Fremanezumab and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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."

• MGr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I inherited mind-blowing migraines from my grandmother. Since I was 16, I have had 2 a week that leave me helpless in the ER or suffering for 20 hours straight at home. I got tired of taking Imitrex and other harsh medications and refused taking beta-blockers for prevention. I had to push my Neuro to try Ajovy, almost like he didn't believe in it. For me to go online and post about anything, it has to be life-changing. Ajovy has completely removed my migraines. In 7 months of injections, I have yet to get one single migraine. I have pushed my boundaries with all my triggers to test the drug and to my surprise, I can now drink alcohol, eat chocolate, and anything else under the sun. I really got my life back and even basic menstrual headaches are very mild and managed with Advil. Whoever invented this drug should be proud. This was the best decision I have ever made."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken one Ajovy injection, continue to have headaches, but moreover, the body aches and joint pain are horrendous! No more injectable medication for me, as there is no way to stop the side effects. Definitely not for me."

• mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines for over 20 years, which have been kept under control with the highest dose of propranolol until I hit the dreaded menopause. Since then, my life has been unbearable. I've been put on the highest dose of amitriptyline, and the side effects are horrendous and didn't help migraines. Topiramate's highest dose didn't stop migraines either. Candesartan 20 mg helped a bit, but I still suffered from severe migraines. Now on Candesartan and the first injection of Ajovy. Worst combination. Migraines have increased in severity and frequency, I can't sleep, and electric shock pains in my head and thunderclap pain is 0 to 10. Neck pain, jaw pain, heavy puffy eyes, pressure in the head, dizziness, low mood. The list goes on and on. I'm at my wit's end. My neurologist wants me to take a second dose, however, my GP does not agree. I don't want the second dose, I can't work, can't function, and am in constant pain. No empathy from a neurologist. Seems to think I'm just to get on with it."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Like someone else has commented...nightmares. It's so strange. After one dose of this, I'm unable to have a good night's sleep. I now have these high anxiety nightmares. I wake feeling emotionally drained, anxious, and worn out. Also, I experienced an increase in my PVCs. I'm really upset that this is in my system for a month. I'm still getting headaches. I wish I never got it."

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Side effects included numbness in legs below the knee, blurred vision, and scaly dry skin on the face. Headaches lessened considerably, but I discontinued use after the 4th shot due to worsening side effects. I find it troubling that my neurologist said with confidence that this medication carried with it no side effects, and the website claims the side effects are very mild. This was not my experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "The side effects of Ajovy were far worse than my migraines. This medication got rid of my migraines, but I suffered two weeks of serious medical issues from the shot — intense fatigue, confusion, headache, muscle soreness, inability to concentrate, difficulty verbalizing, emotional instability, inability to read, watch TV, or work on a computer for more than a short time. I've had to recover from a concussion before, and this felt similar to those neurological difficulties, but more pronounced. My mother flew out to care for me for a week. And I had to get a brain MRI to ensure there wasn't a tumor or some other cause for my sudden symptoms. This medication worked — it was the first time in over a decade I went four weeks without a migraine. But the cost was immense. I would not use this drug again, and I hope others are warned of the unlisted side effects found in these reviews."

• 19y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 8, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on Ajovy when my insurance would no longer cover Emgality. I had no issues with Emgality besides a small rash around the injection site. I was on Emgality for 4 months and on Ajovy for 2 months. The first Ajovy injection went fine-some fatigue, but I was already used to that. Around two hours after my second Ajovy injection, I started feeling awful. I felt weak, my joints around my neck and upper back were stiff and painful. I then got a migraine-worse than any other migraine I’ve ever experienced. My rescue med, rizatriptan, which always settles my migraines at least a bit, did not touch this migraine. For a few days straight and then on and off still (it’s been over 2 weeks), I’ve had awful headaches keeping me from being able to get out of bed. My eyesight became incredibly blurry for 5 days, and I couldn’t read my screen. I can't stay awake during the day and can’t sleep at night. I will never do another Ajovy injection."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had one injection of Ajovy in June. I had very severe dizziness and balance issues. Depression and anxiety very bad (I have been on meds for bipolar for 12 years). I decided not to do the second month of injection. Just mild headaches. I think since I am a small person in size that this amount of the drug is too high for me. Also, I am in physical therapy, and it helps with the balance problems. I see the neurologist in August, wary of saying yes to the 2nd one. Also, I have severe neck pain too. Thanks for all the information on this site."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I took 2 injections 4 weeks apart. Within 5 days, I had extreme anxiety, fatigue, lack of concentration, felt utterly depressed, and daily headaches. My neurologist said Ajovy has no side effects, so I believed it was a coincidence. I took the 2nd injection 4 weeks later and have since had a few panic attacks, one of which happened in the hospital while waiting to see the neurologist. They advised I stop using it, and it should take 5 months to get out of my system. I have been signed off work for the first time ever. Please think long and hard about using this, once it is injected, there is no going back."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Firstly, thank you everyone for your feedback, it has helped me enormously where doctors have not. It's criminal how they and the drug companies dole out these medicines without proper testing or disclosure. I took my first dose 3 days ago. First day: lots of anxiety, crying, horrible tension headache, hunger, and extreme fatigue. Second day: worsening by the hour to near suicidal thoughts (I suffer from depression, but it was under control and actually really good lately). Third day: starting to feel better, but swollen lump under my left eye, bloating, heartburn, hunger, and tiredness still here. I hope it won't take several weeks to get this out of my system. I also will NOT be taking any further doses!"

