Aimovig
 

On my second shot. Checking to see if there’s anybody out there taking Aimovig?

As background I’ve been suffering from migraines for 54 years. Generally 4-5 migraines per month followed by clusters. Tried a number of preventative meds. Topamax reduced symptoms by 25%. Migraine diet helped another 25%, i.e. no tyramine diet. Very difficult. Still lived in migraine fear.

Aimovig, though expensive, has brought the migraines down to one per month. Note that I tried Ajovy first, then Aimovig. I still get light normal headaches sometimes. No big deal. Both work on the same CHRP protein though thru a different path.

Insurance would not cover Ajovy but did give a 50% break on Aimovig.

Migraines are still gone. Side effects are noted as:

Injection site redness

Constipation

Cramps

Here’s what I have found:

No injection site redness. Yes, some constipation. Maybe some cramps in my feet. Not sure [emoji848]

Migraines are still under control. Important to mention that I am still taking Topamax 100mg and on my no-tyramine diet. I’ve relaxed a little on the cheese part successfully. I can now take a multi-vitamin without getting sick. So Aimovig is a successful add-on drug at this point. Not a replacement!

I do feel some light headaches start if I stay on the computer too long, for example, but they go away if I relax.

Still no real side effects from Aimovig. The ones mentioned before have ceased.

Thanks for the views! Headache/cluster/migraine people all have their stories.

Aimovig is still working. I continue to have dull headaches due to sinuses or other muscular/skeletal issues. Generally resolved without migraine meds. No bad headaches.

Still take Topamax. Working for me.

Take care

Aimovig
 

Visited the Neurologist to review my progress. No migraines. I have had light headaches that are minor. No meds required and they go away in a couple hours. We agreed that they didn’t qualify as migraines. We decided to cut back on topamax to 50mg and stay on the no-tyramine diet. Take care!

After cutting back on topamax to 50mg daily, I have had no increase in headaches. Of interest I’m due for my next injection in 4 days and worried that the Aimovig might be wearing off. No problems to report.

Also I had a busy work week with travel that is generally a migraine trigger. No headaches.

Still on my no tyramine diet. However I have introduced a couple tyramine type foods back into diet without a problem.

I will admit it is odd going from 20+ days a month of severe headaches for 54 years down to almost none.

Thanks for checking in!

Aimovig
 

On vacation and still headache limited. No migraines or clusters. Light reminders of where the headaches were and when to take it easy.

On shot number 5 now. Had one migraine. Yikes! Trying 140mg since it’s the same price.

Thanks for checking in!

Tomorrow is my next shot of Aimovig 140 mg. The first 30 days at 140mg was a big improvement from 70mg. At 70mg I had several migraines and a lot of minor headaches. 140mg seems to have cleared that up. I’m reviewing with my neurologist next week. My prescription is for 70mg so I want to change to 140mg! My samples will be gone.

Hi godfrey ~ Wanted to reply, as I am on AIMOVIG, have been for 9 months now.

I went from 3-4 migraine a week to 1-2 since going on AIMOVIG. I had Migraine with Aura.

I am on 70 mg of AIMOVIG.

None of the preventatives worked for me, so went to Maxalt as an abortive but that never really worked either. Have had these migraine types since 13.

Found that if I don't give the shot within the 30 day period, migraine comes back with a vengeance and takes awhile to settle down. Have you found this?

I also heard on the AIMOVIG Facebook that in Canada, the AIMOVIG is only given out for one year. I will be calling AIMOVIG next week to re-order and also to ask about if there is a restriction on how many to dispense per year.

Soo glad to hear this is working for you.

Blue

Aimovig
 

Blue,

You might want to try Aimovig 140mg to see if it knocks out the rest of the migraines. It made a difference for me. I believe the price is the same as the 70mg injection. I did not have any side effects from 140mg.

As for the 30 day cycle, you are correct. Around 27 days I can feel the headaches starting to flare up. Some people take a shot every 4 weeks.

Not sure about the reorder program in Canada. In the US I did not qualify for free shots under Medicare. However, my Neurologist gives me some samples when I visit. Also, I petitioned my insurance company for a discount since none of the preventative medicines worked that well. I pay $240 per injection.

Good luck!

Dan

Hi Dan ~ Thank you for the helpful suggestion about going up to 140 mg. Glad for you that you found relief at that mg *smiles*. I'll ask about increasing the mg if I can ever get in to see my headache specialist. It's been a year and I can't seem to get an appointment with him. I did write him and he said he has no openings until Fall, which will make it over a year since I last saw him. Unfortunately he's the only headache specialist in my area. He did say he won't increase my mg up to 140 mg due to my age and the lack of studies on those over 65.

I did apply for, I think, the Bridge Program or the other program thru AIMOVIG and once approved, they are sending me the shots free. I filled out the application from the AIMOVIG website, had my neurologist fax in the needed information and within three weeks I was approved. I am even on Medicare, which I know won't pay for it, neither will my insurance company. So, I have to rely upon AIMOVIG for now. Hoping their campaign doesn't end or I'm back to weekly migraine.

