Emgality and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I took the 2 injections of the initial dose and felt fine! Then I started noticing dizziness, but my headache seemed to ease off. But my period was irregular. Very uncommon for me, I am always regular! I took the next month's injection, and my tongue started to feel funny, kind of tingly all the time. Dizziness increased, constipation started, tiredness, and headache started back. My hair started falling out, I bruise very easily and stay cold all the time. The side effects are awful, even though my neurologist said there are not really any side effects. So totally not worth it! Don't try it! I read somewhere it takes 5 months for the medication to leave your body, so hopefully some of these side effects will soon stop!!!"

• jke...
• June 11, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines for 25 years, averaging 20 per month. I've tried every treatment, and nothing worked. My neuro suggested Emgality, I was scared, especially after reading these reviews, but I was also desperate. The injection wasn't painful at all, it took 6 seconds. I have severe allergies and skin sensitivities, and I had no reaction whatsoever (I literally get hives when I get a paper cut). It's only been 2 months, but I haven't had any constipation, but maybe that's because my neuro already had me on magnesium? I haven't had any side effects, the neuro says it doesn't really come into full effect until the 6-month mark, but my migraines have reduced slightly already. If you are having severe frequent migraines, I'd try Emgality. Everyone reacts differently, weigh the pros and cons for your situation, how desperate are you for relief, and keep in mind that 90% of the time, people write a review when they are unhappy, so the reviews are always going to be skewed negatively."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Emgality works for about 3 weeks. However, I've noticed in the last week leading up to your next injection, it's migraine after migraine. The injection itself feels like a tetanus shot and is very sore for 3 days. Here's all the side effects I have been experiencing: 1.) Weight gain 2.) Hot flashes to the extreme of sweating and soaking my clothes. 3.) Insomnia/night terrors. 4.) Joint pain. 5.) Vertigo and nausea. 6.) Constipation."

• Dam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Emgality has worked miracles for my migraines. They are almost completely gone. The injection is only painful for a few seconds as the burning from the liquid is absorbed. BUT I have severe constipation, my stomach is swollen and distended (I look 6+ months pregnant). My physician is concerned I’m becoming toxic and on the verge of a ruptured colon. I have also picked up 15 lbs in 6 months on the drug. I wish I could continue migraine-free, but these side effects are becoming unbearable."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I’m 44 and have had migraines since 14. 15-20 per month. Ajovy worked best with little constipation and definite weight gain. Injections were a horrible, extremely painful experience. Great for migraines. Insurance quit paying, so now Emgality. I took my first dose of 2 injections 7/24. DR says no side effects, rubbish, constipation within 3 days of injection. Within 5 days, the worst pain in my fingers. Neuropathy of sorts. My arms and joints hurt. I suffer from PTSD and general anxiety, so I can't speak as to whether it is worse or not. Seems to be common. In one week I'm up 4.5 lbs and haven’t changed my diet at all. I had weight loss surgery 14 years ago and am unable to eat much and have not gained weight back, and yet after this injection I’ve already started gaining. The injection itself was a quick 5-second pain. I had a pen injection vs. a long needle. Only burned a few seconds and had no other injection site. The pain in my hand and fingers is horrific, and the weight gain will cause me to reconsider the next dose."

• On ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Emgality has worked wonders for me so far. My migraine frequency has dropped significantly. I’m in my 40s and used to have headaches 3-4 times weekly. Since starting, I’ve only had a couple of severe migraines, and other headaches don’t seem to progress. I do have injection site irritation, itching, and swelling for a few days following the injection. This localized reaction is less bothersome if the injection is done in my abdomen, I’ve learned. Many of the other side effects people have shared (joint pain, constipation, anxiety, depression) were all issues I dealt with prior to starting this, I’ve seen no change or increase in these symptoms since starting this medication."

