About Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Patients with major depressive disorders, bi-polar depression, PTSD, and severe anxiety states sometimes suffer with sever depression that does not respond to oral antidepressants or other therapy. The good news is that Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as an effective treatment option for many patients suffering from treatment resistant depression.
Ketamine is given as a low dose infusion and works differently from other currently available medication by blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain called glutamate. Research goes on to fully understand the effects of blocking the glutamate (NMDA) receptor, but it appears that neuron connection damage caused by “being depressed” is reversed allowing for healthy connections to develop. The result is a dramatic and rapid improvement in severe depression.
Patients with mild depression, situational depression, or mood swings are not candidates for Ketamine infusion therapy.
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition and can be very difficult to manage. Patients with severe pain conditions such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and other neuropathic conditions such as Fibromyalgia, post herpetic (shingles) neuralgia, and post-treatment Lyme disease neuropathy that are not controlled with prescription pain medication, injections or other therapy may respond to Ketamine infusion therapy.
Ketamine is known to block the glutamate (NMDA) receptor in the spinal cord, which is an important pathway for the transmission of the pain signal to the brain in chronic pain patients. Blocking this excessive pain signal allows the brain to reset and stop interpreting sensations as painful.
Ketamine infusion is an out patient procedure done in a private setting. Patients sit in a recliner while receiving the infusion and are monitored continuously with an anesthesiologist immediately available throughout the procedure. Infusions for depression treatment last 45 minutes. Chronic pain conditions require longer infusions. You may listen to relaxing music or just experience the infusion. It may take several Ketamine infusion treatments for symptom relief to occur.
You will not lose consciousness. You may feel like you are floating or disconnected and have some light and sound sensitivity. Most patients tolerate the infusions quite well. Expect to be light headed or dizzy for about an hour after the infusion. You must arrange for someone to bring you and take you home. They may remain with you during the infusion if you wish.
It will take several hours for symptom relief to occur. At some point you will begin to notice an improvement in your functionality but mood improvement may take some time. Your mental healthcare provider will determine if more treatments are necessary.
At this time insurance companies do not reimburse ketamine infusion therapy so we do not participate in any insurance plans and will not bill them on your behalf. We will provide you the necessary forms to submit to your insurance company.
Patients will need to be referred to us by their mental healthcare or pain management provider. Please Text: 972-654-5673 for assistance with the scheduling process.
