Doctors are looking at these treatments as a way to help combat conditions like chronic pain and severe depression without the use of more serious drugs, such as opioids or sedatives, which can alter your day to day life and activities. Some conditions that can be treated using Ketamine infusion include:

• Severe depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Suicidal tendencies
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain
• Depression or pain that does not respond to typical treatments

If you feel that Ketamine Infusion treatments can be right for you, or you have a different condition from those listed and believe that you may benefit from Ketamine treatments, schedule an appointment to talk to the doctor to discuss your options.

Science Behind Ketamine Infusions

When it comes to Ketamine infusions, knowing the science behind the treatment can help ease any reservations you may have about treatment. Ketamine works by activating NMDA receptors in the brain, which then help to alleviate chronic pain or boost the mood to clear depression. When given in controlled doses by a physician on a regular treatment plan, Ketamine works with the brain to change the way the body feels pain, helping you to lead a better quality life. Ketamine is also an alternative to opioids or other medications that are required to be taken every day. While the science behind how Ketamine infusions work to relieve certain conditions is not completely understood, the more widely popular this treatment becomes, more literature and studies will be done on it to ensure that it is understood better.

What to Expect During Your Ketamine Treatment

What’s Involved in the Treatment?

When you are considering looking into Ketamine infusion therapy as a treatment for your condition, there are several things that you should expect before, during, and after treatment. The first is the screening process. A screening process is necessary to receive Ketamine treatments so that the administering doctor can keep track of your health history, appointments with physicians and psychiatrists.

Screening and Clearances

Patients who are undergoing treatment for mood disorders must have psychiatric clearance, as well as a plan to return to the psychologist for follow-up appointments and treatment.

Those who have other health conditions or a concerning health history may need clearance from other healthcare specialists, such as a cardiologist, pulmonologist, or GI specialist. Patients who have had a cardiac history will need clearance from a cardiologist, although it is very rare that they will develop any type of heart arrhythmias during treatment. If you have sleep apnea or another condition that can cause problems with sedation, you will need to see a pulmonologist prior to treatment. Those with liver disease or any type of liver enzyme elevation will be required to see a GI specialist prior to receiving treatment, as Ketamine is known to cause temporary elevations in liver enzymes, although it is typically minimal and will return to normal shortly after treatment.

Ketamine Infusion Treatment

If you have been cleared to receive Ketamine infusion therapy, you will arrive at the surgical center on the day of your treatment. Once there, you will receive an IV bag that contains Ketamine and other drugs, such as Lidocaine and Magnesium, which will help prevent side effects and keep you comfortable during treatment. Once the treatment has concluded, you will be required to have someone drive you home. You will typically receive several treatments – one each day for several days – to ensure that you are receiving the benefits of using Ketamine infusion treatment.

How to Prepare for your Appointment

When you are set to receive Ketamine infusion therapy, there are several things that you can do to help prepare you for your appointment. After you have been properly screened for health concerns and spoken with your doctor (and psychiatrist, if applicable), be sure to keep the following in mind to prepare for your Ketamine infusion therapy:

• Bring along records or imaging to your consult
• Find a trusted friend or relative to accompany you to your appointment and drive you home
• Bring earphones or ear plugs to help make the experience comfortable
• Bring an eye mask in case you have sensitivity to light during and after treatment
• Do not eat past midnight prior to your treatment
• Continue medications regularly unless told otherwise by your doctor. If you take medications in the morning, be sure to take them only with a small sip of water.

If you have pain without a known etiology, a thorough investigation will be conducted. It is always important to understand the pain before starting Ketamine, to ensure that no interactions will occur. Dr. Edinger specializes in the diagnosis of rare disorders that can cause neuropathic pain. If you have a psychiatrist or specialist, notes will be required to ensure that you have been cleared for treatment.

What to Expect During your Appointment

When you arrive at the surgery center, the doctor will have you sit in a comfortable chair in a treatment room, where you will be hooked up to machines that will monitor your vitals: pulse, oxygen levels, heart rate, etc. You will be given an intravenous supply of Ketamine mixed with other medications that will help keep side effects down. This will be placed in your hand, wrist, or arm via a tiny needle. During the infusion therapy, you will receive a dose of Ketamine that is individualized just for you based on your needs. The process typically takes between 45 and 55 minutes, although more or less time can be allotted based on your needs.

While you are receiving the Ketamine infusion therapy, you may find that you can easily relax, especially if you brought earplugs or earphones and an eye mask. You may feel sensitivity to light and sound, and maybe even experience mild hallucinations during treatment, but you will be carefully monitored the entire time, and should communicate any discomfort you may feel with the doctor and nurses.

Results and Follow-Up Care

After receiving Ketamine infusion treatments, patients will be scheduled to come back into the office for another follow-up visit within two to four weeks from the very first treatment. This follow-up appointment is a time to reflect on how the treatment worked, and learn the results from the doctor. Depending on the results, a personalized booster treatment plan may be initiated, in which another treatment may give further relief.

Benefits of Using Ketamine USA for Ketamine Infusions

When you choose Ketamine treatments, you will receive thorough records of your experience with the Ketamine infusion treatment, and a thorough workup if required – especially for chronic pain patients.

It is important to note that Ketamine treatment is only one part of a larger treatment plan. For chronic pain patients, this means seeing a physician and getting the proper medical care, such as imaging and other tests to help pinpoint cause. For mood disorder patients, you will need to further treatment by seeing a psychiatrist.