Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression?

I used a nasal spray for pain and my head was knocked out. I could not drive while using it. It didn’t work for pain so I stopped using it.

Prob the best thing to stop using it. It's totally controlled here and you don't get it given to you unless you have a broken none to align or something else intensely painful

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.

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.

God bless you and your husband. The book is sold online for about $20 and has a work book with it. I don't read many books but I was so different before, and then after the addiction that I couldn't figure out what happened to me in 10.5 months. After a couple of sessions with Trauma therapist, he told me to "Forgive myself". I hated what happened and blamed myself. This was a major source of my depression. I kept thinking, "How could I be so stupid"? The therapist said I didn't do it to myself that was what Percocet is designed to do, alter the brain chemistry. Ketamine therapy allowed me to neutralize my anger and shame and start to undo what Percocet had done. It started to make sense that if my brain was twisted up I could untwist it. With commitment I have certainly come a long way and now have a partial (still more to learn) understanding of how my mind works and of the positive results that can come from practicing and establishing better habits of thinking, etc.

Happy to hear you are recovering. Having a support group or just good friends is essential to keep us grounded and able to feel loved. I have a partner who helps keep me sane.

I got real aggressive for some reason