Fremanezumab and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Opa...
• August 25, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This medication should only be taken by those willing to risk losing 6 months of their lives being homebound. In March 2020, I was prescribed Ajovy. I was told the major concerns were constipation and injection site reaction, which the manufacturer's website stated as well. I took the Ajovy in April & May 2020. In June 2020, I started to experience GI problems, such as bloating, extreme constipation, nausea, heart palpitations, sense of unease, and panic, vertigo, joint pain, and extreme fatigue. Workup with my PCP in August 2020 showed a 20lb weight gain, elevated LFTs, and increased heart rate from my usual baseline. The only change made in lifestyle or meds in 2020 was the Ajovy... I am now suffering 3 months after my last dose and would not wish this on anyone. I started with very high hopes with this medication. However, this medication is MUCH WORSE than the migraines."

• Gha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy has been great at reducing/almost eliminating migraines, however, the weight gain has been 30 lbs in about 1.5 years. The doctors refuse to acknowledge any side effect that is not listed on the insert, of which there are none except for a rash at the injection site. Also, I have strange dizziness. Who really believes that there are no side effects?"

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Ajovy for almost two years. After the first 3 months of injections, I ended up in the ER with severe itching from head to toe. They didn't know why. I continued to take the injections and about 3 months later went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I had really bad dizziness and heart palpitations, along with an abnormal EKG. I stopped the injections until my migraines started again and I couldn’t take the pain. Now I'm having severe muscle and bone pain. It's so bad that my doctor did all kinds of tests - arthritis, lupus, and multiple myeloma tests. They all came back negative. Today, I went for a bone scan with nuclear meds. I haven't received the results yet but I feel that it's due to Ajovy. I have decided to stop these injections. I'm 57 but I feel like I'm 97!"

• Jer...
• February 9, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy was my miracle drug. Chronic Migraine and Cluster Headache days went from 15-20 down to 2-3 and much milder if they did occur. After that first 12 months, (Insurance) I was switched to Aimovig, which had very little effect, and after trying for 2 months, I gave up. Ubrelvy, unfortunately, failed as well. After appealing insurance, Ajovy was approved. Once again back on it, and now my headaches are stabilized for 9 months, which is awesome. But I have since noticed an unexplained weight gain of 15 pounds (I follow a strict ketogenic diet) which I brushed off due to pandemic stress over the last year. I'm also now experiencing chronic fatigue, head pressure, dizziness, restless leg syndrome, panic attacks, and chronic insomnia. I can't help but wonder if it's the Ajovy (CGRP use)? I'm stopping it for a while to see if any of these possible side effects resolve. 15-pound weight gain is one thing, not sleeping at all, and being physically exhausted on a daily basis is another."

• Sas...
• June 30, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines for about 10 years now. They are hereditary, passed down from my mom and grandmother. I started taking Ajovy almost 2 years ago. It has been life-changing for my headaches, however, I'm starting to have crazy symptoms and I am wondering if anyone else has had the same. Extreme dizziness (feels like I'm on a boat rocking), pressure in top of head, hair loss, a little trouble getting the words out of my mouth, a little confusion and terrible anxiety. I've stopped taking Ajovy to see if that could be the culprit, however, I'm only 1 month out and wondering how long this could take to get out of my system? I read Aimovig takes 5 months. I plan to visit the doctor soon, but wondering if anyone has experienced this?"

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "My experience with this drug has been horrific. I injected it 2 weeks ago and have been sick ever since. It has doubled the amount of migraines that I get. I have also had severe dizziness and vertigo, along with heart palpitations and anxiety. It has given me neck and muscle pain as well. I am nauseous and can't sleep. This drug listed no side effects but injection site reaction, which I did not get. I expect to be sick for at least the full month that this drug will be in my system. This is not the miracle drug I was expecting. Teva is definitely not being forthcoming."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "My experience with this drug has been horrific. I injected it 2 weeks ago and have been sick ever since. It has doubled the amount of migraines that I get. I have also had severe dizziness and vertigo, along with heart palpitations and anxiety. It has given me neck and muscle pain as well. I am nauseous and can't sleep. This drug listed no side effects but injection site reaction, which I did not get. I expect to be sick for at least the full month that this drug will be in my system. This is not the miracle drug I was expecting. Teva is definitely not being forthcoming."

