Galcanezumab and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

Galcanezumab 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."

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

Galcanezumab 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."

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

Galcanezumab 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."

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

Galcanezumab 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

Galcanezumab 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

Galcanezumab 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."

• mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I’m a 49-year-old migraine warrior for 17 years, been on Topamax for 16 of those. I have a daith piercing that has worked wonders, but not enough. I also got tired of taking Topamax earlier this year, so I quit, worst decision ever. New neurologist suggested I try Emgality-second worst decision ever. I did the two-dose initial injection about 1 month ago, 3 days post-injection I had a migraine that lasted around 9 days-give or take a day. Since I have had joint and body aches, pitting edema in my feet and ankles. I hurt from head to toe. Made a phone call yesterday and I am picking up a new script for Topamax today."

• Tig...
• August 17, 2021

For Cluster Headaches "I also had good results, especially in the beginning of taking this medication. Went from 3 cluster/migraines per week to maybe two a month. However, I too have suffered with anxiety, weight gain, weird breathing difficulties (especially in the left nostril), and achy joints. I was on this for about a year, and then my insurance didn’t want to cover it, so haven’t been on it for 4 or 5 months, and I’m thinking it’s a good thing! I’m not going back on it even though I have had some more migraines. The memory challenges alone are too much to deal with (scary). I too hope this will leave my system soon."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2021

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "I just finished my first month on Emgality and I'm quite impressed! Most months for the last 10+ years, I would run out of my Sumatriptan prescription. I also take Excedrin most days as a preventative. Since my loading doses this month, I have only taken 2 Excedrin and 1 Sumatriptan! I have noticed that my hands and feet will sometimes get really cold, and I get heartburn/acid reflux at times. My hip and knee joints seem to hurt a bit, but it could be unrelated. I already have high blood pressure, but it seems to have elevated my blood pressure. Although my month has been primarily free of migraines, I still have that lurking migraine feeling in the background that comes in waves, but it never progresses like it did before. My main concern is the cost without insurance and the availability of it in other countries, as I sometimes travel and live abroad."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2020

Galcanezumab for Migraine Prevention "Several side effects: palpitations, joint pain, intestinal issues, nightmares, insomnia, severe muscle pain on the side of the body where the injection occurred. I received no relief from migraines."