Aimovig and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Blo...
• August 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve had migraines for over 9 years - 30 days a month. After Botox, they decreased to 15 days a month. I began Aimovig 1 year ago. After dose #1 (70 mg), the headaches stopped, but I had severe constipation and fatigue requiring treatment. After dose #2, I had muscle cramps and spasms 24/7. At 6 months, I started 140 mg doses. Three days after my first 140 mg dose, I had a severe rash with hives, blisters/skin sloughing, severe joint pain, stiff fingers, wrists, feet, muscle cramping/spasms worsened, constipation, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, excessive bruising, neck pain and jaw stiffness, insomnia, and swelling of hands, face, lips, and extremities began within 1 week of the 140 mg dose. I was given steroids, antihistamines, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and pain meds with minimal improvement. With a misdiagnosis of 'poison ivy', I continued the Aimovig. Symptoms got worse. A timeline revealed the symptoms correlated to the doses. I have been unable to work. I'm off Aimovig, but symptoms may last 5 months until it clears from my system."

• DCa...
• September 21, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Took my first dose on August 13th. I average 18-20 migraine days per month, so I was really hoping for this to be a miracle treatment, and I think it actually is reducing the number of headaches per month, but I do not think I can handle the trade-off. For the first month, I experienced extreme constipation for two weeks, so I called my physician who recommended taking Miralax three times a day. I did that for a few days, and then my system turned, and I started experiencing extreme diarrhea to the point that I thought I had a stomach virus or flu, aching, bloating, very sick. I had one week of a relatively normal gastrointestinal system before my second dose arrived. Second dose on September 13th. I never had the constipation, skipped directly to stomach virus/flu-like symptoms, and have been in that state for six days. I am maintaining a dull headache typically associated with something like the flu, not a migraine, along with body aches and general fatigue."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Please beware! I'm on my 3rd week from 1st Aimovig injection. This drug has already cut my migraines in half, however, the side effects are unbearable! 1. Horrible ringing in the ears that doesn't go away. 2. When I do get a migraine, it is the worst I've ever had, feels like I'm going to stroke out. My Imitrex/sumatriptan does nothing... no longer works for some reason, and I've been on it for 20 years with no problem. 3. Joint pain, legs feel like jello when I walk. 4. Extreme fatigue! 5. Constipation (that was the only thing listed). I am told it takes 5 months for this drug to leave your body."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I am a 79-year-old female who has suffered from migraine headaches for over 35 years and tried everything that neurologists had to offer. One month ago, a neurologist suggested Aimovig and gave me a 140 mg sample. I took the injection the next day; two days later, my blood pressure zoomed to 201/110. I was ambulanced to an ER and treated. After multiple urgent care and doctor visits for help, I remain non-functional. I continue to suffer from debilitating migraines, constipation, nausea, vertigo, hypersensitivity, fatigue, etc. I called the national Amgen number for help and learned that Aimovig would be at its lowest in my system in 5 1/2 months. When asked when it would be out of my system altogether, the response was that that factor was unknown. How frightening! Why hasn't the FDA pulled Aimovig off the market? All Aimovig sufferers should form a class action lawsuit against this life-threatening drug. Count me a charter member!"

• Juj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This was the worst thing I’ve ever done. I started Aimovig a year and a half ago. About a week after taking it, I started with the worst abdominal pain and constipation. It just got worse and worse. Now, a year and a half later, I’m stuck taking Linzess every night. If I don’t take it, I am left with awful abdominal pains, bloating, and constipation. When this drug first came out, it said it may cause “mild constipation.” Now the ad says it “may cause severe constipation.” I had no idea it would ruin my gut forever. DO NOT TAKE THIS. The side effects are horrid. I want to sue them."

• Ama...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have used Aimovig 70 mg for one year. My side effect symptoms or problems have progressively worsened over the last six months. Terrible bloating, constipation, nausea, pain behind my eyes with blurred vision, hair loss, and overall feelings of yuck! Initially thought it was a wonder drug because my migraines have stopped completely, but the side effects are miserable and not worth it."

• Spi...
• May 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered with migraines for over 41 years. I used Aimovig 70 mg for 3 months. This was my price tag for a slight and almost negligible improvement: 1. 1st injection, within 3 hours in the hospital for migraine rescue. 2. Next day, partial blindness in my right eye. That migraine caused a 'leak' in my retina. 3. Constipation! And diarrhea - EXTREMELY painful cramping!! 4. Lactose intolerance develops (NEVER had issues with dairy before). 5. Flu/cold lasting 3 weeks (sore throat). 6. Gained 18 lbs in three months of use!! 7. Fatigue, low energy. 8. Muscle cramp from shoulder up to the back of the neck lasting 3 weeks. 9. Kidney stones, UTI, lower back pain. 10. Brain fog, depression, don't-care feeling. 11. Nausea. 12. Memory loss! Migraines are debilitating. So if the objective is just to improve migraine status … I can concede that it did a little bit … but if it is to improve quality of life … then Aimovig (for me) is a FAIL!"