• UPS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I took Emgality for about 5 months before I just couldn’t take the side effects any longer. Not just an 'upset stomach' but doubled over in pain and extreme nausea to the point where one day I came very close to vomiting at work in front of coworkers. Constipation followed by stool so loose I thought I might need to wear diapers. Weight gain of about 10-15 pounds. It was horrible because it took me 4 months to figure it out before finally stopping the drug altogether. Not to mention how painful the injections were. I’m not afraid of needles, and I’ve never done self-injections before, but I had to psych myself up every time I did the shot. I don’t know if it was because it needed to be refrigerated (take it out 30 minutes before injection), but I did not look forward to doing them at all. I can’t even remember how well it worked because the side effects were so horrible. Sticking with sumatriptan."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I take a couple of medicines as an injection, and Emgality hurts the most. Constipation is a common side effect, and I certainly felt it. I ended up completely blocked up for two days. Furthermore, I'm struck with fatigue a week before the injection, and heaven forbid if I'm late. The fatigue is severe-I end up so drained that I lay on the floor with no energy to talk and sometimes fall asleep because I have no energy to even lift my arms. When I do sleep, Emgality gives me terrifying, vivid nightmares. Honestly, Emgality is a nightmare. I'm only 25, and it disturbs me to be this drained for so much of my life. I'm no less bedridden than I was before; I'm just laying down in pain in a different location in the house. I'm going to bring this up to the neurologist ASAP. I feel like more research into the effects needs to be done."

• arm...
• June 2, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines since I was 11 years old. I've been on just about everything over the years to treat them. Five years ago, I suffered a high-level spinal cord injury, and my migraines got dramatically worse. Gained major weight on Aimovig, had issues with my period, and went off. Ajovy stopped working after a few months. Received my first Emgality dose a week ago. The day after receiving my injection, my already limited hand strength decreased to almost nothing. I use forearm crutches and keep losing my grip since receiving my injection. I'm falling non-stop, have been constipated, nauseous, had extreme pain, inflammation, issues with my blood pressure, and my migraines are still as bad as ever. This has been an insanely horrible drug for me, and I'm going to fill out the adverse forms with the FDA. It is also expensive on Medicare at over $100 an injection. If it had worked, I would keep paying; but right now, I feel like I'm paying for something that's causing me grievous harm to my body."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Started Emgality in August 2020, and it was a miracle. I’m greatly saddened that I will not be taking this medication anymore due to side effects. I went from 2-3 migraine attacks per week to 0. I felt as if this had given me my life back. Almost a year has passed, and still very little to no migraine attacks. Around the six-month mark, I noticed side effects of extreme joint pain and inflammation. I’m now hardly able to squat, bend at the knees, or kneel. I’m a very healthy, active 37-year-old with no prior injuries or joint issues, so I know that Emgality is the root cause. Brain fog, depression, constipation, weight gain of 15-20 pounds with no change in diet or lifestyle-these side effects are nothing compared to the pain of migraine, but the real deal breaker has been the extreme joint inflammation and pain. Emgality significantly improved my quality of life-going to talk to my doctor about Nurtec, hoping to find an alternative that’s helpful without the debilitating side effects."

• Man...
• October 23, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been suffering with debilitating migraines for 10 months. Nonstop. I had migraines throughout my life, but they always went away within a day or two. While I was sick with Covid, I had a migraine that never went away. Dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, blurry vision, problems concentrating, clumsiness, sensitivity to light and sound. My Dr. and neurologist tried many medications. NONE of them worked. Then my neurologist gave me a sample of Emgality. The first month, I could tell it was helping. It cut my migraines in half. Second month, even better. However, I did have BAD constipation, gained five pounds, and my teeth are sore. (Weird.) Still better than having a severe migraine and dizziness for days on end."

• val...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2024

For Migraine Prevention "In my own personal experience, I have felt overall a lot better, however, with most medications, there are those not easily tolerated side effects. For me, there were a few of them. The one was constipation, so I wasn't able to drink any alcohol because it made it worse (I would get irritable bowels and uncontrollable diarrhea and extreme upset stomach). The other was chest pains that I only felt in the morning, especially after drinking coffee, and my heart would start racing, and then I would have extreme anxiety. The last and third side effect was the fatigue, omg!!! That was just draining how extremely fatigued I felt! In my own decision, I decided that I would never take this new class of medications. Everyone is different and reacts differently, and sometimes they feel the benefits (in this case, fewer migraines or frequency of them) outweigh the side effects, and for me, I would rather have the migraines, and I also am aware there isn't enough research for long-term side effects, so no thanks!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I just took my third dose of Emgality, so I guess now is when it's supposed to start really working. So far, I haven't noticed a decrease in my migraines, but I also haven't had any side effects either, like constipation. The shot hurts, but only for 30 seconds max. I definitely recommend making sure it is room temp before you inject it, and I've found injecting in the stomach to be the least painful spot. I'm still hopeful that it works!"

• Mam...
• July 30, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Great results. Mild constipation and hair loss for about a year. Now 27 months in and still loving it."