Emgality for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• bro...
• August 9, 2019

"I've had 15 days a month of migraines for 20 years, and my doc recommended this after my insurance hiked up the price of my slightly effective Botox. To date, I've taken the loading dose and then three more injections after that, so I've been on a little over three months. I can say that my 15 days a month has now dropped to 1. And that 1 only lasts a few hours, then I'm back to feeling good. The not so good? My normal blood pressure is now 160/90, and I'm constipated. Then there's the terrible anxiety. I've noticed for a week to 10 days after I inject the shot, I'm unbelievably nervous, anxious, and can barely hold a thought. Normally, I'm super laid back, and stressful work situations don't bother me. Now I feel like I'm going to explode from the anxiousness. So after learning how to live and work with chronic migraines, those are almost gone, but now I have to deal with crippling anxiety? Again, from a person who NEVER stresses or worries about things and can handle huge workloads?"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

"I have migraine-induced seizures that begin with aura vision. I did not read the reviews prior to taking the dual injections. When the injections happened, it felt like hot lava going into my veins for a good 30 minutes. My doctor stated that the ONLY side effect was possible constipation and that the injections might be a little uncomfortable. I have had itchy skin, my fingers swelled up so that I could not wear my ring, abdominal pain along with kidney pain, I thought I had a UTI, I had hot flashes (I made it through menopause without hot flashes), nausea, extremely tired, and the panic attacks were out of this world. I will say though, I have not had one migraine since taking the two injections. However, the side effects outweigh the migraines though. I did not take a second round of injections and had my first migraine within 5 days without an injection. You have to weigh your options."

• Gmo...
• August 24, 2020

"Suffered migraines for years, used naratriptan, but didn’t like the side effects. Migraines increased to about 15 a month. Dr. recommended Emgality. Using it for 8 months now. Injection can burn a bit but worth it. Down to maybe 1 headache a month and not a painful one. Side effects, I do get mild constipation with some weird mild pains, not usual pains I would get if I were constipated and not on this medication. I have a couple of other side effects, but since this is all happening in the middle of COVID-19, it could just be the stress of that. I have some hair loss, I am female. And maybe some depression and moodiness. However, it is a lifesaver if you suffer and worth trying."

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

"My neurologist told me that the only side effect of Emgality was constipation and some weight gain. When I was having other symptoms, I started researching and finally found the reviews on this site. My first two injections were in March 2023. I am shocked that the many other common symptoms are not being shared with patients before starting this medication. I have been suffering from daily migraines for years. The first notable symptom after the injections was joint pain. My shoulders were so painful, and I kept wondering what I had done to have caused this. I was also fatigued and had generalized joint pain. I have IBS, so now I am having 6-7 constipated stools a day. I have had weight gain in my abdominal area, which is above the waist, since starting Emgality. My migraines have continued on a daily basis, but several with auras that I have not had for years. I now am having flu symptoms, so decided not to get the next injection."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2023

"Update to my previous review: still have side effects even though my last injection was 2+ months ago, with new side effects still emerging. Food either tastes very strange or has diminished taste. My appetite is low, however, I have actually gained weight and am also not losing any despite having a very low appetite. I’ve had to start TMS to treat severe depression and suicidal ideation. Still on BP meds which I never needed prior to Emgality. I would not touch this med with a 10-foot pole. It took several months to begin having side effects, and now despite being off of it, I’m still dealing with the side effects, and they are continuing to increase. STAY AWAY!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2022

"It's been very interesting to read everyone else's experiences with Emgality. I too found it helped with my migraines, but unfortunately, I also developed unexpected side effects. Fortunately, I accidentally came across a medical study that explained what I was experiencing, so I could take it to my neurologist. I developed increasing tingling in my hands and feet, which were also relentlessly cold, even when it was hot out. And my fingernails changed. Turns out, CGRP antagonists 'may lead to exacerbation of microvascular disease in susceptible patients, such as patients with Raynaud phenomenon (RP).' (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33871613/) So I'm off it, though my neurologist wanted me to continue with another Rx to dilate my blood vessels. Having read the other reviews here, I realize the Emgality was also probably responsible for my difficulty finding words and possibly for my achiness at night. It's long past time Lilly updated its side effects list!"

