Emgality and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I started Emgality back in March. Double dose from neurology. I have suffered with migraines with visual auras causing me numbness in my face and arms, hands sometimes. Scary and awful... I have usually only treated my migraines as needed with Maxalt or Nurtec. I finally built up the nerve to try Emgality after being told redness at the injection site or constipation were the worst side effects. I noticed in the first month that my headaches had subsided. I was having a lot of pain and cramping in the quad that the injection was given. In month two, I started to have severe anxiety. Fight or flight mode from the minute I woke up till the minute I went to bed. It was real hard to function daily... anxiety went away and then came back in May... I took my third dose and then I started to research it deeper... lots of bad side effects... I pray this is out of my system soon. It causes tremors for me in my neck and hands too... I don't recommend Emgality... worst experience ever for me!!!"

• Pre...
• November 24, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from chronic daily post-menopausal migraine for 15 years. I enjoyed life, but migraine put a stop to that. I started Emgality with 2 shots in April. By the second dose in May, the migraines were less severe and cut to 12-15. Abortive worked better. Unfortunately, after the 3rd shot, I had very bad intestinal problems, fever, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, and the worst abdominal pain. I took the 4th shot in early July, then stopped Emgality. Intestinal problems improved but returned in September, with fever, bloating, and constipation. I was diagnosed with a diverticulitis infection, as I have diverticulosis and IBS. I was prescribed an antibiotic and got better in 10 days. So either the Emgality aggravated the condition or not. Can't be sure. I am considering trying it again. Aimovig and Ajovy were useless to me after 3 months each. Aimovig caused constipation. It is unfortunate drug companies do not do better and longer clinical trials with a wider range of people."

• Luc...
• August 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "It has been the worst experience ever with any medication I’ve ever taken. The injections are painful. I now have body aches, mild itchy skin, bloated stomach, constipation, fatigue, inflamed nasal passages, elevated blood pressure, and still have the same damn migraines. BTW, I only had one injection."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have seizures because of migraines. My seizures are coming under control, but I have been experiencing pain, diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue. I have no motivation to work or leave the house. There is nothing that had prepared me for this. My neurologist said that out of the 3 options, this is the best. I am so bummed out to find out that others have symptoms too because it is really effective. I was so hopeful about getting my life back, but I literally lack the ability to enjoy it."

• KLa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've had three doses of Emgality. After the loading dose, my migraines decreased from 8-11 per month down to 3. But, the severe constipation started immediately. I have IBS-C, but it was under control with diet and fiber, and I seldom needed laxatives. Now, I'm becoming more and more dependent on them. The constipation eased just before the next dose of Emgality was due, but then quickly returned after the second and the third dose. And, the migraines are coming back. So far, I've had 7 this month. I was so hoping this would work. I've had migraines for 30 years and tried everything for prevention. I finally got off the anti-seizure medications after they destroyed my bone density. Not sure I can continue on this. I'm so bloated. Guess I need to go back on Linzess. Hope it works! I should add that y'all should make a report of all of these side effects to the FDA, so they're aware."

• DCa...
• November 29, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "My condition is post-trauma headache and taking Emgality, and it causes constipation. I take 4 ounces of Sunsweet prune juice for ridiculous constipation (if you call the phone number on the Sunsweet bottle, they'll send 'two' (75-cent-off coupons) - going forward, call every 3 months & get 2 additional coupons every 3 months. 'Generic' Colace next move. The constipation is a nightmare, (I am the 1 in 10). Flatulence is quite audible, lol... 'but,' no pun intended, my head feels amazing. I am able to think so much clearer! Trauma pain behind my left eye felt like a golf ball pushing against the back of said past 15 years. Botox never touched that pain, I thought it was a tumor, had to get exposed to more cat scan radiation to rule out, no tumor, just post-trauma headache. I'll try another product in this class of Rx if the constipation can't be effectively managed. Although, I hear it's more common with Aimovig? Want a perfect drug, yes... show me one? Learning as I go is my mindset. Literally just took my 3rd dose."

