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is my pain a side effect of the emgality injection?
Hi everyone! First of all, sorry for my English; it's not my first language. I am a 23 year old woman and I suffer from chronic migraines, and before starting Emgality, this was my "only" problem. Don’t get me wrong—the injection has drastically reduced the intensity of my migraines, but they still happen every day.
About a week after the first injection, I developed a UTI, followed by back-to-back vaginal infections. A constant has been intense vaginal burning, but even now that all the infections are gone and according to my gynecologist there is nothing wrong, I am left with intense chronic pain. . Could Emgality be causing this?
In the following months (when I also started taking Topamax), I developed intense joint pain, excruciating neck and shoulder pain, tremors, severe fatigue, and difficulty using my hands. According to my neurologist, these symptoms aren’t related to the medication I’m taking, but I can’t ignore the fact that, just a week before starting Emgality, my "only" (though extremely debilitating) problem was intense head pain. Now, I’m left with moderate but chronic head pain and pain throughout the rest of my body.
Bottom line: has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thank you in advance to anyone who will use some of their time to answer!!
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Welcome @eleonora, It's great to hear that the Emgality has given you some relief and reduced the intensity of your migraines. I'm sorry to hear that they still happen. I thought you might like to read through the comments from other members being treated with Emgality while you wait for members to respond. Here's a link to the comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=emgality%20+side%20effects. There have also been a few members who have commented on Topomax and joint pain - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=Topamax%20+joint%20pain.
Here is some information on the drug that might be helpful.
-- Emgality: Dosage, side effects, uses and more...
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/emgality#about
Did your neurologist offer any suggestions for new symptoms? Have you discussed the joint pain with your primary care doctor?
I am sorry you’re suffering from so much pain at such a young age. I do have a suggestion however that might explore the reason for your new onset of intense joint pain, fatigue, hand symptoms and tremors. You are at an age when autoimmune diseases often start. Chronic migraines can be an initial symptom and then other symptoms can occur later. I would suggest asking your PCP to do some screening bloodwork for autoimmune disorders. There are many but lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis are the most common that affects joints and cause fatigue. Some screening bloodwork including CBC, metabolic panel, ANA. RA factor, sed rate and CRP are good screening tests and if abnormal levels show up, a referral to a rheumatologist would be indicated to identify the specific problem. It may be that your migraines are a part of a bigger problem that is developing. If that’s the case, ( I hope not), better to identify it early and get treatment started. Please let us know what transpires. I am glad the injections are at least helping your migraines. Good luck and I hope this gets figured out soon and you feel better!
Hi! Thank you a lot for your kind reply! I did go to a rheumathologist a few weeks ago, but I was told my symptoms weren't "enough" to indicate an autoimmune disease. However, if things get worse I will definitely insist on being tested. I will keep you updated, and thank you again for the time you took to reply!