Hi, @czechmate – you'll note I moved your post to this discussion, "Ketamine treatments," so that you could talk with others who have discussed this therapy. That is tough to feel like you have brain fog and disassociation feelings, and feel regret for undergoing the therapy.

I'd like to invite other members who have talked about ketamine in this discussion or elsewhere on Connect to join in and offer any thoughts on the feelings you are having post-treatment and how you might manage the symptoms. Please meet @hopeful123 @overwhelmed @mary121658 @racheldmark @jdrhoads. @gailb and @jakedduck1 may also have some input.

@czechmate – did your doctor offer any thoughts on what side effects you might experience, and how you might deal with them if they occurred?

I took 1 ketamine infusion 2 weeks ago for severe depression and now my brain fog is worse and I have disassociation feelings where I feel like I am in in a dream state. I really regret taking it. They gave me 1 mg/kg for a total of 60 over 1 hr. I heard .5 was a better doseage. Does anyone know of any medications I can take to deal with these symptoms? I am worried I did long term damage to my brain. My brain fog is the worst in the morning and it gets a little better by midday but it is always there. I also take Seroquel at night. Is it a combination of the Seroquel and Ketamine?. I am desperate to feel better.

Hi, @czechmate – I wanted to let you know I moved your post on ketamine side effects here, as members have talked about this treatment in this discussion. @merpreb @johnbishop @jenniferhunter may have some thoughts on the brain fog and disassociation feelings you've had since your ketamine infusion 2 weeks ago and your concern about long-term damage to your brain.

Hi @czechmate — I have no experience with ketamine infusions but have read that there are some significant side effects. Here is some information I found that tells about the side effects.

Ketamine for chronic pain: risks and benefits
— https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4014022/

Have you discussed your new symptoms with your doctor?

@czechmate– I'm so sorry that you feel worse. During my chemo years ago I did have chemo brain. Since I am not familiar with Ketamine I don't know if this would cause the same thing. I'm wondering if all the drugs that you are taking are reacting with each other in a negative way. Perhaps the Ketamine set a reaction off.
Like John, I can only offer you this link
https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/what-does-ketamine-do-your-brain#1
Please continue to bug your doctors about this.

@dpstewart318

FDA Approves Ketamine-Related Drug for Depression

The Food and Drug Administration approved a drug for depression that could be the first in a wave of long-awaited treatments, but that has also raised concerns about abuse.

Hi, @mikecranny – Thanks for sharing information on the FDA approval of esketamine, a nasal spray that's a relative of ketamine, for treatment-resistant depression.

This article talks about this development https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/05/700509903/fda-clears-esketamine-nasal-spray-for-hard-to-treat-depression

Have you had experience with depression, @mikecranny? Is this a medication you are potentially interested in for yourself?

What are your thoughts about FDA approval of esketamine, @dstewart318?

Yes, I've had anxiety and depression and thankfully it's under control. I thought it would be of general interest.

Thrilled that esketamine/Spravato was approved by the FDA. I participated in the clinical trial and my improvement was dramatic. Been waiting for this announcement for 2 1/2 yrs. I think that the regulations are going to all but kill the possibility of abuse. My main concerns are where I'll be able to get it and which insurance companies will cover it. Phase 2 of the waiting game has begun.

Hi, @spluck – thanks for sharing your experience on the esketamine clinical trial.

You mentioned your experience was dramatic. Will you share a little about how you were doing before the trial and how this medication affected your situation?

Hi @lisalucier

Happy to share.

Made a suicide attempt years ago. Self-medicated with alcohol for about 15 yrs (that stopped 25+ yrs ago). Took all the meds they prescribed over the years. None helped. I eventually became convinced that nothing would ever help. For the decade preceding the trial, I was an overweight, heavy-smoking recluse with daily suicidal ideation. I left my house only to buy cigarettes and see my counselor. In 2013, things got worse when my husband passed away. I had to move and I have no close friends.

During the trial, I quit smoking cold turkey and lost 30lbs. Most importantly, I went out almost every single day, mostly with my sister. At first it was stressful but my anxiety level dropped quickly. Went to movies, restaurants, museums, plays, stores … the depression nearly evaporated. I stopped being afraid of and overwhelmed by everything. I stopped thinking about suicide. I was able to enjoy things. I had a life. I was no longer ruled by screwed up brain chemistry and I never felt medicated. When I was dosed, I experienced slight dizziness, sneezing, post-nasal drip and tinnitus, all of which subsided within minutes. There were no other side effects. Esketamine did not make me high and I felt no disassociation. (not true for others) The dose was perfect for me. I lucked out in a big way.

Post-trial, the depression returned immediately and was full blown within a few weeks. I started smoking again, gained the weight back and rarely leave my house. I am typing this from my bed, where I spend 99% of my time. I don't answer my phone most of the time, my room is always dark, my eating habits are terrible and I'm in poor physical shape due to being sedentary. My suicide plan is in place but for 2.5 years I've been clinging desperately to the hope that some day I'll have access to esketamine again. That day is now a lot closer.

Thanks to the esketamine trial, I know that there actually IS hope for me, which helps keep the suicidal thoughts just that … thoughts only. One day at a time.

I am very depressed over my medical condition, added to that I have PTSD, almost trapped in home, medical. Would you have any information on the Patients Perspective?

Hi, @kimspr3 – that sounds very rough to feel almost trapped in your home and very depressed. Just wanted to clarify about your question on information on the patient's perspective. Were you looking for a patient perspective on ketamine treatment, or something else?

Hi, Thank You for thinking of me. I was thinking of the ketamine treatment. I've learned about during my researching. I know I'm a mess from PTSD but did EST make me worse???? Would that help? I DON'T WANT TO BE DEPENDENT ON ANY ONE. I have always done things myself so I owe no one anything and nothing can be thrown in my face.