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Botox brings relief for migraine patient with complex neurological history
From debilitating migraines to a new lease on life
Gaye Castle-Pollard Lamay, of Montrose, Michigan, has struggled with migraine headaches for most of her life. Initially the headaches seemed to be triggered by hormonal changes but they progressively became worse. In 2001, she experienced a headache like no other. “I was teaching a fitness class and went down,” Gaye remembers. “Even though my migraines could be intense, this one felt different. It started at the base of my skull and went up and then I went down.”
After being evaluated at a local hospital, Gaye was referred to Henry Ford, where tests revealed a cyst in the visual part of her brain. “It wasn’t necessarily what was causing my migraine headaches, but the incident during fitness class led to a series of neurological tests.” Gaye was prescribed an antidepressant, which can be effective in preventing migraines.
The incident affected her daily quality of life. “I went from teaching fitness classes to not being able to take a shower.” Gaye would experience approximately 6-7 migraines per month and tried to manage her migraine headaches on her own by being more conscious of potential triggers.
Seeking help again
After about 20 years of suffering continued migraines, Gaye, a mother of three and grandmother of four, listened to her boyfriend (now husband) who encouraged her to seek help again. “My husband also suffered from migraine headaches and after seeing what I went through, he said ‘This is not normal. You need to go back to your doctor.’”
Her local doctor ordered an MRI, which revealed evidence of a brain bleed that would require monitoring. In 2022, she also suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke.” Gaye went back to Henry Ford Hospital and saw several specialists to help manage the source of her neurological issues and headaches.
Managing her chronic migraines was now a top priority. At their peak, she suffered 15-16 migraine days per month, greatly affecting her daily living and ability to work. “I would need to go in a dark room and ride it out. I experienced sensitivity to light and nausea. There were days that I couldn’t function but I was always one to get up and push through until I couldn’t anymore.”
A breakthrough with Botox
After meeting with Mary Megally, D.O., a neurologist and headache specialist at Henry Ford Health, Gaye found hope. She describes her new treatment as life changing. She explains how her r headaches would often affect each side of her head differently. “On the left side of my head, I would have the type of headache that would wrap around my left eye,” says Gaye. “On the right side, the headache felt like stabbing pains.”
After careful evaluation, Dr. Megally prescribed Botox (botulinum toxin), an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraine. It's used when a person experiences headaches on 15 or more days a month, with each episode lasting at least four hours. Gaye said the results were dramatic. “It had a calming effect. Even if I would feel a headache coming, it did not turn into a full blow migraine.”
Dr. Megally says studies have shown that Botox can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine and is an effective and safe option for patients that may have tried other treatment options that were not successful. “Most importantly, it can bring significant improvement in patient’s quality of life,” she notes. “When a patient like Gaye tells me that they feel that they have their life back, it’s very rewarding.”
Dr. Megally adds that every patient is unique and what works for one patient might not work with another. “It’s important to spend time listening to your patient to come up with an individualized treatment plan for them. Treatment for migraine can be complex and we often need to try different medications before you find the right treatment. Often, we combine different treatment options to get patient's headaches under control and improve their quality of life.”
A life restored
With Botox and rescue medications, Gaye’s migraine condition decreased from 15-16 episodes per month to just 3-4. With her new treatment plan, Gaye has returned to work—a milestone she once thought impossible. She can now more fully participate in life, including traveling and enjoying time with her family.
She expresses gratitude for her new lease on life. “I have the utmost respect for Dr. Megally and the Henry Ford team,” she says. “I believe that the care that I received there was unique and specialized for me. If I had not had the opportunity to seek treatment there, I think I would be a completely different person.”
For further information visit the Headache and Facial Pain Center at Henry Ford.