schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 4, 2019 1:46:34 GMT
If so, did it help? how long were you on it before it began to help?
This is my third month on it. First month: 26 days of headache. Second month: 22 days of headache. Both higher than normal, but have experienced it before. Right now, I have just completed 8 days with no headache. I don't know if it finally kicked in or if it is just a good run. My normal, I guess, would be about 15 days of headache per month.
What is your experience?
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Feb 4, 2019 2:20:20 GMT
There is some recent discussion of the drug in this thread.  I'll be interested to hear more-- it sounds like it might be something good for my sister to ask her doctor about (she has a lot of headache days, too). Has anyone gotten it from their GP instead of a neurologist? |
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 4, 2019 2:32:46 GMT
I did get it from my GP.
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Post by genny on Feb 4, 2019 2:41:03 GMT
DD is using Ajovy which, as I understand it, is very similar. She took her 3rd shot today. 1st month was December and she didn't see a difference for about 2 weeks. After that her migraines reduced from 5-6 a week and several hours to a full day for each to 3 or 4 with reduced severity and length. The only side effect she has had is that she gets almost an immediate migraine after taking the shot, but one good thing is that the migraine medicine they have her on (Rizatropan - I'm sure that is spelled wrong) actually makes a difference now (although she has to take two to make a dent in it). Nothing was touching the headaches before, so we feel like the Ajovy is helping make them at least a little more manageable.
I'll be honest, it's still too much. But she has additionally been diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation which aggravates her migraines terribly. Hers got much worse over the past 6 months which is what finally led us to the neurologist. They ordered an MRI and found the CM. So we have a whole other minefield we are trying to navigate in conjunction with the migraines.
We were told that it would have kind of a cumulative affect, so the reduction in qty, severity and length should continue to happen the longer she's on it.
Good luck, I know it's hard. I have migraines very infrequently, I cannot imagine living with them like you and my DD are. I hope you get some relief soon...
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 4, 2019 3:02:45 GMT
Thanks. I’ve been living with them since I was a teenager. I’m now 63. I’ve tried almost everything to prevent them. So far, nothing prevents them but all of the triptan meds work once I have them.
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Post by Patter on Feb 4, 2019 11:32:53 GMT
My daughter is on her 3rd month. The first month it did nothing. She was taking one injection that month. Went back to her neurologist, and he increased it to two injections a month. Now it seems to be working great! Has lowered her migraines tremendously. We are praying it continues. Are you just on one injection? You might ask about moving up to two.
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 4, 2019 12:49:39 GMT
My daughter is on her 3rd month. The first month it did nothing. She was taking one injection that month. Went back to her neurologist, and he increased it to two injections a month. Now it seems to be working great! Has lowered her migraines tremendously. We are praying it continues. Are you just on one injection? You might ask about moving up to two. Thanks, Patter. I am on just one injection. I'll check with my doctor about taking two. |
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Post by Patter on Feb 4, 2019 13:55:28 GMT
My daughter is on her 3rd month. The first month it did nothing. She was taking one injection that month. Went back to her neurologist, and he increased it to two injections a month. Now it seems to be working great! Has lowered her migraines tremendously. We are praying it continues. Are you just on one injection? You might ask about moving up to two. Thanks, Patter. I am on just one injection. I'll check with my doctor about taking two. We really thought this drug was not going to work, and we were skeptical about two injections working but it does. I pray it does the same for you! |
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Post by lbp on Feb 4, 2019 15:05:31 GMT
My first month did nothing. By by second injection my migraines which were around 20 per month is down to about 15 per month. I get my next injection today.
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 4, 2019 15:06:35 GMT
Thank you, again. I have sent a message to my doctor asking about two injections.
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Post by withapea on Feb 4, 2019 15:07:54 GMT
My DH just took his third injection and we're not sure if it's really working. We're all migraine sufferers but his are more chronic than mine. After the first he was terribly sick but after the next one he was fine. We think there may be a slight decline in severity. His doctor said it may take a few months so we'll see. I'm going to mention the increase to two to him. I don't know what our insurance will cover and the Aimovig is expensive, he does Botox as well.
