Hi @kelster69, I am sorry to hear they are no longer working. It does sound like the clinic you are going to isn't a good one. That is an issue with insurance not covering this and a lot of doctor's not recognizing that it works for some people. The fact that it did seem to work initially would seem to me like it should keep working though you are going through a real crappy time. My cousin also does the ketamine IVs every three months and then uses the nasal spray in between treatments. That could be an option.
The death of your parents is enough to set anyone into a depression. It's possible that the ketamine is still working for you, but that you are going through a natural grieving process right now which feels just like depression. I'm not a psychiatrist so I could be completely wrong here. I do remember being told that the ketamine will help but if you are going through a lot of stressors, you can fall right back into depression even with the treatments. Are you seeing a therapist or someone to talk to about the grief and other issues? Medication can do a lot but so can talking to people about the problems.
As for how I am doing, I got back with my wife for almost a year and then she was right back to the same crap as before, though with yelling at my daughter for getting a 4 instead of a 5 on her AP global exam. The ketamine is working fine for me still. I am actually handling things better though I still have a lot of down days. Those down days are still so much better than before. I go to a pretty good clinic in Rochester, NY. I do wish that the FDA would approve the treatment but there isn't any money for big pharma so there won't be any trials done.
I really hope that you can find some relief from the depression.
To @hopeful123: Many thanks for posting the info. on Ketamine nasal spray. You are very lucky to have access to it. I am waiting for it to be available in the pharmacy after FDA approval. Don't know when that will happen. Hope and pray it happens soon. Thanks.
Is the nasal spray a milder form of the infusion? I was told infusion requires hospital stay for observation. Does nasal spray require hospitalization?
@marjou The nasal spray uses one of the ketamine molecules while the IV infusion uses two so it is possible that the nasal infusion won't work for you but the IV will. I went with the IV since it was available and had better results. If doesn't require a hospital stay. I go to the clinic with a family member so they can drive me home. I go in, get the treatment which lasts about an hour, and go home. The nasal spray, from what I recall reading, also requires you go into the clinic or doctor's office, be treated, and then driven home. There was some talk about having the nasal spray available for home use but the belief was that people would abuse it like Special K.
I have MDD. I had 2 ketamine infusions and did not respond. I was more depressed as I put so much hope and faith into it. Many people have had success though.
I have MDD. I had 2 ketamine infusions and did not respond. I was more depressed as I put so much hope and faith into it. Many people have had success though.
Hi @dcs3, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you could join our conversation. I am sad to hear the infusions did not work for you, but you have come to the right place to share your experiences with members that have similar medical history. For those who don't know, can you explain what MDD is?
MDD is major depression disorder. Most MDD is treatment resistant. I have tried most every drug and every treatment to no avail. The older I have gotten the worse it has become. Honestly, I have zero quality of life and no purpose I can see. My children don’t speak to me. They haven’t in years. No real friends. I merely exist. Mental illness truly can take ones life away.
No I’m not suicidal. Amongst all things I lack....courage is one of them. It just is what it is.
@marjou The nasal spray uses one of the ketamine molecules while the IV infusion uses two so it is possible that the nasal infusion won't work for you but the IV will. I went with the IV since it was available and had better results. If doesn't require a hospital stay. I go to the clinic with a family member so they can drive me home. I go in, get the treatment which lasts about an hour, and go home. The nasal spray, from what I recall reading, also requires you go into the clinic or doctor's office, be treated, and then driven home. There was some talk about having the nasal spray available for home use but the belief was that people would abuse it like Special K.
MDD is major depression disorder. Most MDD is treatment resistant. I have tried most every drug and every treatment to no avail. The older I have gotten the worse it has become. Honestly, I have zero quality of life and no purpose I can see. My children don’t speak to me. They haven’t in years. No real friends. I merely exist. Mental illness truly can take ones life away.
No I’m not suicidal. Amongst all things I lack....courage is one of them. It just is what it is.
@dcs3 It's like we're living in each other's lives or body! I understand exactly what you describe! I am going to try medical marijuana but awaiting card. Thank you for sharing!
@dcs3 It's like we're living in each other's lives or body! I understand exactly what you describe! I am going to try medical marijuana but awaiting card. Thank you for sharing!
I have given thought to weed. I believe I need more mind altering/brain changing medications. I inquired about the nasal spray...my psychiatrist said if infusion didn’t work nasal spray would not work. Or I just need new brain!! Lol I always ask my psychiatrist if my new brain is in yet and he always says it’s still on back order. The few times I actually laugh!
Hi @kelster69, I am sorry to hear they are no longer working. It does sound like the clinic you are going to isn't a good one. That is an issue with insurance not covering this and a lot of doctor's not recognizing that it works for some people. The fact that it did seem to work initially would seem to me like it should keep working though you are going through a real crappy time. My cousin also does the ketamine IVs every three months and then uses the nasal spray in between treatments. That could be an option.