Be sure to look up the application online, download it and get your neurologist fill it out and fax it in to get you off his samples.

Best,

Blue

Thank you!

Good luck, keep me posted *smiles

Blue

Godfrey ~ How did your neurologist appt go? Did you discuss going on the program that helps pay for this cost of AIMOVIG?

Going thru numerous migraines, one right after another in last 7 days and I just had my shot several days ago. Will call my headache doc and see about upping it to 140 mg.

Take care,

Blue

Aimovig
 

Blue,

Sorry to hear about your migraines. I experienced something similar and discussed with my Neurologist last week. I experienced repeat migraines on 70mg then tried 140mg with the same results.

On 70mg I had no headaches for several months then they started up. Maybe one a week with a lot of clusters. On 140mg the headaches went away for 6 weeks. Then I had what you described with two migraines and five clusters within a week. Maybe a little more intense than on 70mg.

The Neurologist didn’t have an explanation nor did we discuss why. He wanted to verify if I had a migraine or clusters. We also verified that I am still taking 50mg of Topamax daily and eat a low tyramine diet.

He asked if I wanted to try Ajovy to compare results. I agreed. At this point I have to clear my system of Aimovig for 60 days then try the Ajovy. Unfortunately, Ajovy is not covered by United Health Care part D. So I have filed a case. Also I learned from this experience that 60 days on these drugs is to early to come to a conclusion.

Good luck,

Dan


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Hi Dan ~ I wanted to pass along some information for you should you decide to come back to AIMOVIG:

1. The enrollment for 2020 begins in October 2019 to submit an application for the AMGEN Safety Net Program for AIMOVIG, which is the free program I belong to.
2. I get 3 free samples every 90 days. I call 888-762-6436 for the Amgen Safety Net Foundation to send out samples from their pharmacy. You can also download the application per their instructions.

Can you define "cluster of migraine" more specifically for me? I have not seen my neurologist for 8 months now and if I am having more migraine like what you talk about, perhaps I need to try to get in sooner to see this doctor.

Oh, also, you could join the Facebook migraine group called CRGP Antagonst Migraine Preventative and Abortive Medications. It's very informative and has a large audience that participates. They discuss all the CGRP medications and the Ajovy that you are taking.

I am going on AARP Untied Health Care, Part D soon. So, this will not cover Ajovy? Hoping your case gets approved for an exception. If not, what are your options? If you come back to AIMOVIG due to restrictions with your current health plan, you might want to consider applying for the Safety Net Foundation Program. I have to notify the AMGEN Foundation when I change my health plan, so fingers crossed I will still qualify for their free samples thru the Foundation.

Keep me posted.

Blue

Blue,

Lots of good information in your post.

A migraine according to my Neurologist needs to include: throbbing head pain particularly around the temples, eyesight distortion and nausea.

A cluster is a headache, more in the forehead and around the eyes. Very painful.

Different Neurologists might argue the fine details, but that is how he defines them.

FYI, my headaches have gone down since my last post. So Aimovig is doing it’s job again. I’m going to go through the process of trying Ajovy to see which works better.

Take care!


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Good luck, Dan. Keep me updated how Ajovy goes for you.

Thanks for the information :)

Blue

Aimovig
 

On day 35 of the transition from Aimovig to Ajovy. I’m going to try Ajovy for 4 months, then pick what works best.

I have learned the following during my anti-CGRP research on Google and I quote:

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a vasoactive peptide. It is part of the “inflammatory soup” that is involved in dilation of cerebral and dural blood vessels. Widely distributed throughout the body, CGRP levels in serum increase during migraine or cluster headache. Triptans provide some migraine relief by modulating the CGRP.

CGRP is a neuropeptide that exists in trigeminal ganglia nerves and a potent vasodilator of cerebral blood vessels. CGRP is believed to mediate vasodilatory mechanism of neurogenic inflammation and the transmission of trigeminovascular nociceptive signal from intracranial vessels to central nervous system.

My interpretation and results so far are:

Aimovig and Ajovy work as approved. However, they are complicated drugs.


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Reporting early! On day 40 started getting headaches and decided to inject Ajovy on day 42. I couldn’t find any research that supported a 60 day detox from one CGRP med to another. Feeling 100% better. But just day 2 in a CGRP world. Will report back.


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"Triptans provide some migraine relief by modulating the CGRP." I love my Relpax -- my favorite triptan.

Been on Ajovy for 14 days. It’s going well. A couple light headaches but minor. Results feel similar to Aimovig 140mg.

I did have a 5 day headache episode while on Aimovig so giving Ajovy a whirl.

Also decided to drop Topamax 50mg as a test. I’ve been on it for 3 years. The Neurologist already knocked it down from 100mg to 50mg. Feel more energetic without the Topamax.

Also after UHC insurance said they wouldn’t cover Ajovy I picked up a new prescription for $245, same price as Aimovig. So who knows what happened.




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Hello!

Met with my Neurologist today. After 2 shots of Ajovy the headache level is similar to Aimovig 140mg. I have light headaches but no migraines on Ajovy. I also stopped taking Topamax.

