IV Ketamine Therapy Benefits
Unlike conventional therapies, Ketamine has been associated with a rapid decrease in depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. It also has been shown helpful with a variety of chronic pain syndromes and alleviating the cravings for drug and alcohol. Ketamine has a unique effect in that it can work very rapidly with patients frequently seeing improvement of their symptoms within hours of treatment. While the goal is improvement of symptoms, results cannot be guaranteed, and there is no way to predict how any individual will respond to Ketamine infusion therapy. The effects may not be long lasting and studies have shown that a minimum of 3 infusions treatments at weekly intervals increases the efficacy of treatment. Coupling Ketamine therapy along with psychotherapy and behavioral changes is designed to maximize benefit and sustain gains in treatment. Ketamine’s use for the treatment of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse is off-label and has not been approved by the FDA. However over several decades research has shown Ketamine therapies has helped to lessen or alleviate symptoms of many psychiatric disorders as well as help with chronic pain syndromes.
Procedure
You will have an IV line started so you can receive Ketamine. Your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the infusion procedure under physician supervision. You will be given a sub-anesthetic dose of Ketamine by slow continuous infusion. The duration of the infusion should last about 1 hour. We may adjust the infusion rate during each infusion depending on how you are responding to maximize the effectiveness of each infusion. Adjuvant medications may also be administered if necessary such as anti-nausea medicine or a mild sedative etc.
A few things to expect after treatment:
* You will remain resting for 60min after the Ketamine Infusion so you can be monitored for any unexpected side effects.
* Common side effects 1-10% of patients: hallucinations, vivid dreams and nightmares, nausea, increased saliva production, dizziness, blurred vision, increased heart rate and blood pressure during infusion, out of body experience during infusion, change in motor skills.
* Do not drive a car or operate heavy equipment for 24 hours after treatment as reflexes may be slow or impaired.
* While the goal is improvement of symptoms, results cannot be guaranteed, and there is no way to predict how any individual will respond to Ketamine infusion therapy. The effects may not be long lasting and studies have shown that a minimum of 3 infusions treatments at weekly intervals increases the efficacy of treatment.
* Coupling Ketamine therapy along with psychotherapy and behavioral changes is
designed to maximize benefit and sustain gains in treatment. Make sure to continue
care with your established primary care and/or mental.
Treatment
Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a treatment option for a variety of chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and psychiatric conditions including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Patients are reporting amazing, miraculous results with only a few treatments.
FAQs
How is Ketamine IV Therapy is administered?
This non evasive treatment is administered in the office intravenously through an IV. The actual duration and prescribed dosage can vary from patient to patient, but most sessions last one to four hours. Before your infusion, you will be given a comprehensive physical and neurological exam. Utilizing years of experience working with patients with mood and pain disorders, our physicians will determine the appropriate dosage, duration, and course that best supports your healing. Your treatments may be modified after each session depending on your improvement. Once your personal protocol is determined, your Ketamine infusions will be delivered in a safe and comfortable environment. Your IV will be established, and the treatment will begin with Ketamine being infused into your bloodstream. Throughout the infusion, your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are monitored under the supervision of a physician or anesthetist, and they will titrate the medication based on your needs. Once the duration of the treatment is complete, the IV will be shut off.
FAQs
How effective is Ketamine IV Infusion Therapy?
Patients report that they start to feel the effects of the infusion within just a few minutes. During the procedure, your mind will remain active, and you will not lose consciousness or awareness, but you will feel extremely relaxed. This sensation is unusual for some, but it is often described as calming or soothing.
FAQs
What are the risks and complications?
Some patients do experience a dissociative effect during their infusion, which is similar to an out-of-body experience. This effect does not happen for every patient, and many patients find this to be a pleasant experience. Those that don’t simply open their eyes to immediately reduce the undesirable sensation. Ketamine is not a hallucinogen, but as a dissociative medication, some patients perceive light or other senses in an enhanced way. This does not happen for all patients, and your physician will be there every step of the way to help throughout the session. Any uncomfortable sensations you may feel during the infusion will quickly wear off within 15-20 minutes, and the medication will be entirely out of your system within a few hours. You will be observed by a medical professional for about 45 minutes after the treatment is complete at which time a loved one can take you home.
FAQs
What happens after the procedure?
Some patients feel better during and immediately after their infusion. Others experience improvement in their mood or pain symptoms within a few days. Marked improvement can continue with subsequent treatments, and additional sessions are often required for pronounced and lasting benefits.
CTA
This non-invasive, effective, and safe treatment is fast acting with few side effects. Book your appointment today to find out if Ketamine IV Infusion Therapy is right for you.
