Fremanezumab and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mic...
• May 1, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have had a strange history with migraines. I had them for a whole year in high school almost every day, and then they completely disappeared for three years. Then they came back with a vengeance. I’d have them about 4 times a week. Unable to move, nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, etc. I started Ajovy a month ago, and I got my second injection today. Does anyone else have excruciating pain when you inject yourself? It feels like acid burning me! It is a subcutaneous injection, and those hurt less than your average vaccine or blood work, but this is like nothing I have ever experienced. Anyway, in my first month, I had one day where I was extremely dizzy, and I had no idea why, but I see here that this is a common trend. I feel nausea on and off. I am slowly gaining weight, but I’m eating healthier than I had before I was on Ajovy. I got my second injection today, and it was so painful. I’m laying in bed, and my whole body is sore and in pain. My feet have terrible circulation."

• LAX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2023

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Ajovy got rid of my migraines completely. Unfortunately, the other side effects included severe constipation and bloating, hair loss, weight gain, brain fog, surging high blood pressure, irregular menstrual cycle, and hormones. What a nightmare! I was so desperate to get rid of my severe migraines that I took a big risk. Not worth it."

• iro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "My migraines were to the point of me discussing long-term disability with my doctor - I was unable to work. Ajovy gave me my life back. Instead of daily migraines, it's more like 2 a month, usually about five days before my next injection. I have experienced weight gain (about 10 pounds over 3 months) that I am struggling to get rid of. Hypoglycemia, though I've always tended toward that. I also have fibromyalgia - I have experienced no change in that, or in my anxiety/depression. Topiramate gave me brain zaps and made me suicidal."

• syd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I’ve been on Ajovy for 4 months, and while I’ve gone from 15+ migraines a month to about 1 a week, I will be stopping the injection due to its side effects. So far, my side effects are that I’ve gained ~10 pounds, my hair is thinning extremely fast, and my anxiety has been at an all-time high. I was told there were no major side effects from Ajovy, but not being on any other medications, I really think Ajovy is the culprit for my symptoms. The medication works very well, just not worth the side effects, in my opinion."

• Ruk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2024

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I’ve been taking Ajovy for 2 years now, and the migraines are 80% less. However, some of the side effects I have (even though they are not listed and medical professionals will probably not even acknowledge them) are dizziness, unexplained weight gain, high cholesterol, and fatigue."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this since late summer. Took the one injection a month. It has helped my migraines tremendously. I used to get 3-5 a month, and now it is down to one during my period. The pain is way less. Sadly, I have to stop. The weight gain was QUICK. And my lips are red, dry, and sometimes crack. It's not worth it :( Sharing this in hopes that others who experience what I did know that they can stop."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I’ve been on it for 6 months. I used to get 10 migraines a month, now I get about 4 a month, and those are managed well with triptans. Ajovy stops the intensity of the migraine as well. The only side effects are bloating and weight gain of about 5 kg, but it’s still worth it as I can live my life now. The injection is quick and unpleasant, but doesn’t hurt too much. I have noticed my short-term memory is not good, but I’m not sure if that’s the Ajovy or the last 10 years of chronic migraine doing damage."

• DBJ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Ajovy gave me the life I had always hoped for. After 40 years of migraines that were hitting 2-3 times per week and at least one severe each month, I now have no more than three in a month, with only one or two severe per year. The only side effect after three years has been weight gain. It isn’t a listed side effect, but several others seem to have had a similar experience. I gladly trade adding weight for eliminating the constant fear of losing days to either the headache or the migraine hangover after using treatment medications."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 21, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I'm very surprised to read all the negative comments regarding this drug. Please don't let them scare you from trying it! I have been using it for a year now. It has reduced my 15+ migraines down to about 5 a month, plus I am never bed-bound with them now, have never even felt sick, and I used to vomit for up to 3 days. Yes, I gained weight and told my husband it was the new drug, lol, but I was also in lockdown and was enjoying eating and drinking what I wanted for the first time in 30+ years. I have just dieted for 12 weeks and lost all the weight. Yes, I feel a bit tired, but I'm up at 5:45 a.m. and nonstop until bed at 11 p.m. Yes, sometimes the injection site is a bit sore, but I've been injecting triptans for years and had constant bruises on my thighs anyway. I haven't had a single day off work this last year since starting Ajovy, that has not happened in all my working life. I can organize days out/nights out and know I will definitely be there now. Do not be put off from trying it."

• Suf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Well, it was a miracle drug. My doctor told me there were no side effects like all new drugs. I have been on it for 3 months. I gained 20 lbs, my shoulders and joints hurt so severely that I can't lift my arms. My elbows hurt so much. My joints have swollen. I can barely move them. I have been off Ajovy for 2 months, and it still hasn't gone back to normal. My primary care won't even give me anything for the pain, even though she thinks it's rheumatoid arthritis. I can't do my house chores or feed my animals. I can't even lift 5 lbs of stuff. I am so mad."

• See...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Oh, how I wish I could come here first before agreeing to try Ajovy! Started taking it in Feb. '21. First month, no migraines/no issues; however, in subsequent months, I started getting more migraines and more often than when I was on my previous preventative (Topamax). My doctor said to 'give it time,' citing very few known side effects. I definitely got the injection site redness, but what I didn't realize right away was that everything else I began to experience was also related to Ajovy (I just didn't realize it right away). It seemed as if I gained weight at a rapid pace overnight each month without changing a thing. Every bone and joint in my body ached, I had zero energy, and all I wanted to do was sleep all the time. I had no idea what was going on and thought, like many others here, that I was crazy. I took my last and final injection in August and am slowly (slowly) starting to see these awful side effects fade."

