Aimovig and Shortness Of Breath: 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?!"

• Def...
• October 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "31 years old female. Took this for 6 months. Migraines were far fewer and less intense, however, the side effects were absolutely not worth it! Severe constipation, agitation, dizziness, fatigue, feeling like I had a full-blown flu with soreness everywhere, extreme hair loss!!! Heart pain, elevated heart rate, extreme shortness of breath, could hardly walk up a single flight of stairs, brain fog, vertigo. Aimovig was the only change in any medications. I even kept my diet and exercise routine the same during the trial. This is not worth the side effects. Also, who knows about the long-term effects?"

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

For Migraine Prevention "After 33 years of chronic intractable migraine, this medication is a big hope for me. First 70 mg injection on Sept. 11, easy enough, but have to say my headaches have been worse up until this week (Sept 27) when I'm seeing some of the promised relief, along with other unpleasant effects, which I'm guessing are side effects. Dizziness, mood issues, some shortness of breath, and definite nausea and diarrhea. Blood pressure is higher, mine is typically very low. Also experiencing insomnia. It's hard to get to sleep and stay asleep. Curious about what others may find similar in their experience? It's too soon to say on relief, only two days I've seen a difference."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I took Aimovig once in July 2019. Afterward, I developed full-body neuropathy, severe musculoskeletal pain, tremors in my tongue, hands, and legs, joint pain, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, ear ringing, cognitive dysfunction, heart palpitations, extreme swings in blood pressure, severe constipation, acid reflux, and bloating, and developed asthma out of nowhere. I've had MRIs, X-rays, an EMG, tons of blood work, and next, I'll be getting a small fiber biopsy. I now take a daily inhaler and two prescriptions for my nerve pain. This drug ruined my life."

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve been suffering migraines with aura since I am 13 years old. I injected Aimovig 2 times. 1st month got 3 migraines with aura. 2nd injection so far no migraines. The bad side: flu like symptoms, pain everywhere like I have rheumatoid arthritis, shortness of breath, severe constipation cannot go for 8-10 days, extreme hair loss, depression and anxiety, palpitations, extreme fatigue. I will never take this again. So sad it was stopping the migraine but it is intolerable. My interferon for my blood cancer is better tolerable than this drug it is awful and I am a tough person who do not complaints easily."

• KVa...
• November 14, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Helped with migraines, but the day after my 5th injection, everything went haywire. Racing heart, shortness of breath, tingling and weakness in my legs, and tremors in my hands and chest. The episodes would last for over 12 hours and would come back day after day for weeks. I had to go to the ER, had an MRI, EMG test, all sorts of blood tests, EKG, and echocardiogram, all to rule out any other causes. I’m 10 weeks out from my last dose, but since the medication has a long half-life, I still have symptoms. Mostly high heart rate and chest tremors, but not as extreme as the first. I hope they will completely dissipate when the drug is completely out of my system. I have filed a complaint with the FDA, and my neurologist is in contact with Amgen. Think before you start. You’ll be saddled with any side effects for months. The devastation this situation has caused is much worse than the effects of the migraines I was suffering from before."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I'm young, never had heart issues, but after a few months on Aimovig, I developed chest pain, shortness of breath, and my heart will start racing out of nowhere. I've been off it for a few months, but I'm so weak I can't even go to school and had to withdraw from college this semester. Just doing this review is hard, I'm so weak. Ugh, when will it ever go away? DO NOT TAKE AIMOVIG! I FEEL LIKE I'M ABOUT TO DIE!"

• 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."

• Cee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Side effects: burning in chest, pain in chest and throat, sore throat for months, constantly clearing my throat, spots on throat, spots on tongue, bloating and burping, extended stomach, painful sharp pains in throat and neck, pain in shoulders up the neck, pain in the chest when I breathe, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, weight gain, tired all the time, tender breast to the touch, flushed in face, hard to swallow, stomach pains, lower back pain when stomach hurts. All symptoms have been bad since April and are getting worse. Took it for 7 months. No migraines, but I just got an endoscopy and now I may have Barrett's esophagus and constant pain in my chest and shoulder. Burping and burning in my esophagus. I stopped in September. I'm hoping this will go away. Waiting on doc to tell me if I have cancer or not, or if I destroyed my esophagus from this medication. Never had acid reflux before."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I took my 2nd dose of Aimovig on September 8th. Since then, I have felt as the others have. More intense migraines, more flashing lights, tired, stabbing pains in my head. Now being a week out, I can’t calm down! I feel like I am crawling out of my skin. Almost like I drank cup after cup of coffee. As others have said, I have tried many other medicines. None help, not even to lessen the intensity. I feel short of breath. I know I am out of shape, but who really wants to exercise when you hurt! Does anyone else feel like no one 'gets' you when it comes to having migraines? I have basically my family, and even they are tired of me and my migraines! I don’t know."

