I use monthly Emgality shots. They have decreased the number of migraines to 2 to 3 monthly. I was having close to 15 per month.

A migraine diary will show patterns. There are some online you can use. They track food, weather, time of the month, medications and are very helpful long term. Pain killers should be your last resort. Triptans? Do they help abort your migraine? What preventative are you on? Lots of people are having luck with the new once a month shots like Emgality or Emovig. Most importantly you need to get to a migraine specialist or at least a good neurologist. It is very rare that migraines have causes such as tumors, etc.., but it does happen. Get to a neurologist, get an mri, and let them get you on preventative. You will be glad you did.

Thanks!

Same here. I also receive botox every 3 months.

In addition, I'd like to mention the migraine abortive powder drug called Cambia. I have good success with it. Might be worth a mention to your neurologist.

I had 4 doses of Emgality injections and coincidently my pre-existing anxiety and depression got remarkably worse. Or was it the Emgality? Well, my provider took me off the injections to see if that was the cause. I had my last injection December 19, 2019. Any other complaints about this reaction, or is it just me?

@courtneyblair Hi there – I received Emgality injections for 8 months and did not experience what you describe. I recently stopped the drug simply because it petered out! On to the next. I wish you the best going forward.
Rachel

Any explanation as to why it petered out? I'm afraid to start back on it. I don't know which is worse, the headaches or the horrible depression. Both are pretty awful. Thanks for the feedback.

Nope. My neurologist, a man of very little words, just says it happens and the body may build tolerance to the drug. Or some may simply not work for certain people. I hope communicating with your Dr helps find you the right treatment. Good luck. Migraines are beasts!

Hi @courtneyblair

I just noticed that it's been a while since you last posted. I hope you are feeling better now. Have you resumed the Emgality injections?
I would enjoy hearing from you. Will you post an update when you have time?

@courtneyblair @rwinney I don't know where you live, but I am in Tucson, Arizona and have a wonderful pain doctor who also suffers from migraines. If you are in this area, let me know. He was trained at Mayo, but honestly has provided more help than the Mayo docs did in this area.

@ilovedoodie Thank you very much for the thought. I'm alllllll the way over in New York. I'm currently under control with migraines since my last bad bout. I switched from Emgality to Ajovy. 3 shots every 90 days.
Rachel

I have been to neurologist, migraine specialist and I still suffer from terrible migrains daly, evbery day of the month for the last 8 years non stop. I even went to Mayo Clinic and found no help there either. I am at my wits end ond need help, I see floating spots day and night, do not sleep well and have tried Emgality, amovig and even Botox without getting releif. Any help would be great.

@jbarb Im so sorry about your migraines . I cant imagine what they are like . I do have a suggestion when you said about seeing spots have you seen a opthamalogist? I dont know if she /he could advice you but just a suggestion

Hi @jbarb.. I'm so sorry to hear of your migraine struggles. They are miserable and debilitating to deal with. I've gotten relief from botox every 3 months ( but it took 2 rounds to produce). Aimovig and Emgality both did their job but after 8+ months they each became less effective. To that, my neurologist says, then we keep rotating once you build tolerance. I'm now using Ajovy which are 3 needles once every 90 days. I'm back on track…til the next time. Also, my Neuro suggested Cambia, a powdered abortive medicine, mixed with water, taken upon onset of severe migraine. It is a game changer!

My only other advice is about clear diagnosis. I was also diagnosed with occipital neuralgia which led me to greater and lesser occipital nerve blocks in my head which then turned into several radio frequency ablations to kill the nerves.

I also have Small Fiber poly neuropathy. It is whole body but is predominant in my head, neck and shoulders so, that all presents mitigating factors for me.

Some days I don't know if I'm coming or going! Trying to navigate the root of pain and cause can be a challenge. No more injections/RFA's for me as I don't believe they helped my cause and perhaps contributed to permanent nerve damage.

Hoping to have helped you in some small way. May you find answers and relief soon. Be well –
Rachel