Erenumab and Anxiety: 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?!"

• 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."

• Mim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Aimovig 70 mg in July 2018 and continued until May 2019. I believe it has reduced my migraine episodes to fewer migraine days, but it also has numerous side effects that have not been reported. I believe this medication has caused me to have significant cognitive dysfunction/impairment, along with significant fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, brain fog, confusion, loss of appetite, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, neck, and shoulder pain. I feel as if I’m in a constant dream-like, more like nightmare-like state all the time. I will see my neurologist soon, but I cannot continue to take this medication. I pray it has not caused permanent damage. I’m happy for those of you who have had success, but I caution you to be aware of your symptoms. At first, I thought this was a lifesaver. Now I’m wondering if I’ll make it through to the next day. Consult your doctors as soon as possible should you experience anything similar or FDA. They all need to hear from us."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The first shot I took was 140 mg. It seemed to help. The second shot was 70 mg, had similar results but I started having anxiety and depression. I'm 65 and never had an issue before. I thought I was just going through a rough time in life because of life events. I took a 3rd dose of 70 mg. Things got worse. I became afraid to cross bridges, saw shadows of things, had 3 minor car accidents (had a perfect driving record for 35 years). I just literally didn't see the cars and objects. I stopped the drug. It's been one year, and I have never been back the same as before. I was extremely high functioning, now my mind can't focus. Something happened and I fear it's permanent, it's now a new way of life. It's not a proven drug, long-term side effects are still unknown. I'd do anything to get my old life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I suffer from 25 migraines per month. I tried Aimovig on a trial basis for 4 months. I do have Raynaud's syndrome, so my feet and hands are always cold, however, the symptoms increased to finger numbness. I also had extreme mood swings, more so depression and elevated anxiety, for which I also take medication. The anxiety has been tremendous! Also, I had 2 rounds of antibiotics due to intestinal inflammation, 2 CT scans with radiation dye tests that were negative. I am so disappointed by this medication, as none of my symptoms were listed as side effects for this medication. I'd rather suffer migraine pain than have the severe hopelessness I've experienced, as well as severe bloating that was initially diagnosed as diverticulitis! I was hospitalized for a week and misdiagnosed! Does anyone know how long it takes for symptoms to go away once stopping Aimovig?"

• 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."

• Sev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I don't want to discourage anyone from trying this medication. Like others, we will try anything and everything to get rid of the pain. I have, I guess, a cross between NDPH and chronic migraine. I have had a headache nonstop for over years now. It's believed to be caused by untreated Lyme disease. Anyhow, I took my first shot on Sept 1st. Within hours, I felt, well, disconnected from my body. I didn't feel good at all. I have continued to get more and more side effects every day. Muscle aches and pains, brain fog, anxiety, word jumbling, forgetting things easily. Just an overall feeling of not feeling good. Like the tail end of a flu. Like you can function, but you just don't feel well. Tired, fatigued, weak, etc. So needless to say, I won't try this again. Plasma half-life is 28 days. I can't wait for all this medication to get out of my system. Best wishes to all."

• 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!"

• Beb...
• September 15, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines for 30 years. I’m 43 now. 11 years ago, I began Topamax, and it worked miracles for me. Until I had 5 kidney stones in 7 months. Started Aimovig 4 months ago. I didn’t notice a difference until month 2, and my “small” headaches were gone. The big ones still came about 3 times a month. I didn’t have a problem with constipation, but I began to have increased anxiety that I couldn’t get on top of. This week, I rushed to the ER with terrible sudden abdominal pain. ER docs tend to treat and street (I work in hospital administration). I had not done much research before Aimovig, now that I am reading this, the sleeplessness, anxiety, and chest pains when I lie down, it’s probably the Aimovig. I wanted so bad for it to work. It’s worth a try if you can’t tolerate triptans, but be cautious. I have a great neurologist, but she is all in on Aimovig. Be careful when you try it. Keep up a headache/side effect journal."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!!!"

• 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."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I got a sample of this from my neurologist (my insurance has since rejected my prescription, even though I have tried multiple preventatives). I was already going through a bad period of migraines, so I wasn’t surprised when I didn’t get instant relief. The first week was neither better nor worse than my normal migraines. However, about a week after getting the injection, I started having migraines with symptoms I’ve rarely or never had. Like many on this board, I’ve had all sorts of nerve pain and tingling, mostly on my left side (where my symptoms normally present) as well as on my face. I’ve also experienced a cold menthol-like sensation all along my left side. Additionally, I’ve had a racing heartbeat and anxiety for the last few weeks, which is also very unusual for me. I saw my general practitioner just to run these sensations by her and assure myself it’s not something more serious. I guess it’s probably for the best my insurance won’t cover it."

• Doo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "First injection after 2 weeks, I went 10 days without a migraine. Week 1 after the 2nd injection, extreme fatigue started. After 2 weeks, strange tingling, numbness in hands, a weakness in forehead muscles that control my eyebrows. Then the following week, arm cramps, pain in legs and thighs, weakness and constant tremoring in jaw muscles, topped with anxiety attacks, scary memory loss and brain fog, loss of appetite and sick feeling when I force myself to eat. It has been 30 days since the 2nd injection, and these effects are still going strong. I'm hoping these effects start to leave soon because I am scared that I have a serious neurological disease after all of this. I will not be using this stuff again. It did reduce headaches, but I don't think it was an even trade for the way that I feel. I hope this drug works for other migraine sufferers, but for me, I wish I had never used it."

• SBo...
• September 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took two 70 mg doses for chronic daily headaches and felt even worse. No constipation or respiratory issues, but extreme hair loss and tremors/anxiety. My wedding is next month, and I have no idea what to do with what’s left of my hair."

