Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression?

I am interested in getting ketamine treatments for depression.
Has anyone ever tried this nasal treatment?
If not, do you have any information about this treatment?
I would really appreciate any information about this which is relatively new and has been FDA approved. I have read several articles but would really like to connect with either a professional or a patient about ketamine treatments. My psychiatrist thinks I should start this program but I feel I don't know enough to commit to something like this. Thanks for sharing.

Hi @dqg, I would like to invite @audriana to the conversation since she looked into these treatments as well. You can see her post here: Rejection letter from Janssen CarePath re Spravato: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rejection-letter-from-janssen-carepath-re-spravato/

Here is some information you may like to browse.
A New Ketamine Nasal Spray Has Been Approved for Depression (But It’s Not for Everyone) - The possible benefits and risks, explained: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/a-new-ketamine-nasal-spray-has-been-approved-for-depression-but-its-not-for-everyone/

2019 - FDA-Approved Ketamine Nasal Spray Cuts Depression Symptoms in 24 Hours: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ketamine-nasal-spray-can-help-reduce-depression-in-24-hours

What steered you to the ketamine treatments for depression? Are you currently on anything to manage?

I have been receiving Spravato since November 2021.
Ask me. I will be as objective as possible.

@amandaburnett
@dog
@clutch Hello!
Nov 12, 2021 marked my first treatment in over 2 years. The pharmacists at ECMC advocated for me to get through the insurance issues.
For 6 weeks, I was started at 84 mg. I currently receive a weekly treated. Through FMLA, my husband has taken me..
Currently, no providers are available to follow REM protocols in Fayetteville, NC. It is a medical desert.
Initially the protocol required that I take a concurrent SSRI.
GUESS WHAT? In 2018, I took the Genesite test. It indicated that my brain doesn't "like" SSRIs. My brain "likes" MAOIs.
So, I was tapered off of Sertraline and titrated onto Desipramine.
I have cardiac issues, so I have a pretreatment with Coreg and Ativan 3 hours prior to Spravato.
Every person is different is an understatement.
I have a collaborative relationship with my psychiatrist, my primary care provider, my Endocrinologist, my pharmacists, a CBT therapist focusing on insomnia, and a therapist engaging in talk therapy.
ECMC, in Benson. NC is the only facility in the USA that offers Spravato, dispensed and monitored by a doctor of pharmacy throughout the phases of each Spravato treatment session. So much better than my treatments with the Fayetteville psychiatric provider. I was initially upset when they suddenly pulled the plug. I was left feeling abandoned.
Through Janssen and ECMC, I have joined a thoroughly professional team with Dr Andrew, Dr. Kim, and Dr. Lisa.
Persistence and Advocacy paid off.
So, I've provided you with the framework.
What are your questions, comments or concerns related to my personal experience?

Thank you for your support. Could you tell me a little about the number of treatments you had the first month or two. Then how many times do you go after that?
Do you feel it has helped with depression and anxiety?
Do you also take meds and if so what do you take?
Right now I am in a very bad place and have been going downhill the past six months. I take wellbutrin 150 And geodon 20. I don't think it's helping at all.
I have contacted another psychistrist and explained to him how limited I am.
Don't want to see people, Don't want to go out even to the supermarket. He says this treatment will help me because the drugs I'm taking are not working.

I don't know anything about Ketamine and I am afraid to commit to these treatments until I learn more. Also do you have to have these treatments for the rest of your life?
Any and all information you can send to me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for helping

My counselor has suggested looking into ketamine for depression. Has anyone used it and what have your results been? My psychiatrist suggested ECT but it is quite a distance, requires transport three times a week for four or five weeks and expensive. So I’m wondering if anyone has experience with Katamine? Appreciate your input. Bcool123

@bcool123 I did some research on ketamine but quite expensive and not covered under insurance. It also required hospital stay for patient observation. Now I understand that it can be administered in micro doses. So for me it was not a viable option.

madhouse, I have some more research to do on it too. Thanks for your response. Bcool123

I have been receiving Spravato treatments--esketamine delivered by nasal spray in a controlled setting. Spravato is not an anti-depressant. It is used with patients who have treatment resistant depression. It is helping to alleviate the suicidal thoughts I take an anti-depressant. In 2018, I took the Genesite test. SSRIs such as Zoloft and 30 more are not effective.
Based on the definition of insanity, my docs kept prescribing SSRIs, expecting a different outcome. NOPE.
We found one in a different class for me that is being titrated verrrrry slowly. I'm experiencing positive results. My rule of thumb now is, "Get me off of one creepy feeling medicine before you start another creepy feeling med."
Talk to your doctor.
I come to my appointments with a list of questions, comments, and concerns.
Be your best advocate.
There are lots of comments on the Spravato discussion.
Here's to your health.

This is the first I have TITRATE instead of TAPER. I am under the impression that they are different. Does titrate mean to take with a mix of water? Taper does not mix with anything.