• Mac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been using Emgality for 7 months, and it has improved my health so much. I was suffering from daily migraines. I have had the occasional migraine over the years but never a daily aura and dreadfully painful headache. I was literally living like a vampire - no light, no sound. Horridly debilitating. It took the second injection before I felt well every day. This medication has given me back my life. I would score it a 10 if it didn’t cause a bit of constipation, so I give it 9.5 out of 10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Loading dose. Good news - not one migraine. Just finished my period, and for the first time, no pre-, during, or post-migraines. Nothing. Not even a tiny one. Bad news: two ER visits, one hospital stay, and quite a few Dr. appointments. Severe allergic reaction a few days after, with the most debilitating hives. Had chest pains on the left side and went to the ER, found a mild pericardial effusion. (Not sure if related to the allergic reaction yet.) In the hospital for three days. Took prednisone for a week for hives, nothing else worked. Have all sorts of symptoms and side effects. Left side numbing, particularly my leg. Still numb. Don't feel any urges to go to the bathroom (bowel and bladder), however, I actually go. It's like the brain is not sending sensors, but if I actually go, everything comes out, so not constipated, just don't feel the urge. I took laxatives and felt nothing, but sat on the toilet and everything came out. So it's like I'm anesthetized - I noticed a lot of other people have constipation and UTI complaints. I don't think we are alone on this."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am 70 years old, took initial Emgality 2 doses at Drs. Aug & booster in Sept. The injections are quite painful but had no lasting effects at the injection site. Emgality has helped with allodynia, migraine frequency & light sensitivity. I am NOT taking another injection because of side effects NOT LISTED. I have had severe low back pain, pain in wrists & ankles (which I never had), fibromyalgia is WORSE due to INSOMNIA? HOT & SWEATY all the time. My constipation is worse with bouts of diarrhea & atrial fibrillation increased, flu-like symptoms, hives on upper thighs & legs, edema & bladder leakage increased. Nervousness the 2 weeks after the injection. CRGP in your system affects more than migraine pain & long-term damage unknown. Had to increase methaxalone & opioid usage. Prior managing my migraines with Botox, naratriptan, & Zofran. Not the best solutions, but they sure are better."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

"I had my first Emgality injection on October 21 for post-concussion syndrome. About two weeks later, I started feeling anxious with bouts of crying. I had the second injection on November 20, even though I was reluctant, because my neurologist said you have to give it a three-month trial. Since then, my anxiety has increased, along with constipation. I also had some itching and swelling after the injection, but the anxiety is the worst symptom. I went to the ER due to extreme anxiety. I have seen another neurologist for a second opinion, and he said I should stop taking it. This site has been helpful because I had not connected that Emgality could be causing the anxiety."

• DEE...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Feel the need to warn people. Had a placebo effect for reduced migraine frequency for 120 days, after that, the migraines were as frequent as before. It never reduced the pain of attacks. CGRPs also shut down my GI tract, and I got severe constipation. I became impacted and had to go to the ER, nothing moving after a week, and nothing would help. I think they said this was a possible side effect of CGRPs, but I never thought it would be this bad. Discontinued drug, and symptoms resolved. Expensive drug, severe side effects."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started in January 2019, it was like a miracle to me. I went from 15 migraines a month to ZERO! Until August 2019. It’s September 2019 now, and I’ve experienced almost what I did before I started Emgality. I’m hoping just for a bad couple of months and they disappear again. I’m extremely hopeful and hoping my body just may be getting too used to it. Side effects I would say are constipation and insomnia, but I’ll take both of those over migraines."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Tried Aimovig and Emgality, and the side effects were way worse than my daily migraines. The constipation was so bad I bled for weeks and was almost hospitalized. The body aches were so bad I could barely move. Gained 45 pounds in a month and still can't lose it. Made my blood pressure so high I'm still on medication for it after a year. Felt like I had the flu for 6 months after stopping (the doctor explained that because that's how long it takes to get out of my system). Insomnia, nausea, restless leg syndrome, acid reflux, depression, joint pain, hair loss, sexual dysfunction... and so many, many more horrible side effects. I've been off for 1.5 years and still suffer from the side effects that just 3 doses of Aimovig and 2 doses of Emgality caused me. They really need to update the side effects to what so many of us have because of these meds."

• Fre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 11, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Emgality seven months ago. Less than a month after my loading dose, I began suffering from constipation. I was just recently told by my GI doctor that constipation is a common side effect of the drug. As the months have passed, symptoms seem to be stacking up: heartburn, bloating, severe pain in my upper abdomen, mild pain in my lower abdomen, and pain in my back. It did lower the number of my migraines, but I don't think it's worth the trade-off of my GI tract being in chaos."

• Rad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The jury is still out! I switched to Emgality from Aimovig due to severe constipation. Unfortunately, it has not really gotten better. I’m taking one to two doses of Miralax (laxative) a day to even go at all. I’ve been on this for probably 7 or 8 months. My migraines seem better most of the time. I still have them, but they’re treatable. I’ve been a sufferer for 20+ years with almost daily headaches and 5-10 horrible migraine days per month. The last two months, I have had debilitating pain in my hip/thigh. Not sure if it’s related, but wondering! I’m wondering what other side effects are lingering after reading other reviews."

