Emgality and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been suffering from migraines for 20 years and have tried everything and anything. I was so excited to start this and finally start feeling better, but it's only gotten worse. Within 3 weeks of the initial loading dose, I've had a constant sore throat, horrible insomnia, increasing migraines, muscle spasms, weakness, and trouble breathing. I have been so depressed, crying for no reason whatsoever, and my brain is in a constant fog. I had a stroke last year, and I thought I was having another one!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Six months on Emgality and I cannot deal with the side effects my doctor claims are not caused by the injections. Yes - my migraines are significantly decreased (90% improvement). However - this med from the first week has caused the following: - severe numbness in my hands and fingers - swelling in lower legs/ankles for days after injection - accelerated heartbeat and raised blood pressure - excessive weight gain (15 pounds in 6 months) despite hard effort to lose - fatigue, uncontrollable tiredness no matter how much sleep I get - extremely painful periods returned (I had not had a period in 11 months heading into full menopause) - anxiety, depression, moodiness, loss of focus, etc. I know it is this medication. I have a life to live and will deal with the migraines."

• Lin...
• November 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "My migraines have been chronic for 20 years. My neurologist has told me about these new drugs, trying to give me hope. I tried Aimovig with no positive result. Next, I tried Emgality. It worked well for three months, reducing the number of migraines from about 20 per month to 5, and the ones I got weren’t as painful. I had no injection site side effects but did have increased constipation. After three months, my migraines started increasing in number and Imitrex stopped working again. When Emgality had been effective, Imitrex didn’t work. I began to have troubling side effects such as extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and severe depression. My neurologist decided I should stop taking Emgality. I switched to Ajovy, but it didn’t work well for my migraines. Now I’m back on Emgality since it worked the first three months the last time I took it. However, after one week, I’m having the same side effects. I don’t know if I’ll continue it."

• 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."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I’m so regretting not researching Emgality before using it. This thread is making me realize my symptoms the past month are not uncommon. I took the first dose in March 2021 after spotty success with Aimovig after 10 months of use. In the past three weeks, I’ve experienced bouts of sadness and depression, extreme fatigue, hot flashes, sore throat, ringing in my ear, GI issues, and weight gain. I have been headache-free, but these side effects are awful and NOT worth it."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I’m so regretting not researching Emgality before using it. This thread is making me realize my symptoms the past month are not uncommon. I took the first dose in March 2021 after spotty success with Aimovig after 10 months of use. In the past three weeks, I’ve experienced bouts of sadness and depression, extreme fatigue, hot flashes, sore throat, ringing in my ear, GI issues, and weight gain. I have been headache-free, but these side effects are awful and NOT worth it."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "First 3 months, no difference. Months 4-6 were great, reduced headaches and severity. Months 7-11, headaches increased again along with severity. I became very depressed for 6 months (at the time, I did not think it was related to Emgality, but 2 months after being off it, the depression improved greatly). Overall, glad I tried it, but in the end, was not for me and did not make a big enough difference to continue."

• 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."

• 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."

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I am a chronic migraine sufferer, and I have been treated with all kinds of medications. Some make me very angry, Topamax made me depressed and inconsolable. My PCP wants to try Emgality, so I thought I would read reviews ahead of time. I am truly afraid to take this drug after reading these reviews. I lost my job due to migraines and having to call out. I already suffer from bipolar and anxiety along with the migraines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "This migraine medication is the worst! I was prescribed this medication, and I took the injections in March 2020. The side effects from this medicine lasted for about 6 months. My neurologist didn’t believe that my side effects were from this medicine. I have terrible ringing in the ears, severe depression, and anxiety. I also experienced weight loss of about 40 pounds from not having any appetite to eat for all these months (this might be good for some people looking to lose weight, but the other side effects aren’t worth the weight loss). I have never experienced anything like this. My neurologist just didn’t care to listen to my side effects and told me that side effects from this drug should be very minimal. I didn’t get minimal side effects. Please do your research if you are prescribed this drug. I don’t want anyone going through what I went through."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Three injections have not relieved in any way my chronic, daily migraines. Furthermore, Emgality makes me very depressive and anxious, and therefore it would be impossible for me to use this type of medication again. BEWARE: depression and anxiety are not officially listed as side effects for this medication. But in fact, they are among the side effects: careful searches on the web do lead to a small number of websites underlining the existence of these important side effects, and quite a number of personal testimonies quite clearly confirm it."

