Ketamine For Depression? (Page 20)
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It was recommended by the members of a separate thread that one be started that directly relates to ketamine and it's use to treat depression.

If anyone besides myself would like to discuss it's use as a treatment for depression, feel free to post your questions, answers and experiences here.

This thread is an offshoot of a related one that discussed a treatment of Scopolamine for depression.

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Hello Caiguise,

I wanted you to know that I perhaps could have chosen better words than "grasp this". Regardless, your talents and skills come through loud and clear when you replied to me and I thank you for that. Please understand that as much of an entrepreneur as I am that this is sort of personal with me and my drive is not a financial one. In my old mind the internet has worked wonders for the world because of things such as this. The exchange of ideas and knowledge, I am very grateful for your remarks as well as the fact " you get it." I think this drug has powerful uses that would have saved a friends life I think and has to me unbelievably relieved a lot of issues that for me were hard to get around after 40 years of trying. If you want or should I say have time to talk regarding this you are welcome to email me {edited for privacy}. If not I understand. And thank you for your input. I appreciate it.
m

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hey, in Los I was looking for any ketamine doctor, but crazy expensive. one session 2000$. maybe the most cheap one is New York infusion therapy.

by the way, why do you think doctor's always use inj. for it? actually,smoking snoozing,drinking, are draining to the internal body. i think inj. is stronger. is it true? and also, how many ml do they use in inj.? too much is dangerous.

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MD,
I don't think you will find any takers here. First, this is a medication that is off-patent, which should make it lower cost as a treatment. For patients this is a good thing. Second, there are large pharmaceutical companies already doing research in this area, either trying to parse out which components provide benefits and which are related to unpleasant side effects, or finding related compounds, or chemicals that interact with glutamate receptors. So there is big money behind this research. Third, the cost of drug trials to get something through the FDA that could be directly marketed as a treatment for depression are phenomenal. Even the smaller, research-focused, pharmaceutical laboratories often need to work with (sell patents or their companies to) big-pharma because they have the resources to get through the FDA trial procedures. You are not going to put together venture capitalists for that amount of money, and for a process that will take many years before it has even a hope of paying out. Fourth, my understanding is that ketamine treats or masks depression, it does not cure it. The underlying condition persists, although you may be able to make changes in your life and behaviours because of the ketamine which have more lasting effects. Fifth, unless you are coming up with a new chemical compound or formulation you can't patent it, and cannot make claims about its use to treat any medical condition.

So instead of telling those on the board that we do not get the point, maybe accept that we see your enthusiasm and would love to see venture capitalists getting together and researching, examining, and marketing an inexpensive and useful variant of ketamine, but you probably need to read up on the process before proceeding further.

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Howard,
I wouldn't rule out the glutimate system so quickly. I do not have diagnosed ADD, but I take ritalin in the morning sometimes when depression is at its worst and I cannot focus and cope with all the stimuli. I've found that taking ketamine, while generally reducing anxiety, can make me more sensitive to sounds, and that while it is still being processes in my system I find the excessive stimuli problematic. My mood is improved afterwards, but being around noises (with two active kids it is more a matter of reducing the noise) seems more annoying than usual. I am still trying to figure out if four hours of quiet after taking my dose actually improves how well and how long the dose is effective for treating depression. So this overstimulation may make the initial effects more annoying for anyone with ADD, or any disorder that could be linked to trouble processing too many stimuli at one time, or blocking out some stimuli as a self-defense mechanism. If you can, take a close look at how the process feels at all the stages. Personally, I do Sudoku online. I find that when the ketamine is just kicking in and out I process the puzzles as a gestalt (all at once, rather than in pieces), which suggests I am either able to process more stimuli, or I am unable to reduce the stimuli I need to process. It may require lowering the dosage, or seriously reducing external stimuli for the first hours or day. I really find a distraction free space and ambient sound music (presumably directing my emotional tone and keeping me from seeking patterns) playing to get the most benefit. But, unless there was no effect at all, I would politely suggest continuing to investigate the parameters of how the treatment is applied. I hope your son finds relief, either with this treatment or something else. Best wishes.

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You folks seem to be having a time grasping this. So I am asking are there any folks here with access to venture capitalists that would be willing to work with myself and a Neurologists in regards to the amalgamation of the compounded components of ketamine for the purposes of the unbelievable breakthrough in "curing" "CHRONIC" depression. I am trying to assemble a team to work with on this project. My truthful tagline is to say that a person that has not responded at all to seratonin inhibitors over the years can go through this process and actually be "CURED" in less than 7 days from depressions that have sucked tremendous amounts of life from a human being. Please respond {edited for privacy} if you can help. We need you. Thanks
LM DeMarcus

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Your PDoc wants to prescribe Ketamine w/o having a specialist? He should contact his lawyer first.

You should go to a psychiatrist, get set up, dosed and stabilized before going on maintenance with a PDoc.

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My P Dr is willing to prescribe Ketamine intranasal but needs to know what is required
and other info. do you know of someone he can contact so we can get started on this.
I think he is concerned about FDA rules,legalities,etc.
thanks

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Ketamine is working, sertonin1, nmda receptor. I always can't feel happy, everyday all the time. i think this is completely a genetic reason. I already tried to commit suicide 4 times. cuz everyday all the time, I'm not happy, and then I can't trust everybody. When I was junior high schooler, I couldn't eat my mother's meal. cuz I suspected poison. my brain is so crazy, so my brain makes me always unhappy so much.

