Chronic migraine has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s shaped how I planned my days, how I approached relationships, and even how I think about myself. Living with long-term, intractable migraine has been a life filled with “what-ifs.” What if I push too hard today and set off an attack? What if this new treatment actually works? The latter was my mindset when I started my journey with Aimovig.
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For years, I tried to find a solution to chronic intractable migraine—OTC meds, triptans, topical treatments, supplements, lifestyle adjustments, and devices like CEFALY. But, even when some brought relief, nothing lifted the massive weight that migraine put on my shoulders. So, when my doctor mentioned Aimovig, I was cautiously optimistic. It sounded like the “too good to be true” kind of solutions that those of us with chronic illness are all too familiar with.
What is Aimovig?
Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) is a prescription medication designed to prevent migraine attacks in adults. It works by targeting a specific pathway in the brain that’s heavily involved in migraine development. This pathway is connected to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, which plays a significant role in triggering migraine episodes. Aimovig works by blocking this receptor, reducing both the frequency and severity for many people.
Aimovig is administered once a month through a subcutaneous injection. The process is relatively simple thanks to an auto injector that makes it easy to use at home. Like any medication, though, this medication isn’t without potential side effects. The most commonly reported issues include redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site and constipation. Be sure to visit the official Aimovig website to learn more!
The Start of My Aimovig Journey
Unfortunately, starting Aimovig was a little more involved than just agreeing to my doctor’s recommendation. Even with insurance, the cost of this injection was a massive barrier. Even with insurance, it came to more than $500 a month, an amount that’s way beyond my budget. That’s the reality for so many of us, isn’t it? The promise of a better quality of life is juuuust out of reach.
Thankfully, I knew to look for the brand’s copay card program, which brought that cost down to something I could manage. The process of getting started was relatively seamless but I can’t lie: the financial stress is always in the back of my mind. What happens if this assistance goes away?
When I was finally able to get my first injection, I had hope but wasn’t expecting miracles. After all, I was already at the start of a migraine attack! But instead of spiraling into days of barely bearable pain, the migraine just…never. I literally lifetime of migraine episodes finally seemed to press pause.
Read more: our Chronic Migraine Archive
Life After Aimovig
That first injection marked the beginning of a completely new chapter. It’s not that every single symptom disappeared—there’s still some nausea, sensitivity to light, or the early pain in my neck, temples, and eyes if I’m late taking a dose. But those overwhelming, disabling attacks? They’re gone. For the first time, I’m not constantly in bed, recovering or bracing myself for the next wave.
Every time I hit a new milestone—I’ve been watching Migraine Buddy to check my migraine-free days—it feels a little more surreal. As I write this post, I’m just over 200 days migraine-free!? A year ago, I wouldn’t have even let myself imagine the possibility. Seeing the gap widen between attacks and realizing how much time I’ve reclaimed is something I genuinely thought I’d never experience. It’s like a fog has lifted, and I can see the outlines of life with a little less pain.
Now, I still deal with other disabling conditions and symptoms that continue to shape my everyday life, like fibromyalgia pain, chronic fatigue, and worsening tremors. Interestingly, my ADHD symptoms are also significantly worse now that I’m not devoting so much energy to managing constant migraine episodes. It’s like all that mental bandwidth was freed up and now I’m so much more aware of how much my neurodivergence impacts me.
Even with these remaining issues, though, Aimovig has brought me a level of relief I couldn’t have thought possible. I’m learning how to balance this new landscape of symptoms—and amidst a severe bout of burnout, at that—and while it’s far from perfect, it’s a bit more manageable.
The Costs of Chronic Migraine
My mom put it best when she said it’s “nice to have me alive again.” That comment hit me harder than expected! It’s not that I didn’t know how much my non-stop migraine attacks were taking from me, but hearing someone else into words brought it into sharp focus. To see my loved ones feel relief and joy at my progress is almost as special to me as the actual experience.
The Logistics of Aimovig
One thing I’m definitely still trying to manage is the process of administering Aimovig. The injections themselves are relatively straightforward, and my syncope hasn’t been triggered by needles in years but, with hypermobility, pushing the injector takes more than I comfortably manage. Right now, my mom helps me with each monthly dose. As I think about living more independently long-term, though, I have to wonder how I can manage this on my own. Will I be able to keep up with the treatment that’s made such a difference? I don’t have the answers right now but I know how determined I’ll be to make it work.
Aside from the challenges with injections, the treatment has been surprisingly spoon otherwise. I haven’t experienced any major side effects, just some bruising or mild discomfort at the injection site. Compared to the laundry list of side effects I’ve endured with other treatments (looking at you, triptan jaw pain, this feels like a minor inconvenience.
I think a lot about what might have happened if Aimovig didn’t have a copay card, or if I hadn’t been able to push for answers when my migraine attacks felt insurmountable. The reality is that many people in similar situations are forced to give up on treatments that could transform their lives because they’re priced out or don’t know they exist in the first place. That’s just heartbreaking.
For anyone considering Aimovig, my advice is to take things one step at a time. Talk to your doctor, explore the financial components, and give yourself time to see how your body responds. For the first time in a long time, this part of my ideal life feels a little more achievable.
