Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression?

Posted by kelster69 @kelster69, Aug 8, 2020

Hi. My depression is intolerable right now. I started ketamine infusion therapy last August. It helped initially, but it has not really worked for me in about 7 months. I still went to the same clinic for 11 months, which I'm learning is a ketamine mill. I spoke with another doctor/clinic who does intramuscular ketamine treatments and who monitors dosing and patients' reactions very carefully during the treatment (my former clinic did not at all). I swore I wouldn't try ketamine again, after this last run failed and seemed to make me even more depressed. But I have some hope with this new clinic who seems to know what they're doing. I am at the end of my rope here; very depressed. I'm wondering if anyone else on here has experience with this treatment?

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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.

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Profile picture for gerrylaschober @gerrylaschober

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.

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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.

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I got real aggressive for some reason

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Profile picture for pasca @pasca

I have tried Spravato and had very positive experience for months and then it peaked out. My psych said that happens with some. She then pute on a new med Auvelity that if different than any other antidepressant in that it impacts same neurotransmitters that Spravato does. It's been about 1month and so far so good.

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Glad for you are better.

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Profile picture for tbb3512 @tbb3512

I'm having trouble finding an antidepressant that works for me. Has anyone tried Spravato treatments? Thanks!

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I have had depression and anxiety for years. It is now treatment resistant and my doctor has prescribed Spravato. I’m on Medicare . My secondary ,Champ Va ,does not cover it. ( although all the websights I’ve visited insists they do cover it.). I can’t afford it. Very discouraged and hopeless.

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Profile picture for tbb3512 @tbb3512

I'm having trouble finding an antidepressant that works for me. Has anyone tried Spravato treatments? Thanks!

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Hi. My brother went thru 8 spravato treatments and had no results. Not to say it won’t work for you. My friend who’s a therapist has a patient who had it and is doing well. My friend said you should follow up with therapy. Hoping things turn around.

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Profile picture for vanella @vanella

I have had depression and anxiety for years. It is now treatment resistant and my doctor has prescribed Spravato. I’m on Medicare . My secondary ,Champ Va ,does not cover it. ( although all the websights I’ve visited insists they do cover it.). I can’t afford it. Very discouraged and hopeless.

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My son is 41 and started Spravato and therapy a couple months ago. Thats when all hell broke loose with his feelings that I was to blame for every bad thing he has been through. His words and outbursts were frightening( he lives in another state) I had to block him a couple times..He keeps saying that the Spravato has helped. He cant handle any stress, he literally has called me having a breakdown, and has texted about killing himself. One time when this happened I kept saying call the Crisis line. He says I am crazy and that I have a demon. I am a christian and if I didnt have God in my life I dont know how I could get through this. He is estranged from his father, so I have always been there for him, and have helped him financially through rough times. It just seems odd that after starting Spravato this all happened..

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Profile picture for tbb3512 @tbb3512

I'm having trouble finding an antidepressant that works for me. Has anyone tried Spravato treatments? Thanks!

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Thanks - good to know all this!

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Profile picture for gomogirl7 @gomogirl7

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.

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Maybe you go in for an assessment with the nurse and tell her how you felt since your last treatment. Maybe it was too high a dose. Sending hugs

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Profile picture for gomogirl7 @gomogirl7

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.

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Have you thought about going in treatment? The way you are feeling (traumatized, worse than ever, etc.) At least get an assessment. Seriously I hope you find the right plan of action and the correct dose of medication that helps you feel much better. ((((HUGS))))

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