1. < Depression & Anxiety

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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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @bcool123 "My counselor has suggested looking into ketamine for depression. Has anyone used it and what have..." + (show)
@bcool123

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

Jump to this post

@bcool123, I moved your post looking for experiences others have had with ketamine for depression to this existing discussion:
- Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-tried-ketamine-for-depression/

I did this so that you can read previous comments as well as the responses you've received from @marjou and @audriana.

You may also be interested in this discussion that @audriana started a little while ago too:
- Questions to ask about ketamine infusions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/questions-to-ask-about-ketamine-infusions/

REPLY
1 reply
Shirley Hugh-Jesst | @audriana | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@bcool123, I moved your post looking for experiences others have had with ketamine for depression to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@bcool123, I moved your post looking for experiences others have had with ketamine for depression to this existing discussion:
- Has anyone tried Ketamine for depression? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-tried-ketamine-for-depression/

I did this so that you can read previous comments as well as the responses you've received from @marjou and @audriana.

You may also be interested in this discussion that @audriana started a little while ago too:
- Questions to ask about ketamine infusions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/questions-to-ask-about-ketamine-infusions/

Jump to this post

Thank you @colleenyoung1
@laurine7 ... I responded in detail. When I clicked reply, I got an error. Good sign. My new med was titrated /increased by 25mg last week. My reply failed, but I didn't.
So, here is the bottom line for ME.
I spoke to my doc and told him last year, after 30+ years of psych meds... ( plus other meds)
"I want to stop one creepy medicine completely before I start another creepy medicine. No overlap. My choice. For ME"
●Taper, tapering = decrease slowly to lower dose and/ or discontinue with least # side effects. Some meds cannot be stopped cold turkey.
●Titrate, process of titration (meds mix in bloodstream) = increase dose until we reach the most effective dose with the least side effects.
So, for 6 weeks, late 2021 into 2022, I was tapered off of Med #37 slowly. Discontinued.
No Overlap. Several weeks later, for ME..
Started #38 @ 25mg in February.
Slowly, over time, #38 was increased by 25mg.
June 29, 2022, our titration schedule reached 150mg.
Our goal might reach 200mg and be titrated (increased) by 25mg.
Or, for ME, maybe 150mg will be most effective with least # of side effects.
Taper= weaned off slowly
Titrate= add slowly until we reach the best dose for ME.
Hope I clarified for you.
Hope when I click REPLY...

REPLY
1 reply
Shirley Hugh-Jesst | @audriana | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @audriana "@amandaburnett @dog @clutch Hello! Nov 12, 2021 marked my first treatment in over 2 years. The..." + (show)
@audriana

@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?

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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.

REPLY
dsg | @dsg | Jul 3, 2022
In reply to @audriana "Thank you @colleenyoung1 @laurine7 ... I responded in detail. When I clicked reply, I got an..." + (show)
@audriana

Thank you @colleenyoung1
@laurine7 ... I responded in detail. When I clicked reply, I got an error. Good sign. My new med was titrated /increased by 25mg last week. My reply failed, but I didn't.
So, here is the bottom line for ME.
I spoke to my doc and told him last year, after 30+ years of psych meds... ( plus other meds)
"I want to stop one creepy medicine completely before I start another creepy medicine. No overlap. My choice. For ME"
●Taper, tapering = decrease slowly to lower dose and/ or discontinue with least # side effects. Some meds cannot be stopped cold turkey.
●Titrate, process of titration (meds mix in bloodstream) = increase dose until we reach the most effective dose with the least side effects.
So, for 6 weeks, late 2021 into 2022, I was tapered off of Med #37 slowly. Discontinued.
No Overlap. Several weeks later, for ME..
Started #38 @ 25mg in February.
Slowly, over time, #38 was increased by 25mg.
June 29, 2022, our titration schedule reached 150mg.
Our goal might reach 200mg and be titrated (increased) by 25mg.
Or, for ME, maybe 150mg will be most effective with least # of side effects.
Taper= weaned off slowly
Titrate= add slowly until we reach the best dose for ME.
Hope I clarified for you.
Hope when I click REPLY...

Jump to this post

What is the medicine you are on? Ssri’s don’t work for me either

REPLY
1 reply
Shirley Hugh-Jesst | @audriana | Jul 3, 2022
In reply to @dsg "What is the medicine you are on? Ssri’s don’t work for me either" + (show)
@dsg

What is the medicine you are on? Ssri’s don’t work for me either

Jump to this post

I'm reluctant to disclose because what is effective for me may not be appropriate for you. As I said, I took the Genesite analysis. For ME...SSRIs are in the red zone. Some meds are yellow-caution and MAOIs are in the green. However because I have cardiac issues, the MAOI has to be closely monitored. I'm making a concession because my mental health has such as impact upon my quality of life.

REPLY
bcool123 | @bcool123 | Jul 3, 2022

Thank you all for sharing your experiences with Katamine. I have an appointment with a clinic in a couple of weeks to ask Questions.

REPLY
1 reply
Shirley Hugh-Jesst | @audriana | Jul 4, 2022
In reply to @bcool123 "Thank you all for sharing your experiences with Katamine. I have an appointment with a clinic..." + (show)
@bcool123

Thank you all for sharing your experiences with Katamine. I have an appointment with a clinic in a couple of weeks to ask Questions.

Jump to this post

@bcool123
Remember:
Ketamine infusions and Spravato Nasal Spray are 2 different medications
Google Spravato manufactured by Janssen. You can call them and ask to speak to a patient relations representative.
Spravato is monitored through strict protocals: REM...That's one question to ask. What is REM?

REPLY
1 reply
ajw1 | @ajw1 | Jul 4, 2022

I’m so glad to find this group where others are discussing Ketamine. I’m in Laurel, MS which is a small town and so no doctors here are using it yet. I’m 53 and struggled with depression my whole life with it just getting worse and more resistant over last 6 years (AA series of traumatic events has complicated and intensified the depression)
I’ve been searching to find a dr not so far away that I can see to be treated and try ketamine. If anyone has leads in Hattiesburg, Ms or Jackson , MS or Birmingham, Al . I have Humana Ppo insurance

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1 reply
bcool123 | @bcool123 | Jul 4, 2022

Shirley, for your information on the two different meds. I’ll check them out. Wishing you peace,

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wolfbauer | @wolfbauer | Jul 6, 2022

It was a life saver for me in the beginning, then the effect of IV and compounded (only 30% bioavailable oral) capsules wore off for depression and had to be really jacked up in dose to have effect. It seemed to help me when I was at, pardon the poor phrasing, at a place where I was at the end of my rope, so to speak... high suicidality (not personally suicidal... if suicidal, go to an ER Please! Dislclaimer!).

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