Chronic Migraines Forever

By shirleyeh

1 min read

I’ve had migraines since I was 16 that developed into chronic migraines (20-28 per month) in my forties - I am 67 years old now. I have tried everything except Botox, which I chose not to try. I am side-effect sensitive, so even the medications that helped my migraines some were not worth it because of the side effects. I have taken Imitrex as my abortive forever - up to 18 pills per month (which is all I’m allowed with my insurance). No preventatives have helped. Topamax was the last one I tried - it did reduce the number of migraines I had every month, but I couldn’t eat because of extreme nausea and vomiting daily.

CGRP injections

My physician asked if I wanted to give Aimovig a try. I researched it and patient reviews and decided to give it a try. I was apprehensive about the side effects but hopeful it might work. I had my first injection two and a half weeks ago. I had no reactions to the injection. I continued to have migraines for ten days straight, then one-day migraine free, next day migraine, for 7
more days. 13 Migraines in 17 days - normal for me.

Triptan tablet

But, when my last migraine came on, I took Imitrex and was migraine-free in 45 minutes, instead of taking 2-4 hours to abate. I wonder if it is the Aimovig.

After only two and a half weeks, I’m not sure if the Aimovig will work for me, but I am willing to continue taking it for the three months the doctor recommended. He said it will either work or it will not, by then. I am hopeful that I will. I’ll keep you updated.

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Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
Fingers crossed for you, ShirleyEH! I hope the Aimovig will offer you some much needed relief for your symptoms. I hear how much you struggle living without a preventative treatment for migraine. We will look forward to hearing back from you about how things progress! Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)
shirleyeh Member
There are a few notable changes in my normal migraine life, since starting Aimovig one month ago. I didn’t expect to experience any results until the end of my three-month regiment. I am still having migraines, but only every OTHER day. This is still too many migraines but obviously much better than having one almost every day in a month. Like clockwork, when I have one migraine, I will have another for at least three more days. My worst episodes have been 10 days in a row. Rarely do I have “reprieve” days. This is my normal migraine life. Surprisingly, during this past two and a half weeks, I have not had any extended migraine runs. Instead, I will have a migraine on one day and then a “reprieve” day. This is so weird for me; I honestly don’t know what to do with this one abnormal day. I am cautiously trying to enjoy the migraine-free days, while fearing my normal migraine life will return anytime. Though these are minor changes, they are significant to me. I am hopeful Aimovig will continue to make changes in my migraine life.
shirleyeh Member
It’s been 6 months since I started Aimovig injections and I must say I am amazed at my results. Every month I’ve had fewer and fewer migraines with no side effects whatsoever. I’m down to 3-4 a month (instead of 18-25 a month), and most of the time, the headache is not as intense. Sometimes I can take care of my migraine without Immitrex, using an ice pack and a cup of coffee instead. I usually have Just one really bad migraine a month in comparison to all my migraines being unbearable. I’ve even been able to cut back on my antidepressants. Six months ago I never thought another new medication would work. I am still surprised it is working but I am enjoying my many, many migraine free days. I continue to hope others will find this drug works for them as well as it has for me. ❤️ Shirley
1. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 ShirleyEH thanks for the update! I'm glad to hear Aimovig has worked so well for you and without any side effects. I hope you continue to find many more months of relief with that course of therapy. Cheryl <a href='http://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
shirleyeh Member
Three more months have gone by and I am doing well with the Aimovig injections. I’m having 2-3 migraines a month (instead of up to the previous 28 per month). The once a month injections are easy to give myself. No side effects at all. (I still find that an ice pack and a cup of coffee with Immitrex works best at managing my migraines, when I have them). Interestingly though, I only have my migraines during the last week before my next injection, usually on the last few days. The rest of the month, I have no migraines. I am not completely anxiety-free yet - I still worry that the almost daily migraines will start up again. I assume this is normal for someone who has suffered through migraines for 50+ years. I hope my positive experience with Aimovig might help a fellow migraine sufferer. It is well worth the trial. Sincerely, Shirley
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 Hi, Shirley! Thanks for coming back to update us -- we really do wonder how everyone is doing. I'm thrilled to hear that Aimovig has made such a dramatic difference for you! It's always encouraging to hear a success story. You're right, anxiety is a perfectly normal response after everything you have been through, and especially given that life with migraine is so uncertain. Do you have activities you enjoy that can help keep you focused on the present? Some of our members have shared that light exercise, meditation, yoga and even gardening can be helpful. We have a lot of articles on these topics in the archives if you're interested. Here's one that highlights a couple different activities: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/mindfulness-based-stress-reduction/' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/mindfulness-based-stress-reduction/</a> Please know that we are always here to listen and offer support, whether or not you're having migraines. You'll always be a part of the community. 😀 Wishing you continued good health! -Melissa, <a href='http://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team

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