Ketamine For Depression? (Page 43)
(Newest replies 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.

REPLY

REPORT

Thanks. The only list I could find was a list of pain doctors (identical to a list from another site) that provide ketamine to patients suffering from RSD and CRPS. Although I noticed that at least one of the doctors on this list, Nancy Sajben, does provide treatment for depression - I contacted several other providers, and they do not treat depression patients. Is there another list, specifically with doctors that offer Ketamine for depression, that I am missing?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello,
It is actually quite good. I feel much better. It's quite amazing how fast change came. I do not feel completely NEW person, but rather myself again. Hope it will stay. I'm so glad that I've found Dr. Fruitman and now when I see it really works I can recommend him to other sufferers.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Em, if you trace back in this thread I posted a LARGE list of doctors, both psychiatrists as well as other MDs who are working with people who have seemingly intractable depression as you seem to suffer from and what I myself have suffered from.

Personally I have suffered from depressive episodes on and off throughout my life and a couple of years ago had to go through the suicide of my sister. Trust me, it was suicide of your loved one is one of the most horrific things you can experience.

Without the renewed hope that my ketamine treatments (personally I have done IV ketamine as well as intranasal) I might be in a dark, inescapable hole. But I am not. I found ketamine to help. And you can too. Go back in the tread and look at the list. You will no doubt find someone you can work with.

So, trace back in this topic. You will find the list that I posted regarding the doctors working with ketamine treatments for depression from across the USA. When I went for my last vist to Dr. Sajben in San Diego (yes, a "pain doctor" who has been a great help to me, a person in Los Angeles who suffers from depression) I met a man in the waiting room who traveled all the way from North Carolina to see her for his seemingly intractable depression. He told me how thankful he was for Dr. Sajben who has helped him turn his life around.

Also, do yourself a favor and take a look at the very beginning of this tread and look at the link to the scopolamine thread. I was the person who started this discussion when I was asked to create a new one when the discussion regarding scopolamine started to take a new direction towards the discussion of ketamine.

On the scopolamine thread (which again is linked to at the top of this thread) you can read about my story as well as many others who are going through similar depths of depression that might be similar to what you might be going through. Perhaps you might find some solace in our shared experiences.

Look at the list of doctors I mention towards the top of this discussion topic. A google search might even bring you more who might be practicing in your area. And again, please take a look at the scopolamine discussion. It might help to give you perspective.

Do seek help. It is out there. I know. My experience is that although I am not "cured" of my depression, it no longer has me in a strangle hold. I can actually break it's grip and experience something close to normalcy.

With a bit of research and some effort, your experience might even exceed mine. And that is what I wish for you, light and beauty.

All the best,

Michael

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

em-

very sorry for all that you have been thru. it's been 2+ years for me. i could not imagine dealing with this pain as long as you have. you are very strong.

the 2 doctors i have dealt with for ketamine infusions are dr. david fiefel at uc san diego and dr. randall espinoza at ucla. both of their contact info are easily found with a quick google.

i would also suggest contacting your nearest major university in arizona. see if they have a psychiatric department that may be doing ketamine infusions for depression. in the past year more and more colleges are offering this treatment.

this is all 'off-label' unfortunately. meaning your insurance will not cover it. prices here on the west coast are expensive; $600 to $1250 per treatment. if you respond the average remission seems to be 1 to 4 weeks before relapse.

i am scheduled to have an infusion this wed down in san diego. i am praying that i respond. i'll let everyone know how it goes. wish me luck!

hang-in there em.

john

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Em,
I searched for the doctors mentioned in this thread and came up with the following info:

Dr. David Feifel at UCSD Medical Center is using ketamine NOW to treat depression. A single IV infusion of ketamine alleviates depression for about a week. At UCSD, they're giving multiple infusions of ketamine over several weeks, hoping that this will have long-lasting benefits.
A video (and a transcript) of Dr. Feifel discussing the use of ketamine for depression is at this site:
medscape.com/viewarticle/736133


Randall Espinoza, M.D., M.P.H.
Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA
(800) 825-9989 Resnick NPH Access Center

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

N2V,
please let us know how things progress with the ketamine injections if you can. Thanks, and good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello,

I am a nurse with a Master's Degree. I am 43-years-old, and have suffered from clinical depression since 1991, or for 21 years. I have tried at least 20 different antidepressants, a number of other psychiatric medications, multiple kinds of therapy/counseling (including CBT, EMDR, and even hypnosis), and ECT. I have had inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments, therapy, and alternative medicine. I have seen primary care doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, acupuncturists, hypnotherapists ... you name them, I've seen them.

