Migraines are such a complicated condition, as those of you who experience them are fully aware. With over 23 years of experiencing migraines as both occasional and chronic, meaning that more than half my month is spent with headache/migraine days, I have certainly tried nearly everything offered and suggested by my neurologists and GP's. I have taken many different types of medications to see which ones are working for that time period. I have trialed eradicating certain things from my diet, I have noted potential triggers and managed my life around sleeping, eating the right thing, exercising and attempting a migraine free day. I have experienced surgery that may assist migraine management (such as sinus and gynae surgery), had sleep studies, have utilised Cefaly daily (a TENS machine), as well as mouth guards and all types of vitamins and diet supplements.
I have been on a new trial medication for three months, Aimovig (Erenumab), which is a CGRP Migraine preventive treatment. In the States, this medication is available to some migraineurs with their insurance plans. In the UK, they have decided not to put it on the NHS as they decided there was no benefit over Botox treatment. In Australia, it is currently being trialled in order for potential placing on the PBS schedule. I was able to go on the three month trial due to having a period of chronic migraines and not finding Botox treatment successful.
So what happened? In March before being placed on the trial I had 15 headache days. In April, the first month of the trial I had 10 headache days and found my migraines and headaches were able to be managed quicker. In May I experienced 10 headache days again and was starting to feel the drug may not be successful. In June I've have only had 2 headache days where the headaches disappeared quickly with an anti-inflammatory. Then last weekend happened. I went to bed and was trying to sleep when the world started spinning and I had to lie still for an hour whilst wondering if I would make it to the toilet if I needed to be sick. I was able to fall asleep and then woke with migraine pain a few hours later. The pain disappeared after a Triptan and the next day I was foggy. My brain wouldn't say words correctly, I spelt words wrong and I was slow and groggy.
The physical symptoms of a vestibular migraine disappeared over the day. The last month had offered some hope and in some weird hopeful way, I had hoped I was going to be migraine free - imagine never having one again! I couldn't remember the last time I had had a month pain free. It was amazing to be able to live a life where I wasn't managing triggers and symptoms and potential issues.
The rub is that now that I have finished the three months, I can continue on the monthly injections - however, as they aren't on the PBS yet, I would be required to pay a large out pocket amount. Do I pay the money and keep hoping for more good months? Or do I just accept where I'm at and make a good fist at leading a healthy productive life despite the unpredictable migraines? Who knows.
Let me know if you've trialed Aimovig and found it successful.