• Gan...
• December 10, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "My doctor gave me a sample of Ajovy, and the first month was great. I went from having migraines 5 days a week to only one. The next month, I received a 3-month pack for only $5. Sadly, I had a two-month gap, then I went back on Ajovy, and it no longer had a positive effect. At the end of the 30 days, I started to get very dizzy and somewhat disoriented. The dizziness lasted over a week. Then I took Ajovy again the next month. After three weeks, I started to get very dizzy, and now my blood pressure is elevated, and my face gets numb. I’ve felt terrible for over 2 weeks now. After reading many of the testimonials here, I figured it’s the medication's side effects. I am no longer going to take this medication. I hope I can flush it from my system and will take recommendations on how to detoxify. I ended up searching “Ajovy is making me dizzy,” and that’s how I found this helpful site. Thank you everyone for sharing."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from chronic migraines since I was a teenager and I am 41. I have tried every medication, almost 5 years of Botox, and nerve decompression surgery in NYC over 2 years ago. Migraines have always come back. My neurologist has put me on Ajovy. I have taken 1 dose 3 weeks ago, no change in my headaches, but I have never felt more fatigued in my life! I can easily sleep 14 hours and still take a nap if it’s my day off. I also feel dizzy, constipated, and my hands and feet feel numb and sore at times. I will not be taking the 2nd dose. I normally work out a few times per week but haven’t had any energy to do so. Also, with a busy nursing career I cannot afford to feel so sluggish or dizzy. I really wanted this to work. I am disappointed again. My neurologist was optimistic and also told me the only adverse reaction was at the injection site, very misleading if you ask me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Does anyone here want to start a class action lawsuit against Ajovy? This drug has not been studied enough for side effects. After 2 injections, I refuse to take any more. Like others on this forum, I am so fatigued, I sleep all day. Extremely nauseous so it’s hard to eat anything that’s not bland. I’ve gained 5 pounds. I am very constipated, dizzy, fear I will collapse when I try to go out. I have type 2 bipolar depression and after not having suicidal thoughts for years, I had very serious suicidal thoughts and plans that I managed to talk myself out of. There is a known link between mood disorders and migraines, so I think they should take this more seriously and do more research before treating people like guinea pigs."

• nae...
• May 16, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was told by my neurologist this drug had no side effects. The injection did not hurt, and it did take away the pain and pressure in my head. I didn’t realize until after the 3rd injection that I was having an allergic reaction. After the first one, I had some dark redness on the skin by my eye. I didn’t realize it was from the injection. After the second injection, the redness was worse, but I still didn’t put it together. After the 3rd injection, it was red all around my eyes, swollen underneath my left eye, and my chest and shoulders were red. I thought it was from the COVID vaccine. But then I put it together from the other 2 injections. Then I found the user reviews on here. And I all of a sudden realized... weight gain, bloating badly in the stomach, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, and more were side effects symptoms from Ajovy, and I was thinking those things were caused by something else because I was TOLD BY A NEUROLOGIST THIS DRUG HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS! I am very grateful I had that allergic reaction and had to stop the injections."

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been suffering with migraines since the age of 10. I'm now 36. My first Ajovy injection was in November 2018. I feel like it has cut down my migraines a lot. But every time I inject Ajovy, I feel extremely tired and dizzy for a couple of weeks following the injection. Also, I feel like I'm losing hair and gaining a little weight. I haven't changed my physical activity or eating habits. Is anyone else experiencing this? I tried to tell my Neurologist, but he says there's no way Ajovy is causing this because these are not side effects listed by the company."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Has anyone else experienced nausea so bad that has been going on for over a month. Seriously lost my appetite. Vertigo so bad that it wakes me in the middle of the night several times of spinning with no movements. Anxiety I have never experienced. 3 injections in and I’m done!"

• MBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy 2 months ago - I have done 2 injections. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I was so dizzy all the time since dizzy was not listed in the side effects. Ajovy helped with my migraines, but I always felt a little off. This site was very helpful for me to realize it is the Ajovy causing the dizziness, not me going crazy - and I will not do another injection again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines since childhood. I am 51 and recently started trying different medications for prevention. I took Nortriptyline, Topomax, Emgality, and Ajovy. My biggest issue has been severe constipation, which was solving one problem for another. I usually read and research meds, but I didn't for this one. I took the injection, and within hours, started to feel disoriented and dizzy. I woke the next morning feeling the same, and an hour later, I had a panic attack with rapid heart, chest tightening, uncontrollable crying, and shakes. This came in waves for the next hour, which led me to the ER. It was after I started reading the reviews and saw the percentage of people that had success was lower than all the negative reviews. It's been 2 days, and I am on vertigo meds and Xanax to help manage until this leaves my body. I can't drive due to the dizziness, and I feel out of control with my mind and emotions. After this experience, I will only take tablets. This was worse than any migraine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines since childhood. I am 51 and recently started trying different medications for prevention. I took Nortriptyline, Topomax, Emgality, and Ajovy. My biggest issue has been severe constipation, which was solving one problem for another. I usually read and research meds, but I didn't for this one. I took the injection, and within hours, started to feel disoriented and dizzy. I woke the next morning feeling the same, and an hour later, I had a panic attack with rapid heart, chest tightening, uncontrollable crying, and shakes. This came in waves for the next hour, which led me to the ER. It was after I started reading the reviews and saw the percentage of people that had success was lower than all the negative reviews. It's been 2 days, and I am on vertigo meds and Xanax to help manage until this leaves my body. I can't drive due to the dizziness, and I feel out of control with my mind and emotions. After this experience, I will only take tablets. This was worse than any migraine."

• diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "The neurologist put me on a monthly Ajovy injection after many other meds failed. Was told the main side effects would be soreness at the injection site and a bit of nausea. The experience has been terrible for me. Made me extremely nauseous, dizzy, weak, exhausted, and I've been having tons of pain in my legs, they ache and hurt all the time, even when I'm doing nothing. Leg pain has been so bad it hurts just walking around my home. The doctor did a spine MRI to rule out MS and I'm being referred to a rheumatologist to check for fibro or arthritis. They downplay the side effects, but Ajovy has been awful for me. I'm discontinuing and pursuing Botox."

• Sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy about 9 months ago. This is my 3rd injection. The first 2 injections were kind of tolerable. I had about 85 percent less headaches with the first two injections, but with the 3rd injection, I've been so tired and sleepy, I can barely keep my eyes open. The back of my neck hurts. I'm dizzy and a little off balance. My head hurts more. Not sure what the problem is this time, but I think that the drug's side effects should be reviewed and retested."

• Sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy about 9 months ago. This is my 3rd injection. The first 2 injections were kind of tolerable. I had about 85 percent less headaches with the first two injections, but with the 3rd injection, I've been so tired and sleepy, I can barely keep my eyes open. The back of my neck hurts. I'm dizzy and a little off balance. My head hurts more. Not sure what the problem is this time, but I think that the drug's side effects should be reviewed and retested."

• lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I am so glad that I found this site today, because it reassures me that other people may have had similar experiences. I have had awful migraines for a few years--10 a month at least. After trying all sorts of remedies, my new neurologist recommended Ajovy, and I was really hopeful. I gave myself my second injection 5 days ago. The first month my migraines disappeared for about a week. Yesterday and today I suddenly got vertigo so badly mid-day that I had to lie down and put my feet up (although I don't have a headache today). I am really glad that I am off work and wasn't driving when it happened. My face and hands are tingling and I am having PVCs (I am already being treated for PVCs with medication, but they are strong enough that they are breaking through). I can't be this dizzy and function as a mother and teacher. Unfortunately, I am not taking this stuff again."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was diagnosed with vestibular migraine in 2018. Mostly dizziness, vertigo, mild headaches, etc. I had a bad episode in August 2020, along with a migraine. In September, my neuro gave me a sample injection of Ajovy, which broke the VM cycle and migraine. I was so happy. After a few weeks of being on cloud nine, the following symptoms started: severe back pain, neck pain, bloating, constipation, racing heart and palpitation, agitation, anxiety and panic, joint and muscle pain, fatigue (more than normal with VM), chest pain, difficulty breathing. It takes about 5 months for your body to clear one dose. I have 2 more months. My back still hurts around my kidney area. Adding fuel to the fire, I got Covid-19 at the end of October 2020, which made all the symptoms worse. I'm happy and thankful to God that I'm feeling better. Overall, if you suffer from chronic VM or migraine, I think it is worth a go, no pun intended. It may be very successful for you."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was diagnosed with vestibular migraine in 2018. Mostly dizziness, vertigo, mild headaches, etc. I had a bad episode in August 2020, along with a migraine. In September, my neuro gave me a sample injection of Ajovy, which broke the VM cycle and migraine. I was so happy. After a few weeks of being on cloud nine, the following symptoms started: severe back pain, neck pain, bloating, constipation, racing heart and palpitation, agitation, anxiety and panic, joint and muscle pain, fatigue (more than normal with VM), chest pain, difficulty breathing. It takes about 5 months for your body to clear one dose. I have 2 more months. My back still hurts around my kidney area. Adding fuel to the fire, I got Covid-19 at the end of October 2020, which made all the symptoms worse. I'm happy and thankful to God that I'm feeling better. Overall, if you suffer from chronic VM or migraine, I think it is worth a go, no pun intended. It may be very successful for you."

• Pin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I was given a sample of Ajovy on Wednesday by my doctor. Gave myself the injection Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, I was hit with a wave of absolute exhaustion and slight dizziness. Friday was mostly the same. Woke up this morning (Saturday) with horrible dizziness, which is making me nauseous. I take no other medication, and nothing else has changed. Definitely will not be continuing with this medication, no matter how it works for my migraines. This isn't safe or healthy. I can only hope it works its way out of my system quickly. Is there some way to flush this out?"

• Wob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Within 24 hours of my first injection, I was in a constant state of dizziness. The following day, I was not only dizzy, but nauseous with a horrible migraine and vomiting. That lasted 2 days, I phoned the nurse advise line, and she instructed me to just ride it out. The symptoms began to dissipate, so I thought I was over it. Nay-Nay. Day 7 after the injection, the dizziness has returned, I'm hoping the running to the restroom is not returning as well. I am very anxious to have this medication take its course and leave my body. I've had migraines for 45 years, this has been the worst. I'm happy for those that it does offer relief, I am not one of those. I posted this because these symptoms are not even listed on the packaging, and I want others to know they are not only possible but VERY real. I am unable to score it a negative number, so as you read it, please place a negative in front of the number 1 in your own mind."

• pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I’ll gladly keep my migraines if I can just get this awful drug out of my system. It has only been four days, and side effects seem to be worsening each day. I felt like I was falling asleep immediately after the first shot in the doctor's office. I was told that’s not a side effect when I reported it. I also told her I felt very dizzy and was told it’s in my head. I’ve spent the last 4 days in bed feeling nauseous, depressed, and extremely anxious. I can’t sleep. I can’t function. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and my neurologist told me that wasn’t a concern. Yet, my anxiety and depression are the worst they’ve been in years. I am miserable. Oh, and I have a migraine too. I wish I could get it out of me now because I am terrified of more side effects over the next month."