• Pie...
• February 22, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Emgality early January 2021 for migraines (8 to 10 a month) off and on for 30 years. I had also started experiencing severe cluster headaches. My doctor asked me to try Emgality; since there were no serious side effects listed, I agreed. The injection was more painful than I anticipated. My head started hurting within a day or so after injection and continued hurting every day, and some bad cluster headaches. I now have insomnia, foggy brain, and depression every day, some days worse than others. I have already gained 8 lbs since taking the Emgality. I decided not to take my second injection and found out this does not leave your body for months. This is February 21st, and I'm still experiencing these adverse effects. I wished I had not taken this medication; this has been a terrible experience. I cannot wait until this is out of my body and I feel normal again! I would not recommend taking this medicine. Good luck to all that are seeking relief from your migraines!!"

• HGm...
• February 3, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I did my loading dose of Emgality yesterday and am regretting it already. I took Aimovig with no issues for 4 months before my insurance stopped covering it. After my Emgality yesterday, I immediately noticed chest tightness, injection site redness, swelling, itching, and blurred vision. Today I have itching everywhere on my body, swelling at the injection sites, blurred vision, depression (I suffer from depression that is controlled with medication, but this depression compares to PPD I suffered years ago!), vertigo, tinnitus, fatigue, and brain fog. I will not continue this medication and have reported side effects to the FDA. I wish I would have done more research before taking this medication. Now I have to wait 5 months for it to leave my system. How are these side effects not mentioned on the website or in the pamphlet boxed with the injection?! I would not recommend this medication to anyone. I would rather deal with daily migraines than deal with all of these side effects."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered with migraine headaches since about age 9, I am now in my upper 40s. I took Emgality for about 6 months. I started having severe joint pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, depression, swelling in legs, and now it has been about 2 years since my last dose. I have just found out that I have issues with my liver. I do not abuse drugs of any kind and have always been very careful about what I put into my body. My neurologist at the time swore by this drug, telling me that it was very safe and that he would give it to his own child...so I believed that it was a good medication because I was having more migraine days than not migraine days. **PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THESE SHOTS, THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE HUGE AND LIFE-CHANGING**"

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Migraine Prevention "Not one single migraine since I have had these shots. I’m in the middle of the 2nd month. However, I do feel low, depressed, lethargic, and have no energy or desire to do anything fun. I find the shot very painful. Also, my migraines had reduced the previous month as I had started taking magnesium glycinate (very important), so I may stop Emgality to see if I get my mojo back. Also on 100 mg of Topiramate nightly."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "It took the doctor 2-3 months to get it approved. I used it for 5 months, then insurance stopped covering it. It took another 4 months to be approved again. I've been on it 2 months now. It took 2 injections to work, and it lasts for three weeks, not all four. I have tension headaches and migraines. It reduced my migraines from 5/month (lasting 3 days on average) to 1/month (lasting 3 days on average). I still have tension headaches every day, but I think my brain has tricked me into thinking they aren't as severe. I sit at a level 8 most days, but I get some level 6.5 days now, which is AMAZING. I experience no pain with the injection, but I do have swelling, redness, and itching at the site for about three days. I feel moody, sad, irritable, and stomach pains for about 3-5 days. Seeing as I've 'failed' multiple treatments (multiple meds, Botox, holistic, diet), I am willing to deal with these side effects for the mild to moderate reduction in pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Worsening head and neck pain. Depressive symptoms."