP, X-rays, etc., are not worth the relief. This drug needs more research. We spent thousands of dollars thinking something else was wrong only to circle back to Aimovig. I couldn't believe there are several patients whose symptoms mirror mine on this site as well. Ugh."

• TKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Started this injection last month, and I can't wait for it to get out of my system. I was absolutely manic the first week: high energy, couldn't slow down, and insomnia! Also have had shortness of breath, chest pains, weight gain, stomach is bloated, SEVERE constipation (have been on stool softeners, laxatives with no results, and fiber, nothing helps), headaches are still there, swelling, and body aches. I have more side effects I'm sure, but I will NOT take this med again."

• Mik...
• October 29, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Took my first 70-shot three days ago. Headaches have changed in characteristics but occur more frequently and are harder to abort. General feeling of low energy, but so far no body aches or other flu-like symptoms. Also, no relief. Unfortunately, once it’s in you, it’s in you for a month, so I’ll have to ride it out. Unless something miraculous happens between now and the second dose, I’ll take a pass."

• Mon...
• July 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Had I known... never, ever, ever would I have jabbed this thing into my body. Seemed fine after the shot, 2 days went by and I got a migraine, not too bad. 2 days later, I woke up to a jaw that wouldn’t move and a face on the left I didn’t recognize, it was so swollen. It was hot and incredibly painful! For 3 weeks, I have felt feverish, chills, nauseous, off and on headaches, some migraines. I just need this to be over! I have chronic and episodic migraine with clusters in between. Sure, I’ll be down a day or 2... but this? I don’t even know what this is... pure freaking misery for $600. I don’t think they’ve done enough testing! Will I think normally again? Like ever!?! I’m nervous, it’s all about the greenback, we’re not lab rats, you know? I sleep all the time and my hands shake, I get my words tangled up. I’m telling you it’s AWFUL... a migraine I’m familiar with, a migraine I understand, but this? This is torture. Blessings to all."

• JJa...
• September 15, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had a headache, and my doctor gave me the shot, and it subsided after the shot. But immediately I had nausea. Then I felt like I was on an elevator. Two weeks after the shot, and I have had severe side effects from this medicine. I ended up in the hospital, where they tested me for everything to make sure it wasn’t something else. The doctor told me that it was the Aimovig that was causing my debilitating side effects. Here are the side effects I have dealt with: nausea and vomiting, severe fatigue and drowsiness, brain fog and concentration issues, headaches, tremors and hands shaking, chest pain, but might be related to muscle spasms, extreme exhaustion, I can barely get out of bed. I have been having trouble breathing and just getting a full breath. I normally exercise every day, but can barely get through any routine with these side effects. I have severe vertigo that won’t let up. I also have a bloated stomach that makes it hard to eat sometimes. I also have joint pain."

• kwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I rec'd my first injection the first Friday in September. Now take what I say cautiously because, yes, I've been on it less than a month. I had a migraine that I woke up with on the following Monday morning and, of course, was bummed. As a migraine sufferer since the age of 6 (I'm 37 now), my migraines have only become more intense and frequent since I've gotten older. I've tried just about everything out there for prevention and never leave home without my abortive medication in my purse. That being said, since that migraine the Monday after, no migraines since. I had a very small headache last weekend, took OTC, and it went away 30 mins later. I haven't been able to use OTCs since Jr. High. I am amazed. I am happy and less depressed. I hope it continues because it truly has been what I have been waiting for just about... my whole life. I'll come update, especially if it ends up being garbage like a lot of other stuff I tried."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Aimovig 70 mg for 5 months and went to 140 mg this month. About an hour after both shots, I got horribly sick. I could not stop throwing up even though I had nothing in my stomach at the time. I had stomach cramps and additional pain in my neck and shoulders. I have been so irritable, depressed, and anxious, and the headaches are not much better. I also have a loud ringing in my ears that is hard to overlook. It seems like the side effects are so much worse than the headaches even though they do not show but a couple of side effects on the paperwork. They need to research this drug a lot more before making this seem like a wonder drug that could be harming people. We already have enough pain and problems. We also need to check on the doctors that prescribe this medication to see if they are getting kickbacks or are part owners of the drug!!!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Started Aimovig in November, just took 3rd dose of 140 mg. Since I started, I have a daily headache and have had a flare-up every other day. Two bad ones struck last month, and last week twice again where I experienced nausea, vomiting, incoherent to a point of being unable to walk or talk. I even had to leave work, which I hadn't done in 2 years. Nothing helps when it hits, abortive or muscle relaxers or Midrin. It's torture."

