Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression?

Thank you for the positivity!!

Yes, it helps some people with depression. My depression is a million times better. It is not approved to treat bipolar so I don’t know if it would help with that. It might at least help with the depression side of bipolar. It’s inexpensive if you have insurance.

I did the same treatment I have not felt this good for 8 years so thankful for my Doctor not giving up on me.

I did spravato for awhile and took Auvelity I take twice a day I haven’t felt this good for a long time.

I have had ADHD, PTSD, and depression for as long as I can remember. I realized something was wrong but was unable to express it, or my parents were not paying attention. I suffered for years. I was diagnosed with ADHD four years ago and am currently on medication to treat it. This was a game changer for me. But the albatross continued to weigh heavily on me. I turned to IV Ketamine WITH Therapy. After six IV treatments, I moved to Spravato. K is much more expensive than Spravato, and I believe it is more effective. But Spravato is covered by insurance.

I read many people's descriptions of their ketamine journeys, and what I found missing from the majority of them was talk therapy. I cannot imagine taking this drug without someone to assist in handling any emotions that may emerge. Everyone's experience varies, yet it is human nature to seek connection. So, why not seek therapy? Medication can hide or even temporarily reduce symptoms, but if the underlying cause is not addressed, it will return in vengeful, unexpected ways.

IMHO, everyone should talk to someone. Some people are strolling about obvious and utterly self-unaware while they are suffering inside. You do not know everything, and neither does the bozo who left a Reddit comment offering you advice. Instead of going to a clinic that is "authorized by law" to give you the medication and then send you home to stew in your emotions without the support you need to help you make sense of it all, seek out professional care that also specializes in mental health.

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 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.