Can Emgality still help me after decades of migraines at 57?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 57 years old. I have been dealing with migraines every day for a very long time. Migraines have been a problem for me. I have tried lots of things, like Topiramate, Propranolol, and Amitriptyline. I even got Botox injections. None of these things has really helped me for a long time.

I’m wondering if Emgality is still helpful to someone my age with long-term chronic migraines, especially after multiple treatment failures?
Does it work less well or differently in people with long-standing migraines than in people with episodic migraines?
And I am afraid of having my hopes built up again, after so many disappointments. How long does Emgality usually take to know if it’s working?
I am also worried about any side effects, as I have had several migraine treatments in the past that have not been successful.

I am exhausted from planning my life around migraines, and I really want to know if it is worth trying Emgality or if it will be another failed treatment.

Please help me.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand your concern.

What is important to understand is that even if you have had daily migraines (a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, severe headaches, typically throbbing and localized to one side of the head) for many years and failed multiple previous treatments, Emgality (Galcanezumab) can still help. If you don’t respond to medications like Topiramate, Propranolol, Amitriptyline or even Botox, it doesn’t automatically mean that Emgality (Galcanezumab) will also fail because it works through a completely different migraine pathway.

In general, chronic daily migraines are more difficult to treat than episodic migraines, so the improvement may be slow and sometimes less dramatic. However, many patients with chronic long-standing migraines still derive meaningful benefits such as fewer migraine days, reduced severity, and improved day-to-day functioning.

Some people notice improvement within the first month, but doctors generally suggest waiting at least three months before deciding if Emgality is working. In some cases, the benefits come in a gradual build that may take three to six months.

Emgality (Galcanezumab) is better tolerated than medications like Topiramate or Amitriptyline and is less likely to cause brain fog, sleepiness, or weight gain, too. The most common side effects are mild reactions at the site of the injection, such as soreness, redness, or irritation.

So yes, it makes sense to try Emgality (Galcanezumab), especially given that it works differently from the treatments you’ve tried. It’s not about offering “false hope” but about giving a realistic chance to diminish the extent to which migraines dominate your life.

I hope this is of help to you.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Thank you.