Erenumab and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 5)

• CT ...
• May 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "47-year-old migraine sufferer for decades and have tried Botox, amitriptyline, venlafaxine, Topamax, with little success over the past decade. Started with a 70 mg dose of Aimovig in Sept 2018, had no improvement, went up to a 140 mg dose of Aimovig in Oct 2018. Still no improvement and actually felt worse. I had significant hair loss, a long-duration cold, and constipation. I stopped Aimovig after Oct 2018 and am still suffering from an almost daily (minor) migraine that doesn't go away in most cases. Usual abortive drugs (rizatriptan, sumatriptan) don't usually work but sometimes take the edge off. My headache pain lessens once I get up and going in the morning but always resurfaces at night. I have the GammaCore (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device) also, and it too can take the edge off after about 6-7 treatments in a row, but it's limited at best. I am back to Botox, but this isn't doing much. My symptoms have lasted for over seven months and I'm very concerned for my health."

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

For Migraine Prevention "Has anyone experienced mood changes and feeling lethargic? I have for sure had the constipation and will be trying a natural remedy to help. This will be my second month, but I'm still getting the usual headaches. Not giving up yet, but my insurance has not approved the RX yet. If they don’t, then I’ll stay on the Imitrex and Advil."

• Avi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have only been on Aimovig for one month for my hemiplegic migraines that I have been suffering from for 15 years. The doctor warned me about the constipation, and that the medication could take a week or two to have effect. Mind you, I have been suffering debilitating migraines with symptoms including slurred speech, tremors, aura, pain, and tingling down one side of the body, blinding pain, increased temper, numbness of the face and tongue. For years, I was eating Excedrin Migraine like it was candy. Within a day for Aimovig, I felt clarity like I hadn't felt in years. I'm on DAY 29 and I got my first headache of the month. I am so happy I could cry. Now, full disclosure, the doctor could have used a word other than 'constipation.' There is some crazy bloating and constipation that happens for the first week. Like someone stuffed your stomach full of sausages, painful to touch, had to get off the treadmill, can't go #2 issues, that they need to work out. But I will take it."

• All...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I went from extreme migraines every single day for months. This was fairly new on the market when I took it. I had 95% recovery from headaches. It was a LIFE SAVER. I now only get headaches once or twice a month, and they are usually towards the end of the month. As far as the constipation side effect, it can be hit or miss, but well worth the results. I recommend everyone who has migraines to try this medication."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Had previously tried everything for chronic migraines, and life was becoming intolerable. Been taking Aimovig for 3 months, and it has almost stopped migraines completely. Constipation becoming a problem - will have to sort out how to prevent that. Overall, delighted that I have my life back from migraines."

• Rub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I used Aimovig for one year. I used my rescue medicine three times in 12 months and never suffered from a severe migraine in that time. It worked great to relieve my migraines, however, the constipation and abdominal bloating became intolerable. Diet changes offer minimal help. After a big meal, food feels like it doesn’t digest for hours. Reluctantly, I discontinued this medication."

• qtp...
• May 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered migraines chronically for the last 20+ years. I typically suffer, on average, 15 migraine days per month. Aimovig is the first drug I've used that reduced the number of migraine days for me. I've been using it since November 2019, and as of May 2019, I've been averaging 5-8 migraine days per month, that is a tremendous improvement. HOWEVER, after using it for several months, I've begun having moderate digestion issues: heartburn, upset stomach/nausea, indigestion, gas/bloating, constipation rotating with having to go ALL the time. It's been getting progressively worse. I saw my neurologist today, and while she said she hadn't had any patients with this set of symptoms, it could be related. Since we're heading into the summer season where I tend to get very few migraines, I'm going to just stop the Aimovig to try and pin down if the other issues then go away."

• sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Aimovig for 7 months and have had about a 50-60% reduction in migraines. I had constipation for the first couple of months, but all good now. Had to up from 70 mg to 140 mg at month six, but it is working great."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Terrible. I felt like I was hit with a truck for 2 weeks after the shot and couldn’t have a bowel motion for 2 weeks. I was so constipated. Others who have side effects should report to FDA. Just Google 'MedWatch Voluntary Reporting Form' and fill it out."

• Bru...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been using Aimovig for six months. I suffered from a bit of constipation in the first month, but nothing that couldn't be handled with over-the-counter medication. It's cut the number of headache days in half and reduced the amount of pain by 70%. I track the amount of pain by assigning each headache a score from one to five, then multiplying the score by the number of hours it lasts. I've been doing this for over five years, so I'm confident these figures are accurate."

• Cab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started my first Aimovig injection February 5th. I took my 2nd March 5th and am due for another April 5th. I was still weaning off Topamax in February. But the side effects have been ridiculous. I have insomnia, rapid heartbeat, stomach issues, constipation, stiff joints, muscle cramps and spasms, leg and arm pain, neck pain and headaches, dizziness/vertigo, hot flashes (day and night), hair loss, chest pains, and my blood pressure had gone up, and it used to be low. It had reduced my migraines, but the side effects are not worth it."

• 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."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Aimovig has worked great for me! I have gone from 3-5 migraine days a week and not being able to work out (exercise is a trigger) to less than 2 migraines a month. I did not get relief until I had taken 2-3 injections. I was at first frustrated it wasn't working more immediately - it was made clear by my neurologist that it can take 3 months to be effective. I did experience some constipation in the first month or two. I took Colace once a day during that time, and pretty soon I became regular again, maybe my body got used to it."