• Cha...
• January 20, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I began taking Aimovig on January 6th, 2019, and continued for three months. No change in my migraines (still 15 or 20 a month), so I quit. Then in April, I only had 4 headaches, so I started again in May. Last injection was July 6th. By then, I was suffering from exhaustion and shortness of breath. Didn’t connect the symptoms until my daughter found this site. I read that it takes 5 months to get out of your system, but I expected a slight improvement every week. It didn’t happen. On December 20, I couldn’t walk a block without assistance and was despairing. However, Christmas Day, I felt different. Today, I walked 2.5 km and now have more or less normal days. Still have to get my muscle tone back. I am 77, so can’t expect miracles. I get migraines every 2 or 3 days but would never return to Aimovig and am nervous about any new drug."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took Aimovig for the first time 3 weeks ago. My doc first tried Emgality. He wanted to try the different types of injectables. I also take Zolmitriptan and Sumatriptan. The side effects are horrible. My doc put me on LOA (Leave of Absence) as a result. I have heart palpitations and what seems like a panic attack without the panic. My heart rate will jump for no reason, and I will feel dizzy, tremors... everything but the panic. So bizarre. My head feels foggy, and I can't concentrate. Heavy chest/difficulty breathing. Going to bed at 7:30 because of exhaustion. I feel barely alive. FYI. Chronic migraine sufferer for 15 years. 18 to 15 days per month I have migraines. I have tried most meds, acupuncture, Botox, even medical cannabis. This is NOT the medication for me."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "2nd dose. The first dose I wasn’t sure if it was a relapse of my MS that was making me dizzy, fatigue, short of breath, heart palpitations, space out, and my gut was giving me a little trouble. I’m usually constipated, so it was a change. I didn’t refill the medication until my headaches got unbearable, and I finally bent and retried the Aimovig to see if it was the medication or a flare I was going through. It was definitely the Aimovig. This time, the side effects were much worse. My stomach feels like it’s gnawing on itself, and my brain symptoms are magnified x100. If you have neurological issues, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m going to have to file a complaint with the FDA."

• 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."

• Toe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first Aimovig injection 6 days ago. The injection itself was not unpleasant, however, within two hours of having received Aimovig, I had extreme dizziness, excruciating chest pain, shortness of breath, hives on my face, rash on my stomach, mouth ulcers, body aches and pains, joint pains, stomach cramps, and leg cramps. Not to mention I have had a migraine since the day of the Aimovig. These side effects have not dissipated in 6 days. Hoping they do soon. I will not be trying the medication in the future. The FDA needs to be made aware of all side effects."

• 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."

• 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
• November 23, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I had a reaction, unfortunately. I didn't piece it together at first. Shortness of breath, pain in my gallbladder and pancreas out of the blue. I went in for tests, and nothing could be found. My right kidney began to hurt, and a lymph node in my neck was constantly in pain. The eczema on my hands was out of control. My migraines, however, did clear up. Unfortunately, I couldn't live that way. I made it three months before I realized the Aimovig injections were the issue. I quit taking the injections, but the issues have been slow in resolving. I've been to the emergency room twice with unusual allergic symptoms. All of the nerves in my body are burning at different times. Hives break out where they burn. I've read that it takes up to 22 weeks for the Aimovig shot to leave the system. I'm on prednisone right now. Plus, I'm on an antihistamine, and I have to take Benadryl occasionally. I'm worried about when the prednisone is gone. I was never warned about these side effects."

• EBu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had one injection of Aimovig... for the last month, it is like my immune system is completely suppressed... multiple respiratory infections in the last month, sudden wheezing and shortness of breath (no history of asthma). I have been so sick that I am unable to leave bed and completely did not make the connection with this medication until reading these reviews. Although this drug has reduced my number of migraines, it is not worth it!"

• EBu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had one injection of Aimovig... for the last month, it is like my immune system is completely suppressed... multiple respiratory infections in the last month, sudden wheezing and shortness of breath (no history of asthma). I have been so sick that I am unable to leave bed and completely did not make the connection with this medication until reading these reviews. Although this drug has reduced my number of migraines, it is not worth it!"

• Gen...
• May 1, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Started Aimovig in August. Migraines cut from 25 to 5/6 per month. In January, I experienced shortness of breath, awful muscle pain. I am a runner, but I had difficulty going upstairs. Still waiting for these effects to clear."

• IMS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Aimovig 140 for 8 months. It’s a wonder drug for the migraines. I may get 1-2 a month now (if that). Before, it was almost daily. However, I am now experiencing awful side effects-dizziness, chest and back pain, nausea, shortness of breath about 9 days after the shot. This is the only new drug I am taking, so these side effects have to be a result of it. I have done extensive blood work and everything is clear. Strangely enough, I don’t have the constipation side effect. I have not yet decided whether to stop or not."

• OBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I did not have a successful experience. I would like to go through the side effects that weren't listed: trouble breathing (out of breath), dizziness, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, nausea. Stomach cramps became so bad I ended up not being able to eat for several months. I wish I had never taken Aimovig, it did way more harm than good, in my opinion."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've just taken my 140 mg needle on the 13th of March, and that night I felt muscle spasms in my legs. I also feel bloated constantly and full. I look like I’ve gained 10 pounds in water weight since the 13th, and I feel tired and out of breath."

• EDC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Was on Aimovig for 8 months, and it did reduce my migraines from 20 to 5 per month. However, as each month passed, I began having terrible side effects. I dealt with them because my migraines were better. I began with severe constipation and then heart fluttering, palpitations, shortness of breath, panic attacks, body aches, exhaustion, vision loss, and 20 lb weight gain in my stomach (eating habits not changed). After 3 ED visits, GI doctor visits, and a cardiologist who performed several tests, including a heart cath… my neurologist was not convinced it was Aimovig but put me on Emgality. Fast forward 3 months, and I was suffering the same side effects as Aimovig and increased weight gain in my stomach area. I’ve been off of Emgality now for 3 months, and my abdomen is huge. I’m having an endoscopy this week. I’m wearing my second heart monitor as I write this, as I’m still dealing with heart issues. My health has declined because of these meds, and I’m scared. Run from CGRP blockers."