Since 1991, I have spent the majority of my life in a horrible grey blur of depression and hopelessness, interspersed with hospitalization for suicidal ideation. In December of 2011, I did attempt suicide with an "exit bag," but was stopped by my family. I was so distressed upon being interrupted that I attempted to complete my suicide with a knife - but was unsuccessful.

I am ready to give up. I can hardly work, had to drop out of law school, divorced, and most times barely function. I ended up on disability.

My family has become frustrated by my ongoing lack of response to treatment, and sometimes I feel that they have given up on my ever getting better.

As I write this, I have been in bed for almost two weeks, too depressed to do anything but hide in my bed and cry.

I honestly started to make arrangements to commit suicide, reviewing my life insurance and will, writing emails to be delivered after (which included instructions for my family), and looking for a loving home for my dog.

However, I keep thinking about the research I have read on this new potential treatment - an in particular the words of other patients whose treatment resistant depression was finally resolved with the use of Ketamine.

I am smart, educated, kind ... I could do so much with my life and for myself and my family if I could just get rid of this depression!

How can I get this treatment? I have read all the posts in this thread, but don't see contact information for the 3-4 doctors mentioned in California, and 1 in NYC. I did see a list at the end, but it as for pain doctors who use ketamine, not psychiatrists.

I live in Arizona, but am willing to travel and/or relocate (either temporarily or permanently) if it means getting effective treatment for this terrible disease that has taken over my life. Mental health care in Arizona is extremely poor.

Please let me know if this treatment is available in Arizona, California, or Washington - or anywhere else - and also if you have an idea of what the costs are and whether they are covered by insurance.

I AM DESPERATE & HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE! I AM OUT OF OPTIONS AND HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN.

I would sincerely appreciate any information or referrals you may be able to provide.


Thank You!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Well I can say that I feel almost exactly the same. The closest feeling I can describe is like after 4-5 shots of good scotch. But effect is even better after. I'm confident without being high.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What's it feel like during and after your ketamine dosing? I'd like to hear your experience.

I can tell you that with the nasal spray, between 10-16 sprays, I'm immobilized for about 2 hrs. I lay in my bed with my eyes closed, mind drifting into a world where I'm a totally different person -- confident, ready to take on the world. This is the person I remember myself to be before the depression hit. If I open my eyes, the room is spinning. I always hope that the confidence from the K experience will cross over into reality but I can't say that it does. It's difficult for me to tell if the K is having any effect on my depression, personality, outlook, mental health, except during that 2 hour time frame when I'm in the proverbial k-hole.

I feel that I have to remind you that I'm dosing with a prescribed nasal Ketamine spray about twice a week, or when I feel that my thoughts are becoming uncontrollable.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

It looks that IM works basically the same as IV at least on me

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Dang! That's a really good deal N2V, especially compared to the $1250 I paid at UCLA. That's why I have even been trying the intranasal route, even though it isn't nearly as long lasting.

Anyone know of a doctor in the Los Angeles area who is as cost effective? I'd give up the intranasal if I could pay that sort of rates. $1250 is just outrageous.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm having my third infusion (likely, of four) tomorrow at UCLA - I'll post an update after that

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Are these intramuscular injections for chronic pain or for depression?

