Ketamine Treatment

That's crazy. I was wondering if maybe the dose was too high? I was told the dose I got was half of even what the street drug has. I had a pleasant disassociative experience - but I could easily move around. If I'd needed to walk during, I'd have needed assistance but at 40 minutes, I just stayed in my recliner with upbeat music.

I was fine to walk around within a few minutes of ending the infusion.

But... I mean, we all react differently to different drugs. Like I have friends who have had success with Wellbutrin but it gives me insomnia and anxiety. :P Or Geodon lowered my blood pressure to the point of making feel faint.

The nurses had talked about people having poor experiences - so I don't want to minimize your experience. I was just trying to clarify.

I'm sorry it didn't work for you though I agree that it's frustrating with the lack of options for severe depressives like us. I don't know what I would have done without this. I was running out of options and I didn't know if I was going to make it.

They don't know. I'm two weeks out and doing fine. I have noticed feeling blah a little bit more, but blah and wanting to jump off a roof are two very different feelings LOL. Plus, I can still enjoy things and I *have* been tired on account of not getting enough sleep. I think I'm still in the range of normal.

The pdoc (who I saw on Tuesday this week) said that commonly he saw people wanting maintenance treatments every other week. Since I'm two weeks out and still doing strong, he put in an order for every other week, but I don't have to. I certainly don't want to end up in a bad place, but I also don't want to overdo it.

I'm also signed on to do IM injections instead of infusions since we know I tolerate it well. He said if I have a bad experience, he can switch the order to infusions.

We'll be doing some med changes in the next few weeks, so I may do a maintenance to see if that helps? I see my regular pdoc this upcoming Tuesday so I'll run it by him.

NowhereUSA, it is good to read that ketamine is continuing to help you.

Iv'e been using dextromethorphan for a couple years to treat my depression since it's an immediate SSRI. I had no idea special K had that same effect.



I'm glad you found something that works for you!

Ha! I love that meme. XD

All the best,get well soon

Well, I did my first maintenance treatment this last week. I opted for an IM injection over the infusion because I hate IVs. It was definitely a different experience! I felt like it hit me fast and hard and so instead of a gradual build up, within a few minutes I was "BAM!" in the middle of it. It did increase my anxiety somewhat and I feel like I lost time (not more than maybe ten minutes). I put a sleep mask on with my music and then it was like suddenly the nurse was doing my first set of vitals.

In terms of the experience of the drug, I prefer the infusion but the trade off of not having to do an IV makes the somewhat added side effects of the ketamine through injection worth it. I also experienced very light nausea this go 'round which I've never had in the past. I might have to make sure I take in more protein. I generally have kept my meals very light before, but the nurse said it might help if I take in protein (with the caveat that it's different for each person).

My kiddos have been fussy butts and I haven't gotten the sleep I need so I've felt more melancholy. On days when I get enough sleep I'm fine but I always dislike the few days post-ketamine. The initial brain fog is gone in less than 12 hours, but my body just feels like it hasn't gotten enough rest and that takes a day or two for me to catch up on.

I think right now I'll probably be going in every three weeks roughly. We'll see.

I think it is great that you have tried this. I have an acquantance who is a psychiatrist specializing in psycho-pharmatology. She is really into experimental drug treatments such as MDA and psychedelics and marijuana.

My personal psychiatrist isn't so experimental.

NowhereUSA,

I wish you success with your Ketamine Treatment.

A friend who's husband is an ER doctor told me Ketamine also shows promise for treating chronic pain.

I had a maintenance injection yesterday and it would seem the protein is definitely a must. I made sure to eat some breakfast sausage with my cereal/milk and I found that helped the light nausea I had the first time.

I was tired in the evening but I'm taking it easy today. The ketamine continues to work. Outside of a hiccup when I decided to try some hormonal birth control, I haven't had a relapse (apparently I don't tolerate hormones very well).

Nowhere, I'm glad to hear this is helpful to you. I had never heard of it for depression before. Do you know what areas it is administered in? Certain states? Good luck to you.

Clinics have been popping up. I heard about mine (done through a hospital) via my psychiatrist. My guess is that if you have a decently connected psychiatrist who isn't averse to trying something outside the box, you might find someone that way. You can try googling although I don't know how successful that will be.

It's a growing trend though because it has such good rates of success.