Ketamine For Depression? (Page 40) (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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Thank you very much.that is lucky.even better the chance it works and I no longer am in a living nightmare of depression and suicidal ideation.

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You mean tricyclic antidepressents? I've been on nortriptyline in the past and it has helped.

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The last message was for NurseNancy69.

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......have tried nortriptyline and unfortunately-no work;0

but much thanks for suggestion and may help someone else b/o your suggestion

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I am still searching for a study to join or dr. To prescribe ketamine.it would help my pain and depression.my psychiatrist said it has been causing psychosis.then they have to give benzodiazapines to bring them down.i think people on it are either mixing drugs or are predisposed for psychosis.i really do not think it is the proper use of the drug.

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i have been suffering from major depression and p.t.s.d. as well as acute anxiety for many years.tried pretty much most of the anti depressents out there.i am still in darkness.i tried to get into a ketamine study from yale and hartford hospital to no avail.they claim i do not meet the criteria.i also had a lead on a dr. whom prescribes ketamine.she charges 3.000$ for 6 visits.noone has that kind of money.from what i hear ketamine is very effective on depression and pain.i really want to enjoy life.not be so dark and miserable for once.it figures the one medicine that shows promise is hard to obtain.anyone have any replies to help me in hartford ct?

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I looked online for research studies. I contacted Yale, but after a week of waiting they called to say I don't meet their "criteria". I contacted Hartford I.o.l. Research unit. They called back and told me in a message that I didn't meet their criteria, but they gave me a lead. A doctor nearby who would prescribe treatment with Jermaine transfusion. The catch is it would cost me $3000 up front. No one has that kind of money. No insurance is accepted. So I'm stuck elevating my prozac and taking an add on at night. I really feel no relief. I'll humor them. Nothing else I can do.

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Sandi,
Wonderful to hear it is working, wonderful for both of you. I get the impression that the infusion treatment has a smoother and longer lasting effect than oral capsules/liquid. I'd strongly suggest working on anything that you know helps reduce occurrence or severity of depression. Exercise, being around people, creative work, strong light, regular sleep pattern? Do what you can to make the most of treatment. I hope the treatments either stop depression from recurring, or last long enough that they are not needed too frequently. It was wonderful to read between the lines of your post, and realize how supportive you've been. Best wishes.

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Hi, Is the IMPACT study still accepting people? Do you have a contact name?
Thanks.

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caiguise, Where did you try ketamine? If it was in Toronto, do you have a contact? I've been researching it's efficacy for several days and came across a 2014 reference to an unnamed doctor at Toronto Western, who has prescribed it. I can't find any other reference. I'd very much like to try it as my MDD has not responded well to any antidepressants, etc, or to ECT. Thanks

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thank you for the information - i would like to access the files you mention/offer: how can i acquire these? many thanks.

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Thank you! I did make contact with Dr Downar. I see my psychiatrist early January and will discuss this with him. Did you try oral ketamine? Did it help?

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Hey, caiguise. I decided not to pursue oral ketamine for the time being. I'm not convinced that this method would help much. Because of other conditions, I don't qualify for any of the ketamine studies in Ontario. I contacted Princeton about intranasal ketamine and received a response a few days ago. An RN told me that they would be willing to discuss it with my psychiatrist. When I saw him last week we discuss ketamine. He wasn't against my trying it but did say that while research does look promising, it is still early...so, the standard psychiatric response to something new. I see him again in a few weeks and may bring it up again.

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Joseph,

If you are still having trouble with depression, you may want to look into the rTMS studies at CAMH and Toronto Western Hospital. I believe they are enrolling new people.

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Thanks, caiguise. I'm about 2 hours from Toronto so getting there regularly would be an issue, but I am considering it.

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Hi, I am on disability for bipolar. I am 36 and have tried all the medications. None work. Is it possible to get a sample prescription of ketamine powder?

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Hi John. In Canada, one may be able to find a progressive doctor that will prescribe ketamine. I found one in Toronto that did this at one time, but does no longer. He told me that he would, however, provide my doctor with the protocol. It is not approved for the treatment of BP or depression (in either Canada or the States, but it can be used "off label"). In the course of my research I read many accounts of American doctors prescribing it, in several states. You'll have to do some calling in order to find someone. Good luck.

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John,

I suspect ketamine would not be appropriate for your situation. It is a temporary fix (not cure) for depression, and I don't know what the risks are if you have hypermanic periods. Part of this may be lack of existing research (or that I just have not read enough), but I suspect doctors would be concerned that it might either trigger manic episodes, not work at all, or work in ways which might differ between people who only get depressed periods, and those who get both depressed and manic ones. You mentioned powdered forms and sample/testing situations. Be careful, the medical treatments tend to be either IV drips, compounded capsules, liquids, or liquids delivered nasally. There are probably reasons why powers are not used, including problems with keeping the dosage controlled, and ensuring the correct amount enters your body. It should go without saying, but on the off chance that (frustrated with your situation) you might be considering alternative sources to pharmacies, this is not a good idea. Aside from legal issues, getting ketamine from any source other than a pharmacy (preferably one with specialty compounding experience) is dangerous. You would not know how much or little to take, and cannot be sure exactly what someone is selling. I know how frustrating it is, when the way you feel is extreme (admittedly I only know the depression side), but stay safe and hang in there. You can search medline, to see if there are publications relating to ketamine therapy for people with manic-depression.

Best wishes, and may you soon feel 'meh' (not sure how to describe 'normal,' but know I mean feeling a rage of emotions, but nothing extreme, and ranging in ways appropriate to things happening outside you). Hang in there.

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Robert,

Have you talked to your doctor about augmentation strategies (if the Prozac did have some effect) or switching to an antidepressant from another category? It can be hard to convince your doctor to try you on ketamine. I was on it for a year, with good results, but my psychiatrist worries that some of the hyperparathyroid symptoms I had for a while (not while taking ketamine, or soon thereafter) could have been ketamine induced. That they went away when 2 parathyroid glands were removed did not change his mind. He is a fantastic psychiatrist, and has helped me greatly, but right now I m in a position where only two treatments in 25+ years of trying things have worked well and without ridiculous side effects. rTMS works wonderfully, but OHIP is still not covering it, and I lose access in 2 wees, and the other is ketamine, which I cannot take because it causes severe anxiety... in my psychiatrist.

You might want to look at the literature on ketamine and neuroplasticity, especially that it seems to undo some of the damage to neurons of long-term stress. I don't know enough about PTSD, but there may be literature relating to ketamine treatment for that condition. It might be something which benefits from short term treatment (ketamine therapy two or three times). If the research is there, it might help you approach a doctor, but remember that for most people (including physicians) ketamine is a dangerous club drug. If you find a doctor willing to try it for you, do consider capsules of an oral liquid. The cost is more likely to be $100 than $3000 for infusions, and when you don't even know if it will work for you I'd stick with the lower priced option. Also, I'd check out the literature on ketamine induced psychoses, so you can talk to your doctor if the research either does not apply to you, or is seriously flawed. I do not know why benzodiazepines would be used if that happened, but have been told that ketamine therapy can make your body 'naive' to painkillers. So if you have built up a tolerance to painkillers, be careful after ketamine therapy because the tolerance may be gone, and the high dose you needed to take before may now be as dangerous as it would have been the first time you took the med.

Hang in there. Even if ketamine therapy does not pan out, there are other treatments to try. Best Wishes.

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hello i am on disability for bipolar ive been on disability for 15 years my name is john

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