Galcanezumab and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• LWa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines for the past 18 years. My doctor has tried everything. When Aimovig came available, I tried that and of course, no more migraines. Due to insurance not approving, my doctor switched to Emgality. I experienced the same thing, no migraines. But now, after taking the shot for ages, my body is just falling apart. My knees and joints ache every day. I've gained weight and my eating habits have not changed! And of course, my doctor assured me no side effects. I disagree totally! I will no longer take the shot and deal with headaches. I just want my quality of life back."

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

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have only taken the initial/loading dose (2 injections of 120 mg/ml), but I will NOT be taking any more. There has been no change in my migraines. I am now having severe joint pain (level 9) in places I've never experienced pain before. I have been severely constipated since about a week after the first dose, and nothing is helping. I have had some nausea and dizzy spells, and hot flashes! Extremely dry skin on my hands and feet, to the point of my knuckles and my heels cracking open and bleeding. Very painful! For others who are having these and other undocumented side effects, PLEASE fill out a consumer complaint with the FDA. Google 'MedWatch forms for patients and consumers'. Print a copy for your records!"

• Mtn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Have been battling with TIAs and was told it was due to the migraines I have been having 4 to 5 days a week for 3 years. Doc started me on Emgality and told me it would make them go away with no side effects. Took the 2 starter doses and within 30 mins of the second injections began severe itching. By day 3 still have the migraines. Ended up in the ER with rash on face, blurred vision, minor memory loss, itching, joint pain, muscle stiffness, and fatigue. I do not recommend this medication to anyone. The side effects are severely underplayed by the manufacturer. Use with caution."

• JPR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I am a 45 y/o female with Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disease that attacks my thyroid. Symptoms include joint pain, hair loss, fatigue, constipation, etc. Finally got on T3 and started feeling much better. Fast forward, I start having pain (pins and needles) in my legs and feet, then my hands and arms. PCP refers me to a neurologist to test for neuropathy. Tests came back fine, the doctor I got is a migraine specialist and kept asking me about 'my migraines.' I reminded him I wasn't referred to him for that, but he, like most doctors, didn't listen. He says I have fibromyalgia, which, sorry, is a joke, and said to go get P.T. and take Cymbalta!! Hard pass, I never took it. I go for a follow-up, I had been having insomnia prior to the visit, so I wasn't thinking clearly. I somehow got talked into taking this shot, and omg, I REGRET it, it's AWFUL. I have trouble breathing, joint pain is worse, the chest is tight, depression, insomnia, and much more. STAY AWAY from this poison! I only had one injection, by the way, we all need to report to the FDA now, doctors won't report it!"

• Gig...
• September 2, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I started getting vestibular migraines 2 years ago at the age of 56. I have never had any serious medical problems before this. I suffer from severe vertigo and nausea along with the headaches too. My neurologist tried me on just about everything you could take for this and nothing helps. I started Emgality in November 2019. About two weeks after starting the medication, I started severe constipation, insomnia, hair loss, really bad hip joint pain, and itching. I told my neurologist about it, and he told me none of his other patients had complained of side effects. He said it had to be something else. He wanted me to continue it because it did give me some relief. I suffer from bad vestibular migraines, and it does help me somewhat, but I am going to tell him I want to stop it. The joint pain has now started in my fingers, feet, and shoulders. I can't handle the lack of sleeping and joint pain anymore."

• Gig...
• September 2, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I started getting vestibular migraines 2 years ago at the age of 56. I have never had any serious medical problems before this. I suffer from severe vertigo and nausea along with the headaches too. My neurologist tried me on just about everything you could take for this and nothing helps. I started Emgality in November 2019. About two weeks after starting the medication, I started severe constipation, insomnia, hair loss, really bad hip joint pain, and itching. I told my neurologist about it, and he told me none of his other patients had complained of side effects. He said it had to be something else. He wanted me to continue it because it did give me some relief. I suffer from bad vestibular migraines, and it does help me somewhat, but I am going to tell him I want to stop it. The joint pain has now started in my fingers, feet, and shoulders. I can't handle the lack of sleeping and joint pain anymore."