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

Fremanezumab 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."

• Ajo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "In the first few days after taking, I had a very stiff lower back and neck. Then I was just so completely tired all the time. Had to take daily naps. I’ve had depression, bloating, and a little weight gain (less than 5 pounds). Yes, it made my headaches less frequent, but I will never take this stuff again. I only took one shot, which was a month supply. I’m at about the 35-day mark, and I can tell it's still in my system. Can’t wait for it to get out of my body."

• Sph...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I love, love this shot. It has changed my life. I used to have migraines 3-4 times a week that lasted a day, and now with this, I get maybe 2 or 3 a month! I have since started adding in Botox and got that down to 1 a month at most! I have no side effects from Ajovy, except I do think the first 6 months it made me gain weight, but the 10-15 lbs are worth having my life back."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy 3 months ago. The first month was fine. I still experienced a few migraines, but they weren’t as bad as before I had started it. The 2nd month was great. I didn’t get a single migraine until week 4. The 3rd month, however, was terrible. I have gained 10 pounds since I started the Ajovy, and my eating habits/workout habits didn’t change. If anything, they got better. I have gotten a migraine every day this month, it feels like. My stomach feels swollen all the time, and I’m extremely bloated. My legs feel swollen too. I will not be continuing the Ajovy. It doesn’t seem to be helping now."

• LLT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I suffered with multiple migraines a week since childhood. Ajovy has been a life changer. I have not had a single severe migraine since my first dose, and I have had less than 5 mild migraines over the past year. However, I have noticed a huge increase in bloating, and I gained 20 pounds as well. However, to me, it is worth it to not be in pain."

• Pla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I am one of the lucky ones in the comments chat. Pre-Ajovy, I had 12-15 migraines per month. Post-Ajovy, I am down to 1 or 2 minor migraines per month. I am on month 3 of taking Ajovy. Side effects have been weight gain (~5 pounds) and significant redness and swelling at the injection site lasting about 5 days. Previously, I was taking Naratriptan. I hope you find success too."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Has helped incredibly in the reduction of my migraine and my cluster headaches. However, the weight gain is real, ten pounds in three months! Also, I have found this weight very difficult to shed. Teva should really include this fact."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2022

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have Meniere's migraines and was previously on Emgality for years. I was on new insurance, and in February, the doctor put me on Ajovy as Emgality was not in the formulary. No major issues the first few months, but I noticed I started gaining some weight randomly. The doctor advised this was not a side effect. I started getting bloated and stomach pains and went to my primary doctor as I wasn’t sure what was going on. Everything seemed okay, and the only change I had was the Ajovy. From February through July, I gained 20 pounds, and my stomach is bloated like I’m pregnant and in my second trimester: I can barely eat because I feel full. The doctor recommended I stop the shot, which I will because I’m so tired of being bloated and fat. I’m an active person and have never been this heavy, and being 44, it’s unacceptable. I wish I knew how long it will take to get out of my system. I don’t recommend Ajovy."

• Til...
• December 1, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I’ve taken Ajovy for 5 months. I had an immediate reduction from my weekly, sometimes biweekly, 3-day migraines. Unfortunately, my scale has been slowly tipping up by about a pound per month since I’ve started using Ajovy. I work out regularly and watch my calories. My body also appears more bloated and my muscles less defined. I’m going to talk to my doctor about going on Nurtec once every two days. I just cannot keep getting larger, soon, I’ll have no clothes that fit me. If you can deal with the weight gain, it’s totally worth it because Ajovy does reduce migraines. Lastly, I almost have a phobia about needles, so it’s a little dramatic for me to inject myself every month."

• pau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been using fremanezumab for 7 months. I was getting 12 to 15 migraines a month, and they had a massive impact on my life. The first 4 months of using this injection, I only had 3 or 4 a month, however, now, a couple of months, I have found I have been getting more. I also found the injections used to sting like crazy, but the last couple I've hardly felt. Strangely, these are the months they haven't been as effective. When my consultant rang after the first month and asked if I had side effects, I said no, but now I wonder. I too have had weight gain, very restless, and not sleeping, also been getting mild chest pain and extreme exhaustion. I recently went for a heart scan because of my symptoms. I had never put any of this down to fremanezumab. I've been to doctors several times, but they have never said it could be related. I really don't know what to do now."

• Was...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy at the end of April. After about a week, I got major vertigo and couldn't sit or walk for a week or two. I found some vertigo exercises on YouTube that fixed it for a while. Migraines did decrease, but so far I gained 10 pounds. It is the end of July now. The vertigo came back. I'm still having a hard time losing weight. I was told there would be no weight gain, so I'm not happy, and I'm not taking it again. I'm counting down the days 'til it's out of my system."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2019

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "On Ajovy, I gained 6 pounds with 2 injections and no other dietary changes. It did get rid of migraines."

• JMS...
• December 26, 2021

Fremanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I've been on Ajovy monthly injection for about a year now. I love that it works for my chronic migraine, but I can't do the side effects anymore. Weight gain, sore joints, blurry vision."