• Sea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this since the very beginning of the year. A few days (3-4) after taking the monthly dose, I've gotten thrush orally. I've never had it before. There was an issue with a prior authorization for my insurance where I basically waited 2 months before I could take a dose where I didn't get thrush. But when I started again a month ago, I got it again, and here I am now, writing about it with thrush. I'm just scared because how/why there are no side effects that report this. Other than that, though, it's great, except last month I did have an increase in headaches, and I found out that discontinuing, you're more likely to develop rebound headaches."

• Sea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this since the very beginning of the year. A few days (3-4) after taking the monthly dose, I've gotten thrush orally. I've never had it before. There was an issue with a prior authorization for my insurance where I basically waited 2 months before I could take a dose where I didn't get thrush. But when I started again a month ago, I got it again, and here I am now, writing about it with thrush. I'm just scared because how/why there are no side effects that report this. Other than that, though, it's great, except last month I did have an increase in headaches, and I found out that discontinuing, you're more likely to develop rebound headaches."

• kkm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I never would have known what was going on if I had not found these comments from users. I have gained 15 lbs since I started injections. Migraines decreased at first; I thought it was a miracle, but they crept back after time. The migraine relief is not worth the weight gain. I have high cholesterol now, which I have never had in my life. My feet hurt so bad in the morning it is difficult to walk. One person on here said she was 50-something and felt 90; that is exactly how it feels. It has been 7 weeks since my last injection, and I am already sleeping better after months of misery. I have not seen significant improvement in the stomach bloating/weight gain, but I will report back. I have not had any more headaches than usual coming off Ajovy."

• kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "My experience with this medication is horrible. I took it in February 2023 and had one single dose. Within two days, I had itching from head to toe, my throat closed, it was hard to breathe, dizzy, a constant headache that did not become a migraine that I still feel from time to time, mental lapses, balance problems, tremors, and myoclonus. Months have passed, and I still feel the itching throughout my body. The truth gives me great sadness, I thought this would be the solution, but it has not been so. Has anyone else here had these effects after 3 months of stopping the medication?"

• Son...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "First 2 months it was okay. My migraines were not so strong. But after the 3rd application, side effects became real with dizziness, balance problems, anxiety, and headaches are back. I took the 5th dose at the end of September and it was a disaster. No more Ajovy."

• mig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this medication since spring of 2019. I never really had any side effects as long as I injected it myself with the prefilled syringe, 225 mg. I'm a 21-year-old male, about 125 lbs. I got a couple of bad headaches for the first three months or so, but I stuck through it. Now I only get a breakthrough migraine once a month or so, which is much more doable. I then noticed that after about year one, I do still get the visual auras and attacks, but the pain has gone from 8/10 to 4/10 on average. So when I'm in an attack, at least I can minimally function if forced to. No effect on nausea. Luckily, my insurance has always made it $5 a month. Ask for the savings card! No regrets here, but this medication seems very YMMV as of right now."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Less than an hour after I injected the Ajovy into my leg, I started experiencing terrible pain in both legs, arms, hands, the back of my neck, and had chest tightness. My panic attacks have gotten a lot worse, the only positive is not getting as many headaches as I was before. I definitely will not be getting another injection."

• Bes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "This medication has changed my life for the better. After a lifetime of suffering, finally something that works in conjunction with Botox. I was back to 15 plus migraines a month! Now it’s down to a few “headaches” (due to extreme weather conditions) that I can manage! Totally a game changer."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Ajovy in June 2021 for chronic migraines, as they had started 37 years ago. I chalked them up to hormonal, as the migraines reared their ugly head within a week of menses. I had been on Ergostat, Maxalt, Excedrin migraine, Imitrex pills and intranasal spray, Propranolol, Topomax (the worst medication ever), and dihydroergotamine (DHE), which you break a glass vial, remove with a filter needle, change the needle back to the regular 23 x 1' tip, and inject into the thigh during the start of a migraine. I was going to the emergency room almost every six weeks, like clockwork, to get the 3-in-1 shot for migraine-it has to be Phenergan (for nausea), Toradol, and Dexamethasone(?). It would usually work, then I began to have rebound headaches later that day or the next day. I was apprehensive about starting Ajovy because I was in fear of it not working or the unknown side effects-I have not had a migraine since, but have gained 20#. I'll take it."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "An update on a comment I wrote in October 2021. Almost due for 5th injection. My migraines have certainly become more manageable with Ajovy. I still get migraines, but they respond far more quickly to a coffee and medication, and I have reduced my drug of choice, Imigran, from about 15x 25 mg a month to maybe 3 to 6x 25 mg. My headaches have reduced from about 16 a month to 6. So, Ajovy has not been a miracle cure for me, but it has meant my quality of life has improved dramatically. I no longer have to miss out on family events or endure them through the agony and fog of a pounding head. I am in control of my migraines rather than them being in control of me. It will be a great day when I don't even need Ajovy to enjoy life...."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I took my first injection today. About half an hour later, I started experiencing pain in both arms. I am feeling very tired, and my chest is feeling tight. My head feels so heavy to hold up. Is this normal? I am highly sensitive to medications, so far I am not liking this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I've had a horrible reaction to this medication. It has made the headaches worse. Very heavy-headed feeling and an overall fluish feeling. I don't recommend it to anyone."