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zella
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Post by zella on Feb 5, 2019 0:16:48 GMT
My daughter is taking Ajovy, which is a similar product, also a once a month injection. She's had 3 injections so far and will have her 4th in about a week. She is having WAY fewer migraine days than she's had in probably at least a decade. This has coincided with our move, though she started it while we were still in Washington.
BTW, the manufacturer of Ajovi is offering it to everyone for FREE for a year. Yep, free.
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Post by Patter on Feb 5, 2019 1:38:26 GMT
My daughter is taking Ajovy, which is a similar product, also a once a month injection. She's had 3 injections so far and will have her 4th in about a week. She is having WAY fewer migraine days than she's had in probably at least a decade. This has coincided with our move, though she started it while we were still in Washington. BTW, the manufacturer of Ajovi is offering it to everyone for FREE for a year. Yep, free. Aimovig is also free. The neurologist explained why the manufacturer is doing that but I forget why. Free is awesome! |
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 5, 2019 14:22:43 GMT
My doctor is calling in the 2 injection dose to my pharmacy. I hope it helps. Today just ended a wonderful 10 day run of no headache. As I told my DH, there is no way to know if it was the aimovig (after 3 months) or just a cycle of on again, off again. It was nice, though, after about 5 very bad months. I’ll have to see how the next few months go, I guess.
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Post by birukitty on Feb 5, 2019 14:36:32 GMT
I've been on Aimovig for several months now. It has been helping my chronic migraines. Just recently I moved up to 2 injections. This month will be my 2nd month doing two injections and I noticed a huge improvement with two injections. I would say with 1 injection I would get about 10-15 migraines a month and with 2 injections I am down to 8 a month. That is huge for me because before Aimovig I was getting migraines every other day or every day for almost 2 years.
I hope it works for you too and for everyone who is trying it or some form of it.
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Post by Patter on Feb 5, 2019 17:56:09 GMT
My doctor is calling in the 2 injection dose to my pharmacy. I hope it helps. Today just ended a wonderful 10 day run of no headache. As I told my DH, there is no way to know if it was the aimovig (after 3 months) or just a cycle of on again, off again. It was nice, though, after about 5 very bad months. I’ll have to see how the next few months go, I guess. Awesome. Praying the two will help! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 20:41:57 GMT
QUESTION about the Aimovig or Ajovi shots: Do you give them to yourself or does your doctor give them to you?? Thanks! (If they're free right now, I might be able to get them under Medicare).
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Post by Patter on Feb 5, 2019 23:17:40 GMT
QUESTION about the Aimovig or Ajovi shots: Do you give them to yourself or does your doctor give them to you?? Thanks! (If they're free right now, I might be able to get them under Medicare). You give them to yourself. My daughter does one in each thigh on the same day each month. |
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Sept 6, 2024 19:42:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 5:41:40 GMT
QUESTION about the Aimovig or Ajovi shots: Do you give them to yourself or does your doctor give them to you?? Thanks! (If they're free right now, I might be able to get them under Medicare). You give them to yourself. My daughter does one in each thigh on the same day each month. OH wow, that would be a problem. I have a fear of needles. It was okay for my pain doctor to give me dozens of botox shots for my migraines, but i don't think I could give myself a shot. Maybe DH could help. I'll check into it. Thank you! |
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Post by Patter on Feb 6, 2019 10:50:17 GMT
You give them to yourself. My daughter does one in each thigh on the same day each month. OH wow, that would be a problem. I have a fear of needles. It was okay for my pain doctor to give me dozens of botox shots for my migraines, but i don't think I could give myself a shot. Maybe DH could help. I'll check into it. Thank you! You are welcome. Sorry. It's very easy to do. It's in a self-injector so not a typical needle/syringe like you might think. You just put against your leg and push the button. My daughter said she doesn't even feel it. Maybe this photo will help. Oh and edited to say that my daughter said it is much, much easier than the 32 Botox injections she used to get.  |
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Post by birukitty on Feb 6, 2019 21:44:03 GMT