• LJR...
• January 30, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I got my double dose in September and saw little improvement in my migraines. Then, following my October and November doses, I had an incredible reduction in the number of headaches. I was elated. It took me a while to connect my muscle and joint pain with the drug, and I now realize I’ve had increasing numbness and tingling in my hands and feet for the past few months as well. It took months to build up. I am now in so much pain in my arms and legs that I am woken up multiple times a night from the pain. I also have shortness of breath I didn’t have before. Plus, I’ve had more headaches the past two doses. I wish I hadn’t taken the last dose two weeks ago because I’m afraid I have a long haul now before these symptoms go away. I’m really disappointed because it seemed so effective, but I can’t wait for it to leave my system now! I wish I’d realized earlier my symptoms were from the Emgality. And my doctor assured me there were no side effects. He drank the Kool-Aid."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2022

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "If you have or suspect you have any sort of mental health problems, stay away from Emgality. The first loading dose didn’t do much except give me a little more energy. The second injection seemed to help reduce migraines, and I was rather optimistic. By the third injection, headaches returned worse than before with a myriad of side effects. Stupidly, I had a fourth injection. That was 2 months ago. Now I have headaches almost constantly. Along with that, my anxiety has turned into panic attacks. I also have reflux, brain fog, sore joints, strange heartbeat rhythm, extreme fatigue, and a general feeling of dread. I have read that it takes 6 months for this drug to get out of your system, and it can’t come soon enough. My neurologist swore it wouldn’t affect my mental health, but he was wrong! He only rattled off what was provided to him by the drug maker. Medication with such a long half-life will really bite you in the backside when it goes wrong. Pray I feel better soon."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "This medication has been an absolute nightmare for me. The day after my second dose, I started experiencing severe nausea, dizziness, joint pain, depression, ears ringing, teeth pain, the intense worst migraine I have ever had, and really bad insomnia. I have been in the ER 5 times and urgent care twice. I’m 31 days past the due date for my second dose (did not take again), and I’m just now able to get out of my bed. I am still very nauseous, bad migraine, ears ringing, extremely depressed, and the insomnia is SO hard to deal with. I’m averaging 1-2 hours a night, but very broken up. I’m a stay-at-home mom to two boys ages three and one, and this has been impossible to care for them. I just want this nightmare to end."

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

Galcanezumab 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."

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

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "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."

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

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "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."

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

Galcanezumab 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."

• Zom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2019

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "This is my third month on the medication. My headaches seem to be less severe, but my headaches are different now. I get random nose bleeds, dizziness, and purple and red small bruises on my arms, like petechiae. I have stomach pains and joint pains too. I’m giving the medicine a chance to work, but if my side effects continue, I will have to stop the medication."

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

Galcanezumab 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."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2021

Galcanezumab 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."

• Lou...
• May 3, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Worst medication I have ever taken! I have just taken my second dose and have horrible joint and body pain. My abdomen is so swollen, sweating profusely, and in extreme pain all over. I would rather have a migraine than deal with all this. I wish I had seen this site before I started taking it. Please share with the FDA so no one else has to go through the pain."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Awful. It only takes the pain part to 90% and leaves all the other migraine symptoms. And that might be alright if it weren't for side effects. It isn't good for Basilar type because of increased stroke risk. It can take a week or two to manifest Emgality side effect symptoms, so far increasing and near debilitating muscle and joint pain, inflammation of the edge of my eyelids, injection site reactions (these took a week to show up), ever-present dizziness, loud tinnitus, increased anxiety. This is awful stuff."

• kwu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I took Emgality for almost a year. I have chronic daily migraines. I did not get any relief from this drug. Near the end of taking it, I started experiencing severe joint pain. I now have two frozen shoulders. I have never had issues with my joints previously. I am also now experiencing severe IBS. I literally cannot leave the house if I have eaten. I have never had this problem. I truly believe these issues have been caused by being on Aimovig and then Emgality. It may have been worth it if I had any relief from the pain of migraines, but unfortunately, I did not. It is so hard to now have these issues and not be able to get answers because there is no research on it."

