Ketamine

I pray this thread gets seen by the people it will help.....
I have to share my story.. I've had a miracle in my life--in that I HAVE MY LIFE BACK. After 18 yrs of so many treatments and medications (some of which made me lose most of my hair, sent me to the ER, caused an amphetamine addiction-followed by rehab, etc.), I hope you might gain something I write that will help even one of my fellow sufferers....THAT would give me pure joy!
The real title here should be "Nasal Ketamine and Mirapex/pramipexole combo." My miracle!!
I'll try to make my story quick (but it's long because I wanted to be careful when I wrote it).
I've had TRD for 18 years- docs kept throwing SSRIs and various adjuncts, at me. (even amphetamines to the point of a serious addiction and rehab). Then Ketamine Nasal (Spravato) was approved in March, 2019. Stick with me, this part is a major player. I was ready before my doc's intervention, to travel out of state to pay thousands for IV ketamine. At that time, even Spravato was a several hour drive to just try it (3 days a week for a month). Even though I have insurance, it infuriates me that Spravato is 500-800$ per DOSE. I requested the referral for the IV ketamine from my doc... Without a second thought, he sent in a Ketamine Nasal spray prescription to our compounding pharmacy (Spravato is Ketamine- they just mirrored the molecule--it's exactly the same drug!). I now had a month's supply for 50$! I got to try it without traveling, adjust the dosage (with doc's approval) , time of day, etc. Magically, by the 2nd or 3rd week I came out of the worst depression of my life by about 70%. I was astounded, but still ill. That's when I researched like crazy why the Ketamine worked--its a Dopamine agonist, hence, I found Mirapex/pramipexole was also a Dopamine agonist with true and tested positive results. I added the Mirapex to the ketamine AND MY LIFE CHANGED. I want to shout on the roof tops (and may yet still do!) that there is another route of treatment for us TRD patients that hasn't been discovered. I'm angry about big Pharma pushing all of their serotonin concoctions to people like us. I wanted to put my experience in its own thread so it gets seen. Mirapex plus the Ketamine Nasal (forget Spravato- how dare they use their greed to charge suffering people 500-800$ per dose). I haven't felt this good in 18 years - yes, God himself gets all the credit for his mercy on me. I actually have a future on this earth.. I'm stunned that is now possible.
Long long message, I know, sorry. The combo of ketamine and Mirapex is nothing short of magical. Yes, tears of joy are a constant companion in my life. I do realize every person is unique... But I beg people to keep trying to get better any way they can--just staying engaged in the fight is so good for you... Hope is always there.
I will continue this thread with a bit more info coming up (my personal dosages, gleaned from other medical studies. Here I attached one of the best medical papers on Dopamine agonists (a 2013 conglomeration of Studies- something to share with your doc, since Mirapex is off label).
Best wishes, my precious friends in depression... We are stronger because of the battle. ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you! I've had some Ketamine IV along with ECT. I also take Mirapex for restless leg syndrome. I had no idea they worked like that. The Ketamine with ECT wasn't helpful. I just felt drugged. ECT alone has worked somewhat. I'll mention this to my psychiatrist. Thank you yogamarley.

Today my pdoc gave me some information and wants me to try Spravato. I hope to start treatment soon. Please keep us informed of your progress. I've had 3 major suicidal episodes since May. I'm at the end of my rope. WW

I've been thinking recently of a friend in this forest (irl).. I won't say what their pdoc said to them. (and then discharged them ) it was beyond unhelpful. Thank you for reaching out and offering hope

Thank you for sharing this information.

I also have had miraculous results from ketamine nasal spray. And I agree that the price and convenience make it so much more doable.

Hi Kecanoe. That’s really encouraging to hear. I had my 5th ketamine infusion today. I’m going to do 2 more and then my doc said that he would let me try the ketamine nasal spray for maintenance. I’m not seeing the total relief from depression I thought I’d see but the more I read I’m finding that it can take longer for some people. I’m 64 with 25 years of depression. Maybe my brain is a more damaged from the depression. It’s still early and I am seeing some results so I’m staying optimistic. It’s taken a long time to learn that I have to fight and never give up. Everyday without depression I am grateful.