I thought that only intravenous infusion worked for depression.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

And my cost was-$250 for the initial consultation and $250 for each cession.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've seen Dr. Fruitman couple of times before and was pleasantly impressed with his knowledge of the subject. I've received Ketamine intramuscular- 2 shots within 15 min- 0.5mg per kg of my weight, and it really worked!! Wow! I feel like myself again. My protocol is- twice a week for 4 weeks, then once a month for 5 months.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

lahelp-

thanks my neighbor. i appreciate you kind offer. would you believe i have 2011 vw gti that i bought brand-new 2 years ago that has only 3k miles on it so far? that's less driving than my 90 year-old mom does. ;) i use to love to drive...

seriously though, thanks again for your generous offer.

i am actually driving down to san diego on 24 july for my infusion on the 25th. so, i got me some 'wheels' and hope. i will be staying down there, like you did, for 3 days.

if i respond to the infusion i will be quite thrilled. if i don't, i'll be pretty bummed to be honest. though i know there are many more things for me to try and do.

but, if i do, i think i will then follow your steps and work with dr espinoza again at ucla. wonder if there is a special discount for former ect patients of his. (lame joke.) hearing that they might give a price break is encouraging. i need to find-out first if i even respond to the infusions, then i will work on the money stuff and ucla at a later point.

if you can lahelp please keep us updated on your progress with the multiple infusions.

good luck!

john

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have experience with both the spray and the infusion.

I had a much greater length of relief with the infusion, but must also comment that I sill have had some decent success with the spray.

I hesitate to make any broad comments regarding dosing regimens regarding the spray since my doctor, Dr. Sajben, made it very clear that each person can and will respond differently to intranasal ketamine. I suggest that you proceed with patience and caution and work with your doctor to find the appropriate dose.

In my case, the relief from depression from the infusion that I received at UCLA lasted almost a month. With the intranasal spray I find that I get relief lasting between one to two days and sometimes as long as a week.

I might try the infusion again, but should comment that the intranasal route hasn't been too much of a bother. I don't care for the taste when it runs down my throat, but the dopy-ness from the ketamine isn't altogether that horrible and that if I just find a good time to chill at home for about 45 minutes or so in the evening I come out of it just fine with no residual hang-over.

Anyway, that's my experience. All the best to everyone out there.

Keep up the good fight! ;-)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am also trying the nasal ketamine and still trying to figure out correct dosing. Can anyone share what they have tried, amount and how often. Curious to know if anyone has had success with the nasal ketamine for depression. At this point the best I have experienced is a calming effect.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Does anyone have any personal experience with both the spray and the infusion? What differences if any are you experiencing between the two?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

N2V,
I hope you don't mind if I ask a few specific questions.

Are you seeing Dr. Edward Fruitman? Will you be getting nasal spray, or a ketamine infusion? How much does it cost?

I've tried the ketamine nasal spray and it didn't work for me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I will go to the states to take ketamine treatment for depression. Ketamine is probably a great pill for depression, as ...

34 REPLIES

## What is Cispin? ## Cispin is a common misspelling for the antidepressant called Zispin SolTab. Active Ingredient: Mir...

3 REPLIES

My friend was prescribed Haldol for depression. My friend suffers from being addicted to Perocets, and because he was go...

1 REPLY

My Son went to the Dr. for anxiety and depression, pristiq created more problems for him, panic attacks, insomnia, loss ...

13 REPLIES

Has anyone started taking Rexulti, if so how is it going so far. I just started 1 mg today and will phase out abilify? #...

8 REPLIES

After being on every imaginable antidepressant over the past twenty-five years and undergoing ect, I have found that Rit...

4 REPLIES

This thread is to discuss Ibogaine as a means to treat Depression and Pain Management, including, but not limited to, an...

34 REPLIES

DOES ANYONE KNOW A MD WHO PRESCRIBES SUBOXONE FOR DEPRESSION IT HELPS ME TREMENDOUSLY ## HAVE YOU FOUND A DOC TAT WILL W...

2 REPLIES

is colozapam for anxiety and depression ? ## The pill in description is Clonazepam; which is a benzodiazepine derivative...

2 REPLIES

anyone with experience using riluzole for treatment resistant depression ## Hello, Pance! How are you? I've not take...

1 REPLY