Ketamine Infusion Treatment
Am I a Good Candidate for Ketamine Infusion?
- Patients have to be diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or PTSD. (Tried and failed at least two different medications)
- Under the care of a provider for psychiatric conditions – can be PCP or psychiatrist.
- No current substance abuse issues
- Be in good health – contraindications include uncontrolled hypertension, tachycardia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, seizure disorder, and intracranial masses.
- Highly suggested that the patient is currently working with a therapist as well.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine can be used in the operating room and emergency rooms to help surgical patients feel more at ease. Ketamine has been shown to be a safe and effective anesthetic in low-income countries where there are few hospitals, disaster situations or conflict zones. It can also provide relief for people who have undergone surgery when they’re struggling with pain that cannot undergo medications due to their condition/ illness. It has been used to anesthetize patients and manage pain. Over the years, Ketamine has been identified as having good health effects on patients with OCD, PTSD, Postpartum Depression (PPD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), and Suicidality.
What Conditions Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treat?
• Depression
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Chronic Pain
How Does Ketamine Infusion Treatment Work?
Ketamine works by repairing your brain on a cellular level. As Ketamine navigates through the body it causes new growth, rewires pathways and restores connections all while activating, balancing and blocking key receptors. These effects specifically target areas of the brain that deal with mood and emotion. At the same time, Ketamine blocks and “reboots” receptors throughout the body that are responsible for communicating pain signals. Our Infusion Treatment is designed to harness these unique properties of Ketamine and as a result, has become a highly effective treatment option for behavioral health and chronic pain conditions. Patients receive a much lower dose than those who use Ketamine as an anesthetic, so they do not lose consciousness during treatment. The dose and rate of uptake is also much lower than that associated with Ketamine abuse, which eliminates the risk of dissociation. The purpose is not to induce a high, but rather to deliver enough Ketamine to the brain to create neurotransmitters and repair or rewire crucial pathways. Patients will undergo an initial round of infusions and have continued maintenance infusions as needed. The dosage and rate of the IV drip is determined on factors such as the patient’s weight and medical history, but it generally takes 50-60 minutes to receive the IV fluids, plus 30-60 minutes to recover. Protocols for treatment will vary and our medical team will determine the most effective course for treatment.
Are Ketamine Infusions Safe?
The efficacy of Ketamine is certain. The question of safety depends, as always, on the patient’s clinical assessment. It won’t be right for every patient, even as it positively changes lives for other patients. So far, no adverse effects have been discovered. For low doses of Ketamine, side effects tend to be minor. They may include disorientation, dizziness, feelings of detachment, nausea, fatigue, increased heart rate, and heightened blood pressure. Our clinic is equipped to handle changes in patients’ vital signs and other side effects, should they occur.
When To Expect Results of Ketamine Treatment
Some patients experience relief within an hour of their first treatment. Most feel results within a day or so. The effect lasts for several days to a few weeks, giving patients and their care providers time to follow up on further treatment. The breakthroughs experienced during this period can continue to help the patient live a better life, long after the Ketamine leaves their system.
Contact Psychiatric Wellness Center today to see how Ketamine infusion therapy can help you.
