CGRP Treatments: The Success Stories
The new CGRP treatments are certainly a hot topic. On Migraine.com's Facebook page, we reposted Holly Baddour’s piece, “CGRPs and Migraine: Navigating Wellness for the First Time in Years.” Her article sparked so many reactions. In a separate Facebook post, we also asked the Migraine.com community if you had talked to your doctor about trying new migraine treatments.
What have your CGRP experiences been?
Some of you spoke out about how these new medicines are changing your life. Others of you agreed with Holly's concerns about cost and insurance. Unfortunately, some have not found any relief from the new treatments. In this 3-part series, we will be sharing comments from these community posts that include success stories, scenarios where trying new treatments led to no happy ending, and cost and insurance concerns that may stop you from trying new migraine treatments.
What has changed?
There is a reason so many people are talking about CGRP treatment. People in the migraine community have had success with trying one of the CGRP treatments. They are finding a drastic decrease in the number of monthly migraines and have said it feels like they have a new life now that they are on the CGRP treatments.
“I started on CGRP (brand name) in July, and after 3 doses it seems as though we hit the jackpot! In 2 weeks, I have had only 1 migraine! That is a miracle for me! Haven’t had that in 20 years. I have everything crossed that it keeps working! Don’t give up, folks, and good luck!”
“My entire life has changed for the better. I am more respected at work, I am able to have a healthy relationship with my family, and I have a boyfriend for the first time in 5 years. I am so thankful for CGRPs (brand name)!”
Do CGRPs work after months of use?
CGRPs certainly have fans in the Migraine.com community. Many of you have made the switch and couldn’t be happier. Many mentioned a reduction in migraines — sometimes a drop from as many as 4 a week to once a month. No wonder members who have found relief from this treatment have become so loyal.
“CGRPs have been life-changing for me. I started on the 70mg dose in January and noticed a great improvement, but I still have some migraines. In April, I was bumped up to 140mg, and I only had 1 migraine since then. Before starting, I averaged 6 or 7 a month. It is truly incredible for me, and I am so thankful I found a great neurologist and this treatment!”
“I’ve been using CGRP (brand name) for about 8 months and love it. I thought that I didn’t really let my headaches affect my life, but when I saw the difference in how I felt and what my life was like with reduced headache days, I was shocked at how much they ruled my life.”
“I have been taking CGRPs (brand name) for a year. I have noticed a great deal of relief.”
“I am about to take my third month’s injection of CGRPs (brand name). It has changed my life completely! The frequency and intensity of my migraines have greatly diminished. Even my chronic daily headaches have improved. Tension headaches are still an issue at times, but I’m shocked at how well I’ve felt the last 2 months!”
Have you had to change your dosage?
Also worth noting is that many of you who tried CGRPs have had to increase the dose. Because this is a newer medicine, less is known about how effective it is with patients — and how it works long-term, which is something to consider.
“I have been on CGRPs (brand name) since October 2018. I started out with 70mg but now taking 140mg. It has been working, but lately, I think my body has become gotten used to it. I’m wondering if I should talk to my doc about either switching from 1 CGRP (brand name) or another CGRP (brand name).”
“I was on the CGRPs (brand name) 70 mg dose for a year and just increased to the 140 mg dose. I also resumed my Botox treatment. Between those 2, my migraine days are down to 20 per month. Still, more than I would like, but an improvement.”
What else did the community share?
For more comments from the Migraine.com community, check out the original Facebook posts here and here.
Continue on to part 2 and part 3 of this CGRP treatment series to see how others have managed the failures and cost barriers. And, of course, feel free to share your own story!
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