• I...
• October 2, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I should have done research on this drug, and I didn't, so I am pretty angry with myself. I started Emgality in July 2021. It helped at first, but then all of a sudden, by the second dose, I had two weeks of relief. Then I noticed side effects from it. Severe constipation for 2 weeks or longer, had to take medicine to even go to the bathroom. My acid reflux has gotten so bad that I almost throw up. I am an already emotional person, but now my anxiety, PTSD, and depression are so much worse to where I want to be back on my meds I tried so hard to get off of and function without. One minute I am angry, then I am crying. The only new med I am on is Emgality. My stomach is constantly bloated, my breasts have gotten sore, and I am not pregnant. I choose the headaches over all this mess. At least with the headaches, I was better to be around. I do not want to be around myself right now because of all the mood swings I am getting."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "This medication caused the most severe and debilitating constipation I have had in my life. Almost two months after stopping the medication, it is still going on. My neurologist prescribed the bowel preparation jug preparation that is usually taken before a colonoscopy. Results were very temporary. I had to go to my gastroenterologist, and I am on a different medication for constipation, but it has yet to work. If I had known, I would never have taken the drug."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Took 3rd dose 5 days ago, I notice after dosing I'm exhausted, have insomnia, and am depressed. Dr. wanted me to try it because I was taking Imitrex for years but was getting too many more migraines lately. The Imitrex works, no side effects at all. Emgality did prevent migraines, went from 16 pills to about four a month, but I feel like I got a COVID booster, exhausted, and body aches, and yes, constipation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "After reading everyone else's reviews, I can now say that I am not crazy. I too was told zero side effects, and that could not be more false. I have had panic attacks, extreme depression, dry skin, itchy skin, rash, constipation, and the list goes on. The top one being that I developed a drug-resistant infection, and I truly believe this drug messed with my immune system, contributing to it. So now, on top of severe migraines, I have had all of these other issues going on, and doctor after doctor did not seem to make a connection. Finally, I was taken off the Emgality. I am still experiencing what seems to be leftover side effects, and I do not in any way, shape, or form feel like myself. I would highly recommend researching more on this injection before agreeing to it. I literally have no idea if I will ever be the same person, and I still have migraines to deal with. I think that way too many medical professionals will say no side effects just to get you to take the medication."

• Uta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2021

For Cluster Headaches "I've been a migraine sufferer for 20 years. I had both hemiplegic and cluster migraines that would, I swear, cause brain damage. Well, I know they did because I have brain lesions on my MRI. Aimovig has been a game changer. I no longer have either. I've been on Aimovig for a year. Terrible constipation, but I resolved it with Miralax. For those with side effects, I avoid those by taking Aimovig once a quarter instead of once a month. My sister, on the other hand, takes it twice a month to control her migraines. To each their own."

• Cel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Within days of my first 2 injections, I became bloated and severely constipated. I started on laxatives, and after 9 days, I finally had some relief. It's been 2 weeks today, and I'm still bloated and constipated. I also feel depressed and out of sorts. I'm tired as well. I will not be taking the next injection. This drug has a half-life of 27 days, so it takes months to get out of your system. I also feel like I have gained a few pounds. I have not weighed myself, but my clothes are tight. I'm so disappointed I took this medication."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "This medication, Emgality, is horrible. It is great for migraines, however, it has caused high blood pressure that has to be treated with medication, and I have POTS. My blood pressure usually runs low. Also, the constipation the first month after I stopped it was terrible. But the worst thing, I am now having heart problems, beyond a simple murmur, and I never had problems before this medication. I have to have a stress test and echo done to see if I am in congestive heart failure or have a blockage or something else going on... but none of this happened before this medication. It is terrible. Had I known then what I know now, I never would have taken it a month, much less the three I did."

• jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I was on Aimovig, which was a godsend, but after a couple of years, it stopped working-migraines at least every other day and sometimes daily. NP switched to Emgality, and it is working very well. This stuff is a life changer for me. The only side effects are stinging at the injection site for a couple of minutes and constipation. I can deal with that. This is worth a try for anyone with chronic migraines. But if your doc says there are no side effects, that's just wrong. Any medication can have side effects, and anyone can react differently to a medication. Give it a try, and ride it out for the first six months since that can be the time to get the full benefit, unless your side effects are intolerable/dangerous. One interesting thing I noticed is that some people here report side effects that sound like COVID-related symptoms or long COVID (higher BP, brain fog, heart palpitations, tinnitus), so I wonder if some of the issues here are not related to this medicine."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I did my loading dose, then the third injection. At first, I just noticed constipation and weight gain. About a week after my third injection, my vision became blurred on my way to work. I’m an ICU nurse, so I went into work and realized vision wasn’t improving. The neuro PA’s told me to go to the ER. In the ED, they noticed right pupil changes, right-sided weakness, and worked me up for a stroke, which was negative. I got a pretty bad headache that night in the hospital. The next day, I started having trouble getting words out, memory problems, and concentration difficulties. Currently in OT for vision changes and concentration. The doctor said he doesn’t think it’s Emgality, but I reported it to the FDA. I’ve never commented on these sites but felt it necessary in case anyone can relate. My symptoms are slowly going away, it’s been 2 months since my last injection."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I am so thankful for this treatment. I suffered from chronic migraines every other weekend that could last up to 72 hours. I was on triptans, but it only dulled the pain and did not prevent it. I am now on Emgality. I was formerly on Aimovig, but had to switch for insurance purposes. I am now FREE of migraines and headaches. It has worked wonders for me. Yes, I do have constipation, and I feel like it's harder to lose weight, so it is a trade-off that I am willing to take! I hope it helps others."