You give them to yourself. My daughter does one in each thigh on the same day each month. OH wow, that would be a problem. I have a fear of needles. It was okay for my pain doctor to give me dozens of botox shots for my migraines, but i don't think I could give myself a shot. Maybe DH could help. I'll check into it. Thank you! Don't worry Bergdorfblonde-as Patter mentioned the needle is encased in a plastic auto-injector unit. It's super easy to use and you don't see the needle at all. You can go on aimovig.com and there are guided instructions that show you visually how to do it. I use 2 every month, one right after the other. I place it right up against a pinched portion of my flesh near my stomach (or you can use your thigh). When you have a solid fit you push the button on top of the auto-injector. It took me a couple of months to figure out that by twisting the injector around I could see the clear liquid dispensing and know when it was done (there is a window on the side of it). It also makes a sound when it is finished. I used to give myself B12 injections with a syringe and bottles of B12-this is totally different and like a night and day difference. It's so much easier and truthfully so far I've only felt it twice. I think I've done it probably 10-12 times. They must pack those auto injectors with the tiniest needles Which again you don't have to even see. And it works! Win, win, win. Yippee! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 2:07:42 GMT
OH wow, that would be a problem. I have a fear of needles. It was okay for my pain doctor to give me dozens of botox shots for my migraines, but i don't think I could give myself a shot. Maybe DH could help. I'll check into it. Thank you! You are welcome. Sorry. It's very easy to do. It's in a self-injector so not a typical needle/syringe like you might think. You just put against your leg and push the button. My daughter said she doesn't even feel it. Maybe this photo will help. Oh and edited to say that my daughter said it is much, much easier than the 32 Botox injections she used to get. Thanks so much!! That does help. Just found out that I have another sinus infection so that might have been the cause for my migraines lately. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 2:09:17 GMT
OH wow, that would be a problem. I have a fear of needles. It was okay for my pain doctor to give me dozens of botox shots for my migraines, but i don't think I could give myself a shot. Maybe DH could help. I'll check into it. Thank you! Don't worry Bergdorfblonde-as Patter mentioned the needle is encased in a plastic auto-injector unit. It's super easy to use and you don't see the needle at all. You can go on aimovig.com and there are guided instructions that show you visually how to do it. I use 2 every month, one right after the other. I place it right up against a pinched portion of my flesh near my stomach (or you can use your thigh). When you have a solid fit you push the button on top of the auto-injector. It took me a couple of months to figure out that by twisting the injector around I could see the clear liquid dispensing and know when it was done (there is a window on the side of it). It also makes a sound when it is finished. I used to give myself B12 injections with a syringe and bottles of B12-this is totally different and like a night and day difference. It's so much easier and truthfully so far I've only felt it twice. I think I've done it probably 10-12 times. They must pack those auto injectors with the tiniest needles Which again you don't have to even see. And it works! Win, win, win. Yippee! Thank you so much! If my migraines continue, I'll see if I can try this! |
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Post by Patter on Feb 7, 2019 10:52:51 GMT
@bergdorfblonde praying you feel better. And my daughter decided to try it and ended up being so please now that she has stopped her Botox (you can do both Botox and Aimovig together). She is glad she tried it. Maybe you can give it a try too. You might be very pleased. My daughter says she does not feel it at all. Hugs!
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Post by birukitty on Feb 7, 2019 16:05:26 GMT
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear you have a sinus infection Bergdorfblonde. I had one that lasted for 2 years-it just wouldn't go away. They can be so painful. Did your doctor recommend you do sinus rinses? These can be a bit awkward at first but I felt so much better afterward that they were worth it. I hope you feel much better.
Schooner3 I hope the 2 injections work much better for you. They did for me-it made a huge difference when I went from 1 injection to 2. If you are like me it's like trying to get gold from your health insurance company as far as getting them to cover migraine meds to have when you do get migraines. Zomig (the generic pill form) of which I have to take 2 works great for me when I get one but my insurance company (Cigna) will only cover 2 doses every month. That doesn't help when you have chronic migraines. Thank goodness I live in a state where medical marijuana is legal. My neurologist suggested I apply for this last year. If you live in a state where it is legal you might want to consider this too. I'm 58 and it's been like a miracle for me.
