Esketamine Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression: Experiences?

Hello @intheprocess and welcome to Mayo Connect!

I appreciate the information you offered regarding the clinical trial of esketamine for treatment resistant depression. We have many Members on Connect who speak of this difficult to treat depression.

In searching for information about this, I noticed that often esketamine is used in conjunction with another oral anti-depressant. Is that true in your case?

If you are comfortable sharing more, please share: How long have you been involved in this clinical trial; when it will end and if you have noticed any changes in how you feel since the trial began.

Hi, I have been in esketamine trials for about 1.5 years. We are required to take an oral anti-depressant. I take 200 mg of sertraline. For me, I am very lucky, because esketamine is like a miracle. Suicidal ideation is just about nil. I usually receive the dose once a week in a controlled setting. Sometimes, as it is a study, they try having me take it every other week, but that doesn't work for me. Near the end of the week, a person with whom I live notices I am in need of a treatment. I would love to receive it twice a week, but don't think that will happen. But once a week is fantastic. I am also doing some CBT work with the psychiatrist who is with me. Also, I have been going to counseling since 2009. Esketamine is SO effective. I went from taking seven meds that weren't working to the esketamine and sertraline. The device used to administer the nasal spray has been improved. I think they are close to releasing it, but I read various projections online. I recommend esketamine nasal spray for those with treatment resistant depression. There may be studies available. I suggest that NO-ONE get it online or from another country. Oversight is needed.

@intheprocess Thank you for that great report! I am so pleased that you have found this treatment so effective! It sounds like you have a lot of support systems in place in addition to the esketamine which is also important. Here is some information from the NIH regarding this clinical trial for anyone else interested, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29282469.

You're welcome.

I wanted to add my welcome to you, @intheprocess. Very interesting that you are in a clinical study of esketamine. I've talked to a person who was in a trial previously for ketamine, which is known as a relative of esketamine.

I thought you might like to meet some of our other members who have talked about treatment-resistant depression, like @parus @jimhd @godsgirl1969 @kdo0827 @charlie75 @windwalker and @georgette12. I'm anticipating they may be interested in dialoguing with you about your experiences.

Are you feeling that the CBT work/counseling have also helped you, @intheprocess?

I’d be glad to share with you anytime. I’m not always on here but I get the notifications so I’ll respond. You will find this group of people to be kind, open, honest and supportive. I count on them during my toughest times. Welcome!

Is there a way to group the members to which you prefer so I don't have to click on each one?

@intheprocess -- you can follow a group you are interested in or a thread. Your participation in this thread here, for instance, means that you will then be notified of any future posts in the discussion.

If you'd like to follow a group, on the groups directory page just click follow. Notifications will be sent to you via email when someone posts or replies in the group you follow.

I also find it easier to click "view and reply" from the email notification. Please let me know if you need help navigating.

@intheprocess Thank you for sharing your experie@nce with esketamine. Good suggestion as to purchasing online. CBT has been the most helpful for me as it is a tool that "clicks" for me. Distraction is my "go to" and after being so heavily medicated for 8 years I no longer take any psyche meds as they made me worse. The PCP no longer mentions them to me. My depression IS cognitive and the journey is arduous.

@parus Yes, arduous is a good word! You are extremely intelligent so I' can understand why CBT would work well for you.