Originally when we talked about the CGRP options he was very positive about about the results of his patients. This time he was more guarded and stated that the shots along with a secondary drug is working better. We agreed to meet again and recheck how Ajovy is working as a stand-alone drug.

If the headaches start again he suggested taking 25mg of Topamax twice a day. He also was clear that though the CGRP shots are technically safe, it’s early in the drugs history.

Take care






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How are you, godfrey? Seems like it's time to hear how you are doing.

I need to hear. This is my third day with a fairly stiff headache and my Relpax hasn't helped at all. Makes me wonder about Aimovig or something.

Wren,

Sorry to hear about your headaches and Relpax not working as well. I was never prescribed Relpax.

I took another Ajovy shot on 10/10. I’m still off Topamax. At this point I haven’t had a migraine in 2 months. I still get light headaches a couple times a week that can be managed with rubbing Biofreeze gel on the painful spot. I haven’t even had to take standard over the counter headache meds.

Like I mentioned before Amovig 140mg and Ajovy both seem to work. However with the Amovig I did get a couple migraines that were painful. Ajovy, at this point, seems to be holding up a little better for me. My Neurologist said that both are good but results very by person.

We all know the pain and trepidation that goes with migraine sufferers. Good luck on your search!

Godfrey


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Aimovig
 

My dermatologist suggested that I try Botox as an add-on to Amovig. This was based on continued minor headaches in my temple areas and above my eyebrows. He also felt that a little Botox above my eyebrows and the lines next to my eyes would help with my appearance.

I decided to give it a try. After one week the Botox has eliminated the temple and eyebrows headaches. Ajovy is still doing its job as well. However, I have experienced some light headache soreness on my forehead where there is no Botox.

Bottom line, I feel that the Botox addition has been a good and my forehead/eye lines diminished.

It’s a little pricey to do both Ajovy and Botox but after 52 years of chronic migraines I’ll pay the price for now.




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I hope everyone is doing well. With the holidays coming up we’ll be facing lots of triggers. This will be my first holiday season on a CGRP med. Actually looking forward to low key gatherings without the fear of a migraine.

All the best[emoji120]








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Hello and Happy Holidays!

In my last post I mentioned Botox as an add-on therapy to Ajovy. Bad decision! A couple days after my last post I started getting light headaches in the Botox injection site areas. It lasted for about a week and then went away. I canceled my next Botox appointment. Botox is not for me.

Also my insurance lowered the monthly price of Ajovy to $201 U.S.

The Ajovy is still working well. It is a joy to have reduced headaches during this busy holiday season.

I hope all is well with you. Happy Holidays!

Godfrey


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Sorry to hear about the Botox failure -- but it's nice to hear about the Ajovy.

Visited my neurologist today. We agreed that for me Ajovy was working better than Amovig. Over a 90 day trial Ajovy worked slightly better than Amovig. No migraines but a number of minor headaches.

My pharmacist who specializes in getting insurance approvals for customers, commented that both CGRP formulas have similar results. He noted that his customers have reported 80-100% migraine relief from both Ajovy or Amovig. Everyone is slightly different.


All the best in this new year!


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Hi godfrey -- good to hear from you. Just a few minutes ago there was an Amovig ad on TV and I thought of you.

Hello all and I hope you’re in good health.

I have noticed that the headaches are getting a little more frequent as the months continue on Ajovy. I found some analysis that shows that is not uncommon.

Also, no research that I could find supports my pharmacist’s statement that Aimovig or Ajovy eliminates 80-100% of migraines.

As the numbers start to come in from researchers (that I could find) it appears that more like <15% of users receive 100% migraine relief. The vast majority realized a reduction in headaches as noted below. I was lucky enough to have one really good month. Otherwise I am starting to fall into the average category.

It appears that my body is adjusting to Ajovy and triggers will set off a 2 or 3 day cluster style headache. Only one true migraine aura style headache in three months. Not bad in reality.

Also, the side effect list is growing from the initial statement of redness around the injection site. You can find the list on Google.

My Neurologist commented that many patients are beginning to add on an additional preventative treatment to the CGRP shot. I may add 25mg of Topamax into my daily routine.

Good luck on your search!

Medical News Today
Ajovy can be used to prevent both episodic and chronic migraine headaches. In clinical studies, nearly 48 percent of people with episodic migraine headaches who received Ajovy cut their number of migraine days in at least half. About 41 percent of people with chronic migraine headaches had similar results.

In clinical studies, nearly 48 percent of people with episodic migraine headaches who received Ajovy cut their number of migraine days in at least half. About 41 percent of people with chronic migraine headaches had similar results. In another study, up to 35 percent of people with chronic migraine headaches lessened to episodic migraine headaches after three months of Ajovy treatment.

Episodic migraine (EM) is characterized by those with migraine who have 0 to 14 headache days per month, while chronic migraine (CM) is characterized by 15 or more headache days per month.Nov 15, 2011


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Wow! 11 months since the last post. So much has happened for everyone. Hopefully you are doing well.

Got my vaccine shot today. I’m still taking Ajovy with wonderful results.

All the best


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