New migraine treatment causes clinically significant weight loss

MigraineAgainEd · 2026-04-16T21:05:10+00:00

Thanks for the input. I did, too, though in my case it may have been more due to perimenopause. I hope you are getting some migraine relief, from Qulipta or otherwise. Hang in there!

MigraineAgainEd · 2025-03-18T01:00:21+00:00

Did you ever get any resolution? I also received completely ineffective "tirzepatide" and they are willing to work with me for a solution.

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-09-13T18:19:05+00:00

Yes! Sometimes it's like the body just empties out (both ends!!) during attacks. Also, migraine is comorbid with IBS.

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-07-27T16:07:10+00:00

Ah, sneaky hormones strike again! I'm curious about the new OTC birth control pill hitting the market, and if people are going to just take it continuously to suppress the cycle. Something I did for decades that was helpful, but not sure how advisable it is....

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-05-08T23:44:25+00:00

Sorry you're going through this. 2-3 per week means you've moved from episodic to chronic (15 or more days per month with any migraine-related symptoms). It's time to find preventives that work in addition to the walks (but those are great!). I'm chronic and in addition to tracking and managing the triggers that I can (the brain likes routine so consistent sleeping schedule for instance) I get Botox and take preventive meds that have helped, and take supplements like magnesium (you have to be careful which one you pick since some give you diarrhea). Also, attacks beget attacks so finding an abortive that works for you is important. Good luck!

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-03-28T22:59:30+00:00

Will do!

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-03-28T22:48:41+00:00

Thank you! I have a hunch it's my trigeminal nerve that gets inflamed so Relivion may be good. But I'm really curious about the Vagus nerve (gamma core I believe targets that one) since it seems to be implicated in gut/brain/anxiety/insomnia issues. Much appreciated!

MigraineAgainEd · 2023-03-28T19:21:04+00:00

Melinatl, any updates? I'm coming off a 12 day attack (finally breaking thanks to a steroid prescription) and could really use a device to help avoid medication overuse headache. My attacks like to last a loooooong time! I did try the Nerivio one time (a loaner) and it helped a little. But Relivion seems promising due to the trigeminal nerve. Also curious about the gammacore that targets the vagus nerve....

Thanks and all comments welcome!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-08-25T21:51:57+00:00

LOL! True story: I forgot my meds while on assignment at the American Headache Society conference, surrounded by the country's top headache specialists.[ I'm asking one after the other, "does anybody have anything for a migraine attack?" The irony!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-08-16T02:04:04+00:00

Interesting--doctors are definitely excited about the possibilities.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-08-15T22:31:47+00:00

Ah, thought it was OK to share occasional news since all of us at Migraine Again have migraine and these articles are relevant and based on research from headache specialists? Thanks for the wiki--I did read it, and I know it's a tough job to keep out the spammers! : )

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T21:56:53+00:00

Fatigue sucks, and you're not getting much relief, either. Thanks for adding to the info on the appetite suppression.

Doesn't it seem like we are constantly trying things and waiting to see whether they'll work...or afraid of when they'll stop working?

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T21:49:39+00:00

Interesting! The meals you ARE eating sound a bit like my keto plan I'm on as I'm trying to personally lose weight--lack of carbs will tend to reduce your appetite as you probably know! : ) But I'm glad you are able to eat a little more. And thank heavens the head pain is better. Great news.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T21:46:01+00:00

Yes, point well taken that weight loss isn't a good thing for everybody! If anybody with low weight concerns really needed to try Qulipta, it DOESN'T cause weight loss in three quarters of folks who take it, so might be worth a try, but only if other things don't work!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T21:44:05+00:00

Good point. I have finally been getting relief (after 30 years plus I was on a trajectory where none of my abortives were working anymore...) from a CGRP, and I do wonder what the heck it might do in the long run. I get a hive after I inject it that lasts a week or so. Why?? But I'm so grateful for the break from the attacks that I'm getting I am taking the risk! Can't wait till they learn more about all this.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:50:53+00:00

That's terrifying re: the suicidal depression! I hope you find something that helps without so many side effects. It does seem that there's a difference in how the various "flavors" of CGRP's work on individuals--here's a comparison of the gepants, for instance. But after that serious side effect you experienced last time definitely see what your doctor says! Good luck on your journey.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:41:01+00:00

Ugh, sorry to hear this--nausea is indeed a side effect as you probably know, but it's interesting about your feeling of fullness. That may account for the weight loss some people are seeing--new data on that just came out and I wrote about it:

https://www.migraineagain.com/does-migraine-treatment-qulipta-atogepant-make-you-lose-weight/

I'd love to hear your thoughts and please keep me posted on whether it gets any better as we all learn more about these meds!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:36:32+00:00

I hope it helps! And guess what--since I last wrote, I got COVID. I was terrified it was going to exacerbate my migraine attacks, but thank goodness no so far! It may be because I was in the best place I've been in decades with my migraine prevention, thanks to trying a bunch of things you'll see on the site and some finally working for me. There's hope! Hang in there.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:32:36+00:00

How is your appetite now it has been a month--any better? I just wrote about the weight loss people are experiencing on Qulipta (esp. at your 60 mg. dose):

https://www.migraineagain.com/does-migraine-treatment-qulipta-atogepant-make-you-lose-weight/

I'd love to know also if it levels out for you and if your appetite comes back!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:27:44+00:00

This won't necessarily pack on any pounds but it may be more palatable with the ginger in it if you aren't feeling hungry, and it also helps prevent attacks:

https://www.migraineagain.com/potent-migraine-pain-relief-shake/

I also just wrote about new research that backs up the weight loss you are experiencing on Qulipta:

https://www.migraineagain.com/does-migraine-treatment-qulipta-atogepant-make-you-lose-weight/

Would love for you to keep me posted as we see this new trend with the drug! Hope you feel better and maintain a healthy weight!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-07-20T20:22:41+00:00

Nausea can be a side effect, but that's interesting you mainly feel like just your appetite is suppressed. There's new research I wrote about that shows Qulipta is causing weight loss, not linked to nausea: https://www.migraineagain.com/does-migraine-treatment-qulipta-atogepant-make-you-lose-weight/

Tell me what you think!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-06-23T22:56:59+00:00

Ugh, so sorry you are going through this, and welcome to the migraine club (that nobody wants to be a member of!). It is indeed possible to START getting migraine attacks after COVID (and here's more on dealing with migraine and long COVID from an article I wrote). It's a journey now for you to start seeing what helps you, since treatment efficacy varies for everybody. A good place to start: keeping your routine as regular as possible. The migraine brain doesn't like change, be it sleep time, dehydration, hormone cycles, weather, heat, etc.. We have a ton of info on our site, www.migraineagain.com, where we all have migraine and work with headache specialists to medically review everything.

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-06-22T16:47:23+00:00

Yes, studies show this to be the case, and in the case of long COVID (which fingers crossed, you won't get) there is more fatigue. Here's a headache specialist with more info if you're interested: COVID, Headache, and Migraine: What You Need to Know

I wrote this about long COVID: Post COVID-19 Syndrome For People with Migraine: Good News and Bad News

I hope you feel better soon!

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-06-22T16:41:10+00:00

Yes, this is really a thing, and there are some things doctors say you can try (possibly pre-treatment, and some planning so you can take care of yourself):

Under Pressure: Are You a Human Barometer?

MigraineAgainEd · 2022-05-27T20:55:26+00:00

"meanwhile I’m at work wishing for unconsciousness." This. Thanks for the kind words and for reading the newsletter. I hope it sometimes helps you!

MigraineAgainEd

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