From graduating high school to now,I tried in so many things. i entered Japanese military forces, I did exercise every day, I did meditation, zazen, 2-8hours everyday, I did fasting for about 20 days, Shikoku Henro, I tried engaging in job at foreign country.
These matters made me so much better and my problem almost disappeared. But I feel my limit. At first, my brain is crazy. this fact is fact. never changes.

That's why finally I decided to use ketamine. I will go to the states to meet a doctor for ketamine.

My name is toshiharu {edited for privacy}

Maybe Namenda or ketamine is good for me. That's why I need it now. I'm fed up with bulls***.

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Howard,
Again, I'm sorry that the ketamine didn't work. I'm not very familiar with Aspergers, but I can imagine that throwing that into the mix does make things difficult.
I am 34, I have MDD and GAD, and have recently been diagnosed with PTSD symptom stemming from some childhood trauma (4 sudden deaths of close family members back to back). Anxiety seems to be the major culprit in my life.
It's so frustrating to try and figure out whether you are part of the NDMA/Glutamate model or not. It's trial and error. I hope they come up with tests soon to be able to give a better indication.
I would have thought surely your son would have experienced some sort of relief, being that ketamine is supposed to have anxiolytic properties. Then again, what do I know, I'm not a doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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MD

I recently changed from taking a ketamine suspension sublingually, to nasally with an aspirator. It took some time to get the dose right. I ended up on a slightly higher dose and still every second day. My doc, who is a speciallized neuropsychiatrist has commented that he finds most of his patients find a dose that works them at some point in the next few months needs it upped slightly and then that new dose just keeps working. Feel free to pass on that info or my email to your doctor if he wants to talk to someone for whom the process has worked. I have experienced partial response as well as the roller coaster of a too infrequent schedule. The other thing you could ask your doctor to consider is taking the same dose slightly differently. I have found taking the same dose nasally in more small bursts over ten min works more consistently than in .5 ml doses every 30 seconds. I just have less go down the bank of my throat. Another possibility to ask him about is using it sublingually/buccally. That would mean by mouth but swishing it around without swallowing for ten to fifteen minuites. Personally the last method gives me a full response with the lowest dose, although still every second day. I do find the initial side effects are different, more visual but less residual grogginess. Still it is a minor annoyance compared to depression. Best wishes.

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Hi Clay

Our 35 year old son has Asperger Syndrome (high functioning autism), depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It seems that this combination makes it more difficult to treat. Apparently, the autism results in his not accepting the logic of what he should or should not do. It is very hard to reason with him; such as convincing him to adopt a healthier diet, exercise, meditate, or whatever. He wants a pill, prescription or other, to make him feel better.

Many prescribed meds have been tried with little success, and now that ketamine IV did not help, apparently the NDMA/glutamate model can be ruled out.

We have not yet given up hope, although his mother and I are getting to the point that it is difficult for us to care for him.

Howard

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Howard,
So sorry to hear that ketamine didn't work for your son. The SBG looks promising as well, though That's the first that I've heard about it. What is your son's story, if you don't mind sharing?

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It's great to hear success stories. But we did not have success for our son. We took him to Dr. Levine in Princeton, N J.; about 700 hundred miles from here in southcentral Indiana, stayed a week and had three treatments with no improvement; also no side effects. This is a very nice clinic with wonderful doctor and staff and apparently typical success rate.

So we are still searching.

This morning I saw a report from ScienceDaily--"Commom anesthetic procedure dramatically improves well being of veterans with PTSD". They state that a single application of a procedure called (SBG) stellate ganglion block, could be the answer to alleviating anxiety, depression and psychological pain in those suffering from PTSD. This study was presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2014 annual meeting. Go to ScienceDaily to read more and search SBG.

howard

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Thank you so much! I'm so thankful that it worked and that I got my life back. I was truly at the end of my rope just a few months ago. I have a 2 and a half yr old beautiful little boy who needs me. Thanks again, and God Bless you!

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Thank you so much and God Bless you as well. I'm so sorry to hear that the Ketamine didn't work for you, but I hope you find something that works for you soon. Please keep me updated.

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Clay,
Although I was dealing with very severe depression for a long time, anxiety was never a problem with me. I would highly recommend making an appointment with Dr Brooks. He's the best. A very knowledgeable and caring Dr. He truly saved my life. Good luck!!

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JimW, I am **so** thrilled for you! It feels wonderful to know some people are getting there!

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JimW, that is so amazing!! I've been considering going for ketamine treatment as well. I've looked into going to Dr. Brooks. Can you tell me how it did with your anxiety? I too have been diagnosed with PTSD, and so anxiety can tend to be the worst of the depression. I've tried TMS as well.

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JimW: that is awesome!! God bless you as you return to a non-depressed life!! I also saw Dr Brooks. The ketamine didn't work for me, but yes, Dr. Brooks is a wonderful man. I could see his sadness for me when the treatment didn't work. He really cares about his patients.

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I'm a 9/11 first responder and have been suffering from severe depression since 2002. I was also recently diagnosed with PTSD. I've tried every single antidepressant on the market. I've also tried Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and ECT. Nothing worked. Finally, in May of 2014, I went to see Dr Glen Brooks, who runs the NY Ketamine clinic located in downtown Manhattan. My depression had gotten so bad, and was truly at the end of my rope. After my 3rd infusion, my depression had completely disappeared. I couldn't believe it. Dr Brooks literally saved my life. He's a great Dr and a very caring man. I now receive 1 monthly infusion and have been depression free almost 6 months!

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