Migraine Treatment in Houston: Break Free from Debilitating Headaches

Migraines are severe, recurring headaches that involve much more than just head pain. They’re a neurological condition involving abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. A migraine attack is typically characterized by intense, throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head that lasts 4 to 72 hours if untreated.

Migraines occur in distinct phases, though not everyone experiences all phases. The prodrome phase (hours to days before the headache) involves mood changes, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, and fluid retention. About 25% of people experience an aura phase (visual or sensory disturbances just before or during the headache) with symptoms like seeing flashing lights, zigzag patterns, blind spots, or experiencing tingling sensations. The attack phase involves the actual migraine headache with throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness. The postdrome phase (after the headache) leaves many people feeling drained, confused, or washed out for up to a day.

The pain isn’t the only debilitating aspect. Many people with migraines experience cognitive difficulties during and after attacks, making it hard to concentrate or think clearly. The unpredictability of attacks creates constant anxiety about when the next migraine will strike. The condition significantly impacts work, relationships, and quality of life.

Different migraine types require different treatment approaches. Migraine without aura (common migraine) is the most common type, involving severe head pain without preceding visual or sensory disturbances. Migraine with aura (classic migraine) includes visual or sensory disturbances before or during the headache. Chronic migraine is defined as having 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 days meeting migraine criteria, for more than 3 months. Hemiplegic migraine involves temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. Vestibular migraine causes vertigo and balance problems alongside headache. Menstrual migraine is tied to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.

We also treat cluster headaches, which while technically different from migraines, cause similarly debilitating pain. Cluster headaches involve severe pain around one eye, occurring in clusters over weeks or months.

When migraines occur 15 or more days per month for at least three months, with at least 8 days meeting migraine criteria, the condition is classified as chronic migraine. Chronic migraine affects approximately 2% of the population and can be severely disabling.

When someone tries standard migraine treatments without achieving adequate relief, they may have treatment-resistant migraine. Traditional treatment typically involves acute medications (triptans, NSAIDs, or gepants to stop attacks), preventive medications (beta-blockers, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, or CGRP inhibitors), lifestyle modifications (trigger avoidance, stress management, regular sleep), and sometimes Botox injections for chronic migraine.

While these approaches help many people, a significant percentage continues experiencing frequent, severe attacks. Triptans work for acute attacks but can’t be used too frequently due to medication overuse headache risk. Preventive medications often cause side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or cognitive dulling. CGRP inhibitors are newer and more expensive, and don’t work for everyone.

The reasons for treatment resistance vary. Some people have particularly severe central sensitization, where their nervous system becomes hypersensitized to pain signals. Others have underlying conditions or triggers that are difficult to control. Some individuals can’t tolerate the side effects of preventive medications at doses needed for effectiveness.

The frustration of living with treatment-resistant migraines can be devastating. Many patients tell us they felt their only option was to accept a diminished quality of life, constantly planning around the next inevitable attack. We want you to know that innovative treatments are available, and they work through entirely different mechanisms than what you’ve tried before.

Your journey toward fewer, less severe migraines begins with a thorough assessment at no cost. We need to understand your unique headache pattern to develop the most effective treatment plan.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss:

• Your migraine history and patterns
• Attack frequency, duration, and severity
• Symptoms during attacks (aura, nausea, sensitivity)
• Previous treatments and what worked or didn’t
• Identified triggers and warning signs
• How migraines impact your daily life and functioning
• Co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety
• Current medications and their effectiveness
• Which innovative treatments might work for your specific situation

There’s no obligation to continue, and everything we discuss remains completely confidential. We understand that migraines are a complex neurological condition, and we approach these conversations with expertise and empathy.

If you decide to proceed, we’ll develop a comprehensive treatment plan designed specifically for your migraine pattern.

Your personalized plan considers:

• Migraine type (with or without aura, chronic vs. episodic)
• Attack frequency and severity
• Response to previous preventive and acute treatments
• Co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders
• Your functional goals (reducing attack frequency, severity, or disability)
• Whether you need treatment during an active migraine or for prevention
• How to integrate our treatments with existing migraine management

IMPORTANT: Some patients come to us during an active, severe migraine attack for acute treatment, while others use our therapies for prevention. We can address both situations. Ketamine may provide rapid relief during a severe migraine, while regular TMS or maintenance ketamine sessions can help prevent future attacks.

Some patients benefit most from using our treatments as acute intervention during severe, treatment-resistant attacks. Others use our therapies as part of ongoing migraine prevention alongside traditional preventive medications. We tailor the approach to your specific needs and treatment goals.

Every treatment session at Catalyst takes place in a comfortable environment with continuous medical monitoring.

What makes treatment at Catalyst different:

• Extended hours: 5am to 9pm, seven days a week
• Same-day or next-day appointments available for severe attacks
• Quiet, dimly-lit treatment rooms ideal for migraine patients
• Led by Dr. Ho, anesthesiologist and former pediatrician
• Continuous monitoring throughout treatment
• Understanding of migraines as a neurological condition
• Compassionate, migraine-sensitive care

Dr. Ho’s expertise as an anesthesiologist means he has extensive experience managing pain conditions and administering ketamine safely. Whether you’re receiving ketamine during an active attack, TMS for prevention, Spravato, or stellate ganglion block, our medical team monitors you carefully and adjusts your treatment as needed.

We understand that light and sound sensitivity during migraines makes everything more challenging. Our treatment environment accommodates these needs with adjustable lighting and quiet spaces.

Typical treatment protocols for migraines:

• Ketamine for acute migraine: 1-2 sessions during severe attack
• Ketamine for prevention: 4-6 sessions over 2-3 weeks, then maintenance
• TMS: Daily sessions over 4-6 weeks for prevention
• Spravato: Twice weekly initially for co-occurring depression
• Stellate Ganglion Block: 1-3 treatments
• Maintenance: Regular treatments to prevent future attacks

After your initial treatment series, we develop a maintenance plan. For migraine prevention, many patients need periodic booster treatments. Some schedule monthly ketamine or TMS sessions to maintain reduced headache frequency. Others use our treatments only during particularly severe attacks that don’t respond to their usual medications.

We’re committed to your long-term migraine management. Regular follow-up appointments help us monitor your headache patterns, adjust treatment as needed, coordinate with your neurologist or headache specialist, and ensure you have the best possible quality of life.

We understand that severe migraines require urgent treatment. When you’re in the midst of a treatment-resistant attack that won’t respond to your usual medications, we can often see you the same day or next day. Our extended hours mean you can get help when you need it most.

Our treatment rooms are designed with migraine patients in mind. We keep lighting adjustable, maintain quiet environments, and understand that sensory sensitivity makes everything more challenging during attacks. You’ll be treated with understanding and accommodation for your symptoms.

Dr. Ho’s background as an anesthesiologist means he has extensive training in managing complex pain conditions including severe headaches. His expertise is particularly valuable for patients who need acute intervention during severe attacks or comprehensive prevention strategies.

Rather than offering just one option, we provide multiple innovative treatments for migraines. If one approach doesn’t work, we have others to try. This comprehensive approach increases your chances of finding effective relief.

We work closely with your neurologist or headache specialist to ensure coordinated care. Our treatments complement traditional migraine management approaches rather than replacing them. We can provide acute intervention while you continue your preventive medications.

Many people with chronic migraines also struggle with depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, or chronic pain. We can address these co-occurring conditions as part of your comprehensive treatment plan, since improving mental health often helps with migraine management.