(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Kitchen Table Kibitzing: Ketamine, Anyone? [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-27 I feel a little like Senator John Fetterman here, coming out about mental health issues, but here goes. Next month I begin Ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression and recurring anxiety. I’m a little nervous about it, but I hold out hope that the infusions will help me to get off some of the medications I am on which haven’t solved the problem and which have led to numerous undesired side effects over the years. Along with weight gain, cognitive and memory issues, some of the meds have actually impacted my eyesight. I’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, which can be attributed to the use of antidepressants. Medicare will pick up part of the cost but I will be paying a significant chunk of change for the treatments, which begin with two treatments a week for three weeks with follow-ups at one or two months, depending on how it works for you. My friend joked the other day that my “loading treatment” is equivalent to the money she puts out every three months for filler and other treatments to maintain her youthful skin appearance. My daughter surprised me the other night when she told me that she has tried ketamine recreationally and that it is a pleasant experience, certainly not something that should make me fearful. Some research: The effectiveness of ketamine for TRD was first demonstrated for short-term treatment in research that resulted in clinically and statistically significant decreases in depression scores for ketamine versus placebo (In both groups in this study, the patients continued with their regular antidepressants because of concern of not treating TRD in the placebo arm.) Nasal ketamine was shown to have longer-term efficacy, in a study where ketamine (plus the regular antidepressant) helped people stay in stable remission 16 weeks into treatment. Relief from TRD with ketamine happens rapidly. Instead of waiting for an SSRI to hopefully provide some relief over the course of weeks, people who are suffering under the crushing weight of depression can start to feel the benefits of ketamine within about 40 minutes. Harvard Health Last week, I had an intake interview with the director of the psychiatric clinic in San Francisco I’ll be going to. They were recommended to me by my pdoc as the best in the Bay Area. They specialize in transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and ketamine. I expressed my concerns about mood-altering substances, explaining how I never have done well smoking marijuana as it makes me paranoid, and the one time I had taken acid as a teenager had been horrific. He assured me that this wouldn’t be the case with ketamine and that the environment was one in which I would feel completely safe. Each session lasts for two hours with the infusion itself lasting 45 minutes and the remainder of the time dedicated to dealing with your drowsiness. You are not allowed to drive yourself home so I am going to have to take Uber as a means of transportation. I guess the thing that has me the most concerned right now is the fact that I’m going to have to find some support. My daughter is out of the country when I begin treatment, my best friend is in Carmel, and my other closest friend is still out drinking. I’m reaching out to other friends for help. ITMT, it occurred to me that the things I was reading about ketamine reminded me of how I feel when I get nitrous oxide during dental procedures. Sure enough, there is research revealing that the two work in a very similar manner in dealing with depression. Here’s a list of some of what you can expect to experience on ketamine: Some of the most common experiences on ketamine include: Deep relaxation or dissociation. Patients describe feeling “floaty,” “light,” or like they are dreaming. Dissociation from ketamine infusion tends to be a pleasant or neutral experience, and it is believed that this state of mind allows for processing emotions without feeling overwhelmed. Feeling happy or euphoric. Ketamine may make you feel happy or blissful. For patients suffering from depression, the euphoria from ketamine treatment can feel like a sudden relief from the daily weight of pain and worry. Heightened senses. You may become more aware of instruments in the music you’re listening to, the softness of your blanket, or the intensity of different colors. Safely revisiting past memories or trauma. One way ketamine therapy works is by allowing us to process the difficult feelings or memories we usually avoid. Although this can be challenging, it is also an important step towards processing feelings and beginning to heal. So I’ve arranged for my therapist to be available to check in on me on the days I have treatment during the initial week and I’m looking for someone to walk the dog for me those afternoons. 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