Ketamine For Depression? (Page 30) (Top voted first)

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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I know this thread is mainly for discussion of ketamine, but as the discussion has turned to DCTS machines I wanted to chime in. Please understand that this is my personal experience and not that of an expert. Then again, part of the problem with DCTS machines is that there really are no experts.

I bought one of the machines (not a Fisher-Wallace as the results on other machines seemed to show more benefit) after my OHIP insurance stopped covering rTMS. Be careful where you place the electrodes, it really changes not only how it stimulates an area to reduce depression or de-stimulates another area to reduce anxiety. Accept that depression and anxiety probably involve areas that you cannot affect with this mode as well as areas that you might be able to effect. My machine has a cathode and elecrode, each with a pad that you wet down, and a ridiculous set of velcro bands that you use to position the pads on your head. Make sure your family does not have a camera ready. I found that parting my hair front to back and side to side to give better contact on the focal area helped. If you find it does not work, check the info on positioning rather than turning up the stimulation level or using it for longer than recommended. Also, if you are off you can affect other areas of the brain, which you do not want to do. Fight to urge to use it for longer than recommended and accept that you do not need to feel pain for it to work. The level that worked for me only gave a little sting when it was ramping up or down. Regarding the sting, I found it was less of a problem if I used salted water to wet the pads. And if you end up with red patches or scrapes, cuts, whatever do not use the machine for a while. From what I've read it appears that most of the problems involve overuse, or too high a level of stimulation.

Just FYI, I found it helped somewhat for both depression and anxiety, but that I could not use it regularly enough to prevent symptoms coming back. I hope you have better results.

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google naurex, inc. they expect to have IV "cousin" of ketamine available in 2016 and a pill version in 2017. J and J expects to have a intranasal version in 2017. these will of course be patented and expensive.

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Yes...Ketamine has been proven to be very successful for PTSD

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yes, that is what is so frustrating, it's effective for PTSD, suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety; but the FDA will not approve it and mainstream doctors and clinics will not use it off label, because big pharma is not making money from it. they have to wait for the patented meds to be available.

they could be saving and improving lives now if they really wanted to.

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I'm a 9/11 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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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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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, I am **so** thrilled for you! It feels wonderful to know some people are getting there!

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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I Cannot endorse Ketamine Infusion!
It is not a miracle for TRD by any definition.

My four recent Ketamine Inffusions were 100% ineffective for Depression and left me feeling very sick, dizzy and suffering flashbacks for many weeks.

BEWARE of older MD's setting up shop in 'borrowed offices' and charging you thousands of dollars for less than $1.00 of Ketamine simply b/c they can. They are cashing in on your despair during their 'retirement'.

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