• Ltk...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I am a 53-year-old woman. I had bad migraines as a teen and after babies in my 20s and was on Imotrex for years. The migraines seemed better in my 30s and 40s, maybe a few a year with no Rx needed. I moved to MN, and migraines flared. I now know that the weather patterns are a big trigger. Also, menopause hormone issues were triggers. I have, in the past 3 years, been on several 'triptans' that started good and then didn't work. My doctor suggested Emgality, and March 2021 was my loading month. Things were promising for 5 months. Some trouble with sleeping and back/joint pain, but migraines were very few and not severe. August 2021 was life-changing. Terrible ringing in ears, joints on fire, speech struggles, brain fog, and migraines lasted for almost 6 weeks. My doctor convinced me that my symptoms were not related to the injection, so I was sent to an ENT for hearing tests, as well as a brain CT and MRI. Nothing showed up. So I sat in the ER 2 days after the November injection with a racing heart, couldn't breathe, the worst pain and ringing in my head, and vomited while I waited to be helped. Dangerous drug."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Migraine prevention - 2 injections, loading dose. Worst migraine ever that lasted a week. Irritated, angry, and bloated. Hadn’t had a bowel movement in 5 days. Box of Ex-Lax did nothing. 5 enemas over 3 days, along with Ex-Lax, removed the impaction. I’ve continued on stool softener and added more fiber, but an enema is required every 10 days. It’s been 3 months. Then I woke up with tingling and numb/pain in both arms. Thought I slept wrong. So severe I can’t hold my phone at times. Go to an ortho, and imaging shows nothing! Nerve study shows nothing. Puzzled. My elbows feel like someone took a hammer to them. I never took the 2nd shot. Fatigue, terrible elbow, arm, and finger pain. Someone needs to do something about this drug! Off the market."

• EDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I have been on Emgality for 3 months, and my daily migraines went away, with the exception of 4 during this time period. I was put on Emgality after most medications did not work, or I experienced unbearable side effects. Here’s the problem... I am experiencing the absolute worst side effects from Emgality. They are as follows: excessive weight gain (22 lbs), bloating, swollen feet, lips and hands, stomach pain, hot flashes, anxiety, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, stuffy nose, vision changes, hot flashes, joint pain, and itchy skin. These all developed during the course of 3 months. Regarding the weight gain, it is in my abdomen and butt. I feel terrible, like I’m one big hormone. My Dr. assured me Emgality has no side effects, and I may be having a rare reaction. I have to wait 5 months to be out of my system. Back to square one. I would run from Emgality. I feel like I’ve been poisoned!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2023

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Have had chronic, severe migraines since 12 years old, am now 50. Taken everything possible for them. All three injectables have been tried, and Emgality is the easiest to deal with and has the best efficacy for me. Completely kills my motivation, gives me insomnia, almost 3/4ths of my hair fell out, I itch all the time, my nose is so stuffy, then runny, and my joints and limbs are like lead most of the time. Still, I don't want to go back to having such severe migraines almost 4 days out of the week. My neurologist swears it isn't the injection, yet I'm on nothing else. Don't know what to do."

• Ma ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2022

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I was asked to try this medication to see if it may help with pain, I think, because I only get a few migraines a month. After the initial loading dose of two cartridges, my weight went up by 15 lbs rapidly. To add insult to it all, I started having extreme joint pain and knee swelling. The variables to add were that I had been between COVID infections. Maybe that weighed in. I'm not going to be negative on the product; it might work for someone else very well. But being obese to start with and that extra 15 lbs stressed the knee. If you are already heavy, I might want to do my homework. I had, but found it difficult to find precise information. I wish the company didn't flood the Google search. I might have been able to make a more informed decision if I had been able to pull up differing opinions. I couldn't find the negatives until it was too late."

• goo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2024

For Migraine "50+ yr old female - I have higher functional days since starting Emgality. I had daily migraines prior to Emgality but was able to function. After 1+ year on Emgality, I have noticed joint pain and swelling, higher cholesterol levels, and lower WBC with increased kidney dysfunction. Neurologist visit in two months."