• Gou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have injected 70 mg for 3 months in a row now. Migraines have not been less frequent, but they are less severe and less rebound. Next month, we are going to try a double dose. The only side effect other than constipation is itchy skin... mainly my back and sides. It is awful, and no amount of moisture cream helps. Anyone else have this?"

• Bra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I'm a 58-year-old male. I have been taking it for 3 months. Typically, I have 5-9 migraines a month. I still have about 5 a month on Aimovig. It makes me constipated. I seem to always feel disoriented as well. Like a brain fog, and I don't have the ability to think really clear at times. I also don't have motivation, I'm always tired and want to rest. Everything is a challenge. It has also taken my sex drive away. I'm not going to take it anymore, the side effects are not worth any minor improvement I may have. Hopefully, I can get back to normal soon. This is no better and makes days without migraines have problems."

• Lel...
• July 31, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took Aimovig in Feb 2019 after not responding to preventive meds, including Botox. I had 2 (70mg) injections. I was nauseated, had heart palpitations, intense itch on feet, and felt like I had the flu after the injection. My migraines got worse from 12-15 monthly to almost daily. Migraines did not respond to triptans, promethazine, or CBD, but abortives worked once Aimovig cleared my system in about 45 days. I had the worst constipation and foul gas - used stool softeners. I got random migraines after avoiding triggers. I had about 4 hours of sleep at night (week 1-2). My hair fell out, and I had to cut my hair (week 2-3). My period became irregular with a 60-day cycle, and it has been irregular since. It appears the trials excluded people who failed most preventives. Did anyone gain weight? 5 pounds of unexplained weight. Other issues include sciatica pain, pain in inner thighs, fatigue, and stinky gas! Does Aimovig increase phosphates in blood? My last test showed elevated phosphates."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Severe fatigue set in about a week after my first (and last) injection, followed by near panic attacks if I pushed myself, so having to lay low. Both physically and cognitively slow-moving slowly and some difficulty with comprehension and memory problems. Problems with losing my train of thought in conversation. Not sure if I'll be able to work until this gets out of my system. Also, constipation, bloating."

• Pre...
• September 6, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I injected my 140 mg trial dose in July, 70 mg on Aug 7. Still not getting relief. I cannot take other preventatives. They make me ill and are, at best, ineffective. Botox stopped working. Abortive meds help, but not like they used to. I developed an upper respiratory virus after being on the medication for 1 1/2 months. This is a known side effect, but I'm not sure if it is related in my case. Constipation is treated by Miralax. I find injecting easy, and the slight burning is heaven compared to migraine. You must be sure to hold the syringe firmly, or it will spill. I had my first migraine at age 53 post-menopause. It became daily almost immediately. I am now 67, and no cause was found, so the jury is still out till I complete my 3rd month at the end of Sept."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Great reduction in my migraines. Only side effect was minor constipation in the first few months. I went from severe 15-plus migraines a month to maybe 1 or 2 mild migraines usually caused by weather or lack of sleep. Love it."

• Sis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve had a decrease overall with the migraines on the 70 mg, however, I can no longer deal with the constipation, bloating, hemorrhoids, and depression. I’m trying to lose weight for another procedure. This drug works for migraines, no doubt, but these side effects are killing my stomach. Last month, toward the end of the shot, I was somewhat back to normal. Now I’m back to how it was all last month. No more for me."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Aimovig has been very helpful for my migraines. I use Miralax to help with the side effect of constipation. However, I have begun having significant hair loss within a couple of weeks of starting this injectable medication. I am on my second injection now. The hair loss is becoming overwhelming!"

• Ebr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "If you suffer from constipation, DO NOT take Aimovig!!! I now only have a bowel movement every 5-8 days, and that’s with Miralax, and now I also have hemorrhoids, and the GI doctor can't see me for a month. My migraine doctor told me before and after this medicine that it would not cause constipation, LIES!"

• edd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Been dealing with migraines for over 15 years (male, 70 years old) and have been taking various meds that are not mainly for migraines but other issues. Since using Aimovig, I have seen a big reduction in my migraines but have noticed some constipation. Hopefully, my system will adjust. I think I have read other reviews with the same side effects."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This medicine is a game changer for me. I've been on it for about 8 months now. The severity of my migraines is very mild, manageable, and short-lived. I tend to get less for the most part. This medicine is working great for me, and the only side effect I have is occasional constipation, which is helped with some Miralax. I'll take it!"

• Tya...
• August 15, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first injection (70 mg) on 07/30. I have been a migraine sufferer since I was 6 years old. I have malignant hypertension and experience chronic daily headaches and migraines about 3 times a week. An hour after I gave myself the Aimovig injection, I took my blood pressure. It was 133/72. I have NEVER had a blood pressure this low in the past 27 years. I've only had one migraine since then. The only difference is that I was nauseated versus actually throwing up. The migraine only lasted a day. I am pleased with the results so far. I did experience constipation. My chronic daily headaches have become very mild and allow me to function as if I didn't have a headache. Even if the injection didn't work for my migraines, I would still take it just for the reduction of my blood pressure. I am extremely excited about this medication."