• Tam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have severe fatigue, and my eyes hurt. My vision is getting bad ever since I started taking it. I noticed I was having numbness in my arms and legs every time I took an injection. I’m going back to my neurologist to see what’s going on. I think I could sleep all the time. I have a dull headache all the time and my eyes hurt every day."

• ZKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I guess I need to wait it out to be fair. Took my first shot two weeks ago. I was told it may take more than one shot. However, I have had many or more of the side effects mentioned. I'm grateful for this site, as the Aimovig site states no side effects. These are mine: blurred vision, numbness, left arm sore, body sore, fatigue, lightheaded, head pressure, increased sensitivity to light and sound, shooting pain, electric types, shortness of breath, insomnia. After two weeks, things are getting better, but I still have the same headache as after I took the shot. My only question is, do I take the second shot in two weeks? I'm happy the shot has worked for others. Keep the information coming so we can keep helping each other get better."

• uua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "If you like splitting headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances/nightmares, fatigue, bowel problems, and muscle aches, this is the drug for you! I've had chronic migraines and cluster headaches since 2016 and haven't even been employed since then. Started Botox in 2019. It is the only treatment that has really worked for me-it's a miracle. However, I was having really bad rebound migraines between injections... enter Aimovig. What followed was a splitting, incredibly painful, multi-day headache. Not a *migraine,* just a really, really bad headache. After that initial phase, I would be overcome with fatigue, nausea, nightmares, and general malaise. My migraines respond best to diet restrictions and Botox. I'm sensitive to a lot of meds and didn't have much luck with most migraine medications, including triptans. So, if your migraine profile is similar to mine, skip Aimovig!"

• Eve...
• March 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve taken Aimovig for over a year. It was good the first 3 months-then head pains and migraines came back halfway. Had a major migraine treated with Aimovig, nerve block, sumatriptan, and Nubrevly, which only allowed me to get through it-4 days in bed. Then switched to Emgality; did nothing. Now back on Aimovig. I have heart palpitations, constant headache requiring triptan, concentration issues, ringing ears, constipation, bloating, some weight gain, insomnia, sharp head pains in temples and head; need to get off all CGRP. Of course, Amgen doesn’t want to tell you how to stop taking it-guess what they want? Can’t do this anymore!"

• Eve...
• March 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve taken Aimovig for over a year. It was good the first 3 months-then head pains and migraines came back halfway. Had a major migraine treated with Aimovig, nerve block, sumatriptan, and Nubrevly, which only allowed me to get through it-4 days in bed. Then switched to Emgality; did nothing. Now back on Aimovig. I have heart palpitations, constant headache requiring triptan, concentration issues, ringing ears, constipation, bloating, some weight gain, insomnia, sharp head pains in temples and head; need to get off all CGRP. Of course, Amgen doesn’t want to tell you how to stop taking it-guess what they want? Can’t do this anymore!"

• Red...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "At first, a wonder drug. The next dose, a week after the injection, dizziness and severe fatigue. I’m on my 8th injection and now headaches worse than before, although not as many. Also, extreme hair loss and weight gain of 15 pounds! Sad to say, this will be my last injection."