• TSR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

"I just took my 4th dose of Emgality, so I’m 3 months in. I gained over 10 lbs within the first 2 months, all in my belly, and now on my butt a little too. The scale keeps going up, despite cutting down calories and increasing exercise every day. I’m so bloated with this belly, my back hurts, I have tinnitus, and head fullness, and my anxiety has been more severe. This medication works for under 3 weeks. Prior to the next injection, I had BAD migraines. After injections, I feel like I have the flu within 24 hours. Constipation, followed by stabbing abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. My period is showing up late now, and I have hair loss. Each month the drug is less effective, but the side effects are more intense. More studies need to be done on this drug. I can’t believe it will now take 5 months to leave my system."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2020

"Started with loading dose July 13. Have had more migraines while on this than before, 13 per month, previously 9. I do believe it caused feelings of intense sadness, and I had a bad spell this week of chest heaviness and difficult to take a breath. Lasted about 5 minutes, then left almost as suddenly as it came. Also had all-over trembling. So I took the injections for 3 months, but will not be taking any more. Mostly because it has not been effective for me."

• Ser...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2024

"This is the first time I've read more than a few reviews on Emgality. My migraines started in 2020, it's been a long road. My migraines are hormone-related. I took my loading dose in July of 2023, in a few days, it will be my 6-month mark. I wasn't prepared for the horrible burning pain during the injection, but luckily it only lasts a few minutes. The morning after my injection, my heart was racing so fast I almost couldn't breathe, it made me panic. It subsided after 30 minutes. I haven't had any other side effects, and that only happened one other time after an injection, but less intense. The first month, I had more than a 75% reduction. I felt really good too, cleaned, spent time with friends and family. Then the following months, it went to maybe a 30% decrease, a few rough months. On my 5th month, this month has been pretty good so far. I did start having odd back/spine/hip pain, not sure if it's connected, but after reading comments, it makes me wonder. It is manageable though."

• Daw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2021

"This Emgality injection HURTS! Anyone that tells you that it feels like a bee sting is crazy, it feels more like a steroid-crazed giant hornet with acid for venom (and I have a very significant pain tolerance). I did not see any reduction of headaches with the Emgality, and my neuropathy actually increased (it started with taking Aimovig, and we added another two meds to try to fix it, but I have yet to see THAT resolve). I also gained 12 lbs in three months. I have been irritable, depressed, and so fatigued I can barely function. I can't sleep because of the neuropathy and end up taking just as much Imitrex as I would normally. Would not recommend to anyone."

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

"I’m on my 3rd dose of Emgality, 1st month everything seemed fine, then I started noticing lots of heartburn, heart palpitations, extreme, extreme constipation that makes me feel sick all over!! I didn’t think anything at first, but now I’m sure it’s the shot. I’m not planning on taking Emgality anymore."

• NIC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2020

"I've had migraines since I was 15. I'm 46, a teacher, a mother of 2 kids under 12. There was a point in my life when I had more days with a headache than without. Sometimes, I'd lose vision in my peripheral and feel numb down the side of my face. I'd be nauseous. Light would cause great pain. I was on drugs and vitamins to prevent. I tracked my diet and made changes. I had three levels of migraine meds, with the last two being so strong I hated taking them. This was my life. Then my doctor suggested Emgality. I've taken it now for 8 months. Not one migraine. I do notice that about 1 week before I need the shot, I have a dull, annoying headache every day. Light sensitive sometimes then. No other symptoms. I've talked to my doctor about stopping my other meds: Gabapentin and Topiramate. It is wonderful for me. I'm so sorry for the others this didn't work on, but I think it's worth a try. I wish I'd been able to stop them years ago."

• MTH...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2025

"One of the rare males that have migraines. Been taking Emgality for about 4 years. Was having 8-10 a month and now down to zero. Painful giving the shot for about 10 seconds each month, but well worth 10 seconds to be migraine-free. Used to carry migraine pills with me but no longer do. Good luck, and I hope this helps."

• ucm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

"Since using Emgality, I have noticed less severe migraines, but the frequency is the same. Side effects: I have noticed I have no energy and am always fatigued. I have also noticed joint pain, and I'm always hot, not a hot flash type hot, just always hot. Summer's coming, and I'm not sure how I'm gonna survive summer if this continues. I have also noticed weight gain, it has increased my appetite."

• Bat...
• January 30, 2021

"Due to developing severe bleeding duodenal ulcers from years of overuse of NSAIDs, I was put on Emgality. First of all, when a nurse tells you an injection will hurt, she means business. It was the most painful injection I have ever had. I have done 2 full months (3 injections total). The first two weeks after my first loading dose, I did notice a decline in headaches, and I was hopeful! But, a week into month 2, it got icky. I’ve gained 15 pounds in 2 months. I’m sweating profusely. My anxiety is heightened. My irritability and lack of patience have snowballed. The fatigue is no joke, I’m going to bed at 7:30 pm (I’m in my 30s). I have also developed severe, blinding breast pain, and my hormones are completely out of whack. I canceled my appointment for my next dose and was heartbroken to hear it takes 5-6 months for it to leave my system. It’s awful. Also, my decline in migraines stopped in the second month."

