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Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Jul 21, 2022 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
@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?
Replies to "@amandaburnett @dog @clutch Hello! Nov 12, 2021 marked my first treatment in over 2 years. The..."
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@dqg
Wow! I just realized I replied on 5/5/22 w/your wrong handle. I hope you happened to see it because I think I addressed your concerns.
7/2/22, I'm still receiving 84mg Spravato per week. My suicidal ideations, thoughts, plans have decreased.
My antidepressant has increased.
I am feeling "better." As in today, I started an Arts & Crafts Program. I followed through with a grant application and my proposal was accepted. That is a good sign. Wanted to do something--didn't just think about it...no analysis paralysis and now I'm participating.
Spravato is not a miracle drug. I followed it's research for over 5 years as ketamine, Esketamine and now Spravato as the brand name.
In 2006, I was diagnosed with cancer. After the surgery, I did not struggle as I was in the recovery room. I felt bright.
I found out that ketamine was a part of the anesthesia.
One of these days, I'm going to read my ALL my posts and replies for continuity and to see how I've interacted. This month will be a year that I've been sharing on Mayo Connect. There was a dry spell for a while because I couldn't think clearly. The antidepressant I was on was an SSRI & totally ineffective. Then I was on Savella and that was a nightmare. I was having a series of TIAs-mini strokes.
That's when I decided...taper me off of one creepy medicine...NO OVERLAP...and then I was started on a different antidepressant--titrated slowly from 25mg to 150mg.
Hope you're well in Body, Mind & Spirit.
BTW...I had ECT and my doc discontinued it..." not getting the results I anticipated."
For the record, I've been in a discussion about ECT.