Galcanezumab and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Worst medication ever for me. Horrible side effects. Dizzy, constipation, horrid dreams, terrible nausea. Please avoid if possible, obviously, everybody is not the same. Worse than the medical problem for me."

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "One year on a single dose, except the initial double dose. One month on a double dose. Emgality reduced my migraines from 15/month to 5/month. I knew Emgality was a brand new drug when I started it. The NP at the neurologist’s office told me there were no side effects. It hadn’t been on the market long enough to prove that was just plain wrong. For me, they came on gradually: constipation, dizziness/clumsiness, and most troubling, memory loss. An example is stopping in the middle of a sentence because I can’t find a word I’ve known for years. Last month, the migraines started coming back, very mild, disappeared after about ½ hour. I was placed on the double dosing, and the side effects I’ve reported are escalating. I plan to stop the double dosing and to keep a detailed journal. I’ll let them know at the neurologist’s office. I dread the thought of stopping Emgality altogether, with a return of 15 days of misery each month."

• Kes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve been on this for 5 or 6 months, and I’ve had zero migraines right from the first dosing! So happy to lead a normal life again. Side effects were only tinnitus from the beginning and some constipation issues, but no big deal. In November, I started having pain and swelling in both knees. X-rays show no bone issues, so I’m scheduled for an MRI on my knees next week. After reading about some experiencing joint pain, now it’s making me wonder if it is a side effect of the medication. I’m hoping there is no connection because the medication is working 100% when nothing else I’ve tried has helped at all. Plus all of the other medications had bad side effects and didn’t help me."

• Sas...
• September 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I would recommend people do research before going on any new medication, including the new injectable preventatives. I was desperate and agreed to do the Emgality injection with Botox without researching anything, as the doctor was being pushy about it happening that day right then. I was on this approximately 8 months and from the very start had increased anxiety and depression (was put on meds and couldn't leave my house due to the anxiety). Migraines increased, as did the severity of them, to the point where I couldn't go to work. I ended up in the ER multiple times with mini strokes (please keep in mind I am in my mid-20s). I already have chronic constipation, but this medication would make me go 4-6 weeks without a bowel movement. I paid completely out of pocket each month for this medicine ($780 every month), hoping it would help, and it only made everything worse. Not everyone is the same, and if it works well for someone else, I am happy for you! Unfortunately, it did not work for me at all."

• bro...
• August 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "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?"

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

For Migraine Prevention "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."

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

For Migraine Prevention "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

For Migraine Prevention "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."

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

For Migraine Prevention "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."

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

For Migraine Prevention "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."

• Cal...
• January 9, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "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

For Migraine Prevention "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"

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

For Migraine Prevention "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."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 26, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy, but had a bad reaction at the injection site. Aimovig caused severe constipation. I've had severe migraines and various treatments for 30 years, including physical therapy for neck issues, gabapentin, narcotics, Botox, Kenalog shots, BP drugs, antidepressants, and Nurtec. You name it, I've tried it. I've taken Emgality for over a year now, and it cuts my 15-20 migraine days down to mild headaches. Migraines that left me sitting in the dark at work, vomiting on the way home, could barely rest my head on a pillow, it hurt so bad. It is truly a godsend for me. It does wear off a few days early, but I take the next shot as soon as it’s fillable. Although I've gained 10 lbs, I feel like I gained 20. I also started noticing a lot of hip, knee, ankle, joint/muscle pain the last few months, and my chest aches some days [neg COVID]. I know how bad migraines will be if I stop Emgality, but side effects are starting to bother me more each time. Nothing else really helped, so it's a hard decision to make."

• Mig...
• September 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "While this medicine significantly improved my migraines during the 7 months I used it, the side effects were intolerable. Most notably, I had 2 terrible UTIs and one sinus infection. The UTIs both started the day after injection, and I had never gotten a UTI before. I saw UTIs and infections reported as a side effect in a medical journal, however, when I called Eli Lilly to report it and ask about it, they denied it, and it is not listed in the fine print. They said they would follow up with me but never contacted me. My doctor looked into it and found that they decided the infections people had during the clinical trials could be considered coincidental. My neurologist estimates about 3% are having this side effect. In addition to these infections and needing several rounds of antibiotics, I also experienced constipation and insomnia. It also impacted my hormones. I wish that it didn’t have the side effects because I do miss the significantly reduced migraines."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was diagnosed with “intractable migraines with aura” and primary headaches after struggling for nearly 20 years on a variety of meds. Enter Emgality. Paired with infrequent use of Rizatriptan (Maxalt), I’ve had great luck with Emgality. This is only my second month on it, so I’ve had three self-injections. I’ve gone from having nearly daily “primary headaches” and an average of 20 migraines/month to one migraine (so far) this month. I’ve gone six days so far with no headache at all. Zero. I had forgotten what it was like to be headache-free. I have no difficulties with any side effects at all, except for some constipation; I just use a couple of Metamucil capsules, and I’m fine. I’m more than willing to tolerate giving myself an injection once a month in order to get this kind of relief — a level of relief I never thought I could have."