• Ban...
• January 24, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took the 70 mg shot last month. I was so excited with the results. I went from 2 migraines a week to 2 that month. I told my doctor I wanted the 140 because I thought more = no migraines. Last night I took 140, and about 2 hours later, I became confused/paranoid for about 10 minutes. Then my heart started to race extremely fast. My head felt very hot, and I was short of breath. My head started hurting intensely. I almost passed out a few times. I’ve never had anything like this happen. I was crying, and my husband wanted to take me to the ER, but I didn’t want to scare our four kids. He gave me a .25 alprazolam that I usually take for sleep assistance. This morning I was still shaking and had a headache. I feel very hungover and woozy, like I can’t hold my head up. Waiting for a call back from my doctor. Very worried after reading how long this stays in your body. Reading these comments also explains why I had the worst constipation of my life last month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I'm glad other people have noticed relief with this medicine, but my experience with this shot was absolutely horrible. I have had headaches every day 24/7 for 10 years. They have tried multiple different medications to try to help my pain, and nothing has worked. After I took that shot of Aimovig, my pain has gotten so much worse. In 10 years of having these headaches, I have never had this bad of pain, and that's shocking considering how bad they were before I took the shot. I am so weak all the time, I have a tremor in my right hand, severe dizziness, and bad vision issues, all because of these headaches. I just don't understand, aren't migraine medications supposed to help, not make you worse? I am grateful that I didn't have to pay much for it, but that's not comforting considering what happened."

• Ein...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I am 25 and have had migraines of all sorts since I was at least 10. I always knew it had to do with my sinuses because almost always the pain was in my nose/right eye. I finally went to see a neurologist who confirmed I have a deviated septum, but before trying a septoplasty, he told me about Aimovig. On July 11, I began my 2-month trial of two 70 mg doses and would say the number of migraine/headache days was decreased to almost none! I’d usually complain of a migraine about 12-16 times a month, I probably had 1 migraine and maybe 3 mild headaches altogether. I was not approved for Aimovig but was told I qualified for a copay program. Communication from Aimovig is not great, and no one told me until I finally called, so it is now Sept 22, and I am about to take my third dose. The past two weeks, I have had a migraine almost every single day, and I can’t wait for this third dose to hopefully go back to pain-free days!"

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I am on my 3rd month of injection, and my only complaint is the heart racing. I have been to the ER and a cardiologist to make sure nothing is wrong with my heart, and nothing was found. The only medication I take is blood pressure, so I know that is not what is causing the rapid heart rate. I have had headaches, but not as many as before, but I would rather deal with the headache versus the rapid heart racing. I don’t think I am going to do another one, I will just deal with the consequences. Anyone else experience this problem?"

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "To those of you leaving a bad comment about this drug when it's had less than 48 hours to take effect: give it some time! I've been on it for 2 weeks now, and it's working! The first week or so was 'iffy,' and I felt discouraged. I was still having the almost daily headaches, and they even seemed a little worse. Now I'm doing great! I feel a headache trying to crank up in the morning upon awakening, and this medication shuts it down real fast. Thank goodness for this. Maybe I can have my life back! I only hope my insurance will cover this med when my free trial runs out."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Just before my 3rd dose of 70 mg, I experienced days of headaches and a day-long migraine. I had to use a Tylenol & codeine (1/2) tablet. Immediately after the first dose, I had severe constipation, nausea, gagging, abdominal pain, pelvic bone pain, low back pain, and feet that felt like they were trapped in bricks. My lower legs gave out, and I had to resort to using a walker. I have no stamina or desire to do anything. My weight is up 12 lbs in 3 months, feet are so swollen that they are inflexible. My right leg is now 3 inches larger than the left. Daily headaches and tinnitus have overtaken the migraines. Aspirin or NSAIDs help for an hour, then I have to chew on an antacid or two because of acid reflux. NO more Aimovig for me."

• Kka...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on 140 mg for seven months now. I noticed that I am losing a lot of hair. I have fine, thin hair, and my hair is long, but I find my brush is full of hair after brushing it in the morning. My shirt has hair on it when I change into my morning clothing. I find that when I wash it, a lot of hair comes out. Now I’m on pills that seem to work great, and I hope it still does. Just watch hair loss, and even with the high dose, I still got 10 to 14 headaches a month, so no more shots for me in my tummy."