[UpDownMiddleGround]

My therapist and doctor have just spoken to me about ketamine treatments to combat reoccurring suicidal thoughts. Just a wondering, has anyone else with a dx of bipolar taken ketamine. If so, what were your thoughts/experiences?

[clydeblack]

Haven't tried but please update if you do. Would like to know if it works out.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by UpDownMiddleGround

My therapist and doctor have just spoken to me about ketamine treatments to combat reoccurring suicidal thoughts. Just a wondering, has anyone else with a dx of bipolar taken ketamine. If so, what were your thoughts/experiences?

I would literally jump with happiness and joy if my medical team said they would like me to try ketamine for treatment resistant depression. As it is, that is unlikely. I'll be following this thread.

[Wild Coyote]

I used to think I'd wanted access to ketamine treatments. I now know of 3 people who have tried ketamine. While 2 had felt better after the first treatment, neither had any long-term relief.

I do realize we are all different in how we react to various treatments.

I am not feeling terribly optimistic about this treatment option these days.
just my very limited opinion at this time. it is possible I could change my mind. Even so, ketamine is not an option where I live.

If you go ahead with ketamine treatment, I do hope you have a very successful outcome.

Best Wishes,
WC

[MickeyCheeky]

I hope your treatment with ketamine will be successful, UpDownMiddleGround! Let us know how it goes

[tecomsin]

WC, do you know if these people maintained ketamine treatment or only took it for a short while?

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

WC, do you know if these people maintained ketamine treatment or only took it for a short while?

Great question!

The 2 experiencing initial relief had continued IV treatment for more than 4 treatments. I hope this info. helps. It may well make a difference as to how long one continues treatment.

They each had stopped because the cost was 100% out-of-pocket and they were not experiencing favorable results.

I am referring to the IV treatments, not the intra-nasal spray.


WC

[tecomsin]

Thanks for answering, WC. There are 142 studies around the world on ketamine in various situations like chronic pain and psychiatric disorders. There's a possibility of increased risk of psychosis with long term use so anyone with predispositions to that should be really carefully monitored.

Search of: Recruiting, Not yet recruiting Studies | ketamine - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

Thanks for answering, WC. There are 142 studies around the world on ketamine in various situations like chronic pain and psychiatric disorders. There's a possibility of increased risk of psychosis with long term use so anyone with predispositions to that should be really carefully monitored.

Search of: Recruiting, Not yet recruiting Studies | ketamine - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

Thanks, tecomsin!
You so often find some reliable and important info to share!

I am grateful to you!

WC

[tecomsin]

WC, I, like so many others here are so grateful to you too!

[~Christina]

Wrong thread , sorry

[piano97]

I thought ketamine was a major tranquilizer or a drug scene thing but have heard of recently for depression. Like some people said I don't know if there's great research yet but LOL, there's not always a lot of legit research on traditional medications either.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

Thanks for answering, WC. There are 142 studies around the world on ketamine in various situations like chronic pain and psychiatric disorders. There's a possibility of increased risk of psychosis with long term use so anyone with predispositions to that should be really carefully monitored.

Search of: Recruiting, Not yet recruiting Studies | ketamine - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

Thanks for the information. My pdoc said that the long term effects were unknown, fairly new option for this purpose, and basically what I heard was that he didn't know what it would do to me physically over time. He didnt sound like he was completely sold, but talked to me about it because my T brought it up. My T suggested that I be part of a study that being conducted locally. It sounds like a quick fix to me. I think I'm going to opt out

[Wander]

My psychiatrist gave me ketamine in my IV while having ECT to reduce the seizure threshold and said it may help my depression. It was hell. I was intensely confused for a week and slept for days. Psychologically I was way off, dissociating, disorientated and extremely emotional. I thought I was going mad. I had been relatively fine after non ketamine ECT but this was something else entirely. I am almost recovered ten days on but told my psychiatrist never again with ECT.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by Wander

My psychiatrist gave me ketamine in my IV while having ECT to reduce the seizure threshold and said it may help my depression. It was hell. I was intensely confused for a week and slept for days. Psychologically I was way off, dissociating, disorientated and extremely emotional. I thought I was going mad. I had been relatively fine after non ketamine ECT but this was something else entirely. I am almost recovered ten days on but told my psychiatrist never again with ECT.

This thread has raised my awareness of the downside of taking Ketamine. The last thing I would want is to feel I was going mad. I am glad you are feeling better. That sounds like an absolutely dreadful experience.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Wander

My psychiatrist gave me ketamine in my IV while having ECT to reduce the seizure threshold and said it may help my depression. It was hell. I was intensely confused for a week and slept for days. Psychologically I was way off, dissociating, disorientated and extremely emotional. I thought I was going mad. I had been relatively fine after non ketamine ECT but this was something else entirely. I am almost recovered ten days on but told my psychiatrist never again with ECT.

I am very sorry this has happened to you. It sounds quite frightening!

You work so hard to recover and to find stability, this is an unfortunate experience.

Thanks for contributing to this discussion.


WC