• Hex...
• February 6, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I started Aimovig in October 2019. December 2019 was my last dose for a few reasons. First off, my migraine days per month subsided significantly. I'm 38 years old and have had migraines since at least age 12. I get Botox and have my headache days cut from 25 to roughly 12. By December, on Aimovig, I was down to two headaches. I could not recall what it was like to have head pain under control. Side effects were too much and too concerning. In December, immediately following my last injection, I started getting severely dizzy, disoriented, and detached. I couldn't focus. It lasted for hours. Looking back, each month I had these types of effects, but less severe. The constipation became so severe with no relief. I have anxiety and panic attacks, but after the first month's injection, they were so severe. My normally low BP also spiked. My chest hurt often. It's almost like a tease to have the migraine pain more tolerable, but then the rest of your body falls apart."

• Boo...
• June 3, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I just took this 2 days ago, so I can’t say if it completely works to prevent migraines yet. I absolutely have no energy, and I’m super spacey. I read the reviews for this medication after the injection, and I’m kicking myself now. I listened to my doctor, who told me that the only side effect was constipation. From what I’m reading, people about 10 days after taking this medication have severe fatigue. Well, I’m only 2 days out, and can’t keep my eyes open barely to write this review. I have a 2-year-old toddler, and this has been difficult, so I can’t imagine how the rest of the month will be. I’m regretting this decision so much. I normally have slight fatigue because I have a toddler, so if you normally feel a little fatigue, then my suggestion would be not to take this drug. The first day after taking it, I had a migraine all day long. Normally, I have them at night. Today it’s severe fatigue. I’d rather take other medication than deal with this for a month! Never again!"

• NTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The good, the bad, and the ugly after 5 months of trial 70 mg. The good: literally took 99 percent of migraines away. I had been having migraines repeatedly for years, using tons of Imitrex, and Aimovig does take away migraines. The bad: constipation, body rash after one of the injections, weight and appetite loss, and hair loss. The ugly!! Severe unexplainable tremors, jerking shock-like movements, anxiety, muscle pain, back pain, tingling, numbness, flu-like symptoms, spinal pain! Never taking again. I am hoping the side effects wear off. No medical explanation for my symptoms, all happened after injections. Thought I was dying. I finally figured out what’s changed: the Aimovig. Would rather suffer with migraines!"

• Zoe...
• March 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Been doing 140 mg monthly since May or June 2018. I’m having major side effects. It lumps up like a bubbling pot of water at the injection site, it itches so bad I left bruises on my thighs scratching at it through my pants. Later on in the month, perfectly circular hives pop up at the injection site, driving me nuts. Hair loss so significant my parents noticed the amount of hair in the shower, clogging my drain every week. Muscle aches, muscle spasms. Worse migraines. Much worse. Last one had me screaming my head off. I’ve had migraines for 21 years now. Constipation, weight gain, bloating, depression. I really feel like it’s making me worse. I always end up in a series of migraines during the first week after injections. I’m done. I tried. I know when something isn’t working. I’m an RN, so I know when I have problems with medicine and I’m much more alert to my health and meds than most. This was written during a migraine, so if it doesn’t make sense, sorry."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken Aimovig for between 6-8 months. The migraines improved tremendously, but I have had more fatigue, not feeling well, and after the last injection over three weeks ago, almost a nonstop headache, burning hands and feet. I have taken Frovatriptan and Sumatriptan during this time, but the headache always comes back. If you take the Aimovig, be aware of the side effects which I have had and others too: constipation, fatigue, prolonged headache, burning of hands and feet."

• Jus...
• May 12, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "On Aimovig, I have had a very positive experience as far as my migraine days go. However, my side effects keep building. I started with my 140 mg dose in January. At first, my side effect was that I was constipated, but now I can't poop at all. Teas used to help, but now they don't. Long story short, my side effects since starting the Aimovig injections are I'm retaining water, anxious, congested, tachycardia, muscle cramping (shoulders, lower back, thighs the most), PLUS the constipation. Just wondering now if Aimovig is worth it."

• Tar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "After 2 months on Aimovig, I’ve sadly decided to discontinue this medication. The drug worked amazingly well in preventing migraines, from which I’ve suffered since age 17. However, by the second month of administration, I realized my side effects of extreme lack of energy, lightheadedness, constipation, bloating, and weight gain are attributed to this medication. I definitely think more post-marketing research needs to be done by the company. It’s truly a shame because Aimovig worked perfectly in preventing my migraines, but the side effects definitely outweigh the benefits."

• Diz...
• February 8, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I received my first dose of Aimovig and had the worst migraine ever, which ended me up in the ER. After the injection that my doctor gave me, I was dizzy for a day, and then the migraine came. Now I have pain in my temples, I'm very dizzy, and my legs feel weak. I never had symptoms like this before. I am so upset that the doctor told me the side effects were leg cramps and constipation. I will NEVER go back to this doctor again, as I feel she misled me. I would have never taken this injection if I saw this site before my visit with the doctor. The dizziness is crazy, and I've had to take a lot of time off from work."