The death of your parents is enough to set anyone into a depression. It's possible that the ketamine is still working for you, but that you are going through a natural grieving process right now which feels just like depression. I'm not a psychiatrist so I could be completely wrong here. I do remember being told that the ketamine will help but if you are going through a lot of stressors, you can fall right back into depression even with the treatments. Are you seeing a therapist or someone to talk to about the grief and other issues? Medication can do a lot but so can talking to people about the problems.
As for how I am doing, I got back with my wife for almost a year and then she was right back to the same crap as before, though with yelling at my daughter for getting a 4 instead of a 5 on her AP global exam. The ketamine is working fine for me still. I am actually handling things better though I still have a lot of down days. Those down days are still so much better than before. I go to a pretty good clinic in Rochester, NY. I do wish that the FDA would approve the treatment but there isn't any money for big pharma so there won't be any trials done.
I really hope that you can find some relief from the depression.
@mandrake70 , thank you for your reply, and I apologize for not getting back sooner. I found a new clinic; I've had four intra-muscular ketamine treatments. I already feel dramatically better. The difference between the two clinics is remarkable. Same price, but this new one really checks in with patients, and adjusts dosing based on how we're doing. I think my brain was broken from all the grief and stressors. I still have a lot of grief, but I can at least get through the day without wanting to kill myself.
I am sorry about your wife. Same crap sounds accurate for relationships; I've been there too. More later. Have a zoom meeting now. Thanks again for your response. All the best, Kelster69
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Hi @kelster69, I am sorry to hear they are no longer working. It does sound like the clinic you are going to isn't a good one. That is an issue with insurance not covering this and a lot of doctor's not recognizing that it works for some people. The fact that it did seem to work initially would seem to me like it should keep working though you are going through a real crappy time. My cousin also does the ketamine IVs every three months and then uses the nasal spray in between treatments. That could be an option.
The death of your parents is enough to set anyone into a depression. It's possible that the ketamine is still working for you, but that you are going through a natural grieving process right now which feels just like depression. I'm not a psychiatrist so I could be completely wrong here. I do remember being told that the ketamine will help but if you are going through a lot of stressors, you can fall right back into depression even with the treatments. Are you seeing a therapist or someone to talk to about the grief and other issues? Medication can do a lot but so can talking to people about the problems.
As for how I am doing, I got back with my wife for almost a year and then she was right back to the same crap as before, though with yelling at my daughter for getting a 4 instead of a 5 on her AP global exam. The ketamine is working fine for me still. I am actually handling things better though I still have a lot of down days. Those down days are still so much better than before. I go to a pretty good clinic in Rochester, NY. I do wish that the FDA would approve the treatment but there isn't any money for big pharma so there won't be any trials done.
I really hope that you can find some relief from the depression.
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1 ReactionIs the nasal spray a milder form of the infusion? I was told infusion requires hospital stay for observation. Does nasal spray require hospitalization?
@marjou The nasal spray uses one of the ketamine molecules while the IV infusion uses two so it is possible that the nasal infusion won't work for you but the IV will. I went with the IV since it was available and had better results. If doesn't require a hospital stay. I go to the clinic with a family member so they can drive me home. I go in, get the treatment which lasts about an hour, and go home. The nasal spray, from what I recall reading, also requires you go into the clinic or doctor's office, be treated, and then driven home. There was some talk about having the nasal spray available for home use but the belief was that people would abuse it like Special K.
I have MDD. I had 2 ketamine infusions and did not respond. I was more depressed as I put so much hope and faith into it. Many people have had success though.
Hi @dcs3, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you could join our conversation. I am sad to hear the infusions did not work for you, but you have come to the right place to share your experiences with members that have similar medical history. For those who don't know, can you explain what MDD is?
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMDD is major depression disorder. Most MDD is treatment resistant. I have tried most every drug and every treatment to no avail. The older I have gotten the worse it has become. Honestly, I have zero quality of life and no purpose I can see. My children don’t speak to me. They haven’t in years. No real friends. I merely exist. Mental illness truly can take ones life away.
No I’m not suicidal. Amongst all things I lack....courage is one of them. It just is what it is.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAppreciate this info. Thanks
@dcs3 It's like we're living in each other's lives or body! I understand exactly what you describe! I am going to try medical marijuana but awaiting card. Thank you for sharing!
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have given thought to weed. I believe I need more mind altering/brain changing medications. I inquired about the nasal spray...my psychiatrist said if infusion didn’t work nasal spray would not work. Or I just need new brain!! Lol I always ask my psychiatrist if my new brain is in yet and he always says it’s still on back order. The few times I actually laugh!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@mandrake70 , thank you for your reply, and I apologize for not getting back sooner. I found a new clinic; I've had four intra-muscular ketamine treatments. I already feel dramatically better. The difference between the two clinics is remarkable. Same price, but this new one really checks in with patients, and adjusts dosing based on how we're doing. I think my brain was broken from all the grief and stressors. I still have a lot of grief, but I can at least get through the day without wanting to kill myself.
I am sorry about your wife. Same crap sounds accurate for relationships; I've been there too. More later. Have a zoom meeting now. Thanks again for your response. All the best, Kelster69