• Ske...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 19, 2022

"I took Emgality for 18 months and only had a couple of migraines, down from 10-15/month. Wonderful news, right!? Well, not so fast, what they don’t tell you is there are reports of GCRP inhibitors causing severe, crippling joint pain. I began having random migratory pain in July 2022. I did not connect this to Emgality because I had been taking it as long as I had with no side effects. After my August injection, I was nearly bedridden for several days. I still hadn’t connected this to Emgality and my PCP referred me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist decided though my blood work was fine, I had non-typical, seronegative RA and wanted to put me on methotrexate. After researching this drug, something clicked, and I looked for Emgality user reviews and I found hundreds of people complaining about severe, crippling joint pain. And this stays in your system for more than 5 months! I’m miserable and wish I’d never heard of Emgality, I just pray this pain stops after my 5 months are up."

• Ups...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2025

"Emgality changed my life. I began getting migraines in my early 50s. I managed by taking sumatriptan to relieve the pain. You can only take this for 3 consecutive days. The side effects for me included a disrupted digestive system. Then, when I was 62, I had a series of migraines that simply wouldn't go away. I had gone to the ER in the past to receive a treatment to break the migraine, which had worked. This time it didn't. I went to the ER three times over a period of a week. I was referred to a neurologist, and after a month of testing and trying different drugs, I was diagnosed with hemicrania continua. I was placed on gabapentin, propranolol, and ubrelvy. My insurance made me try several different drugs before I was able to try Emgality. I was logging between 9 and 13 migraines a month. After four months, I had 13 migraines and told my doctor it wasn't working. She said to keep trying as it takes a while. This was my 8th month on Emgality, and I had just two migraines."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2024

"Emgality has been a game changer for the treatment of my frequent migraines. I need a double dose, as one injection did not provide adequate relief. I do have occasional breakthrough headaches, but they are usually mild and abate with Tylenol alone. The skin irritation which I did experience has diminished quite a bit since my initiation of treatment."

• Gah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2019

"Before Emgality, I was having some daily headaches and all of a sudden vertigo and tingling. My brain MRI was negative, so my neuro prescribed Emgality, and tingling has increased tremendously to the point where I am now getting tested for MS. I’m also experiencing tinnitus since yesterday, and that was a new symptom. I feel helpless."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

"I've had severe, debilitating migraines for 20+ years. I took the loading dose of Emgality at the beginning of October 2019. Not one single migraine for 27 days! My mood also improved, along with my energy, complexion, and even my sex drive. However, 2 weeks after the injection, I started having some cramps and severe bloating. Then my period came about a week early. Also, on day 28, I had a severe migraine. Took Imitrex and ibuprofen (like I did before starting shots), and the migraine let up but didn't go away for another day (not the usual for me). I also started to have horrible thoughts and bouts of crying. I've had heart palpitations, but I've had these for years and not sure if these are from Emgality or if the shot is worsening symptoms. Will be trying a second dose this Friday. I thought maybe the migraine and depression were a withdrawal from Emgality, but supposedly it stays in your system for 5 months? So, I don't know. Will post again after the next round."

• Cal...
• January 9, 2020

"This has eliminated my migraines. I have tried all kinds of different approaches over the last 25 years... this worked for me. What I don’t enjoy is the bloating in my stomach from constipation. The weight gain has been crazy. This is my third month... may have to stop if this weight gain does not stop."

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

"I switched to Emgality after having constipation on Aimovig. It's possible this drug gave me an allergic reaction. First week, I had trouble breathing occasionally. Second week, I started having tremors and shakes. Third week, I had severe dystonia (couldn't walk). The whole time, I had horrible leg and back pain. In addition, I had more and worse migraines than ever. Ended up in the ER twice after this drug. 0/10"

• LMH...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2025

"Thank you! Suffered from migraines for 35 years, I'm 55 now. Tried everything, the migraines would get better after a new medication, but the relief was short-lived. Went from 9-12 migraines per month to zero - this is my third year taking the medication. No brain fog or other side effects."

• J D...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2025

"Changed my life. Chronic migraines since I was 12 years old and complex migraines started at 26 years old. Tried everything to prevent them without improvement. Emgality cut my migraines from weekly down to less than monthly, and the intensity has decreased significantly too. My family and I are so grateful for this medicine!"

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

"I cannot express how much I regret taking this medication. I have suffered horrible constipation, constant bloating, and lower back pain, acne, insomnia, and noticeable weight gain. And my migraines have not gone away. I wish there was something I could do to get it out of my system quickly and go back to feeling like myself."