• Ach...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Side effects have been very bad: lower back pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, fatigue. About a week after taking the injection, I had one of the most severe migraines I've ever experienced. Previously they were cluster headaches, but this was intense pain all around my head, even at the base of my skull. I understand Aimovig has worked for some, but would advise trying all other options first. From what I've read here, many others have also had serious side effects."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I only had two doses and am discontinuing Aimovig. I started feeling fatigue, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, blurred vision, increased anxiety, heart palpitations, shakiness in chest, eye pressure/pain, and a crazy upper respiratory infection/sinusitis with fever started. I am on the second round of antibiotics, and that's finally clearing up. There is no other explanation for all these side effects to come on all at once. I was told by my neurologist that the ONLY side effect was constipation, which can be an issue since I take a double dose of iron daily for anemia-I didn’t notice that getting any worse. Go figure. After doing my own research and finding that so many other people were reporting these same side effects, I decided to stop. My migraines are hormonal but can be triggered by stress. Since my stress level is way down, I was only getting one or two migraines per month. Now, like so many others, I’m waiting for this scary new drug to be out of my system!"

• Nom...
• August 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been using this drug for 4 months and have no more migraines and no side effects other than constipation - using Miralax for that - previously had 15 migraines per month and now possibly 2 per month which I take an Aleve - my neurologist in FL did a 6-year study of the drug in his office and told me up front about the constipation. He did require a brain MRI, EEG, and complete blood work before I could start and told me the amount of migraines I was having were no way to live - I was living on Imitrex and Compazine - always having or getting over a migraine - rarely had a week off - I couldn’t plan trips, golf games, a night out as I was never sure when a migraine would strike, some lasting up to 5 days - please give this drug a try, it has changed my life - I am otherwise healthy and work out daily - no weight gain, hair loss, fever, chills, or insomnia - good luck to all, it’s not an easy road being a migraine sufferer -"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I took my third injection of 140 mg on September 4th. My last Botox was in August. I have had a solid migraine since taking the Aimovig. The migraine is not on the right or left of my head, but it is coming up from the back of my neck to the top of my head. I have felt and sounded like I have a bad congested cold, and I have had a urinary tract infection. My energy is zero, I am so fatigued. There are definitely more side effects than constipation, and they need to list them. Constipation is definitely a side effect, but not the only one. I believe the 140 dose was too much. I will definitely go back to 70 mg in October and try that. God bless you all. Praying for all that suffer."

• All...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken 6 or 7 injections. My doctor tells me over and over that my new side effects have nothing to do with the injections, but I really do not believe her. Besides severe exhaustion, constipation, and vertigo, I also have very long menstrual periods. Does anyone else experience period changes?"

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was concerned about trying this medication because constipation was a potential side effect, but I thought I could just add more fiber. Wrong. This drug made me so constipated that I had a bowel obstruction. I still am not back to normal weeks after taking this drug, and it did nothing for my migraines. I'm only talking about me – I can't talk about anybody else – but I wish that I never took this."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Aimovig brought my migraine frequency down to almost zero. However, the side effects were awful. The worst being constipation. I haven't taken an injection in over a month, and the constipation still persists. So much so, I have to see a gastroenterologist. If you use this medication, beware the side effects can be severe."

• Cdm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "After taking for 9 months, I have decided to stop the Aimovig due to severe constipation, weight gain, bloated abdomen, and these awful body spasms. I am not on any meds but my migraine pills, so the Aimovig is to blame."

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Aimovig since August 2019. I started with 6 months at 70 mg, then moved up to 140 mg (taken once and due for my next dose in a couple of days). I have gone from 20-25 migraines a month down to about 4-6. I am even able to enjoy things that used to trigger my migraines -- drinking a small amount of alcohol, staying out in the sun, eating chocolate, etc. I have experienced the side effect of constipation, but easily remedied with MiraLAX until my system adjusted. I did experience some hair loss, but that also went back to normal hair loss at 6 months, and I even have a lot of regrowth now (was checked by a dermatologist to be sure). I feel badly for those for whom this medication did not work, but I've had great success with it."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Aimovig in May. It was really cutting down on my migraines, but the other side effects were terrible. When I first started, the only side effect listed was constipation. I have been to the doctor and had several tests ran checking my thyroid, rheumatoid factor, hemoglobin, but everything seemed to be OK. I had severe fatigue, joint pain in my hands and knees, brain fog, weight gain, depression, you name it. I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I was due to take it nine days ago again, but I held off to do more research. I have been reading that other people have been having similar symptoms. I think I will go back to having migraines several times a month. It has got to be better than what I am experiencing now. Today is the first day I actually had a little bit of energy and was able to look up some of the other people's side effects. I would not recommend this drug."