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schooner3
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Post by schooner3 on Feb 7, 2019 16:16:53 GMT
I hoping the two injections will make a difference. My state doesn't allow marijuana. But my insurance does cover aimovig. I just have a co-pay. When my husband retires next year, I'll have to be on Cobra, then Medicare. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 16:31:38 GMT
birukitty : (I still don't know how to tag someone......) Thanks. Gosh, I never heard of a sinus infection lasting that long!! I'm usually tuned in to the signs of it turning into an infection. I had migraines for weeks and pain but no hot pain or fevers. The N.P. said that I was stuffed up everywhere and infected.
As for rinses, I have to still be careful since I had my sinuses scooped out last year with my eye surgery. I can't do any rinses or a neti-pot, and I'm supposed to make sure that it doesn't get to the infection stage or it could affect that eye socket and implant. Ugh.
BTW, you & I are both 58! Cool!
Patter: Thank you!!! You're so kind! I will keep the name of the Rx and see if it could be added to my pain meds & hopefully it'll help me get off of my opioids for good!
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Post by Patter on Feb 7, 2019 16:39:18 GMT
@bergdorfblonde , we don't do the rinses either. We personally do not like them but glad they work for some. Anyway, what works for us is Ocean Saline Mist. Oh m word. It is awesome. You can use it as often as you want. It moistens the sinuses, then it's easier to blow out the ick. Our entire family has a bottle. Works amazing. Keeps up clean and clear. Maybe you can do that. Not sure but thought I would mention it. Edited to say that my daughter with the migraines had chronic sinus infections for year and finally had sinus surgery at age 16. Then at age 23, she had her wisdom teeth out and then there was a hole straight into her sinus cavity. It has healed, and she is allowed to use Ocean Mist too. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 17:25:09 GMT
@bergdorfblonde , we don't do the rinses either. We personally do not like them but glad they work for some. Anyway, what works for us is Ocean Saline Mist. Oh m word. It is awesome. You can use it as often as you want. It moistens the sinuses, then it's easier to blow out the ick. Our entire family has a bottle. Works amazing. Keeps up clean and clear. Maybe you can do that. Not sure but thought I would mention it. Edited to say that my daughter with the migraines had chronic sinus infections for year and finally had sinus surgery at age 16. Then at age 23, she had her wisdom teeth out and then there was a hole straight into her sinus cavity. It has healed, and she is allowed to use Ocean Mist too. Thank you, Patter. I do have a bottle of saline mist from my last sinus pain period. I just have to run it by my eye surgeon. I'd imagine that my sinus cavity is back to normal by now, but I'll check. The warning she gave me a few months ago scared me to death about putting anything in my nose, so I'm being very careful.
I've had sinus headaches for about 20 years now, occasionally, but I take care that it doesn't turn into an infection. Living in FL is just a breeding ground for infections for me and DH though. Hard to stay healthy here!
I never heard of getting sinus surgery for the infections. I'm wondering if it's similar to scooping out my sinus cavity this past year? I thought my sinus pain would go away, but whatever ick is in the air here never goes away. (Trying to move!)..... Thanks for the info & I'm glad your DD is feeling better with her sinuses, somewhat!
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Rhondito
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Post by Rhondito on Feb 7, 2019 22:53:12 GMT
I'm on my 4th or 5th month of Aimovig and I had dramatic improvement during the 1st month. It's been great for me.
I saw a commercial on tv earlier today for another new migraine med Emgality - I hadn't heard of it before.
I'm glad I saw this thread - I've been on vacation and forgot it was time for my injection!
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I'll be interested to hear more-- it sounds like it might be something good for my sister to ask her doctor about (she has a lot of headache days, too). Has anyone gotten it from their GP instead of a neurologist?