• Eri...
• June 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "41 yo. male: 10+ years of static headache with 10-15 spikes per month (blurred vision, tremor, anxiety, intestinal pain, sinus pain). Also T1 diabetic/hypothyroid, so I have really never known the true origin of my headaches. I am 40 days into the treatment on Aimovig 70 mg. Both injections have caused me the worst migraine of my life, where I could not even fake it. Now, this morning, 6 days after injection 2, it is gone and I am clearer than I have been in 11 years. I am hoping that the initial migraines yield to at least a few days of migraine-free days, time will tell. I am at a point where I might be 'okay' with having a really bad headache that lasts almost a week if it gives me clear headache-free days. I am also using less opiates than ever. Now there is at least some hope I can get back to more of my old voracious self. I also now have a numb/painful thigh that is not the site of the injection."

• old...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Not yet confirmed if these are side effects of Aimovig. I have bad constipation, blood pressure spikes, severe anxiety, headaches each morning (not migraines), tinnitus is worse, chest pressure/pain. Went to ER and nothing found; not taking this again even though I have only had one minor migraine. It’s barely been a month since the first injection. Not continuing."

• aur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first dose of 140 mg in January. The next day was one of the worst migraines I've had in years. Two days later, muscle spasms started, and I was in constant pain for about a week. It was worse than the flu. After that, the muscle spasms subsided. I have IBS with diarrhea, so the medicine has not caused any constipation. I started to see an improvement in my migraine frequency in the third week, but when I get a migraine, it's much worse than before. I took my second dose yesterday, and the muscle spasms started within a few hours. I was feeling jittery, and my chest felt tight, but that has passed. I'm extremely fatigued now. I'll update after a week or so."

• Mic...
• April 24, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The night of the injection, I didn't sleep at all (I have insomnia, but it became worse). My nose was dripping like a tap, and I spent 3 weeks on the couch with flu-type symptoms. Depression came on, and I cried uncontrollably for days. I have constipation, it made my IBS worse, and I have muscle pains in my back and neck. My migraine pain escalated for a few days to a level I haven't experienced in 6 years, and movement was torture, which isn't normal for me. I have more pressure-type pain on a daily basis. I don't feel like myself and feel anxious. My insomnia is worse. For me, this drug was not a good fit, and I won't be taking a second injection. I am hoping that things will revert back to normal once this has left my system. I am worried that my migraine pain will stay elevated. I wish that I had been one of the lucky ones for whom this has worked, but unfortunately, this was not the case. I had to give it a try, though, and now I have my answer."

• Tam...
• June 13, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first injection on June 2nd, it was the 140 mg injection. About 3-4 days later, I started getting lightheaded and dizzy. Wasn’t too bad at first, but as of today, June 11th, I had to grab onto something at least 3 times because I got so dizzy that I thought I was going to pass out. As I sit here writing this, I am lightheaded, have a buzzing in my ears, and have head pressure. I have severe panic and anxiety, and these issues are making it much worse. Also, this medication has not helped my migraines. If anything, it’s worse. These symptoms could be something else altogether (Lord, I hope not), but I’m thinking the medicine may have amplified issues. I won’t be taking Aimovig again. What I don’t understand is why none of these symptoms are mentioned, yet there are many who have experienced the same issues while receiving an injection. The nurse that gave me the injection told me the only side effect is constipation. Obviously not."

• Tbi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "My neurologist recommended Aimovig for my vestibular migraines. Within 48 hours of taking my first injection, the nightmare side effects began. My anxiety became much worse, and I started having severe panic attacks. I had shortness of breath, dizziness, hallucinations, a feeling of impending doom, and feeling like I was going to die. I now have insomnia, which I never had before taking Aimovig. After 3 days on Aimovig, I had severe constipation, cramping, and indigestion. I wish I had never tried Aimovig. It is now 2 months after my first (and only) injection, and I’m still struggling with severe anxiety and had a recent visit to the ER for chest pains, shortness of breath, extremely high blood pressure, and heart rate. I can’t wait to have this drug completely out of my system so I can get my life back."

• Air...
• June 21, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "The first time I took this was over a year ago and was the 70 mg injection. All it did was make my head hurt worse for a few days, and then that was it, no other side effects. My neurologist suggested it again, and I told him I didn’t like how it made me feel last time, but he said you have to take it for at least three months to see if you get results, so I took it on May 3, 2021, and didn’t have any problems until two weeks after when it became like a nightmare. I’ve had severe insomnia, ringing in the ears, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. Also, it feels as if my head has pressure on top of it and I have dizziness that is horrible. I don’t feel like myself because of this drug, it’s been a bad year for me to begin with because I had to have a neck fusion surgery with two discs removed. I’ve tried too many procedures that didn’t help and made my headaches worse, and now this stuff, Aimovig, that I put into my body was the last straw."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Two days after the first dose, this drug has changed the quality and reduced the severity of my chronic migraine, but side effects have been worse than the migraines. I have a weird new chemical-feeling anxiety that deep breathing won’t touch, new tightness in my chest and head, and nausea when I run. Pooping has started feeling like forcing bricks through a hole, and I now see blood on the toilet paper afterward. I feel poisoned. I wish that I could get this drug out of my system. I will never take it again."

• Ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "This is the worst. I have taken 3 injections and never again! I have had bad constipation. I feel so much more anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. This drug should have more warning to people about the side effects. They say it takes a while to get out of your system, and I hope that it will be soon. I feel like a totally different person, it’s not good. Wish I’ve never put this stuff in my body."