• Jay...
• August 4, 2020

For Cluster Headaches "I have suffered from cluster headaches for more than about 10 years now. Nothing I've been prescribed for a preventative has ever worked. The only drug that does work is Sumatriptan, which only would reduce pain once I already had a headache, not prevent a headache, obviously. I would average 3-5 headaches a day for about a month during my cluster cycles. Those headaches would range from a 6/10 to a 9/10 on the pain scale. I've been on Emgality now for a couple of weeks and instantly received relief from my headaches. I now get one headache a day that is about a 2/10 - 3/10 that can either be suppressed with a couple of Advil or half a Sumatriptan pill. I have never felt so free from my headaches. I haven't had any symptoms. My neurologist said constipation is huge, and I also read hair loss was a big symptom (which initially scared me), but like I said, absolutely no symptoms."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I took Emgality for 3 months for chronic migraines that I have had my whole life. It worked right away, and I noticed a decrease in my headaches, BUT I started having side effects almost immediately. First, I had very intense and weird dreams. Sometimes, so intense that I woke up disturbed in the middle of the night. I also noticed a single episode of constipation with each injection, usually 4-5 days after the injection. The most serious side effect was breast pain. It was on both sides and increased with every injection. It was not tenderness, it was pain. This scared me a lot since I am 57, and I don't have fluctuating hormones. I stopped taking it after 3 doses, and the pain is now decreasing 2 months later, but I've had itching in my breast tissue as the problem is resolving. I won't take Emgality again."

• Dda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This is going on my 4th month of taking Emgality, about to give my 4th shot after it becomes room temperature. This might be my last injection. I have had some side effects, constipation is the worst side effect for me, but for the past week leading up to this fourth shot, I’ve noticed my brain is in a fog, I can’t remember what I’m doing, my migraines have returned, I’m low on energy, and my mood is all over the place. I do suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and I’m on a benzo for that, so I couldn’t tell you if it gave me anxiety or made it worse. I do know when I take the shot, within a few days I’m back to being normal again with no headaches or migraines. I’m just hoping that the new side effects of this week aren’t going to happen daily from here on out because I will stop this immediately."

• Ron...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was getting 15-20 migraines/month. Emgality reduced them significantly to maybe 4/month. After a couple of injections, though, I noticed some things that I think are attributable to the drug. I was not taking anything else except pain relievers like Motrin, etc. The week after injection, I was experiencing severe depression and anxiety. Also, bowel habits seemed affected with constipation and diarrhea. I have stopped the injections after 6 months. I am now going through a urinary/bladder thing. I think the medicine may have brought it on, but not sure yet. Hopefully, it will go away as the drug gets out of my system."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "After taking my initial injections, I noticed weight gain, constipation, chest pain, and body aches. Not knowing if these were caused by the Emgality, I took my second injection one month later. I immediately had a red, itchy, and painful reaction at the injection site. My body became increasingly achy over the next few days. I also had increased heart palpitations and chest pain, constipation with awful bloating around the abdomen and legs."

• STh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2019

For Cluster Headaches "I have had cluster migraines, migraines, tension headaches, and headaches before I got out of the Army, 19 years ago. I was taking Topiramate for 5 years and got off of it when I got married. The headaches came back again, and I was sent to a neurologist who put me on Emgality. Since I started this, I have been super constipated... (got excited that my work was having to remodel the employee restroom to make it wheelchair accessible, which also means they're putting in rails... cannot tell you how much they help when you're constipated!!!) I have also been having serious mood swings and some anxiety. The side effects do not outweigh the risks. I’d rather have headaches than extra weight gain."

• Zor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am on my third month. I have 24/7 migraines. I still have them, but it has improved my bad days. I feel as though I can process thoughts a bit better. My light sensitivity has improved, sound sensitivity did not improve. But... I have severe leg cramps, anxiety is through the roof, muscle twitches, constipation, and weight gain. I go from high anxiety and can't sleep to days where I literally will fall asleep while standing. Ugh!"

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

For Migraine Prevention "I had high hopes for Emgality. A cousin said it worked a miracle for her. For me, not so much. It reduced the number of headaches from 8-12 monthly to 5-8. However, side effects: weight gain, constipation, vertigo, tinnitus. I have ringing in my ears, and now it is far more annoying and hard to block mentally. The vertigo, I got so faint, not really dizzy, I almost passed out. I checked my blood pressure, and it has been as low as 89/40. No wonder I was lightheaded. I started taking it in May 2019. Didn't realize that my health issues of lightheadedness and faintness were related to Emgality until I read that I am not alone. The neurologist was pleased that it reduced the number of headaches. I see my internal medicine doctor this week and talk to him. Seriously considering not doing another dose."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I received the loading doses last week for Emgality. First off, they don't hurt as much as people on here say, it's a little sting for maybe 5-10 seconds, not a big deal! It's only been a week for me, so I can't say much yet, but I had no injection site reactions (and I'm highly reactive to everything), no fatigue, no constipation, or anything. I don't expect to see results overnight in regard to my migraines, but it certainly hasn't made things worse. I'm hopeful this is the drug that works for me, I currently get around 20 migraines a month... it's definitely worth a try!"