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I love to travel! I always have. Unfortunately, it has never been easy with migraine. The preparation, stress, weather, routine, and diet changes affect me. Just about every vacation and work trip has been interrupted by a migraine. I have missed days, events, and meals while travelling for as long as I can remember. But this last trip was slightly different.

Recently, I went on a family vacation to what some call the happiest place in the world (or, at least to us, one of our favourites!). I packed all my medications and took my Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) injection the night before I left. This trip happened to line up with my monthly injection schedule and I was looking forward to having more migraine-free days during my 10-day vacation.

APPROVED USE

Aimovig® is indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use Aimovig® if allergic to erenumab-aooe or any ingredients in Aimovig®. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

I could not believe how I felt the first day! I travelled and immediately went to an amusement park for the day and evening. In the past, travel would have me in my hotel room fighting a migraine, but not this time.

Of course, my experience is my own, and people may react to medications differently. It would help if you always discussed treatment options with your doctor to choose the best treatment plan.

The next few days were the same. With more migraine-free days, I was able to enjoy myself. It was fun to eat when I wanted instead of revolving my diet around my migraine. I was amazed that I could ride rides. I still avoided flashing lights and alcohol, along with other triggers that I always had. Although I felt like I had more freedom during my vacation, I knew I was not free of my migraine disease that rested inside.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Aimovig® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including rash or swelling, can happen after receiving Aimovig®. This can happen within hours to days after using Aimovig®. Call your HCP or get emergency medical help immediately if you have the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat or trouble breathing.
• Constipation with serious complications. Severe constipation can happen after receiving Aimovig®. In some cases, people have been hospitalized or needed surgery. Contact your HCP if you have severe constipation.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure or worsening of high blood
• Pressure can happen after receiving Aimovig®. Contact your healthcare
• Provider if you have an increase in blood pressure.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

By day 5, I experienced my first migraine on the trip. We skipped the rides and instead spent our time in shows that were cool and dark and had places I could sit. My husband filled bags of ice to numb my head as I curled into the fetal position. I took my rescue meds, drank water, used my cooling fan, applied essential oils, sucked on a ginger chew, breathed methodically and meditated while surrounded by a crowded audience. Thus, Taking these steps typically helped me in the past. As I did all of this, I listened to the music of the performance and sang along to distract my head and fill my heart. I continued to get worse before I got better, and my six-year-old held my hand, dragging me to a shaded bench while we waited for food.

Once all of my therapies kicked in and I removed myself from many triggers, I was able to recover. I didn’t need to go home or cancel plans, which was a huge relief because I couldn’t predict how my migraine would end. Knowing my body and what it needed saved us from aborting all plans. We only altered a few hours of our day. I was careful to avoid anything that might trigger another migraine.

I didn’t feel as optimistic for the rest of my trip but proceeded with a few migraine days and none that required us to stop our joy. The end of the week ended at the beach. The last time I visited the beach, I spent 2 of my 3 days in my room fighting a migraine. My in-laws, who we were visiting, noticed a change in me and I could visit family without retreating to my room or feeling guilty for missing out. Thus, It was a change for us all.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

The most common side effects of Aimovig® are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site and constipation. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

When we arrived home from our glorious trip, I was reminded again that I was not free of migraine. Although we arrived home early on Sunday to allow for acclimation to climate, self-care, and adjustment, I was still hit with a migraine that evening. I awoke with a raging migraine. So, I canceled work, relied on my husband to get my children to school, and laid in my bed completely immobilized for 30 hours. I threw no medication or therapy at it seemed to make a difference. Sometimes I need to ride it out until my migraine decides to ease.

When I emerged from my darkroom after my post-vacation migraine, all those migraine-free days seemed like a dream. I looked back at our pictures and valued those days so highly. Although my migraine disease is far from controllable and preventable, I feel lucky to have more migraine-free days than before. I’m reminded that no day is guaranteed to appreciate life while you can live it. My migraine disease isn’t holding me back in life; just holding me down from time to time. Those good days remind me why I take my medication and care for myself best. The bad days remind me that my battle is not over. While loving my vacation, I know that there is no vacation from migraine and that life is unexpected. True to My Migraine Life, I’m living life through migraine.

*This post is part of a collaboration between myself and Amgen. I have been compensated for my time.

APPROVED USE

Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) is a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not use Aimovig®? 

Do not use Aimovig® if allergic to erenumab-aooe or any ingredients in Aimovig®.

Before starting Aimovig®, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to rubber or latex, pregnant or plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your HCP about all your medicines, including any over-the-counter prescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of Aimovig®?

Aimovig® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including rash or swelling, can happen after receiving Aimovig®. This can happen within hours to days after using Aimovig®. Call your HCP or get emergency medical help immediately if you have the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat or trouble breathing.
• Constipation with serious complications. Severe constipation can happen after receiving Aimovig®. In some cases, people have been hospitalized or needed surgery. Contact your HCP if you have severe constipation.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure or worsening of high blood
• Pressure can happen after receiving Aimovig®. Contact your healthcare
• Provider if you have an increase in blood pressure.

The most common side effects of Aimovig® are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site and constipation.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Aimovig®. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report the negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information

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