Do you have experience with ketamine treatments?

I started IV ketamine in early Sept for TRD (treatment resistant depression). I'm 56 and have been treated with most everything out there since I was 21 - some successes along the way but nothing sustaining. I was in hospital (Rochester, MN - Mayo) in 2023 for suicidal ideation/had 14 ECT treatments, and had very significant memory loss - almost lost my job as a Mayo employee because of it. Fortunately, I work in a very compassionate department, and they were patient as I recovered my cognitive skills. Even though the ECT helped for a while, the depression returned, and I needed help once again. The IV Ketamine Clinic has CHANGED MY LIFE. It's a whole new world. Instant change - miraculous - and I mean SAME DAY. I wish that it worked for everyone like it has for me. I have never felt so good and well-adjusted. I have had maybe 8? treatments and I go every other week now, soon to be once a month. But I can't imagine a nasal treatment - getting a "full" dose in one shot...I enjoy the 40-minute infusion and have had zero side effects: no disassociation, nausea, headaches - nothing. I've 'tried' to go to that 'dark place' in my head - the suicidal 'room' where I don't want to live anymore - and I can't even find the door...it is unreal. The only barrier I had in securing treatment was that I am a recovering alcoholic/drug addict. I've been sober for almost 25 years and have quality sobriety, and that was a requirement for treatment. The feeling I get during treatment is not like being drunk; I am just utterly so happy; I can't explain it. I would suggest anyone with TRD to try it. Mayo Rochester is where I have been treated - Dr. Balwinder Singh. They have been treating patients for over ten years. God Bless you all - don't give up.

It is making me angry that people are not getting the proper treatments and care. This is serious business, and I am sorry for anyone who has had a bad experience because protocols are not being followed. The treatment gets a bad name and is only known as the party drug that killed a "Friend."

I have been fortunate to have a wonderful experience with my provider. They are a hub of mental health care. They offer individual and group therapy to compliment the ketamine and Spravato treatments. And I still have all my limbs because it does not cost an arm and a leg.

I know that others may not have the same options and experience. My hope is for everyone to find something that will help.

What is Spravato? That is new word and new therapy to me.

Spravato (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray used to treat depression in adults. It is the only FDA-approved nasal spray for TRD.

My experience with ketamine treatments has not provided me with positive results. One needed to be driven to and from treatments because it was that strong and with no proven results. Would recommend trying mushrooms.

Ditto. I used the nasal spray and 0 results. Tried mushrooms once. 0 results. Still have headache all the time and dizziness.

My first spravato treatment was awesome. I felt lifted and I was in a good place. I had the second one, an increased dose, yesterday and I feel traumatized and hopeless. It was too much. I felt so sick afterward but felt like I needed to go because I had been basically dismissed. I couldn’t walk and was on the floor in the office apologizing for my state. I felt sick the rest of the night. Today I feel traumatized and so irritated and I want to give up. Tears in my eyes and I can’t focus. I live alone and haven’t seen anyone since nor can I get ahold of my dr office. I am supposed to go again on Monday and I seriously doubt I’m going. I feel worse than ever. So depressed and alone. Mak cause you don’t leave your appointments in an uber. If nobody cares enough to go with you like in my case just don’t go.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We are here for support and encouragement and even love for our fellow human beings who suffer.
I’m not a doctor so I can’t give you medical advice but I will say it sounds like that drug doesn’t agree with you. Especially at a higher dose. Maybe take a break then if you decide you want to try it again, stick with the lower dose. It’s your body and your mind and only you know what works for you. No one else. NAMI gives support to people like us and you could maybe find a peer to go with you. Not sure.
Know that I am thinking of you and offering up positive energy if you want it.

My depression came after knee surgery and Percocet prescribed for me after surgery. Oxycodone, the opioid in Percocet is NOT a pain killer it IS A MIND ALTERING drug. After several months on Percocet I went to my surgeon and explained my dependence and asked for a descending dose. He refused. I then went to a clinic to seek help for detoxing, ( I could not function at my job or in bright light without oxycodone in my body). The clinic would not help because their rules would not allow them to intake me because I was over 65 years old. I tried private care but they demanded a 9 month commitment. I explained that I was not getting high, partying or having fun. I had lost 40lbs. and could not function without oxycodone in my system. I needed detox. After 10.5 months I quite New Years Eve of 2022/2023. I am a veteran and hallucinated being at war for 3 days and all I did was to hallucinate and actively protect myself from an overwhelming enemy force that wasn't really there. I was found laying on the floor, guns all empty all around me, and almost dead. I was then taken to a hospital for stabilization for 3 days and then to a clinic for detox for 12 more days. A doctor at the clinic explained to me that I could not just quite abruptly like I did because I could have had a "psychotic break". Ya think? I told her she should have seen it from my side. Anyway, THE GOOD NEWS. First the BAD NEWS. After being detoxed I went into a very serious almost suicidal depression. I didn't want to live anymore at least not this way. I went for help and found a very good TRAUMA therapist. he explained that I might need some adjunct therapies such as EMDR or KETAMINE. Along with a very good Dr.'s care and my therapist I went for IV ketamine treatments. It was 2x per week for 3 weeks. The first time I was given the minimum dose for my weight, etc. Under the watchful eye of the Dr. she saw I was not tolerating it well and I was immediately pulled off treatment. However, experience had showed her to reduce dosage, even the minimum amount to 1/2 and that dosage worked well. On the 5th treatment I could feel my life returning to a more normal life. About 70%. I was no longer wanting to just die. I have had 2 singular treatments since but I feel that ketamine is not what I need at this time. I bought a book titled, "The Body Keeps the Score". It has taught me a lot about myself, my mind, my neurotransmitters and what happened. I continue to get better and better with the sometimes help of an SSRI (but for short term only) or other anti-depressants, but I find that working within myself and along with others who have suffered the same depression, along with therapy, diet and being committed to being the best I can be I am recovering better and better. I hope this helps you and others that struggle with being "broken" inside. Hang in there, you are worth it.

I so appreciate your detailed post. What caught my eye about your story is the book "The Body Keeps the Score, The Cost of HIDDEN STRESS"", I am listening to it now trying to figure out how to help my husband, so insightful. I wonder how many people who are given drugs could be better helped by reading, or listening to Gabor Mate's insights. I highly recommend it and I wish you good health and happiness.